Thompson Wood 25 July 2026

With todays obsession with destroying our wonderful countryside with unprecedented house building, road building, loss of valuable land to solar farms, and the use of pesticides and insecticides, it is refreshing to see the creation of habitats for the benefit of wildlife and of course for our mental health. 

Thompson Wood is owned by the Woodland Trust and was purchased by the trust in 2021, it covers 279 acres and is one of the largest sites in Norfolk owned by the trust.  Once arable farmland, Thompson Wood will see a variety of important habitats being created, these include woodland, wood pasture, open grassland, and wetland.  The Thompson area holds some of the most important reserves in the country, the creation of this new habitat will significantly add to the area with its species richness.

Visit 25 July

My visit began at the village church, here was at least two singing Wood Pigeons, a singing Stock Dove, House Martins and a couple of Swifts overhead.

1. 'Putlog' or 'putlock' on Thompson Church.

Picture 1. This shows a feature known as a 'putlog' or 'putlock' on the side of Thompson Church, these features can also be seen at intervals going up church towers.  When the church was constructed many centuries ago, logs were inserted into the buildings walls creating a type of scaffold, as the men finished constructing the church the logs were removed and infilled with flint or other building materials.  Check some of these features because sometimes the logs could not be removed and were cut away so that the remaining logs were left flush with the surrounding wall.  

The path from the church to Griston Road saw a single Little Owl between a couple of Oaks, and in an adjacent meadow 30+ Goldfinches wandered between patches of Creeping Thistle to feed, many of these birds were juveniles.  In a Hawthorn on the path at least 3 Linnets were seen including a stunning male which had bright crimson breast sides.

2. An information board explaining the  recovery of 'ghost' Pingos.

Pingos were formed 10,000 years ago at the end of the Ice Age.  The word ‘pingo’ is of Inuit origin and means ‘little hill’. As temperatures dropped, freezing groundwater caused the earth to heave upwards into ice-cored mounds. When the ice melted, the earth collapsed, leaving depressions behind. 

'Ghost Pingos' are those features which were infilled by humans to facilitate increased agricultural production, these ancient features are being restored, as they have been at this site.

A walk around the large grassland here was fairly quiet for birds, but was a good morning for butterflies which included many Gatekeepers and the stunning Painted Lady. 

3. Painted Lady - a good showing of this species this year.

 

Thompson Water 15 July 2026 (with Caroline Falvey)

At 0600 on 15 July I met my friend Caroline Falvey for some early morning's birding at Thompson Water. We met on the Peddars Way/Redbrick Road junction and walked the short distance to Thompson Water where we spent some time overviewing the water from the raised bank, from here we walked the path through the woodland carr habitat to as far as the bridge crossing the woodland stream. 

An initial overview of the water produced good numbers of Mallard in open water and at least 4 Grey Herons, which when at rest had a rather stately demeanor.  A single Black-headed Gull was present and in nearby woodland a Garden Warbler was alarm calling.  A Sparrowhawk passed low over the water whilst other raptors seen included Kestrel and one Red Kite soaring over woodland.

As we walked the path through the woodland carr we came upon an open area of reedbed and willow scrub, the immediate habitat around us was Hemp Agrimony where it was evident that a number of Reed Warblers were creeping about within the plant frequently uttering a "truk" note.  One Reed Warbler was also in song.

1. Thompson Water 15 July 2026 (Hemp Agrimony in the foreground)

As well as some lovely close encounters with Reed Warblers, the above views of the water produced numerous Mallard and 4 Great Crested Grebes (display seen).

Caroline and I then continued through the woodland where we commented upon the number of Rowans bearing fruit.  The dominant tree species is Oak, Ash, and Beech with much Holly understorey, this woodland was very reliable for Golden Pheasant, however, these have sadly long gone.

We then retraced our steps back through the woodland carr and to the viewing bank for a final overview of the water, but before reaching the bank we again stopped at the location pictured above where several Reed Warblers were present, being a calm day we could see slight movements of the weed as the birds skulked in cover, our patience was rewarded when a juvenile Reed Warbler appeared in front of us for about 30 seconds, this bird showed pale gape flanges and may have been tailless.   At the bank we hoped for Hobby, however, there was no show on this visit, we did see at least two Sand Martins over the water searching for insect prey.

