Foulden, Norfolk

A clear night was followed by a bright morning and a moderate frost.  The temperature at dawn was minus 4 degrees Celsius.
This morning I decided to check an area of Pine forest compartments for early evidence of Woodlarks, especially given that this wonderful songster should very soon be singing and displaying over breeding territory.
The first birds of note was a party of uncounted Siskins which were wandering the forest, also lesser numbers of Redpolls were on the move.  As predicted, Bullfinches were heard within mixed Birch/Pine woodland where they would have roosted overnight.  Other songsters included Song Thrush and Mistle Thrush whilst a single Fieldfare overflew calling.

I passed through a couple of potential Woodlark sites with no luck, however, checking a regularly used breeding site for this species, I waited for a while until I heard the beautiful song of a Woodlark. As I stood and watched, 4 Woodlarks were seen overhead including 2 singing males.  I am not sure if the display seen was a serious defence of territory as the birds for the time being avoided usual song-posts, in fact one male dropped to the ground within a large weedy field where it undoubtedly fed.  Also seen here was 6+ Yellowhammers flying away from me.

Woodlark at Foulden, Norfolk