April 2026 (A summary of Observations)

March saw an early arrival of Chiffchaffs and indeed this trend continued into April. Chiffchaffs are one of the earliest of our summer migrants to return to breed, my first this year was heard on 2nd March on Wretham Heath, by April, many woodlands resounded to the onomatopoeic song of this Warbler.  Another early Warbler is the Blackcap, a beautiful songster which began arriving in numbers during the early days of April.

On the 1st of April over marshland near Hingham a Snipe was seen performing its display flight, sadly a rare sight and sound these days.  The display by Snipe is known as drumming, this drumming sound, sometimes likened to the bleating of sheep, is produced by the bird as it dives over its territory, the outer tail feathers are held out from the rest of the tail and the rushing air causes the feathers to vibrate, thus causing the drumming sound.  Victorian Ornithologists originally thought the Snipes drumming was a vocalisation. 

On the 5th April, notable Breckland species were seen on the patch including Stone Curlew, a pair of Curlews, two Stonechats on heathland, and overhead, two male Woodlarks seen very well performing their beautiful song-flight display.  Also of note was a Raven seen overflying farmland and calling.

Stonechat (Male) A familiar and beautiful Breckland species

A visit to Hockham on the 7th saw further increases of summer migrants arriving to breed, notably Chiffchaffs in good numbers, but also Blackcaps seen and heard.  A bit of exotic colour seen with a pair Mandarins seen, these are tree nesting ducks with a few pairs in the Brecks.  Overhead, 3+ Crossbills passed over calling and in a north-east heading.  Perhaps the highlight of the morning came in the form of two Mediterranean Gulls passing over, these are stunning gulls with white underparts, a black hood, and a blood red bill, these plumage features, especially the white underparts and black hood, gives us a gull with contrasting  features.

Another long distance summer migrant was located on the 9th at Hockham, two Tree Pipits, a species which arrives with us in early April from its sub-Saharan wintering grounds.  The Tree Pipit is a scarce breeder in Britain and here on our local  Breckland patch they can be found displaying their beautiful song-flight within forest clearings where scattered tall trees within the clearing are used as song-posts.  Also present in this clearing was a singing male Stonechat and an overflying Swallow.

Tree Pipit at Hockham. A scarce summer migrant

A walk along a section of the Peddars Way at Great Cressingham on 10th April saw my first Whitethroats of the year, both were singing males in suitable breeding habitat.

One of the most familiar harbingers of spring is the Cuckoo and on the 13th April I located two calling males at Hockham. Very sadly, this bird, like so many other species has declined significantly in recent decades, the most reliable habitats to look and listen for the Cuckoo is around reedbeds and marshes where host species such as Warblers frequent.

A visit to Thompson Common early on 14th April produced another calling Cuckoo in suitable breeding habitat and overhead a male Goshawk was closely shadowed by a Crow, which is a potential prey species.  A Pingo on the common held one Green Sandpiper, a passage wader species, and a single Grey Wagtail feeding around the edges of the water-filled Pingo. 

A short work break visit to Seamere Marsh near Hingham on the 15th saw my first Lesser Whitethroat of the year, a singing male in typical breeding habitat comprising an old broken hedgerow with tall trees at intervals.  The Lesser Whitethroat is in Britain, at the limit of its breeding range in north-western Europe with most birds occurring in the south and east of Britain although range expansion has seen some birds breeding in the lowland areas of Wales and Scotland.  The Lesser Whitethroat is rare in Ireland.

Lesser Whitethroat - a stunning Sylvia Warbler

On the 19th April I enjoyed a full mornings visit to Wretham Heath, as well as visiting the heath I also had lengthy stops at both Langmere and Ringmere.  My arrival at the car park saw a number of common species including House Martins visiting the artificial nest sites on the wardens house whilst in the surrounding bushes Great Tit, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and Goldcrest, were all singing.  My first static watch was from Langmere hide where numerous species were seen including a pair of Oystercatchers, one Curlew which arrived to feed along the muddy shores before flying off, 6 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck, a pair of Egyptian Geese with 5 goslings, singing Chaffinch and Blackcap, Lapwing, and a pair of Teal.  A ♂ Cuckoo was wandering about calling.  The beautiful mature Scots Pine plantation held further singing Blackcaps, Coal Tits, and at least two Ravens which were frustratingly out of sight but frequently calling.  As I left the woodland for more open heathland habitat I recorded two singing Tree Pipits in a forest clearing and in the top of a tall Birch tree a ♂ Willow Warbler delivered its sweet song.  My next static watch was at Ringmere where further evidence of successful breeding seen beginning with a pair Egyptian Geese with 6 goslings.  Also noted here was 3 pairs of Tufted Duck, 5 Shelduck, 4 Little Grebe, and a pair of Mistle Thrushes which visited the muddy shores to collect invertebrate food which was taken to waiting young in nearby woodland.

