Ashill and Merton, Norfolk

5+ Chiffchaffs at Ashill
1 Blackcap at Merton

Ashill (Common Road and Ashill Common)

Buzzard at Ashill Common 30/03/15

The walk started with an occasionally heavy and prolonged shower of rain and hail, this was pushed away to the south-east of a fresh north-westerly wind.  It was then bright but breezy.
Walking east along Common Road the sky was becoming very threatening behind me and after about a mile into the walk the heavens opened.  By this time I was on the sheltered side of the disused railway cutting where a single Chiffchaff was in song.  A male Reed Bunting was in song and a single Buzzard cruised along the cutting.
At the end of the metalled road a further 2 Chiffchaffs were in song in mature wooded hedgerows.  Walking back along Common Lane I checked the fields for migrant Wheatears but found none.
A circuit of Ashill Common produced a further 2 singing Chiffchaffs, several Linnets amongst the Gorse, a pair of Song Thrushes, and Yellowhammers.  A pair of Buzzards were also seen.

Merton (early afternoon)
A short walk through open woodland near the village produced a single singing male Blackcap, my second singing bird of the year.  At least 2 pairs of Marsh Tits were found.
I am working all day Tuesday to Thursday, hopefully my next day off, the 3rd of April will produce good numbers of Blackcap, and hopefully Willow Warbler.