Hockham and Little Cressingham, Norfolk

Beautiful autumn conditions at dawn with very little wind and quite mild.  Low light due to leaden skies and mist throughout the morning.  Light improved by afternoon with some sunny spells and a high of 15 degrees Celsius.

2 Grey Herons

1 Little Egret

5+ Water Rails Hockham

2 Sparrowhawk

30+ Starlings

c. 4000 Jackdaws/Rooks at Little Cressingham

4 Fieldfare Hockham

Redwings

Song Thrush

1 Chiffchaff at Little Cressingham

c. 20 Siskins 

Red Deer Roaring at Hockham

Hockham Fen
What a fantastic autumnal feel this morning, low light, mist hanging over the fen and an out of sight Red Deer roaring frequently, a landscape with a very primeval glory.

Hockham 15th October

My aim was to try and photograph a rutting Red Deer stag, however, despite his obvious moving around, he remained out of sight during my visit.
Local movements at sunrise included a small party of 20+ Siskins, and an overflying flock of about 30 Starlings.  A few Fieldfares passed over very high, their "shack shack" call distinctive.  A single Little Egret arrived from the east and alighted out of sight on the distant fen.  2 Grey Herons were seen.
At least 5 Water Rails were heard calling, given the suitable habitat which I did not check this morning, the true number of these secretive birds will be higher no doubt.
Finally, a check of another part of the fen produced 2 Sparrowhawks soaring low over woodland.

Little Cressingham
A very brief visit to the Great Cressingham road north-west of 'The Arms' produced an estimated 4000+ mixed Rook and Jackdaw flock, a very impressive sight, whilst in the roadside hedgerow a single Chiffchaff called a few times.  Also, Goldcrests heard and Redwings seen and heard in wooded areas.