On the morning of 20th April I decided to visit the new Woodland Trust site at Thompson, what a fantastic habitat which will provide a permanent home for so many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and a wealth of invertebrates.  Even at this early stage in the creation of this large habitat, Skylarks appeared numerous on this visit and a singing and displaying Whitethroat was watched in bramble scrub.  Evidence of breeding success seen with a pair of Stonechats with the ♀ food carrying.  A couple of Lapwings saw off Crows, a clear indication of eggs or young present.  

Another exciting day of birding on 22nd April with a visit to Thompson Water where many Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers were singing in the vast reedbed habitat, also present was at least 3 singing Cetti’s Warblers and singing Garden Warbler.  A pair of Great Crested Grebes were present with one bird on a nest.  Overhead, 3 Swifts were flying to and from over the woodland canopy where they fed upon winged invertebrates.                           

On the 23rd April I walked a section of the Pingo trail at Stow Bedon where I walked through a variety of habitats from conifer woodland, Oak and Birch woodland, heath, woodland swamp, and open fen and marsh.  As we approach the end of April the countryside is filling with the song of both our resident species and summer visitors and on this visit to the Pingo trail I located several singing Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, and a couple of Willow Warblers too.  One Cetti’s Warbler was singing its loud, explosive song and overhead Crossbills gave themselves away with their distinctive “glip glip” calls.  Also overhead and at height, 4 Mediterranean Gulls headed east and calling.  And finally, on my return walk two Woodlarks were displaying their beautiful song-flight.

Spotted Redshank at Thompson Water 27 April

 

On the 27th, I had a call from my friend Sarah Harris (British Birds Editor) who told me of a Spotted Redshank at Thompson Water, as I was going out that evening I decided to pay a visit to the lake and soon located the stunning summer plumaged Spotted Redshank feeding at the edge of water soldier, after about 10 minutes the bird departed high to the east.

Also present on the water was a stunning male Mandarin and a ♂ Grey Wagtail feeding from floating surface weeds.

 

Thompson Common 8 March 2026

 Spring has come early this year with some very warm days at the beginning of the month accompanied by warm southerly winds.  These conditions saw a number of early Chiffchaffs on the patch with my first singing bird of the year on March 2 at Wretham Heath.  I did think that this may have been an overwintering bird, which it may well have been, however, with numerous records of Chiffchaffs in the first few days of the month, then the bird on March 2 could have been a genuine migrant.

On the morning of 8 March I visited the beautiful Thompson Common, a large area dominated by numerous pingos, dense thickets, Willow scrub, and open common.  The moment I arrived the small parking area saw two singing Stock Doves, two singing Song Thrushes, Coal Tit, Wren, singing Great Tit, Chaffinch, and two drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

Thompson Common 8 March 2026

As I set off through the wooded area and onto the common another Great Spotted Woodpecker was watched drumming.  Common species on the common included 6+ singing Song Thrushes, a singing Mistle Thrush, Blackbirds, numerous Robins and Wrens, and a singing Yellowhammer.  At least 4 Chiffchaffs were located in song.  At least 3 Greenfinches were noted in song, also, 2 birds were seen overhead performing their song-flight. A total of 3 Nuthatches were recorded and a total of 5 singing Stock Doves noted.

Much of the common is dominated by patches of Gorse, here, as expected, a number of pairs of Linnets were seen in typical breeding habitat.  At least 3 Reed Buntings seen, these included a singing ♂ and a pair in suitable breeding habitat.  3 Grey Herons were seen.

Goshawk (female) overflying Thompson Common 8 March.

I heard a number of Crows in what appeared to be a state of panic, as expected, moments later a ♀ Goshawk appeared through trees and then overflew the common, whilst a second Goshawk was heard calling in woodland.

