A change in wind direction at last, the cold northerly and westerly winds have been replaced by a fresh, occasionally strong South-Easterly. Bright from dawn at 8 degrees Celsius. Bright sunshine throughout the morning.
The change in wind direction appears to have influenced migrant arrival as evidence of passage was seen as well as summer visitors also on the increase.
4 Curlews (2 pairs) included display/singing
6+ Lapwing
1 Oystercatcher
1 Hobby
1 Kestrel
1 Wheatear (male)
2 Mistle Thrushes (pair)
6+ Whitethroats (included 3 together)
Blackcap
2 Willow Warblers (including a possible passage bird)
Chiffchaffs
Yellowhammers
Reed Bunting (male on territory)
Greenfinch
25+ Linnets (flock)
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| Whitethroat at Little Cressingham 30th April. One of a pair seen. |
A lovely walk from 'The Arms' at Little Cressingham and along to Bodney and back took me through a variety of habitats from arable, roadside hedgerows, permanent pasture, heath, mixed woodland of Pine and deciduous species.
Between my start to the B1108 road I encountered 6 Whitethroats, of which 3 were seen together. An increase in singing males to 3 was very welcome, no doubt helped along by the fresh to strong south-easterly. One bird was seen to perform its conspicuous song-flight.
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| Whitethroat at Little Cressingham 30th April (one of a pair) |
A check of open grassland produced 2 pairs of Curlews, both males performing their wonderful, noisy song-flights.
On high ground at Bodney I found a male Wheatear in habitat where I expected a bird to be. Small numbers breed in the Brecks, however, the majority will be passing through.
It was at this locality that Hobby passed directly overhead and descended in a semi-stoop for an early morning hunt.
2 Willow Warblers were found, however, one bird was later seen flying high off to the north, an obvious passage bird.
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| Wheatear (male) at Bodney 30th April |
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| Wheatear (male) at Bodney 30th April |
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| Blackcap (male) at Little Cressingham 30th April |
Blackcaps arrived particularly early this year and I gathered a total of 5 singing males between mid and the end of March. This beautiful songster is now well established on territory now, and this has included seeing pairs in breeding habitats. This male (photographed) was seen in a hedgerow just north of 'The Arms' on the Great Cressingham road.
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| Blackcap (male) Little Cressingham 30th April (In fine voice) |
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