Cranwich Heath, Norfolk (early morning)

Plenty of walkers out on the heath this morning with their beautiful dogs including some gorgeous Border Collies and a very handsome Hungarian Vizsla.

Cranwich Heath, Norfolk

Little evidence seen of summer migrants, although, a couple of Chiffchaffs were calling from cover and two Yellowhammers were in song, including one well-watched male in a small tree within a windrow.
 A single Linnet was seen, also, several Magpies present.  One Common Buzzard was heard.

Yellowhammer (male) on territory on Cranwich Heath

Brief visit to Watton Brook Valley at Little Cressingham

I decided on an early visit to Watton Brook Valley whilst there was bright sunshine, later in the day, cloud and rain moved in.
Post breeding dispersal has happened, leaving this years territories appearing lifeless, however, checking the lush valley, movement was detected with some Whitethroats in and out of dense vegetation alongside the brook.  One young Whitethroat was seen on fencing from which it made a flycatching sally for a passing moth species.
Also of note in the valley was a flock of about 30 Linnets, undoubtedly birds of varying ages here.
Little else seen, however, I bet there must have been plenty of Reed Warblers on the move now through cover in the valley.

Some pictures of juvenile Starlings 17th July (Watton, Norfolk)

Lakenheath Fen (15th July) accompanied by Bill Noble

I picked up Bill just before 0700 for a 19 mile drive to the superb RSPB reserve at Lakenheath Fen.  This visit would start viewing 'The Washlands' and then walking the raised path to Joist Fen, before taking the long track back to our start point.
At 0730 we started the walk by overviewing the River Little Ouse which is the county boundary for Norfolk and Suffolk.  Here there was Black-headed Gulls, Common Tern, Lapwings, and later along the path, a couple of Redshank arrived, and a pair of Oystercatchers over.
Several Reed Warblers were singing in the reeds and indeed, many were to be seen today carrying food for youngsters.  A few Reed Buntings were seen and heard, including males singing on prominent bush tops/plants.

The River Little Ouse at Lakenheath Fen.  I am in Suffolk, the grazing cattle are in Norfolk.

Continuing our walk along the raised bank, Reed Warblers appeared the dominant Warbler species with many birds flitting between cover, including food-carrying adults.
As time progressed, Marsh Harriers became more obvious over the reedbeds and on one occasion 3 birds seen together, 2 females and a male.
Checking Ragwort we came across a beautiful Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar, a highly toxic species, which is however, palatable to Cuckoos.

Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar on Ragwort at Lakenheath Fen 15th July

Bill and myself then took a prolonged break at Joist Fen, and overlooked the wonderful reedbeds here.  Marsh Harriers again featured as a regularly seen species here, the only other raptor seen was a Kestrel.  A first for Bill was a single Little Egret overflying the marsh.
Closer to where we were standing was the constant 'pinging' call of Bearded Tits in nearby reeds, and occasionally we were afforded with views of this stunning bird flying between cover.
In a nearby large Sallow, movement was detected, the bird revealed itself as a lovely Garden Warbler, also here was the distinctive, loud song of a Cetti's Warbler.
Bill and myself had a very strange yet memorable encounter whilst at Joist Fen.  Bearing in mind how far we were from the reserve centre/car park, a smartly dressed, and pleasant man approached us for directions of the fen, he was wearing smart trousers, office shoes, a nice shirt, and a blue bow tie, and was neatly groomed, an unexpected dress code for a large fen.  This pleasant man continued along our suggested path, we then considered that earlier we saw a boat on the river, could this be the boat belonging to a black cloaked figure carrying a scythe from yonder island of Styx, and was our friend a lost tormented soul wandering the marsh and making for the ferryman.
Back to birding, Bill and myself then made the long walk back to our start point, along the way, we again encountered many Reed Warblers, and Whitethroat was also seen.
Checking the areas of water within reedbeds we found an adult Great Crested Grebe with its gorgeous 'humbug' youngster.  It was about this time we heard a single Curlew calling, we then located it visually, a very high flying bird heading north-east.

Great Crested Grebes at Lakenheath Fen 15th July

Lakenheath Fen is a stunning reserve, Bill and myself enjoyed a lovely gentle walk and encountered some wonderful birds there.  I thank Bill for his company and look forward to meeting up with him again in the near future.

Grasshopper Warbler at Lynford Water, Norfolk

A mornings walk around areas of Hawthorn and Oak scrub produced a 'reeling' Grasshopper Warbler, a bird I don't encounter too often on the patch.  This fantastic un-birdlike song was heard from a number of bushes and I think I did catch a glimpse of the bird as it moved between cover.
Also in this habitat was a family party of Whitethroats (adult feeding young), a singing Garden Warbler, and Bullfinch.
I couldn't upload the song of the Grasshopper Warbler, however, here is a picture of the habitat which the bird occupied.

Best views ever of Goshawk today

It was a last moment thing, do I take the 'scope, or don't I, well, I did, and what a great decision this was.
I visited a local site to my home this morning and was immediately greeted by flocks of juvenile and adult Blue and Coal Tits.  A Buzzard was perched in a nearby treetop and was investigated by a male Marsh Harrier, the Harrier then alighted in a treetop and then commenced to preen was running its bill along the feather shaft.  Moments later, the Marsh Harrier adopted an alert posture and had clearly fixed its gaze on something, that something was a juvenile Goshawk, the Harrier launched itself towards the more powerful raptor, however, the table was very quickly turned and the Goshawk gave chase for the Harrier before alighting in the crown of a tree where it remained for about 30 minutes, offering superb 'scoped views.  Despite excellent 'scoped views of the Goshawk, it was too distant for close shots with the camera.

Goshawk (juvenile) 6th July

Juvenile Goshawk 6th July

Juvenile Goshawk showing the pale feather fringes to the upperparts

A dual of Raptors (Note the powerfully built Goshawk)

The Goshawk remained in the tree for about 30 minutes, it was always alert, constantly turning its head, and watched intently as a Wood Pigeon flew by.  This was a very large, powerful bird appearing sometimes upright and alert in the tree, but also standing horizontally on a branch with feathers fluffed up giving it a less sleek appearance from when bolt upright.
The upperparts were brown with pale buff fringing to the feathers, this in flight gave a scaly appearance to the upperparts.  The underparts were pale buff with heavy dark droplets forming streaks to the breast, although lower down towards the legs these markings became narrower and finer.

Deopham, Norfolk, 5th July

The 5th was a day of work for me in the Deopham area of Norfolk.  I had an extended break during the morning and visited a quiet track just outside of the village.  High in an Oak I found 3 juvenile Swallows sitting quietly with the parent birds around close by collecting insects which were delivered to the waiting youngsters.

Juvenile Swallow waiting to be fed, Deopham 5th July

One of three young Swallows waiting to be fed high in an Oak at Deopham

Also at this location was a couple of singing Whitethroats and a male Reed Bunting singing within a crop of Oilseed Rape.
Following my break I attended a clients house in Deopham village and was pleased to see a juvenile Black Redstart on and around the outbuildings of the house.