Caroline provided expertise on her plant identification, most notably with Hemp Agrimony and the benefits it provides for butterflies and other insects.   Butterflies seen included Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, and Holly Blue.

This was a lovely visit to Thompson Water with Caroline, it was great seeing you again and I look forward to our next meet. 

Hockham (Hockham Heath) 12 July 2026

The forests at Hockham are dominated by large compartments of commercial Pine crops of varying ages, from mature woodland down to clearings with pine regeneration.  It was one of these regenerating clearings I visited this morning, these habitats hold a greater diversity of life for a number of years until pine trees grow tall enough to become the dominant habitat, the comforting factor here is that these pine compartments are rotational, therefore, there will always be clearings to accommodate important Breckland species.

1. Hockham Heath 12 July 2026

The habitat shown above is at an early regeneration stage and the plentiful scrub seen here this morning typical open country birds, these included two Stonechats, a couple of singing Yellowhammers, Whitethroats (young heard), one Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff, and several Linnets which included a bird with food and a very attractive male Linnet holding territory in an area of scrub.  The mature woodland periphery held Blackbird and a calling Nuthatch

2. Linnet (male) close to nest site 12 July 2026

3. Linnet being very obliging

Linnets were the dominant species within the clearing today, which was not a surprise given the available habitat for breeding.  The male Linnet pictured here was perched quietly above a patch of scrub where a nest is probably located.

Also noted in the clearing was a number of Ruddy Darter dragonflies (male and female), and several butterfly species including Small White, Peacock, Gatekeeper, and Large Skippers.   

Forest walk at Didlington 11 July 2026

A distinctly cooler start to the day with full cloud cover, however, the cloud eventually broke up to give another very warm day with a maximum temperature of 81° fahrenheit.  Despite this reasonable temperature, it is significantly lower than recent temperature highs.

This morning I walked the forest trails at Didlington, these trails comprise mostly Pine woodland of various ages from regenerating clearings to mature woodland including various Pines, including Scots Pines, Oak, Birch, and some fine areas of mature Beech woodland.

1. The descent into the forest at Didlington

2. A wide firebreak in the forest

The initial stage of the walk was very quiet for birds with common species noted including Chiffchaff, Wren, and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

I entered a large area of regenerating woodland with young Pines and Birch present with lots of ground covering bracken. The wide rides here held lots of Ragwort, Viper's Bugloss, and Mullein, also, this low level young woodland held many Chiffchaffs, including a family party where an adult was seen food carrying.  Also heard only was a calling Willow Warbler. with both this species and Chiffchaff present and calling it was possible to hear the difference between the species.  The Chiffchaff call is a weakish "hweet" note whilst the Willow Warbler call is strident and clear "hooweet". 

3. Ragwort. A common plant in clearings and forest rides

4. Viper' Bugloss. A striking plant

5. Mullein

6. Beech woodland. A nice break from the dominant Pine plantations

Not too many bird species seen or heard on this walk as one would expect with post breeding dispersal although an overhead calling Siskin may have indicated local breeding.

Watton 7 July 2026

I have little positive things to say about new housing developments and their impacts upon wildlife and their habitats, however, a series of ponds created at the Wayland Fields development where rainwater collects has proved beneficial for species, especially passage waders and for hirundines which collect pellets of wet mud for nest building, for drinking, and for hunting insects.  The immediate surrounding area is full of knapweed, weeds, and wildflowers, the downside with the development however is the loss of Skylarks, an already threatened species.

Wayland Fields 7 July 2026

7 July (Visit)

As I approached the ponds the most obvious species seen was House Martin with many birds over the ponds, some taking a drink from the surface of the water and others collecting pellets of mud from the wet shore.  A single Swallow was seen.

