1 November
November got off to a good start with a visit to Thompson Water on the 1st. where an excellent count of 294+ Mallard and 47+ Gadwall on the water. Smaller numbers of wildfowl included 10 Shoveler, 4 Teal, 3 Greylag Geese and 7 Mute Swans. A single Great White Egret was present and wading in the shallows as well as stealthily walking over surface weed. One Little Grebe was on the water and a single Snipe circled. At least 3 Cetti's Warblers were singing, a Crossbill passed over, and a very impressive 5 Ravens together seen overflying the water and into the training area. A single Stonechat was in low cover on the far side of the water and one Mistle Thrush also present. Of interest was 3 Blackbirds high in trees with Fieldfares, these were probable migrant birds.
A single Sparrowhawk was seen over Watton and a Red Kite was over Shipdham.
 |
| Great White Egret at Thompson Water |
2 November
Some time spent on the Peddars Way north of the village of Little Cressingham where the country is quite rolling with some commanding views over this vast landscape.
A single Goshawk betrayed its presence by the disorganised and rapid departure of many Wood Pigeons.
Thrush species dominated with 400+ Fieldfares present, also 4+ Mistle Thrushes high in 'stagshead' branches of tall Oaks where they typically sat even during poor weather conditions. A single Stonechat was seen in typical open country habitat of ground covering scrub and bushes, and overhead a single Crossbill passed over and was singing. A small flock of 12 Golden Plovers passed over.
5 November
Following my arrival at Wretham Heath I firstly wanted to check the large heath east of the main road, this is classic habitat for Great Grey Shrike, no sign, however, a pair of Stonechats were seen in open heathland.
This visit to Wretham Heath saw some changes from recent visits with Langmere having no water in it, I therefore went onto to spend some time at Ringmere where 101+ Mallard, 77+ Teal, 2 Gadwall, and 4 Little Grebes also seen. A Sparrowhawk entered woodland.
6 November
A visit to Thompson Water was productive with 298+ Mallard and 58+ Gadwall on the water. A single Great White Egret was again present and Water Rail was present. Overhead, 3 Crossbills passed over as did a Lesser Redpoll. At least 3 singing Cetti's Warblers heard.
 |
| Water Rail at Thompson Water (Heard more than seen) |
10 November
Hilborough. A visit to heathland where I encountered some of heaviest crops of Blackthorn (Sloes) and Hawthorn I have ever seen. It goes without saying that both Redwings and Fieldfares were present in good numbers and feeding upon the bounty of berries. A large arrival of 200+ Chaffinches seen which included some Bramblings too, at least two were stunning ♂♂ with bright orange scapulars and bright breasts. Overhead a Woodlark was singing and in the very top of a tall pine a single ♂ Crossbill was alert, watching its surroundings and calling.
11 November
Merton. A particularly memorable day with my largest ever count of Stock Doves (200+) at a very large maize game strip.
15 November
Thompson Water. Another good visit with 44 species recorded. A good count of 277+ Mallard on the water, also an arrival of 35+ Teal. Two Goosanders (♂♂) arrived on the water and remained for a while before departing. Goosanders are scarce winter visitors at the water with most seen in harsh weather.
A Goshawk was seen on a couple of occasions, a lucky Wood Pigeon escaped the clutches of the talons and flew off tail-less. A few Redwings seen in the top of some Birch trees along with 8+ Blackbirds which were undoubtedly migrant birds. At least 8 Crossbills were present.
 |
| Goosander on Thompson Water 15 November |
16 November
Thompson. I visited a large area of land which has been acquired by The Woodland Trust, notable sightings included 300+ Linnets wandering grassland, 100+ Skylarks, an arrival of 3 Woodlarks, lots of Meadow Pipits, 150+ Starlings, and two Stonechats.
19 November
Thompson Water. A excellent 4 singing Cetti's Warblers recorded on this visit. Good numbers of uncounted Mallard on the water and a single ♀ Wigeon seen. A Goshawk drifted overhead spooking Wood Pigeons. 100+ Redwings present in the damp woodland carr habitat, also two Bullfinches in a thicket where also two Marsh Tits present. A single Stonechat in reedbed scrub and 3+ Crossbills overhead.
25 November
Cley Marshes and Salthouse. Visited these beautiful areas with my dear friend Darren Cowles. Skeins of several hundreds of Pink-footed Geese seen throughout our visit, however, dawn saw some spectacular numbers of Geese rising from the marsh and departing inland. 5+ Marsh Harriers were seen over the marshes where they often displaced many duck species. Bearded Tits were heard on a couple of occasions, but not seen.
At Salthouse, a short stop at a roadside pond and marsh produced a pair of Pintail, two Shoveler, Mallard, Moorhen, and a single Water Rail calling and seen moving between cover.
28 November
Wayland Wood. A visit to the wood with my friend Darren Cowles produced an overhead and calling Raven. The wood also held Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Nuthatches, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, and at least 4 Bullfinches.
30 November
Thompson Common. A walk around the common produced a ♂ Sparrowhawk passing low and at speed between cover. Two Ravens passed over the common and calling, some interaction between the two birds was seen including chasing. One ♂ Tawny Owl called a few times from dense cover. Two Bullfinches were seen in typically bushy habitat and in the damp Birch and Alder woodland many Siskins seen along with 6+ Lesser Redpolls feeding in the Birch trees.
 |
| Lesser Redpoll. At least 6 birds feeding in Birch trees |
No comments:
Post a Comment