Thompson (Woodland Trust site) 16 November 2025

 Rather annoyingly I slept in late this morning, I rarely sleep in and for me waking up at just after 0800, well, the day is over as I generally like to be out long before sunrise. I thought to myself that there was no point hurrying now so I took my time to have my first coffee of the morning and I eventually left home at around 0945.

Almost 300 acres of land at Thompson is now in the ownership of the Woodland Trust, the transformation of farmland into broadleaved woodland is currently in its very early days, and the habitat as it presents now is of open country with wide woodland rides. The land intended for tree planting is at the current time fields of short grasses and weeds which is well suited to Larks and Finches.  There is a long and mixed hedgerow alongside a footpath and there are peripheral fields intended for grazing.

My visit this morning began with a diminutive Goldcrest foraging in a hedge of Ivy, a very active little bird in its search for food.  

A long and mixed hedgerow alongside a footpath held lots of birds, as did the surrounding fields. An initial view from distance revealed lots of Linnets in the fields, the numbers eventually would be very notable.  As I slowly approached this open habitat I saw an estimated 300+ Linnets wandering the fields, many would use the hedgerow to drop down to a puddle where they would bathe.  There was probably in excess of 100+ Skylarks present along with good numbers of Meadow Pipits and 150+ Starlings too.

Meadow Pipit 16 November 2025

A very welcome 3 Woodlarks passed by and alighted on an area of grassland, the habitat as it looks at the current time is well suited to this species.   Just a single Reed Bunting was seen in a hedgerow.

I made my way to a large grass field with lots of tall weeds and patches of ground covering scrub, here I searched for Stonechat and eventually found a distant ♂ bird typically perched on the topmost parts of weeds.  

Walking back along the long hedgerow the impressive very large flock of Linnets continued to wander the fields with both Skylarks and Meadow Pipits.  Also in the hedgerow my second Stonechat of the morning used the topmost part of a hedge and fencing to watch from.

Having got back to my start point I thought having that unintended lay in wasn't so bad after all given the wonderful birdlife I encountered.  

Thompson Water 15 November 2025

 Following yesterdays heavy and persistent rainfall, the short drive from my home to Thompson Water saw much surface water on the roads and some tree debris too.  It was dull and grey at dawn, and in fact it remained this way for the day with poor quality light and at times reduced visibility due to light rain and drizzle.  The wind was a moderate easterly.

I arrived at Thompson Water at 0700, some 16 minutes prior to sunrise, the immediate damp woodland carr here held many calling Blackbirds, a Marsh Tit, and a mobile flock of Long-tailed Tits which also included a further two Marsh Tits, Blue Tits, and two Goldcrests.

Once at the waterside it was apparent that Mallard (277+) were present in good  numbers, along with about 10 Shoveler, many Gadwall, and several Teal which in included an arrival of 35+ of this diminutive duck.  About 10 Wigeon were present and occasionally the beautiful whistle-like call was heard.  Two Grey Herons were standing motionless in the shallows and in the reedbed scrub at least 3 Cetti's Warblers were singing and a Water Rail called.  

A sudden clatter of wings and the erratic departure of many Wood Pigeons immediately indicated to me the presence of a raptor. looking beyond the Pigeons I saw a Goshawk leisurely pass from left to right before disappearing silently out of sight.  

At around sunrise (although quite dark due to cloud cover), the first of a number of Crossbills were seen with a bird passing directly overhead calling it distinctive hard and repeated "chip" call.  Crossbills were seen or heard throughout the visit either passing overhead or perched in the top of tall conifers.

Another encounter between a ♀ Goshawk and Wood Pigeons was seen, a similar scenario as before with an erratic departure of pigeons, this was followed by the Goshawk singling out a Wood Pigeon which was missing its tail, the pigeon had a lucky escape and lived to fly another day.

The highlight of the morning was the arrival of 2 ♂♂ Goosanders onto the water, these stunning sawbills were quite conspicuous amongst the other duck species with their initial black and white appearance and large size, however, watching these beautiful birds the main features noted was the very dark, glossy green head which is clearly demarcated from the white neck and the slim bill which has a tiny hook at the tip. The breast and underparts are white with just a hint of a pinkish flush.  The back was black. The Goosanders would keep to the surface of the water and occasionally would submerge their heads to look for food. 

Male Goosanders on Thompson Water 15 November 2025

Thrushes were well represented by several Redwings, a single Fieldfare eating berries in a Hawthorn, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, and 10+ Blackbirds high in Birch trees with Redwings, clearly these Blackbirds were migrants from Northern Europe.

