Friday, 4 May 2018

A productive early morning visit to Deopham, Norfolk

Once again, an early start to work this morning, I therefore decided on getting up at 0430 to check on a muck -heap near Deopham before starting work.  I arrived at 0600 remaining until 0630.
What a stunning early morning light, great for overviewing this site, and for photography.
So much activity seen with migrant Wheatears and Whitethroat present along with common resident species singing and gathering nesting materials.

2 Northern Wheatear (males)
Whitethroat - singing male
Pied Wagtail
Reed Bunting - singing male
Yellowhammer
Linnet (pairs visiting) nest materials collected.

 Wheatear - one of two males present

Wheatear - Ist summer male
Wheatear

Only two male Wheatears seen today, no sign of the recently present female bird.  Often seen choosing elevated perches on the muck-heap from where they would watch, preen, and call their harsh "chack".  The buff fringing to the wing feathers shows this to be a 1st summer bird.
Linnet at Deopham collecting nesting materials from muck-heap (probably animal hairs)
My car was my 'hide' for this static-watch, the 30 minutes here always saw something happening.
The highlighted list above includes a singing Whitethroat and Reed Bunting, visiting Yellowhammer, Pied Wagtail, and visiting pairs of Linnets.  One Linnet was watched collecting nesting materials from the muck-heap, these appeared to be fine animal hairs.
This small habitat within a vast expanse of arable proves just shows how these wonderful habitats are a magnet for visiting/passing migrants, and for resident species alike...magical experience.

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