A pair of Ravens appeared over the common with either one, or both birds, attempting to rob the contents of an active Crows nest.  A third Raven overflew the common.

Two calling Water Rails were in good breeding habitat comprising dense reeds in a pingo and rank vegetation.

As part of the reserve management plan the Norfolk Wildlife Trust uses the hardy, and beautiful, Polish Konik ponies, these ponies graze the common and keep encroaching scrub down which in turn benefits ground nesting birds. I watched one pony eating Gorse without any concerns.

Two of the beautiful Konik ponies on Thompson Common 8 March.

East Wretham Heath 2 March 2026 (0707-1100)

 Following a clear night the morning dawned dry but with a cool moderate southerly wind. As the morning progressed the warm sunshine certainly gave the morning a feel of spring.

This was to be a productive visit with 42 bird species recorded, but, my reasons for visiting this wonderful heath was to search for Adders.

I arrived in the car park at 0705 to the cacophony of calling Crows in the trees around the reserve house, it was clear there was occupied nests in the tall Scots Pines.  Leaving the car park and walking over the heath saw a Kestrel amongst the scattered Hawthorns, and as I approached the stunning Scots Pine woodland I could hear Song Thrush, Coal Tit, Robin, Wren, and Chaffinch, all in song.

I took a short coffee break on a wooden seat, from here, I saw a single Curlew pass over at height and heading west.  Also here I heard a singing Stock Dove and Chaffinch.

I then headed off through Waterloo Plantation where another singing Chaffinch was heard along with a ♀ bird in a Hawthorn. Continuing through the woodland I met a lovely couple, Anita and Chris, with whom I had a good chat with about Wretham, during this meeting I could hear a Woodlark singing high above the wood, and a calling Nuthatch was high in the canopy.

Waterloo Plantation Wretham Heath (Planted 1815 to celebrate Wellingtons victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.

By the time I reached the Harling Drove the sun was bringing some warmth but the wind still had a cool edge to it.  With conditions improving I started my search for Adders alongside the track amongst heather and bracken habitat.

Ringmere and Fenmere

Ringmere was to prove to be most rewarding, especially so as there was still plenty of water in the mere. Birds noted on and around the mere included 60+ Teal, 58+ Mallard, 4 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck, 7 Shelduck, 9 Egyptian Geese, 2 Greylag Geese, Moorhen, Coot, 2 Mute Swans, and 4+ Little Grebes. Other species noted here was Greenfinch, Green Woodpecker, singing Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, and Dunnock.

At the beautiful Fenmere, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Mallard, 1 Gadwall (♂), 2 Coot, and in the dense woodland and scrub habitat a single Chiffchaff was briefly heard in song.

First views of the partially concealed Adder on Wretham Heath 2 March 2026

Leaving Fenmere I decided to revisit my earlier route, it was getting warmer and more suitable for Adders to show.  I explored a wonderful area of grassland/heath habitat with Hawthorn scrub and lots of Bracken. Notable species here included a calling Marsh Tit and an overhead and calling Crossbill.

I next decided to visit a grassy bank where I have previously seen Adders, a slow and careful walk alongside the bank eventually produced what I was looking for, a beautiful Adder sunning itself in a sheltered warm position.  There was a little movement seen and whilst I could only initially seen the body, I soon saw through the blades of grass the beautiful head of this snake. .

Adder on Wretham Heath 2 March 2026

Each year in spring I invite people to join me for an 'Adder Walk', but before that I like to recce the area for productive sites for Adders, therefore, this mornings visit to the beautiful Wretham Heath was rewarding in readiness for the walk.

A summary of sightings in January 2026

 

For the 1^st day of the new year I spent some time at Thompson Water and the nearby Peddars Way, I chose these sites as they are usually productive and a good way to get the new years birding underway.  My first bird of the new year was Tawny Owl with 3 calling ♂♂ in woodland around the water closely followed as always by the ticking call of Robin. A Song Thrush was singing with another bird in woodland carr habitat giving an alarm call.

A very good visit to Thompson Water (partially frozen) with a good count of common wildfowl species. Mallard (209+) was the most numerous duck with smaller numbers of Gadwall.

Two Marsh Harriers (♂♀) over the reedbeds, the presence of these birds often unsettled the wildfowl on the water. Cetti's Warblers were heard in song and calling Crossbills passed overhead.

