Thompson, Norfolk

The day dawned with a slight frost and strong sunshine which lasted well into the afternoon.  Despite a maximum of 13 degrees celsius, sheltered spots felt quite warm.
At 0605 I walked what I refer to as the 'Thompson Triangle', a nice walk with widely varying habitats firstly along Redbrick Road, turning south along the Peddars Way for a visit to Thompson Water, and finally walking back to Redbrick Road.
As soon as I got out of the car, 2 Whitethroats and a male Yellowhammer were in song.  A further 2 Whitethroat territories were found along Redbrick Road.  The walk south along the Peddars Way brought my first Garden Warbler of the year in song in mature woodland, also Goldcrest was heard.  Continuing along the Peddars Way, the sweet descending song of a male Woodlark was heard overhead, whilst on the opposite side of the track on heathland, 2 Willow Warblers sang.

Nuthatch at Thompson Water 27/04/15

Thompson Water
I turned off the Peddars Way for a prolonged visit to Thompson Water.  Overlooking the water was very difficult in the low, strong sun, so much of my birding was confined to the woodland carr habitat along the western side of the water.  The following birds were noted:

Mute Swan
Mallard
Coot
Little Grebe (heard)
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker (male)
1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (calling)
2 Sand Martins
6+ Song Thrushes singing
1 Garden Warbler singing
Blackcap (male and female seen + singing male)
Chiffchaff
1 Cetti's Warbler song
Siskin (males and females seen including a male in song-flight and song)
Reed Bunting

Woodland scrub at Thompson Water 27/04/15

The habitat shown here is of Birch, Ash, and Sallow with understorey scrub of mostly Bramble.  Birds seen with this habitat today included 3 Chiffchaffs (one appeared to be prospecting for a nest-site) Blackcap (male and female feeding in Hawthorn), a singing Garden Warbler, and a male Siskin which was singing and performing its song-flight.
The woodland here also supported Tit species, Nuthatch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, and the distinctive call of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.  Finally, on the opposite side of the water I heard the highly distinctive song of a male Cetti's Warbler.