Whitethroat at Little Cressingham, Norfolk

A pretty dismal day with persistent rain then showers all day until clearer conditions moved in late afternoon.
Not too much to report today due to the poor conditions, however, I watched a pair of Whitethroats in the Watton Brook valley which were attending to young in the nest.
The lush Watton Brook valley at Little Cressingham always holds breeding Whitethroats, this year, as in previous years, a pair had a nest in a thick Dog Rose along the bank of the Brook.

Whitethroat close to its nest at Little Cressingham 31/05/15

Having seen a Whitethroat at the given location, I had a good idea it would be nesting in one of two bushes.  Not long after I arrived a female Whitethroat was seen on wire fencing carrying a juicy green caterpillar for its young, I then watched the parent bird fly into a thick Dog Rose on the lush valley bank.  After this, numerous visits were made to the nest with food, often following a sometimes convoluted route to the nest-site. 
Despite their common status I never tire of watching Whitethroats.  They often raise a smile with me when they sit concealed in a bush with just its head sometimes popping up to watch it surroundings...or me.

East Wretham and Croxton Heaths, Norfolk

I arrived at East Wretham Heath at 0615 in bright, sunny conditions with a temperature of 6 degrees.  The rising sun brought some warmth in sheltered spots, however, the WNW wind always had a cool edge to it.
My intention today for visiting this special site was three-fold, to locate Redstarts, check for Wader passage, and to find Adders, I failed on all three counts, although I did find a nice basking Grass Snake.  This reserve is well known for its Redstarts, however, a careful check of Waterloo Plantation did not produce any site or sound of this stunning Chat species.  Later, back at the car park, a couple of visiting birders from Durham also stated they did not find Redstart.

Oak and Hawthorn at East Wretham Heath 27/05/15

As always, the first birds to greet me at East Wretham was the ever present and very noisy gatherings of Rooks in the Scots Pine woodland on the edge of the heath.  It was from this point on that I would start listening and looking for Redstarts in the very large Pines, however, a careful search around Waterloo Plantation failed to produce.   It was evident that the most abundant Warbler species was Blackcap with many birds seen and in song both on Wretham and Croxton Heath.  Several Garden Warblers were also present.


Lapwing at East Wretham Heath (Langmere) 27/05/15

I spent some time at Langmere to check for wader passage but I could see no evidence of this.  Little Grebes were calling their 'whinnying' checkle and a pair of Coots had a nest apparently in open water.
Lapwings were seen around the fringes of Langmere, including the bird photographed here.
Back to the woodland habitat at Waterloo Plantation, and my slow walk around these magnificent old Scots Pines produced lots of Great and Blue Tits very busily flying through trees to attend to their new families.  Coal Tits were as expected heard and seen at a number of sites.


I then joined Harling Drove to walk onto Croxton Heath where habitat changed from very tall Scots Pines to younger commercial compartments of Pine forest and Birch woodland.  This change of habitat, especially the Birch woodland, brought a change in dominant species with Willow Warblers being the most abundant singing birds, although Blackcaps and Garden Warbler were heard.  Willow Warblers were making use of several habitat types from Birch woodland, young conifer plantations, and edge of woodland scrub.  It was whilst at woodland edge that I was mindful of Adders, another target species for the day, however, all I could find was a single basking Grass Snake.  A distant calling Cuckoo was heard.
Walking back along Harling Drove I took a break with a nice hot cup of Tomato soup on the edge of a recently harvested area of pines, this large clearing produced a single singing male Woodlark.
Finally, back at the car park, it was encouraging to see good numbers of House Martins around the wardens house. 

Waterloo Plantation with its magnificent Scots Pines is 200 years old this year.  It was planted in 1815 to celebrate Wellingtons victory over Napolean at the Battle of Waterloo.

Kingfisher on the River Yare at Marlingford, Norfolk 23 May 2015

Kingfisher at Marlingford 23/05/15

Kingfisher at Marlingford 23/05/15

Thompson, Norfolk

One of the warmest May days so far this year with a high of 19 degrees celsius.  Some sunny spells seen although for the most part, total cloud cover gave a humid feel to the weather
I took a mid afternoon walk just outside Thompson with thoughts of Spotted Flycatcher in mind.


