A summary of observations for May 2026

By the end April, the majority of bird migration has ended and migrant species are on territory and engaged in breeding behaviour.  Migration still occurs in May but with common species this has slowed to a trickle, however, May can see rare and exotic species passing through Norfolk, species including Bee-eaters, and if we are very lucky, the extremely vibrantly coloured Roller.

I saw my first Swifts of the year on 22nd April when 3 birds fed above treetops at Thompson Water, I suspect these may have been migrants passing through. A few Swifts were seen over Watton in the last days of April but the first screaming party of Swifts were seen over the rooftops in Watton town centre on the 1st of May.  

I began the morning of the 4th May with a visit to Cranberry Rough, highlights from this visit included seeing and hearing Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Little and Great White Egrets, and overhead a Goshawk passed over carrying prey.

In a nearby clearing a party of 22 Crossbills arrived in a tall conifer where they spent time preening, this flock comprised several ♂♂ and a number of♀♀too, at least two juveniles were seen. After some 10 minutes the Crossbills flew off together calling.

Following my visit to Cranberry Rough I made the short drive to Wretham Heath where lots of evidence of breeding behaviour was seen beginning with upon my arrival, House Martins visiting the artificial nest sites on the wardens house. Further evidence of breeding was seen with two pairs of Egyptian Geese with young and in the woodland and clearings, singing Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, and Willow Warblers were all noted. A pair of Stonechats were seen nervously alarm calling with the ♀ bird carrying food for their young.  Overhead, a male Siskin was performing its song-flight and in a nearby clearing, two Tree Pipits were singing and performing their song-flight.

Willow Warbler on Wretham Heath 4 May. A beautiful sweet and descending song.

On 10 May I visited Stow Bedon and walked a regular route I like to take from St Botolph's Church along Gravelpit Hill to Lower Stow Bedon then following Rocklands Road to Mere Road for the long walk back to my starting position.  This is a 3 mile walk over largely undulating country and through vast expanses of open arable land. My walk was focussed on finding common species, both migrant breeders and resident species, and without doubt the most abundant migrant was the Whitethroat with at least 14 singing ♂♂ Whitethroats located and a single singing Lesser Whitethroat at Lower Stow Bedon.  Just one singing Garden Warbler was noted, this was in suitable breeding habitat on Gravelpit Hill.  A small flock of 10+ House Sparrows seen at Lower Stow Bedon.

Mere Road/Rocklands Road junction 10 May 2026 (Always a good site for Whitethroat)

The walk back along Mere Road saw a pair of Grey Partridges in crops whilst nearby a large muck heap held just two Pied Wagtails.  Muck heaps are one of my favourite habitats to check in April and May and again from July throughn to September as these habitats are very attractive to migrant wading birds such as Green Sandpiper and Greenshank. 

Ashill Common is a site I like to visit at least once in spring and on the 16th my visit was rewarding. The ancient manmade feature here is the c.7 century Devil's Ditch, an archaeolgical scheduled monument which runs south to north over the common. The ditch holds a wonderful old hedgerow which is always attractive to birds, my visit this morning saw singing Whitethroats and Greenfinches, Goldfinch, Blackcap, and Lesser Whitethroat.  

Whitethroat on Ashill Common 16th May (An annual visitor to the common)

The wider common held at least 5 Whitethroat territories with one pair making frequent visits to an isolated Hawthorn, however, the most abundant species was Linnet, the habitat here comprises much Gorse, a favoured habitat for this species to breed in. A single Turtle Dove was singing, a delightful purring which is the epitome of an warm English spring day. 

Turtle Dove - the beautiful purring song is the epitome of an English summers day.

On the 17th May I led a walk for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust at Cranberry Rough, the walk was well attended, however, a section of the walk was quite wet and muddy and not passable for one or two of my group so they took enjoyment from other areas we had previously covered.  Being mid May I was confident that I would be able to point out several species, especially summer migrants, either visually or by their song.

The walk began well at our meeting point with both Blackcap and Garden Warbler singing, this was a good opportunity to point out the differences between these similar sounding species.  Both Garden Warblers and Blackcaps were encountered along the route, but also a very close and singing Cetti's Warbler, an amazing song for a small bird.  Overhead, two Hobbies soared very high, a good spot by one of the group.  Two Cuckoos were quite mobile, one was a calling male, also present was a female giving her beautiful bubbling call.  What was particularly rewarding for me was learning that some of the group were unfamiliar with the female Cuckoos call and were delighted to learn this.

Further along our walk another two Hobbies were seen, this time these birds were quite low and it was possible to appreciate the distinctive shape of this beautiful falcon.  Although quite distant a single Yellow Wagtail was seen on a fence and a single Siskin passed overhead.   Back at our original meeting point we once again were treated to the songs of both Blackcap and Garden Warbler.

On the 21 May at Little Cressingham, evidence of successful breeding by Stonechats seen with a family party of 6 birds present, also, Whitethroats were busily feeding young at the nest and luckily I was able to sit reasonably close to watch this wonderful behaviour.  Also present on heathland was a Curlew displaying song-flight.

Whitethroat at Little Cressingham 21 May with food for young in the nest

   

Stonechat (juvenile) Little Cressingham 21 May. Note the spotted appearance which ages the bird.

On the morning of 22 May I visited a beautiful area of grazing meadows near the Griston Road, here, I located two singing Stock Doves, singing Blackcap and two Grey Partridges (pair).  A  single Little Owl was seen flying over open country between trees, the flight is fast and undulating (odd for an Owl).

On the 24 May a single Raven was seen from the garden overflying low over houses, a couple of Rooks nearby provided a good size comparison between the species.

On the 25 May a walk along Watton Brook at Little Cressingham produced Whitethroats (adults feeding young), a singing Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, a Curlew performing song-flight, and a family party of 6+ Stonechats.

Plenty of evidence of breeding successes seen on the 30 May at Stow Bedon, this included Spotted Flycatchers on territory, Goldcrests and Treecreepers in suitable breeding habitat, and at least 3 Garden Warbler territories which included a bird carrying food for young in the nest.  Whitethroats were also noted which included an adult bird carrying food for young in the nest which was in a large bramble patch.   Singing Cetti's Warbler, Willow Warbler, and Blackcaps also seen and heard.  In nearby woodland both Goshawk and Tawny Owl were heard calling.

Garden Warbler at Stow Bedon with food for young in the nest 30 May 2026

For the final day of May I once again walked the Watton Brook valley near Little Cressingham, and as is often the case my first bird seen was a Whitethroat carrying food for young which seemed to have dispersed more widely in the valley.

Whitethroat (male) at Little Cressingham 31 May

Whitethroats were noted at a further three localities along the valley where a single Sedge Warbler was singing in rank vegetation alongside the brook. This bird also displayed song-flight, also, when in flight, the Sedge Warbler showed a lovely warm brown, unstreaked rump. Several Stonechats were seen on fencing of which many were juvenile birds, and finally, a Curlew displayed song-flight.