Finally, it was good to meet up with friend Sarah Harris and her beautiful dog 'Digger', Sarah as recently taken up the position of editor for the British Birds journal. Well done Sarah 👍

Thompson Water 6 November 2025 (0700-0930)

A stunning red sky greeted me at dawn at Thompson Water, that was it for any brightness as the rest of the visit saw full cloud with light rain and poor light quality, but it was very mild.

My aim at Thompson this morning was to carry out a wildfowl count as this site traditionally holds good numbers of common duck species. My count was as follows:

7 Mute Swan

2 Egyptian Geese

298+ Mallard

58+ Gadwall

10+ Shoveler

Teal (uncounted)

The Mallard count was very good and I expect this to increase as winter progresses, my top count for this species here at Thompson is 322+ birds.

Great White Egret at Thompson Water 6 November 2025

Also present at Thompson was a single Great White Egret wading in the shallows and carefully making its way over Water Soldier.  The Egret was often harrassed by a Grey Heron.  At least 3 Cetti's Warblers were singing in reedbed scrub habitat where a Water Rail called.

In the damp woodland carr habitat a mobile flock of Long-tailed Tits included Blue, Great, and Coal Tits, and up to 4 Goldcrests too. At least 5 Blackbirds were seen feeding in Hawthorn and overhead 3 Crossbills and a single Redpoll passed over, also, an arrival of 12 Lapwings seen. 

Wretham Heath 5 November 2025

 The large Wretham Heath Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve between Watton and Thetford on the A1075 road is without doubt one of my favourite locations for birding.  All seasons hold interest at Wretham but the heath at this time of year has an indescribable beauty to it with stunning autumnal colours which simply take ones breath away.

I arrived at Wretham at 0735 and straight away saw both Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits in the scattered Hawthorns.  My plan this morning was to check the large expanse of open heathland with scattered Hawthorns for Great Grey Shrike, all I managed was a couple of Fieldfares and two Stonechats.  The landscape and habitat here is well suited to Great Grey Shrikes and occasionally in winter this stunning bird is seen atop of Hawthorns.

I then walked along Harling Drove with a visit to Ringmere planned, on route along the track at least 3 Crossbills passed over calling.  A ♂ Great Spotted Woodpecker spent a few minutes on the topmost spray of a tall Larch, also here was a couple of Blue Tits and Coal Tit. A Skylark passed over. A few small flocks of Redwings passed over with the largest flock seen of 20+ birds.

Walking to Ringmere I was struck by the incredible autumn colours of Beech and Birch trees, I also noted Blackthorns had very heavy crops of Sloes, possibly the most I have seen for a few years.

Beech and Birch woodland on Wretham Heath 5 November 2025

Blackthorn scrub (with heavy Sloe crop) on Wretham Heath 5 November 2025. 

 

Hornbeams on Wretham Heath

Historically, Wretham Heath was the Hawfinch capital of Norfolk, in his book 'Breckland Ramblings', the late local naturalist, George Jessup writes of the witnessing of three-figure totals of Hawfinches arriving at Wretham to roost, this was probably in the 1940's and 50's.  I ask, what's the betting that the long avenue of Hornbeams in the above picture played host to the magnificent Hawfinch.

It was whilst walking through this area that a further 5 Crossbills passed directly overhead and calling, although not confirmed these birds appeared to descend towards a small area of water known as Fenmere possibly to drink. 

Fenmere, a hidden gem.

 
I remained at Fenmere for a while and although I saw nothing here, just being at this wonderful site allows one to take in the primeval feel of this small mere.  

Nearby, a larger, circular body of water called Ringmere was the site of the 'Battle of Ringmere' which occurred on 5 May in the year 1010 between the Anglo-Saxons and the Danes. To be at this site on a misty morning certainly evokes thoughts of what has passed at this site throughout the previous millennium.

Ringmere - the site of the 'Battle of Ringmere' on 5 May 1010

Back to the present day at Ringmere and birds seen were Mallard (101+), Teal (77), Gadwall (2), and Tufted Duck (4).  4 Little Grebes were seen and often diving. A Sparrowhawk flew into the trees in the right of the picture. Hawthorn and Blackthorn scrub near Ringmere saw a single Goldcrest passing through and in a nearby thicket a noisy Marsh Tit was seen. 

Walking back over open heathland I was reminded of the importance of Rabbits on the heath, the presence of these mammals is essential for maintaining the heath for the benefit of specialised plant species, to prevent scrub encroachment, and to keep the heath grazed for the benefits of rare species such as the enigmatic Stone Curlew.