Breckland Birder

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

Friday 22 January 2016

Hilborough, Norfolk

As the day came to a close the rain finally cleared although it remained generally cloudy.  It was nice to see the last vestiges of light at 1700 hours, the longer days are now more noticeable.
It was late afternoon when I visited the beautiful parkland and the surrounding Brecks at Hilborough.
I short visit through the parkland at Hilborough and then onto Cockley Cley Road was quite productive with the following being seen/heard:

3 Teal
Mallard
Shoveler (male)
4 Red Kites
4+ Buzzards
1 Barn Owl
Kestrel
1 Chiffchaff
Marsh Tit singing
Coal Tit

Having walked over the rolling parkland at Hilborough I made my way to the Cockley Cley Road for a short walk of some half-mile or so before turning back at dusk.
A small area of marshland adjacent to the Cockley Cley Road held 3 Teal, a male Shoveler, and a few Mallard.  The Teal were heard calling their lovely "kleep" call.
In the woodland to my right a Marsh Tit was heard in song and a single Red Kite passed low overhead.
Leaving the woodland for open countryside several raptors were seen over woodland, these comprised 3 Buzzards and 4 Red Kites.
Turning back towards the park, a Chiffchaff passed through roadside hedgerow trees close to marshland, calls were frequently heard.  This is my fourth record of wintering Chiffchaff since the start of the year.
A walk back to my start point saw a Barn Owl hunting within parkland close to a maize strip.

2 comments:

  1. A Marsh Tit; now there's a bird I have not seen for forty years or more! back to the UK today and hoping to visit the North Norfolk coast for a day next week if I can find a decent day, weather wise.
    Bob

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    1. Have a wonderful trip to the North Norfolk Coast Bob. I would like to have met up with you but I am working every day except Friday......Dentist...again

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