East Wretham and Croxton Heaths, Norfolk (With Ken Wood)

It is generally about this time of year when I ask friends if they would like to join me in a search for Adders.  This morning my good friend Ken Wood joined me and we duly arrived at East Wretham at about 0650.  Early cloud moved away to give warm sunshine.
Our first stop was the hide overlooking Langmere where a pair of Shelduck flew in, a male Shoveler on the water, and a pair of Egyptian Geese were seen.
Having joined the Harling Drove we walked towards Croxton Heath where Ken picked out two lovely Roe Deer on the track ahead of us.
Many singing Willow Warblers were heard in the young Birch plantations and at one location we were lucky enough to both hear a singing Willow Warbler and at the same time watch the female bird carrying nesting material to the nest site close by a patch of bracken.
A few Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps sang, and most notably a Garden Warbler was singing in a patch of Birch, Bracken, and Gorse scrub.  Garden Warblers are one of our later returning migrants, this is quite an early arrival.
The main focus of our visit was to search for Adders.  Cloud was initially reluctant to move, however, it did, and warm sunshine followed.  The search was on.

Adder (female) on Croxton Heath 21st April

Ken and myself concentrated our efforts along one of the forest rides where dried bracken, dead leaves, and plenty of cover was great habitat for Adders.  Following a prolonged search, a beautiful female Adder was found under a small Gorse bush where it blended with the ground cover of dead leaves and bracken.  I was really pleased that Ken got to see the Adder, one of my fears when sharing my passion on a walk is that our subject does not show.
Walking back along Harling Drove a Buzzard was being pursued by a Crow species when a second Buzzard appeared.  A Sparrowhawk was circling well above the Buzzards.

A stunning male Pied Wagtail on East Wretham Heath 21st April

Finally, on our return walk over the heath, a pair of Pied Wagtails fed upon the short-cropped grass.
Finally, I would like to thank my friend Ken for joining me, great company and a great walk.