Thompson, Norfolk

For a sheer habitat variety, I think Thompson excels. This is a heavily wooded parish broken by arable farmland, typical Breckland heathland, commons, a large lake surrounded by thick reedbed and waterside Sallow and Willow scrub.  Thompson Common is home to the world renowned  Pingos.  These features were originally low hillocks that formed 20,000 years ago during the last ice age when water beneath the surface froze to form lenses of ice pushing soil upwards. During the summer thaw, the soil on the surface would sludge off and accumulate around the periphery of the hillocks.  These pools are now vital habitats for a variety of rare plants and animal species.

Nuthatch - a common species around Thompson

My walk today produced a good variety of common species in song with Nuthatches being heard at at least 6 locations, also a couple of male Treecreepers gave their distinctive thin song.
The 'visual' prize today went to a pair of Goldcrests which I watched for some time around me in open woodland.  The male was singing (a number were in song today), however, on one occasion I caught a glimpse of him displaying his beautiful flared Orangey crest to the female....how I would love to photograph this one day.
A male Siskin was watched overhead performing his display-flight, an encouraging sign of breeding behaviour considering that the vast majority of these small Finches are winter visitors only.
Song Thrushes were also in song and many Blackbirds were seen.  Marsh Tits were seen and heard as well as both Blue and Great Tits.
The only raptor seen was a very brief view of a Goshawk just above woodland canopy, this bird was being mobbed by a Crow species.
Within the next week or two I expect to see and hear the first summer migrants in the area with Chiffchaff likely to be the first to be encountered.