Hockham, Norfolk 21st May

A morning walk around a clearing in the forest this morning produced a pair of Spotted Flycatchers in mature Oak woodland close to the clearing.  A rare bird now sadly.

Hockham, Norfolk

At last, a pleasant day of weather to look forward to.  The day dawned misty at 2 degrees Celsius, later in the day a high of 17 degrees Celsius was reached.
The site visited this morning is very much undisturbed and probably as natural habitat that you can get.
The morning dawned with patchy mist, and a lasting memory of this visit was seeing Red Deer silhouetted against a pale golden mist.  With this tranquil scene was the irrepressible sound of bird song, most notable was that of Blackcap, of which I eventually counted at least 20 singing males in a variety of habitats from mature woodland to Gorse and Birch scrub.  But for me this morning, it was Garden Warbler which held my attention most, I located at least 4 pairs, and on one occasion whilst standing within scrub habitat, I had 3 Garden Warblers singing around me, it was magical.  The Garden Warblers were always present in mostly low cover, although when singing, they had an affinity for tall Silver Birch.

Red Deer in dawn mist at Hockham, 12th May

Located within Pingo's with reeds and Hawthorn and Sallow habitat was 3 Reed Warblers in song, whilst other typical migrants seen included 7+ Chiffchaffs, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, and 1 Cuckoo singing.

Grey Heron at Hockham 12th May

Resident species included Grey Heron (1), Little Grebe (2), Treecreeper (2 singing), Goldcrest
A pair of Siskins were seen in Scots Pines, an indication of probable local breeding.  Also, a pair of Bullfinches, 10+ Song Thrushes, two Reed Bunting territories, and Yellowhammer, several Linnets in Gorse habitat, Coal Tits carrying food for young (2).