Little Cressingham, Norfolk

0530 I arrived north-west of 'The Arms' for a walk to the Watton Brook Valley for early sign of migrant activity.  There was a promise today of warm, sunny weather with a temperature high of 28 degrees Celsius, although at sunrise a weather front moved in bringing dark cloud, however, it remained dry.  The rising sun shining against woodland and the backdrop of dark cloud really highlighted the beautiful colours of the trees in the distant valley.

Watton Brook Valley 7th August.  Distant dark cloud and rising sun really highlights the tree colours beautifully.

As I approached the valley 150+ Starlings were gathered on wires where they undoubtedly were attracted to good feeding around grazing sheep.
A check of the fence-posts and lush sides of the brook was checked for early migrants, but I could not see anything this morning.  Despite that, 3 Goldfinches flew in as did a pair of Yellowhammers, the male Yellowhammer collected food and flew over the grassland to a hedge.
13+ Swallows passed directly over me in a westerly heading and then appeared to start feeding low over grassland.
Two Buzzards and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen in the valley.
Heading back to where the car was parked I briefly heard a single call of a Lesser Whitethroat, most probably an early migrant.