Sunrise at Hockham Fen 28th October 2012

Hockham Fen abuts the little known Cranberry Rough Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve within Thetford forest close to the parish of Great Hockham.  Hockham Fen has in recent years been managed by the NWT as ancient grassland, part of this management sees Highland Cattle grazing the site - magnificent beasts.

This mornings visit to Hockham Fen saw my mind wander (as it often does) with potential future thoughts of Hen Harrier and Short-eared Owl using this site for wintering at.

Back to reality, today's visit was productive in mammalian form with a magnificent Red Deer stag on the Fen. Although I was up-wind and relatively concealed, this animal eventually detected my presence and seemed somewhat edgy by looking my way.  It was sunrise, however, the light was poor, despite this I was able to take some poor quality shots of this animal.  Occasionally, the Red Deer gave a roar, this was incredibly loud and echoed around the adjoining forest.  A short while later a few Red Deer hinds entered the Fen from the nearby forest.

Some good sized flocks of Fieldfare passed above the Fen and nearby forest, some silent, others giving their familiar "shack shack" calls.
Also noted above the fen and forest was a number of Redpoll, clearly, these will be continental birds, however, a few Siskins may have been locally bred, although any great numbers will be of continental origin.

Common species seen and heard in the area included Nuthatch, several Goldcrests and Coal Tits.

Being something of a technophobe and therefore absent from blogging for some 3 years, I must thank my dear cousin Bob Wright (Birding Axarquia) for assisting me with being re-acquainted with blogging and setting this site up for me - Thank you Bob.