Watton Brook Valley, Norfolk

The night was clear and cool.  The day dawned bright and at 8 degrees Celsius there was a definite feel of autumn in the air.  Following the bright start a weak weather front and thick cloud passed over, clearing from the NW to give bright and quite warm conditions.
With September upon us, migration steps up a gear and indeed later in the month, outgoing migrants will share habitats with the first incoming winter visitors.
This morning was once again intended as a search for migrants in the valley, and the highlights were as follows:

5+ Whitethroats
2+ Blackcaps
3 Chiffchaffs
3 Stonechats
45+ Long-tailed Tits

Whitethroat (male) in Bramble 2nd Sept. Watton Brook Valley

Elder bushes are now heavy with clusters of ripe berries, it is these, and Bramble (Blackberries) where migrant Warblers will be found as they feed upon the soft fruits in order to build energy reserves for their soon to come southbound migration.
Of the 5+ Whitethroats seen, 3 were together and included a pristine male bird, a stunning bird with grey head and contrasting white throat, the upper-wings were brown with the distinctive rusty panel, he was an alert character who typically adopted an alert carriage on a bramble sprig, but was equally, and again typically creeping and skulking in cover.

   

Whitethroat (juvenile) 2nd Sept. in Watton Brook Valley

Whitethroat (male) 2nd Sept. Watton Brook Valley

Other notable birds seen this morning included a single mobile Marsh Tit and a flock of 45+ Long-tailed Tits passing through Osiers.  A check of the valley did not reveal other migrants, however, Yellowhammer, Linnets, and Goldfinches were attracted to the lush sides of the river.