Breckland Birder

Breckland Birder
Red Deer in Breckland, Norfolk Photo by Paul Newport

Monday 7 December 2015

6th and 7th December

6th December 2015
Morley St Botolph
My work as a carer takes me to some beautiful locations between Hingham and Hethersett in Norfolk.  This morning I was doing calls in the isolated village of Morley St Botolph, a wonderful parish of vast expanses of open rolling farmland, hedgerows, patches of woodland, and paddocks for horses.
It was whilst driving between a couple of paddocks at about 1045 that a very good sized flock of 300+ Fieldfare flew over in a tight flock. Presumably these gorgeous Thrushes were visiting the paddocks to feed.
A little later whilst approaching an area of Morley known as Highoak, a pair of Grey Partridges were seen in crops close to the road.

7th December 2015
Little Cressingham (Great Cressingham Road)
A late afternoon visit starting from just north of 'The Arms' produced a good mix of Finches, especially between 'The Arms' and Hopton Farm drying barns.
The beautiful hedgerows alongside the road with its traditional stand of maize produced lots of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammers, and the odd Redpoll passing overhead.  The pines at Hopton Farm produced calling Goldcrest. A small flock of about 20+ Linnets roamed the field for weed-seeds.
I then continued along the Great Cressingham Road north of the B1108 where it climbs away to 'The Fairstead'.  Most activity was seen close to the top of the hill in a single large Holly tree in the hedge where several Redwings and Blackbirds left as I passed by.  This particular tree has been of particular attraction to winter Thrushes, this being due to its dense cover and plentiful supply of red berries for food.

Watton (garden)
I arrived back at home at sunset when a number of Blackbirds passed over the garden in a north-west heading.  Perhaps these are continental birds flying off to their communal roost site.

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