Breckland Birder

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

Friday 1 June 2018

A morning with Whitethroats

The night was very warm at 15 degrees Celsius, the morning was misty and cloudy, however, the sun eventually broke through giving a high of 23 degrees Celsius.
I visited the Watton Brook Valley this morning primarily to check on a pair of Whitethroats which have a nest within a Dog Rose by the brook.
Initially, the Whitethroats were wary of me and gave the "churrrr" alarm call, eventually however, both male and female resumed feeding once they no longer considered me a threat, and indeed, whilst collecting food the birds came within feet of me, occasionally hidden except for a head which bobbed up and down from cover just to check on me.
Many visits were made to the nest-site during my stay, both parents assuming feeding responsibilities.  Food items collected included caterpillars, Flies, a moth species, and spiders, also, faecal sacs were occasionally taken away from the nest.
Whitethroat (male) with food for young in nest 1st June.
Whitethroat (male) with caterpillars 1st June.
Whitethroat (male) with a spider for the young 1st June
Whitethroat (female) with what appears to be a Common Garden Spider 1st June
Also noted from my position at the Whitethroat territory was a single Kingfisher flying along the valley carrying food.  A single Red Kite and Buzzard seen, and a Blackcap and Mistle Thrush heard singing.

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