The Peddars Way alongside Flag Heath and Black Rabbit Warren was particularly productive beginning with two Crossbills (♂♀) in Hawthorn on the path at Flag Heath. The ♀ Crossbill was best seen briefly in the Hawthorn where calling, both birds flew off directly overhead. The woodland between Flag Heath and Black Rabbit Warren held Great Spotted Woodpecker and nearby two Mistle Thrushes and Fieldfare were present.  The highlight of the day occurred on the Peddars Way at Black Rabbit Warren when a pair of Ravens passed directly overhead, quite low, and headed off into the training area. Some throaty calls were heard.

The return walk was particularly productive for common species on the Peddars Way and in thickets and carr at Thompson Water. Blue Tits seen with one feeding from a windfall crab apple, also here was Great Tit, a Goldcrest foraging amongst hanging dead leaves, Coal Tit, and a pair of Marsh Tits.

Raven. An increasingly seen and welcome Crow species

A visit to the Watton Brook valley at Bodney on the 4^th produced Stonechats at a couple of localities, whilst in the dense cover of reeds in the brook a Water Rail was heard calling its pig-like squeal. Of interest at the sewage treatment works at Bodney at dusk several Blackbirds were seen flying into tall conifers to roost.

Water Rail. A secretive species more often heard than seen.

On the 5^th at Threxton a flock of 80+ Lapwings were seen, also, 28 Stock Doves flew around the sewage treatment works, and a single Great White Egret flew west along Watton Brook.

The morning of the 6^th saw my first Goshawk of the year near the Clermont estate, its presence was betrayed by the disorganised and rapid departure of Wood Pigeons. The highlight of the 6^th came in fading light at the end of the day when an impressive flock of 23 Cranes passed directly over the Wick Farm estate.

I had a short but productive visit to Seamere Marsh towards the end of daylight hours on the 12^th.. A check of distant trees beyond the marsh saw many Wood Pigeons sitting quietly, after a while, the Pigeons dispersed erratically with behaviour indicating the presence of a raptor, a short while later I picked up a large raptor approaching from the NE in a glide, I suspected Goshawk, and indeed it was, a juvenile ♀ bird which continued in a level flight over the marsh and then off over farmland to the SW, once out of sight, the Goshawks presence was obvious when panicking Crows called loudly.
On the marsh a ♂♀ Reed Bunting were seen on the largest Bramble patch and willow scrub by a ditch, a typical habitat for this species.

Early in the morning of the 14^th I visited Thompson Water and following a series of night frosts the majority of Thompson Water was frozen with only an area of open water in the middle of the lake where all of the present wildfowl were congregated. The counting of the wildfowl was made easy by the enforced gathering with Mallard (292+), Wigeon (3), and several Gadwall noted. A single Marsh Harrier (♀) sat throughout my visit in dead trees within a reedbed, even at range, the creamy coloured head and overall dark plumage is distinctive.

On the morning of the 16^th I had a pleasant walk along Fairstead Lane in Little Cressingham and a check of a large game strip produced an impressive 300+ Linnets and a number of Bramblings and Chaffinches too, all three of these Finch species are attracted to good feeding within the game strip which is a source of various seeds and grains for the birds to feed upon. Nearby, a single Woodlark was overhead performing its wonderful display and song-flight. It is worthy of note that our local Breckland is one of the strongholds for Woodlarks in Britain.

Woodlark. Breckland is one of this beautiful birds stronghold in Britain 

On the 25^th I had an early morning walk beginning at St. Botolph’s Church in Stow Bedon, passing through Lower Stow Bedon, following the Rocklands Road to as far as Mere Road, and back to Stow Bedon. Walking along Rocklands Road I approached a large game strip and immediately thought of good numbers of Finches here to feed, and I was right as there was a very large flock of 350+ Linnets and 250+ Chaffinches, all of which were attracted for the good feeding. Also of interest a flock of 20 Golden Plovers flew over.

On the 26^th a visit to Thompson Common was to prove rewarding with lots of birds in song, a sure sign of better weather to come. Many Song Thrushes were seen and heard, also Nuthatches and Treecreepers were in song as was Marsh Tit. A reed-filled pingo held a singing Reed Bunting, and nearby two Woodcock were seen, a very enigmatic species which has sadly suffered big in recent years.

