Lynford Water 29 June 2024

The early morning drive from my home in Watton to Lynford Water and Arboretum takes in stunning Breckland habitat, much of which lies within the large army training area known as STANTA (Stanford Training Area), in fact the drive to Lynford follows the northern and western limits of STANTA.

The morning began with cloudless skies and very warm sunshine, the day became increasingly warmer, however, high cloud moved in later in the morning.

I arrived at the Lynford Water car park at 0710, several visitors were already here to enjoy some early morning swimming in the larger lake.

Upon my arrival, I recorded Blackcap, Song Thrush, and Coal Tit singing in the wooded surrounds, also here was a singing Stock Dove.  Walking the track towards the lakes I heard Wren singing along with calling Nuthatch and Treecreeper.  I detected movement in the top of a tall Sycamore, I soon located a lovely female Blackcap searching for small invertebrates under the leaves, she was readily identified by her brown cap.  

1. Woodland trail near Lynford Water

The woodland trail from the car park eventually leads to open country between the woodland and Lynford Water, here, this open country was dominated by the beautiful blues of Viper's Bugloss, a stunning looking plant.  This open area also had patches of Broom and Gorse along with areas of young woodland scrub and the edges of the lakes mostly comprised dense willow habitat.

At least 4 Linnets were seen on Broom and Gorse scrub, one bird, a stunning male had a crimson forecrown and especially bright crimson breast patches, a very handsome bird.

2. Open area at Lynford Water with beautiful Viper's Bugloss

3. Open country with scrub habitat which held at least 4 Linnets

 

4. Young Conifer and Birch habitat holding Willow Warblers

The woodland edge adjacent to the clearing held a mobile party of Long-tailed Tits which included juvenile birds, these birds passed through woodland but also visited patches of scrub in the clearing in their search for food.  Blackcaps appeared to be the most common Warbler heard with several males singing, most were in mature patches of woodland whereas a couple of Willow Warblers were present in typical habitat of young conifer and birch (picture 4) with ground cover for nesting.  Once these conifers have become well established the ground beneath will become devoid of light and ground cover, thus rendering this habitat being unsuitable for ground nesting Warblers.

A calling Great Spotted Woodpecker and singing Blackbird were present here.

5. Blackcap (male) The most numerous Warbler present at Lynford Water

A beautiful area of Hawthorn and Birch scrub hosted singing Blackcap and Whitethroat, also present here was 2 singing Garden Warblers and Chiffchaff.  Nearby in Willow scrub by the lake, two male Reed Buntings sang. A check of the lakes saw two pairs of Great Crested Grebes, both pairs having two juveniles each.  A mixed habitat of young Birch and Hawthorn held my third singing Garden Warbler of the morning.  A single Hobby passed by high overhead whilst nearby a pair of Buzzards were soaring. 

Lynford Water held two pairs of Great Crested Grebes (each pair had two juveniles)

The final part of my visit was a gentle stroll around the car parks where 2 male Goldcrests were singing in mature conifer habitats.  A single Siskin passed over calling.

Mature woodland held beautiful Scots Pines

My delightful visit to Lynford Water ended when I met up with my friend Thomas Adcock who stopped for a good chat and very kindly bought me a coffee.  Thank you Thomas, it was good to see you and 'Patch'.

Lynford Water Birds

Mallard, Great Crested Grebe (2 pairs + 4 young), 1 Cormorant, 2 Buzzard, Moorhen, Stock Dove (2 singing males), Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Hobby, Magpie, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, 3+ Coal Tits, Blue Tit, 1 Skylark, Swallow, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Willow Warblers (singing males), 6+ Chiffchaff, 10+ Blackcap, 3 Garden Warblers (singing males), 1 Whitethroat, 3 Goldcrests (singing males), Wren, 1 Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Blackbird, 4+ Song Thrush, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, 4+ Linnets, Siskin, 2 Reed Buntings (singing males)