Stalland Common (Site of the former Deopham Green WW2 airfield) 27 to 29 September 2024

 The site of the former WW2 airfield at Deopham Green is for me a very special place.  RAF Deopham Green was the home to the 452nd heavy bomb group which operated B17 bombers in WW2.  The layout and general appearance of this site clearly shows evidence of a former airfield, this is an area of vast open spaces with hardstands, remains of runways, and several buildings scattered around reminding us of the extremely busy airfield this was.  There is also a lovely memorial to the men of the 452nd bomb group who served here so heroically and bravely.

A few years ago I spent a couple of hours at the memorial site when some visitors arrived, these visitors were from the USA  and our meeting was so special that we are now very good friends.  I must mention them.  David Moore (his father Joe served at Deopham as an air gunner on B17's), his lovely wife Sheila Jacobs Moore, their son Mike and his lovely wife Kimberly, and their daughter Haley and son-in-law Logan (currently serving in the USAF), and their son Dean (who has a brother now called Ronan).  Our meeting was a very special time for me as I have a very great friendship with these wonderful people.

The site of the former airfield at Deopham is now farmland, it is a vast area of open landscapes, it can appear bleak on a cold and windy day (I love bleak), and it certainly does have an atmosphere, especially when ones mind wanders to the hectic, noisy place these was during the war years.

Birds recorded over the years have been very interesting.  Yes, it appears a monocultural landscape, and there has sadly been some very sad habitat losses in recent years due to the greed of the new landowner, however, patches of habitat, some seasonal man made habitats like muck heaps have shown interest.  With this habitat in mind, these muck heaps have attracted passage waders in late summer and autumn with Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpiper, and Snipe being seen here.  These mounds of muck provide a good look out for passage Wheatear, and the nature of these muck heaps are such that they provide very good feeding as invertebrate species abound here.

In late summer and throughout the winter months, four figure counts of Golden Plover occur, when disturbed the very large wheeling flocks are very special to watch. Other large counts of birds include throughout the winter months, three figure counts of both Goldfinches and Linnets.   

A few years ago in spring, I remember watching a huge flock of Fieldfare on their N/E passage back to Scandinavia, this was probably the largest flock of this species I have ever seen with numbers well into four figures.  The open landscape helped in estimating the numbers of birds which filled the sky from horizon to horizon.

The huge expanse of uninterrupted views has always looked promising for our smallest raptor and indeed in September 2014 a Merlin passed low and fast over the crop.  I have also recorded Raven here, until recently, a very rare bird in Norfolk.

On a sad note, a number of species have been lost from the former Deopham airfield due to the criminal destruction of some wonderful habitats by the new landowner.  Notable species lost included breeding Lesser Whitethroats, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Blackbirds, and Song Thrushes.  Needless to say I still remain very angry at this loss of vital habitat in the name of greed. 

Stalland Common 27 to 29 September

Stalland Common is an area of the former Deopham airfield which I chose to visit during my work breaks from the 27 to 29 September, and indeed, it was a couple of mounds of muck I visited with the intention of finding passage wading birds and resting/feeding migrants.  There was no evidence of passage wading birds during this period, however, I was very pleased to find a 1st winter Northern Wheatear, this stunning bird was seen here on all three dates and was busily feeding upon insect larva and insects in order to fuel up for their long passage to their wintering in Central Africa.

1st winter Northern Wheatear on Stalland Common

1st winter Northern Wheatear on Stalland Common

1st winter Northern Wheatear on Stalland Common

A few Golden Plover were present on the vast fields, I expect their numbers to grow as autumn progresses into winter.

A single female Kestrel often hunted the area and Buzzard and Red Kite were also seen.  Small numbers of Meadow Pipits were seen, most of these will probably have come from the uplands of Britain, again, I expect this species numbers to grow. 

Finally, I intend to write up an account on the Northern Wheatear seen here during this period which will include notes on identification and behaviour.

Bodney STW 21 September 2024

 Early morning on 21 September had a very autumnal feel to it.  The previous night was clear and dawn was met with misty conditions in low lying areas.  As with much of the week, today the wind direction was from the north-east veering east.  I arrived at my destination at sunrise and looking back at where I journeyed from the horizon had a beautiful delicate pinkish colour, this along with the calm and misty conditions suggested a warm, sunny day ahead.

Dawn at Bodney 21 September (Looking east towards Watton.

As is the case at dawn, the first birds heard and seen was the 'ticking' and song of the Robin, at least 5 were present around this small site.  Following on from Robins the next calls heard was the "hweet" of migrant Chiffchaffs, of which 10+ were present.  Chiffchaff was the only Warbler species recorded here this morning, there was no Blackcap or Whitethroats on this visit.

