Wretham Heath 5 November 2025

 The large Wretham Heath Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve between Watton and Thetford on the A1075 road is without doubt one of my favourite locations for birding.  All seasons hold interest at Wretham but the heath at this time of year has an indescribable beauty to it with stunning autumnal colours which simply take ones breath away.

I arrived at Wretham at 0735 and straight away saw both Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits in the scattered Hawthorns.  My plan this morning was to check the large expanse of open heathland with scattered Hawthorns for Great Grey Shrike, all I managed was a couple of Fieldfares and two Stonechats.  The landscape and habitat here is well suited to Great Grey Shrikes and occasionally in winter this stunning bird is seen atop of Hawthorns.

I then walked along Harling Drove with a visit to Ringmere planned, on route along the track at least 3 Crossbills passed over calling.  A ♂ Great Spotted Woodpecker spent a few minutes on the topmost spray of a tall Larch, also here was a couple of Blue Tits and Coal Tit. A Skylark passed over. A few small flocks of Redwings passed over with the largest flock seen of 20+ birds.

Walking to Ringmere I was struck by the incredible autumn colours of Beech and Birch trees, I also noted Blackthorns had very heavy crops of Sloes, possibly the most I have seen for a few years.

Beech and Birch woodland on Wretham Heath 5 November 2025

Blackthorn scrub (with heavy Sloe crop) on Wretham Heath 5 November 2025. 

 

Hornbeams on Wretham Heath

Historically, Wretham Heath was the Hawfinch capital of Norfolk, in his book 'Breckland Ramblings', the late local naturalist, George Jessup writes of the witnessing of three-figure totals of Hawfinches arriving at Wretham to roost, this was probably in the 1940's and 50's.  I ask, what's the betting that the long avenue of Hornbeams in the above picture played host to the magnificent Hawfinch.

It was whilst walking through this area that a further 5 Crossbills passed directly overhead and calling, although not confirmed these birds appeared to descend towards a small area of water known as Fenmere possibly to drink. 

Fenmere, a hidden gem.

 
I remained at Fenmere for a while and although I saw nothing here, just being at this wonderful site allows one to take in the primeval feel of this small mere.  

Nearby, a larger, circular body of water called Ringmere was the site of the 'Battle of Ringmere' which occurred on 5 May in the year 1010 between the Anglo-Saxons and the Danes. To be at this site on a misty morning certainly evokes thoughts of what has passed at this site throughout the previous millennium.

Ringmere - the site of the 'Battle of Ringmere' on 5 May 1010

Back to the present day at Ringmere and birds seen were Mallard (101+), Teal (77), Gadwall (2), and Tufted Duck (4).  4 Little Grebes were seen and often diving. A Sparrowhawk flew into the trees in the right of the picture. Hawthorn and Blackthorn scrub near Ringmere saw a single Goldcrest passing through and in a nearby thicket a noisy Marsh Tit was seen. 

Walking back over open heathland I was reminded of the importance of Rabbits on the heath, the presence of these mammals is essential for maintaining the heath for the benefit of specialised plant species, to prevent scrub encroachment, and to keep the heath grazed for the benefits of rare species such as the enigmatic Stone Curlew.