Peddars Way (Thompson and Stow Bedon) 30 January 2023

 I had a most enjoyable early morning walk along the Peddars Way footpath between Thompson and Stow Bedon early on the morning of 30 January.  It was made even more pleasurable by meeting my friend Matthew Clements.  What a lovely young man Matthew is, we enjoyed a thoroughly good chat as we treaded this ancient pathway.  And what a fantastic early morning it was with clear blue sky and stunning light and visibility. 

It seemed like birds were responding to the beautiful morning with several common species engaged in singing in order to defend their territory for the forthcoming breeding season.  The habitat along the way comprised mature pine and deciduous woodland and Breckland heath, much of which was within the army training area. 

One of the first singing birds was a Marsh Tit.  This beautiful bird is quite noisy for its small size, it has a loud sneezing like "pitchou" call, this morning however I heard the song, a rapidly repeated "chip chip chip chip chip chip chip".

Marsh Tit.  A fairly common bird of broadleaved woodland

As I continued my walk I passed an area of dense reedbed and swamp habitat, within the reeds two Water Rails called, a very distinctive pig-like squeal, possibly unnerving for those who are not aware of the source of this noise.

A few Nuthatches were present in typical broadleaved habitat, one bird was heard singing its delightful, repeated "wee wee wee wee wee wee".  Other woodland residents seen and heard today included 'drumming' Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a couple of calling Treecreepers.

Black Rabbit Warren was one location visited this morning, this beautiful Breckland heath lies within the army training area.  The light was simply stunning.  On this visit a Mistle Thrush was singing in pine woodland

Black Rabbit Warren (and Yes, I did see a Black Rabbit here some years ago!!!!)

Mistle Thrushes, our largest Thrush species, is always an early songster, and indeed an early breeder. This large Thrush is colloquially known as 'Stormcock' as it sings early in the year from high in a tree and in stormy conditions.

Once home from ths productive walk, I was once again rewarded with a very respectable 40+ House Sparrows feeding in my garden, how lovely is that.