As the sun rose, Stonechats began to appear in some leylandii (where I suspected they had roosted) and throughout my visit this beautiful species was a constant.  The Stonechats would often come quite close, I could hear their alarm call, a harsh "weet trak trak".  Stonechats are birds of open, often bleak landscapes, they choose the tallest weeds or bush to perch on to observe from as they nervously flicks their wings.  I watched one juvenile Stonechat in an Elder taking and eating a berry.

Stonechat (juvenile) at Bodney 21 September 2024

Stonechat (adult male) Bodney 21 September 2024

Whilst watching the Stonechats a single 1st winter Whinchat dropped into one of the Elders, however, its stay was all too brief when it flew off.

Also seen today was a single Grey Wagtail which promptly flew off into the nearby river valley.

A single Mistle Thrush flew overhead giving its football rattle-like call whilst on the ground 30+ Goldfinches fed from tall weed seeds.  Two Marsh Tits were seen throughout the visit flying between cover, also one took an elderberry.

One male Yellowhammer was seen, his back was to me, this allowed me to see his beautiful rust coloured rump.  A couple of Reed Buntings also visited.

Bodney 17 September 2024

 A dry but cloudy start to the day with a light Northerly wind veering NE.

This morning I visited the STW which serves Bodney army camp.  I was checking the various habitats for migrants, but also I intended watch the sky for evidence of passage raptors once temperatures had warmed sufficiently to witness movement.

Migrants appeared thin on the ground this morning with just 4+ Chiffchaffs being seen around the STW, however, attention turned towards expected species in the area.

Within the STW a single Grey Wagtail was seen along with 2 Pied Wagtails.  Typically, the Grey Wagtail seen this morning was a stunning bird with its contrasting grey cap and mantle and bright yellow undertail coverts and rump, hint of yellow on the breast and white belly.  The flight is deeply undulating.

Also present was two Stonechats (male and female) and 50+ Goldfinches wandering the area to feed upon weed seeds.

With warming temperatures attention turned towards the sky for evidence of raptor passage, I didn't have too long to wait when a Peregrine passed over at height.  As it passed over a Sparrowhawk mobbed the larger raptor, on one occasion this was met with some aggression by the Peregrine towards the Sparrowhawk when it was clearly seen to make a mock attack which included showing its talons to the Sparrowhawk.  The Peregrine appeared to drift west.

Houghton-on-the-Hill (Late summer and autumn)

 August through to November sees me visiting Houghton-on-the-Hill on several occasions because this special, elevated location is great to witness visible migration with its huge vista ranging from the N/W to the N.  Also, the natural and manmade features have undoubtedly served as focal points for migrating birds over the centuries/millennia. 

Many years ago, I identified Houghton-on-the-Hill as a superb visible migration watchpoint.  I have witnessed some spectacular movements of birds here ranging from high counts of common passage migrants such as Meadow Pipits and winter Thrushes, including four-figure counts of Fieldfare and Redwings in a single morning along with heavy movements of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes in autumn. I have also seen some excellent Finch movements including Bramblings and one record of Hawfinch.

Raptor passage has at times been exceptional with Honey Buzzard, Ospreys, Montagu's Harrier, and Hobby being seen heading south.

Late summer and autumn sees large counts of Warbler and Pipit species visiting to feed and rest on their journey south.  Blackcaps, Whitethroats, and Chiffchaff numbers easily reach double figures for each species on single days with smaller numbers of Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warblers feeding.  I have one record of Yellow-browed Warbler in October 2017.  I have seen single Tree Pipit pass overhead here in autumn.

Movements of Wader species in autumn has proven interesting with single Whimbrel and Greenshank on passage, and in a westerly heading. 

16 September 2024

Passage migrants seen at Houghton-on-the-Hill on 16 September included a single Wheatear arriving from the north, a few Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs (10+) present.

With warming temperatures I spent a couple of hours at the migration watchpoint.  Many Buzzards were seen including two birds very high directly overhead engaged in grappling behaviour.  The only passage raptor seen on this watch was a Peregrine high overhead in an easterly heading.

16 September 2024.  Migration watchpoint at Houghton-on-the-Hill.  On this visit I was rewarded with a high overhead Peregrine in an easterly heading.  A single Wheatear was seen arriving from the north.

   

Bodney 12 September 2024

This morning I visited the sewage treatments works which serves the army camp at Bodney.  A definite feel of autumn this morning with a cold start at 4 degrees Celsius, however, the bright conditions soon warmed things up.  The wind today is a moderate NW.  Conditions seems much more favourable for migrants than yesterday when the wind was a strong W.

This small site with its rough grassland, Hawthorns, and Elder, has always attracted migrants in late summer and autumn, where the fruits provides energy for passing migrants and the rough grassland holds invertebrate species for food.