Spotted Flycatcher Thompson 22/05/15

A quick stop at Thompson Water (quick because I forgot my 'jungle formula' Mosquito repellent, and they certainly had a taste for me), nevertheless, 3 Hobbies were hunting insects above the water.  Around me in the woodland was singing Garden Warbler, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests, and Reed Warbler, whilst on or near the water was 4+ Grey Herons and a single Cormorant.

Having left Thompson Water, I relocated to woodland outside Thompson, an area of dense Oak and Birch habitat with plenty of Hawthorn, as this looked promising, here, I saw Long-tailed Tits foraging and a Blackcap singing, I then watched a slender bird flying through the treetops, it was a Spotted Flycatcher.  This delightful migrant obliged for a little while as it sat in upper branches of an Oak.

Goshawk (one of a pair) near Thompson, Norfolk

At about 1525 hours, I was walking along a woodland track with minimal views of open sky above me, however, as I looked up I saw 2 Goshawks soaring high overhead along with a single Buzzard.
I was not prepared for soaring raptors through the trees, therefore, this was the best shot I could take of the male of the pair.
The raptors then all left and went out of sight, however, I suspect they remained close by as Blackbirds were giving their shrill, agitated, whistle-like call.

A fine weather window at Thompson Water, Norfolk

I was working this morning and the weather was fine and settled, although cloud did threaten at times.  By the time I finished work early afternoon I decided to make my way to Thompson Water, my arrival at about 1530 coincided with a very threatening, large black cloud approaching from the west.  This cloud eventually brought a very heavy, prolonged shower of both rain and hail.  With some brightness being seen along the distant trailing edge of the cloud, an opportunity arose to overlook the water before the next black system arrived from the west bringing dire conditions once again.  At least I had a bright weather window to hopefully see hunting Hobbies.


Hobby (one of 3) at Thompson Water 20/05/15

As I approached the water, the first birds I saw was 2 Hobbies low, there would soon be a third bird arriving from the south.
During this bright spell of weather I was once again, as in previous years, marvelled at the agility and speed of the Hobbies as they hunted, generally low over the water, for insect prey.  For the whole of my stay at Thompson Water, all 3 Hobbies remained airborne throughout, sweeping back and forth over the water and adjoining woodland in their searches for prey.
A few Swifts and a Swallow were seen over the water, occasionally, the Swifts flew fast away, indicating a Hobby had spotted them for prey, however, the Hobbies always hunted insects.
Also noted on this visit was a calling Water Rail in dense reed cover. 
Warblers were well represented with several Blackcaps, Garden Warbler, Reed Warbers, Chiffchaff, and Willow Warbler.  A Cetti's Warbler also called.  Within the reedbeds, 2 pairs of Mute Swans were nesting.  A calling male Cuckoo was heard.
I finally departed about 1700 with more threatening weather approaching.

Houghton Springs, Norfolk

As my followers know I have always observed public rights of way when walking and enjoying the countryside and its birds and other wildlife.  One post in fact from a couple of years ago entitled 'Irresponsible birders' mentions someone who decided to wander from a public right of way, he was told he was trespassing, however, he was seen again at the same site.
I have today been speaking to the owner of Houghton Springs who advises me that a couple of walkers had trespassed onto this site, when challenged, they stated my blog implies it was OK to wander over this site.  I have never, and would never encourage anyone to wander away from public rights of way.
The owner of Houghton Spring highlighted the dangers of visiting private land i.e. livestock danger, uneven land and ditches etc which could endanger the safety of people.
Perhaps I had written entries incorrectly and visitors thought they could go where they pleased, I therefore apologise if this is how this reads, however, if I can once more emphasise that Houghton Springs is private with no public access, other than the Peddars Way footpath which runs alongside the area before leading onto North Pickenham.

An evening walk at Thompson Water, Norfolk.

1900-2000: Cloudy with low light on this evening visit, however, when light is good Thompson Water is often best visited at this time when the sun is behind you and providing excellent views across the water, especially when light bounces off the golden phragmite reeds.
I was hoping for Hobby on this evening visit but none were seen on this occcasion.  I thought I was in luck for a raptor species when a gathering of noisy Crows were congretating around an area of reeds and thick Sallow habitat, however, they eventually moved off with no raptor showing.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Thompson Water 17/05/15 

The woodland around Thompson Water held most interest with common summer migrants in song, these included Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, and an occasional singing Reed Warbler in distant reeds.  A Water Rail gave its squealing call from reed cover.
A single Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen and photographed and a couple of late singing Goldcrests were heard.