Peddars Way

The Peddars Way Long Distance Path begins in Suffolk but the almost all of the route lies within Norfolk. A good length of this path passes through my patch from East Wretham, Great Hockham, Stow Bedon, Thompson, Merton, Threxton, Little and Great Cressingham, South Pickenham, and finally, North Pickenham, when the path leaves my patch and continues north for the North Norfolk Coast.  The entire route is some 93 miles in length.
This morning I covered a small length of the Peddars Way (approx 2 miles), starting at Little Cressingham and walked north through rolling countryside which for the most part is arable with small areas of grazing land.

Notables
5 Snipe including 3 east
6+ Goldcrest
6+ Chiffchaff
35+ Goldfinches

The Watton Brook valley is always productive for common birds given the wealth of habitat and this morning a small party of 6 Goldcrests passed through roadside woodland and dense Bramble/Hawthorn hedgerows.  An adult Grey Heron was seen in the valley.
Continuing north along the path, a noisy gathering of Crows told me that a raptor species was in the area, this was a Common Buzzard, however, an extremely brief glimpse of another raptor was seen rising above a hedge with Crows in pursuit, however, I could not relocate when I found a suitable opening in a hedge.  I suspect the raptor was a falcon species, possibly Peregrine, a species I encounter frequently at this time of the year.
The route held a total of 6+ Chiffchaffs at various localities but I could not find any other Warbler species.  A pair of Marsh Tits called in path-side hedgerows.
Walking back along the path I took a short break at the brow of a hill, whilst there, 3 Snipe overflew to my south and east along the valley, perhaps this was just a local movement as this time of year I would expect to see migrant Snipe flying west.
One of the highlights this morning was back at my start point at Little Cressingham where I spent some time viewing along the Watton Brook valley.  The combination of the brook, the well vegetated banks, weedy fields, and laneside hedgerows, all provide an excellent habitat for common species. 

The well vegetated banks held a charm of 35+ Goldfinches which were attracted to the Wild Teasel heads from which they extract seeds.  This group of birds comprised both adults and juvenile birds, the youngsters are beginning to show some red feathering on their facial areas.
A check of the mill area produced 2 Snipe, a species which will winter in the area within the valley.
Also in this immediate area was a number of House Sparrows, Yellowhammers (including the above photographed female), Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blue Tits, and Blackbirds.
A single Common Buzzard over woodland attracted the usual mobbing Crow species.  Large numbers of Crow species, especially Jackdaws, frequented sheep grazing, such a gathering of Corvids is a recipe for hunting Goshawk, however, not during my observations.

 

Notes from my Breckland patch 27/09/13

An early morning walk around Little and Great Cressingham produced a single Red Kite along the Peddars Way path, whilst in an adjoining field, 45+ Greylag Geese were browsing in stubble.  A single Grey Wagtail passed overhead, this was either a dispersing bird from a nearby breeding area, or more likely, a migrant from Northern Europe.
Whilst passing through Great Cressingham, a pair of Marsh Tits fed upon thistle heads and a couple of Goldcrests (one juvenile) was seen in a garden.
Taking a break and over-looking fields, a single juvenile Goshawk glided low and entered woodland with an upward sweep.
At Little Cressingham and searching for migrants, my only success was finding a female/juvenile Blackcap eating blackberries.
The mornings walk ended with a very respectable total count of 12+ Bullfinches at a number of localities.
A late afternoon visit to Threxton Sewage Plant produced 2 Grey Wagtails and as evening approached a number of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests became more active. 

Visible migration at Houghton-on-the-Hill, Norfolk.

At 0630 I picked up my good friend Daniel Watson and we headed for Houghton-on-the-Hill for a mornings birding with emphasis on visible migration.  With the clear conditions of the previous night and into the morning we thought that any passage birds were likely to continue high overhead and out of sight.
A dedicated 4 hour spot count of migration watching produced the following:

1 Yellow Wagtail high south
50+ Golden Plover west
1 HOBBY south-west
c.10 Meadow Pipits south-east

Recent arrivals included 15+ Chiffchaffs skulking around in dense Elder and Hawthorn habitats and just a couple of Blackcaps heard.  Surprisngly, not a single Whitethroat of Lesser Whitethroat was seen.  Daniel also commented on the absence of Hirundines, it is likely that this group has already departed our shores.
An early morning movement of Gull species, including a few Great Black-backed Gulls, were all heading in an easterly to south-easterly heading, this eventually stopped.  These birds had undoubtedly roosted north-west of our location and were leaving to feed in fields.
Local birds included several Common Buzzards at a number of localities from our vantage point, also a family party of 4 Kestrels (including 2 juveniles entertained overhead.