The weedy surrounds of the ponds held many Goldfinches and in time the seed heads of knapweed will provide good feeding for these birds. Also seen on this visit was a number of House Sparrows in weedy areas, some were seen visiting the ponds to drink.

I was about to leave to walk into town when I heard many House Martins alarm calling, I had a pretty good idea what caused this alarm and my suspicions were confirmed when a Hobby appeared over the ponds, the falcon flew over houses for a while before departing over fields.  A stunning raptor, this bird showed all the salient features, the contrasting black hood and white facial area, the blue grey upperparts, and white underparts streaked black.  What a fantastic bird the Hobby was, a bird capable of high speed and incredible agility in the chase.    

    

Little Cressingham (The Arms and Clermont) 6 July 2026

 We are now entering the third hot spell of weather now, the end of May was hot, and of course, the end of June saw temperatures breach 100° fahrenheit, and the forthcoming days are expected to reach 95° fahrenheit.  It is fair to say that this will become normal in future summers in Britain.

Although very warm today the most notable weather feature was the fresh, occasionally strong north-westerly wind.

This morning I visited 'The Arms' road passing along the Clermont estate and then on to the STANTA access road.  The roadside trees are mostly large Oaks, also a mixed woodland habitat comprises Oaks, Ash, Beech, and conifer types, and the STANTA access road has a mixed Larch and Oak woodland alongside. The land is a mix of arable and pig units.

The roadside margins held areas of scrub along with some colourful plants including Rosebay Willowherb, Viper's Bugloss, and St. John's Wort.

1. Rosebay Willowherb 6 July 2026

2. Viper's Bugloss 6 July 2026

3. St. John's Wort 6 July 2026

My walk along 'The Arms' road saw a number of common species, these included Skylark, Chiffchaff and Blackcaps in wooded areas, a female Chaffinch, singing Coal Tit, and further along the road a Nuthatch was calling. I checked the sky overhead and almost immediately connected with a Goshawk which drifted to and fro above the woodland canopy, a calling Buzzard appeared and both raptors engaged in a brief tussle. 

A corner of a field held some wonderful scrubby areas and colourful plants which in turn attracted several butterfly species including Large Skipper, Peacock, Small White, a 'blue' species, Small Copper, Gatekeeper, also Hoverfly species included the large bee-like Pellucid Hoverfly.

4. Small White 6 July 2026

5. Comma 6 July 2026

6. Large Skipper

7. Gatekeeper

8 . Pellucid Hoverfly

Continuing my walk along the STANTA access road, the mixed Larch and Oak woodland held singing Blackcap, and juvenile Blue Tits. Overhead a couple of soaring and calling Buzzards seen.

9. Hummingbird Hawk Moth feeding from Viper's Bugloss

 

10. Hummingbird Hawk Moth

The large field alongside the STANTA access road saw a Red-legged Partridge with 7 recently hatched chicks.  A single Song Thrush gave a brief alarm call and out of sight beyond woodland, the familiar call of at least one Raven was heard.

Casual observations in the local Breckland 4 July 2026

 I was working today in the Hingham and Mattishall areas of Norfolk and during breaks I collected a couple of very noteworthy records.

Driving through the Hardingham area I was aware that I had seen Ravens in recent times, when I saw a single bird leave a roadside Oak, I got out of the car and set up the scope and could hear Ravens at various localities around me.  There was at least 16+ Ravens ahead of me in the large field of crops and pig units, some of which were juvenile birds.  The numbers of Ravens was undoubtedly larger as I could hear calling birds beyond visual range. Within the Ravens on the ground was a small number of Rooks, it was easy to appreciate the size difference between these crows, the Ravens were much larger and bulkier birds.    

It is without doubt quite remarkable to see how the status of Ravens has changed in Norfolk in the last decade or so, from being a very rare vagrant to an increasing breeding resident.

Raven. An increasing resident in the Brecks and in the wider Norfolk landscape.

Garvestone

A large field of wheat alongside the Hingham Road held a single Hobby low over the crops where it appeared to be hunting.  This bird may have been attempting to flush a small bird or sweeping the crop for invertebrate species.