Thompson Water is a large Breckland mere which is located about 3 miles south from my home in Watton, Norfolk. This is a man-made lake created in 1845 along the course of a tributary of the River Wissey, a major Norfolk River. Thompson Water, which is encompassed within the much larger Thompson Common, is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
The habitat at Thompson Water comprises the large lake which is surrounded by thick reedbeds, dense willow scrub, and damp woodland carr. The woodland carr is a mixture of Birch, Oak, Beech, Pine species, and much Holly understorey. The Peddars Way long distance footpath passes the south and west limits of Thompson Water which in turn runs immediately alongside the outer limits of the very large army training area known as STANTA (Stanford Training Area). 'Live Firing' signs are seen at intervals along the edge of the training area, despite these signs, visitors are often caught out by the opening up of heavy machine gun and artillery firing.
Birds (Some historical Records)
Thompson Water has provided me with my rarest personal find ever. In March 1999 I heard a very strange call coming from the water which seemed to resemble a barking dog, once at the water I didn't have to wait too long at all when I found a Pied-billed Grebe (summer plumaged male). My finding of the Pied-billed Grebe was good for me but sadly, not for the bird, as it was previously at another West Norfolk site but relocated to Thompson Water having been subjected to despicable behaviour from some twitchers who considered it ok to throw sticks into reeds to force the bird out into open water (another example of why I have never, or never will be a twitcher).
Other notable rare and scarce birds I have seen at Thompson Water included 2 Bearded Tits (1993), a Hooded Crow (1994), Black-throated Diver (1996), Scaup, and up until about 10 years ago, Willow Tit (sadly lost to the area now). Bittern was formerly an annual winter visitor to the dense reedbeds.
Sadly, the Black-throated Diver (1996) was oiled and later died, it transpired that a number of this species around the British coastline perished due to oiling.
In January 2017 I was lucky to find a diminutive rarity in the damp woodland carr habitat, this was a Coal Tit (continental race). The continental race has a much greyer back than the brown-olive tones of the British race, also the continental bird has black 'bleeding' down from the black bib, whilst the British race has a neat and clearly demarcated lower border to the bib.
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| Coal Tit (Continental race) at Thompson Water January 2018 |
Less scarce birds includes winter duck species, however, their appearance is quite irregular, these are Goldeneye and Goosander. Common duck species seen regularly includes Mallard, Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, and occasionally Pintail.
The damp woodland habitat around the water has year round interest with Nuthatches, Treecreepers, Marsh Tits, Coal Tits, and Woodpecker species, whilst in summer, Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, and Chiffchaffs are common. The reedbeds holds good numbers of Reed and Sedge Warblers in summer, and since 2007, Cetti's Warblers have been present.
22 October 2024
I arrived at Thompson Water prior to sunrise, conditions were calm with a light SW wind. The morning continued dry, sunny, and eventually quite warm.
The first birds noted was a Nuthatch in the woodland carr, and overhead, early bird movements included Siskins giving their "tsu" flight call.
It was clear once Thompson Water came into view that a number of duck species were present, I therefore positioned myself where I had almost uninterrupted views of the water.
The first duck species seen was Mallard, however, there was one smaller duck with them, a check of this bird revealed a female Mandarin, she has a white ring around the eye and a white line behind the eye which resembles a pair of spectacles. There is a dramatic difference between the sexes with Mandarins, the male (none seen today) bird is highly decorated and unmissable.
Common duck species seen today included 20+ Shoveler, 20+ Gadwall, 15+ Tufted Duck, and one of my favourite, Pochard, of which 6+ present. 32+ Coot were on the water along with a few Moorhen.
In the reeds a Water Rail called, a loud pig-like squeal. A single Kingfisher flew by calling.
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| Tufted Duck (Males) A very conspicuous species |
At least 4 Cetti's Warblers present (2 seen and 2 heard) around the water in reedbed and waterside willow habitat. This resident species first arrived at Thompson Water in 2007 (the first birds arrived in Britain in the early 1970's. The song is loud and explosive for such a small bird and it can be heard all year round.
Two Chiffchaffs were seen/heard today, the first in waterside thickets, the other was with a mobile Tit flock in a Birch wood. The flock also held a foraging Goldcrest. The woodland also held Long-tailed Tits (40+), Treecreeper, and Nuthatch. Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were present. A few Bullfinches were in woodland and waterside thickets their soft piping "pew" was heard often.
Whilst overviewing open water a Goshawk appeared low over the water and reeds, then just melted into the peripheral woodland carr.
Species at Thompson Water 22 October 2024
5 Greylag Geese, 5 Mute Swan, 20 Egyptian Geese, 1 Mandarin (female), 20+ Shoveler, 10+ Gadwall, Mallard, 14+ Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Cormorant, 1 Goshawk, 1 Water Rail, 5 Moorhen, 32+ Coot, 20+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls (south), Wood Pigeon, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Jay, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Skylark, 4+ Cetti's Warblers, 40+ Long-tailed Tits, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, Wren, Nuthatch, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Starlings (east), 3+ Blackbird, Robin, 1 Grey Wagtail, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Siskin, Reed Bunting.
Another wonderful, informative read. Thank you Paul.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dave, very kind of you.
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