Marsh Tit at Houghton-on-the-Hill, Norfolk 26/09/13

A single Little Owl called from the lane to the north of us.  Dense habitat close by held a number of Great and Blue Tits, also Yellowhammer and Bullfinches were present. 

Late morning, Daniel and I departed our 'watch-point' and headed back to St Mary's Church, here we checked out the spring by the track.
A couple of more Chiffchaffs were seen in the Hawthorn habitat by the pond, also, a single Marsh Tit made frequent visits to a thistle, this small species often revealed its presence by giving its loud "pitchou" call.
At 1215, we left Houghton with fewer migrants than initially expected, however, it was likely that many birds passed very high overhead given the clear conditions.

Garden (Dusk)
Whilst having a coffee in the garden, a very high flock of 80+ Black-headed Gulls headed north-west in a long drawn out. loose V formation.  It was likely that these gulls were heading for their roost site, possibly at a large water body west of Swaffham, or posssibly 'The Wash' area. 

Merton, Garden notes, and Little Cressingham

A beautiful clear night gave way to a foggy dawn with low cloud persisting most of the morning. The afternoon was warm and sunny with a moderate north-westerly.
An early morning walk around Thompson and Merton produced a calling Tawny Owl along Broomhill.  With improving light, several Goldcrests started calling within woodland and along the periphery of the Merton Park estate 3 Green Sandpipers passed overhead.

Garden notes

Chiffchaff - One of at least 2 in the garden in fog 22/09/13.

Fog very much persisted throughout the morning but eventually gave way to low cloud and slowly brightening conditions.  With the early morning fog came thoughts of disorientated migrant birds and within minutes of stepping into the garden I heard Chiffchaff calling and as events unfolded at least 2 birds were present throughout much of the day.  Although visiting a number of bushes and trees, I noticed that the Chiffchaffs often made for a neighbouring gardens buddleia, presumably the Warblers were attracted to insect food there.
A number of Blackbirds of all age groups were in and out of the garden, these birds were seen to feed upon both Whitebeam (Sorbus), and Hawthorn berries.
As the morning progressed I noticed a light overhead southerly passage of Swallows and once the warm sunshine had broken through, 3 Common Buzzards passed high overhead.

Little Cressingham (Fairstead Lane, Green Lane, and the mill).
Mid afternoon and warm sunny conditions had developed.  Looking back from 'The Fairstead' towards 'The Nunneries', I could see a pair of Common Buzzards soaring above the woodland.  Nearby, at the exact same locality as 21/09, a male Reeve's Pheasant was again seen.
A single Blackcap was heard in a hedge on Fairstead Lane close to Watton Brook.

On the millpond at Little Cressingham mill was a single Little Grebe, 30+ Mallard, 1 Mute Swan, and 3 Moorhens.  A Bullfinch was heard as was a calling Little Owl.
Insects seen at the millpond included Emperor and Ruddy Darter Dragonflies.

Noticeable absences around Mill Cottage and the surrounding area was House Martin, all appeared to have departed now for their southerly passage, additionally, Whitethroats are now conspicuous by their absence, any seen now are likely to be migrants passing through from their European breeding grounds.

A very memorable close encounter with a Goshawk, and a World Record holder.

My intended destination this morning was the Watton Brook valley with a view to finding migrants, however, an encounter with a juvenile Goshawk near Great Cressingham, Norfolk, curtailed my original plans.
At 0810 as I was driving towards Great Cressingham I noticed a large raptor fly from a roadside tree, it had all brown upperparts..and it wasn't a Buzzard.  I soon found a gap in the hedge and saw the bird flying along a hedge and then sweep up into an Oak tree, it was a juvenile Goshawk.  I could just glimpse the raptor through the leaves, however, it wasn't until some minutes later when it left the tree to fly along another hedge, it then turned as if to fly off and behind me. I stayed where I was close to the hedge when suddenly the Goshawk flew past me just above the ground to take the same route along the hedge and then alight in another nearby tree.  When the Goshawk passed me, it was at it closet no more than 20 feet from me, I was totally awestruck by the size of this mighty raptor and as it turned I could clearly see the streaked, buff underparts of the bird.  Several minutes later, the Goshawk flew away east, I therefore relocated myself further along the road where I hunkered down beside a tree.....and waited, some time passed by, then, a lot of noisy Crows told me something was up, then, the Goshawk appeared along a hedge line in close pursuit of a Crow.
Not only was this another lasting memory of one of the Goshawks on my patch, the very presence of this very large raptor sent Pigeons, Crows, and Finches, scattering everywhere, and provided a clear example of how this species causes panic and unsettling behaviour of all other birds in the area.

