0815 arrival. The visit began with a singing Linnet in hedgerow alongside Southwater Lane and just south of there along the track heading south a Whitethroat gave an alarm call from within a Hawthorn.
The area of marsh immediately south of Southwater Lane and east of Watton Brook held a single ♀ Reed Bunting on the top of long grasses feeding from seed heads.
Watton Brook, as with elsewhere in the valley, is heavily choked with Burr reed whilst the bank has lots of Rosebay Willowherb, Purple Loosestrife, and one large Willow.
The main focus of this visit was the search for migrants, especially acrocephalus Warblers along the river. The first of two Sedge Warblers was heard from deep within cover near the large Willow, the bird remained concealed in cover. Nearby, a single “hooweet” call of a Willow Warbler was heard. Again, in a similar area a calling Yellow Wagtail was heard the other side of Watton Brook on grassland currently grazed by sheep. A repeated “tsweeep” call was heard from the bird out of sight on the ground, then it flew off and climbed away to the north when it was joined by two more birds (also possibly Yellow Wagtails). As the Yellow Wagtail flew off the key features seen included a shortish tail and greenish upperparts.
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| A successful morning for migrants in the Watton Brook Valley 10 August 2024 |
Continuing a slow walk south alongside Watton Brook the most abundant species seen was Goldfinch with wandering birds seen feeding from knapweed.
An acrocephalus species flew past me low and speed and darted in cover in the valley, it was not located visually although a call of Sedge Warbler was heard.
At least 3 Reed Buntings were seen in the valley typically in lush vegetation, one at least was a juvenile bird showing a lovely reddish panel on the wing.
Having reached the large Willow wood I returned alongside Watton Brook, a couple of Bullfinches were present (one seen) and a little further along a Hobby passed overhead north and then circled above the Southwater Lane area. Other raptor species seen this morning were 2 Red Kites, Buzzard, and a hunting Kestrel.
At the end of this walk I reflected upon what I considered a good morning for migrant species in the Watton Brook valley.
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