This visit was to see good numbers of migrants sharing the same habitat as a good food source.  Within the area of rough grassland is a large Elder which I always pay good attention to at this time of year, here, and in the immediate surrounding area throughout my visit I recorded 4 Blackcap (3 males and a female), 3+ Whitethroat, 13+ Chiffchaffs, 4 Robins, 1 Stonechat (male), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Marsh Tit, Robin, 2 Dunnock (both preening), 2 Greenfinch, 1 Yellowhammer (female), 4+ Pied Wagtail, and many Goldfinches (the most abundant species here).

Blackcap (from my archives)

Whilst checking some conifers a small Chat very briefly perched in one of the trees before flying out of sight, I was confident it would return, and it did, this time I got the scope on it, a beautiful Whinchat, again it remained all too briefly but I was able to see the striking and bold supercillium, before the bird flew off strongly east.

Common species were well represented with 4+ Robins, Wren, and 50+ Goldfinches feeding from tall weeds stems.  A single Kestrel was seen off by a couple of corvids and a Nuthatch was heard.

Warbler species are now plundering bushes for their soft fruits, these high energy foods are an important food source for these migrants as they build energy for their journey south to Africa.  This morning I witnessed both Blackcap and Whitethroat eating elderberries, I also saw a male Blackcap eating a red berry from a Bryony climber.

I have a week off beginning 16th September and checking the conditions for the week the wind is coming from the N/E and E, these conditions will undoubtedly be favourable for bird migration which may include early winter Thrush and Finch movements. 

7th September 2024

September is a pivotal month for bird migration.  The weather for the beginning of the month can see very warm and balmy days, however, decreasing amounts of daylight, highly variable weather conditions, and the descent into autumn, sees bird migration picking up apace.  Large falls of summer migrants can be seen along the North Norfolk Coast, which includes interesting movements of birds through my own patch here in Breckland, whilst from the North and East we see the first substantial movements of autumn, especially with winter Thrushes and Finch species.  

7 September Little Cressingham

The early morning weather held promise for finding migrants along the Watton Brook Valley, there was an early morning light mist hanging over low lying areas, it felt humid and calm.  Notable highlights seen were:

1 Sedge Warbler in cover in the valley

1 Water Rail - calling frequently in thick vegetation in the brook

1 Meadow Pipit - An overhead migrant heading south (My first movement of this species this autumn)

1 Whinchat - on fence/posts in the valley

Upon my arrival in the valley I did an initial scan of the fence, posts, and thick cover along Watton Brook and immediately found Robin, Dunnock, and Wren all perched together on fencing whilst more distantly along the valley I could see another Robin, 3+ Yellowhammers, and 2+ Dunnocks together.  A small flock of 4 Egyptian Geese flew S/E.

Beginning my walk along the valley it was apparent that many Blue Tits were on the move in search of food.  Two more Robins were present.

As I stopped to check a dense patch of weeds along the brook a single Sedge Warbler flew up onto the fence and offered good views before it went back into cover.  Sedge Warblers are common migrants as they pass through the valley on their passage.

Migrant Sedge Warbler 7 September

A further good record in the valley was of a calling Water Rail.  Although not seen its frequent squeal-like call and movements of vegetation betrayed its presence.  Close by a couple of juvenile Moorhens were seen. 

As I continued west along the valley I heard a familiar call "seep-seep", looking up a single Meadow Pipit passed over in a southerly heading, undoubtedly this was an autumn arrival which probably began its journey on upland areas of Britain.

Also noted on the visit was at least two Stonechats, two Reed Buntings, and a small flock of 10+ Linnets.  

At the end of my walk I decided to finish where I started by checking the valley, the fence and posts, for signs of migrants, especially given the amount of common bird activity seen earlier on.  Scanning the fence line I picked up a small bird perched on the fence, I had a good idea what it was so I fetched the scope and my suspicions were correct, this was a Whinchat, a scarce passage migrant through the patch.

Whinchat at Little Cressingham (from my archives)

When first located with binoculars, I was confident this was a Whinchat, but being at some distance, the scope was needed to see the salient features.  First impressions at range was of a bird similar in size and structure as the more common Stonechat, however, the plumage is much different.  The head area is particularly striking with the bold, creamy-white supercillium which separates the dark streaked crown from the dark ear-coverts.  Stonechats do not have a supercillium. The overall appearance of the Whinchat is of a paler bird than Stonechat.  The Whinchat often behaved like a Stonechat by flying from the fence to the ground to collect food and return to its perch. 

As with many species, the Whinchat has seen a significant decline in Britain.  The species breeds in the upland areas of Britain, it is most numerous in Wales.  The Whinchat was a former breeder in Norfolk, however, habitat destruction now sees this beautiful bird only as a passage migrant.  

Whinchats are summer visitors to Britain, the species winters in Central and southern Africa.  I have read of a report of a bird ringed in Scotland being relocated in Ghana, West Africa.