Today was an amazing day of weather with wall to wall sunshine giving excellent visibility. The starting temperature was a cool 7 degrees Celsius rising to about 14 degrees Celsius. There was a very light westerly wind.
The day started well as I stepped outside when a flock of 50+ Redwings passed over in a westerly heading.
Thetford Forest Park (Hockham)
My morning began with a walk through a large forest clearing which was harvested of its commercial Pine crop a couple of years ago. The clearing has been replanted with sapling Pines, before these trees grow to a few feet in height the current habitat will be suitable for Nightjars, Tree Pipits, Woodlark, and Stonechat.
A single tall Holly within the clearing had a heavy crop of berries, this required a closer look with binoculars and as expected at least 4 Blackbirds were in the Holly where they will take berries for food and possibly use the thick cover for roosting in. Also seen in the Holly was 3 Yellowhammers. The open ground held at least 3 Stonechats, these lovely little birds typically chose bush tops to perch and watch from.
An open area of marsh-like habitat was initially quiet, however, this was to change as my visit wore on.
A scan of the marsh produced a single Kingfisher sitting on a dead branch and close by a Water Rail gave its loud call.
A flight of six Mute Swans circled for some time before alighting on water, all of these birds were juveniles.
I began to hear the distant and very loud bugling of Cranes, it was clear they were some way off but as they approached it was clear there was a number of birds involved, then, as like a squadron of bombers, the Cranes slowly came into view over the treetops in a disjointed line, calling all the while. The Cranes circled for a while, some broke away and went to land whilst the remaining birds continued to circle for some time before alighting on the ground. The total number of Cranes involved in this arrival was 18, a very good local count. You will notice a Crane which appears more grey-brown and lacking the striking head and neck pattern of the other birds, these less well marked birds are juveniles.
Some of the 18 Cranes seen 27 October
Other than the very welcome arrival of Cranes, the visit was otherwise fairly quiet although a female Marsh Harrier put in a brief appearance as it circled for a while.
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