Singing Marsh Tit

On the 29^th I met friends Darren Cowles and Carl Moss for a mornings birding at Lynford Water and Arboretum. Lynford Water held about 60 Tufted Ducks, also a pair of Great Crested Grebes with their resplendent head-dress were seen on the water. Also present here was a single Great White Egret, and a Water Rail. The highlight at Lynford Arboretum was the presence of 25+ Crossbills, a superb Finch whose bill has evolved to extract seeds from cones. A check of ‘Hornbeam Alley’ produced a singing Marsh Tit. The morning was rounded off with a lovely coffee in the relaxing surroundings of the café.

Little Cressingham and Watton 6 January 2026

 A severe overnight frost and no sign at all of lying snow thawing.  Following a clear and starlit night the morning was again very bright but very cold (well into the minuses).

A check of one of my favourite winter destinations, a large game strip comprising linseed and brassicas near 'The Arms' produced several Chaffinches, a few Greenfinches, and 60+ Linnets, all species were attracted to the area for feeding and shelter.  20+ Yellowhammers arrived and a single Bullfinch passed directly overhead and calling.

A juvenile ♀ Goshawk flew low over the game strip and made a half-hearted chase for something but continued to fly low and east.

Watton (1542)

A flock of 23 Cranes seen passing quite high and directly overhead (seen from garden) in a 'V' formation and continued east. What a fantastic sight....and sound.

Little Cressingham and Threxton 5 January 2026

 The 5th January began with a moderate to severe frost, there had been snowfall overnight and the morning eventually turned out stunning with beautiful snowscapes in the bright sunshine.  Even though the landscape looked beautiful, my thoughts rather strangely, were with the small Norfolk and Suffolk Dartford Warbler population, a species which is vulnerable in such conditions.

The highlight of the morning was watching 80+ Lapwings flying in wide arcs over the land before settling on sloping land to the north of Watton Brook valley at Little Cressingham, when caught in  bright sunshine the alternating black and white plumage of these birds was both stunning and conspicuous. 

Watton Brook Valley 5 January 2026

Looking north along Great Cressingham Road 5 January 2026

The only raptors seen this morning was a single Red Kite and single Buzzard, other observations were of low numbers of passerine species, these included one Mistle Thrush, 2 Greenfinches, 3+ Meadow Pipits, and one Pied Wagtail.  4 Stock Doves flew by.

Threxton

A late afternoon leading into a dusk visit to Watton Brook saw a single Great White Egret flying west along the valley, usually a very conspicuous bird, however, in todays conditions the bird totally blended into its wintry surroundings.

A flock of 28 Stock Doves arrived at dusk, circled for some time and then entered dense conifers to roost.  A few Blackbirds were also seen flying into these conifers at dusk to roost.  

 

Thompson Water and the Peddars Way footpath 1 January 2026 (0710-1100)

 I arrived at Thompson Water about an hour prior to sunrise and my first bird record for the new year was 3 calling ♂♂ Tawny Owls.  Ticking Robins took second place this year, Robins are usually the first birds to be heard in the woodland.

An alarm calling Song Thrush was heard in damp woodland with a second bird soon heard singing.  A single Cetti's Warbler was singing, the later months of last year at this site held 5 Cetti's Warblers.

With sunrise approaching the horizon saw some wonderful colours which were quickly changing from red, bright pinks, and fading to grey, one had to be quick on the ball for photographing this natural wonder.

Dawn at Thompson Water on New Years Day 2026

Wildfowl on Thompson Water included 209+ Mallard, a few Gadwall, and a single Teal. 15+ Coot and 5 Mute Swans were present.

Crossbills were passing overhead quite frequently, their distinctive calls always alerts one to the presence of this beautiful Finch.

Woodland thickets around the water held Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tit, Coal Tit, and two Marsh Tits. A Goldcrest was seen foraging amongst bunches of dead leaves and in thicket habitat.

Peddars Way

A walk along the Peddars Way near Thompson Water produced further Crossbills on the move, but a pair was seen close to in Hawthorns, the ♀ was seen best in her dull green plumage, however, as the pair flew off the brick red ♂ Crossbill was seen reasonably well. 

Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were present.  Both Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush were noted in woodland.

A pair of Ravens passed low overhead and flew into the army training area, one bird gave a few resonating "koorp" call.  Magnificent birds.

As I returned to finish my mornings birding further overhead calling Crossbills were heard and small flocks of Redwings passed over with some alighting in tall Birch trees.