Given the excitement generated by the Goshawk, I remained in the area for some time and despite the panic caused by the raptor, I managed to see a good range of other common species in the area including a flock of 60+ Linnet, a few Swallows passing by, Bullfinches and Goldcrests in a mature hedge, a couple of Common Buzzards as well.  Of course, Wood Pigeons and Crows were plentiful and were edgy to the presence of the Goshawk.

Reeve's Pheasant Great Cressingham 21/09/13

Checking a nearby field edge where it meets mature wooded hedgerows, I noticed a distant large Pheasant at the far end of the field, it was an adult male Reeve's Pheasant.
A small population of Reeve's Pheasant occurs in this area of Breckland, this is a very large species which holds the record of having the longest tail feather of any bird in the world - up to 8 feet long.
Reeve's Pheasant were introduced into the UK in 1831 from their native China, it would appear that the Breckland area is the stronghold for what is an internationally endangered species.  It is thought that only 3000 Reeve's Pheasant exist in the wild in China.
The Reeve's Pheasant is much larger then the familiar Common Pheasant, this was apparent when both species were seen close to each other.  Reeve's is also a strong, robust looking bird with a muscular looking neck area and it was when Common Pheasants approached, the Reeve's appeared to puff itself up and adopt a more upright carriage, perhaps a threat to the other birds.  Reeve's Pheasant is known to show aggression towards humans.
Although only this single Reeve's Pheasant was seen today I have previously seen 6 males together close to Little Cressingham.

 

Hirundines and Cranes

Church Farm at Threxton lies within rolling farmland in the Watton brook valley, farming here comprises both arable and grazing livestock.  A visit to this locality early morning produced a flock of 300+ House Martins with smaller numbers of Swallows gathering above Church Farm and the nearby sewage works.  As with recent observations, this gathering of Hirundines probably comprised mostly migrants using the site as a staging post as well as some local birds.

At 1120 whilst checking the skies from my garden in Watton I noticed 2 very distant specks very high to the north-west.  Intially, I thought they were aircraft but it became apparent they were indeed birds, as I continued to watch these birds it was clear they were very large, these were Common Cranes, a species I have encountered rarely in the Breckland area.

2 Common Cranes Watton, Norfolk 18/09/13 (Very distant and very high)

A small population of Common Cranes breeds in the Norfolk Broads and at Lakenheath Fen on the Norfolk/Suffolk border.  The question is are these birds from either of these populations on a wander around Norfolk or are they passage birds from Europe.  I have seen Common Cranes on my patch on two previous occasions, both of these previous sighting were of birds flying quite low, given that these Cranes today were at a great height could they have been migrants from Europe?

                                                    Water Vole (One of 2) at Little Cressingham.
A late afternoon visit to Little Cressingham Mill was fairly quiet birdwsie, however, 2 Water Voles were great to see considering their scarcity. 

Manure Magic

The day dawned bright and sunny with a cool, moderate to fresh westerly wind. An approaching weather front visible in the distant western sky brought total cloud cover and rain by early afternoon.
An afternoon walk around the Stow Bedon area saw grey conditions with low cloud and occasional rain, despite this, it was a productive visit.
Along Stowlay Lane and Mere Road, Stow Bedon, the low cloud and rain forced very good numbers of Swallows and House Martins to feed at times down to just a few inches above the ground with many birds passing just a few feet from me.  The skill of these Hirundines as they fly at speed weaving through trees and hedgerows is incredible to watch.
A largish mixed flock of Chaffinches and Linnets (100+) were seen along Stowlay Lane frequenting hedgerows and stubble where they will feed upon weed seeds and spilt grain etc.
An intention of mine this afternoon was to visit a large muck/manure heap which over the years has attracted passage wader species.  Almost immediately upon my arrival I found 2 Green Sandpipers, a species which is often found at such habitats.

Green Sandpipers at Stow Bedon, Norfolk 17/09/13 (Seen in low light and rain).

Muck heaps are great habitats for locating wader species, especially Green Sandpipers, these habitats are rich sources of food for passage birds and as seen in this picture, they are often seen around the stagnant pools of water where they feed upon midges and other insect prey which thrive there.  Although muck heaps are not to everyones taste, they are valuable habitats which have their own mini micro-climate which allows insects to thrive.  Green Sandpipers are being recorded more and more throughout the winter months and muck heaps are worth checking for this beautiful wader species. 
Finally, further along Mere Road a field was being turned, this in turn attracted large numbers of Gulls, many of which were the large Lesser Black-backed Gull (60+).