Thompson Water 27 September 2026 (1200-1300)

A relatively short but productive visit to Thompson Water.  Wildfowl were present in good numbers with Mallard being the most numerous species with 150+ birds present.  Other wildfowl included a few Shoveler, Gadwall, 5 Mute Swans, and rather interestingly, a single ♀ Pintail.

Two Marsh Harriers were seen (♂ and ♀), the ♂ being readily identifiable by his smaller size and tri-coloured plumage.  Also present was two Buzzards.

1. Hobby hunting insects at Thompson Water 27 September 2026

2. Hobby (juvenile) Thompson Water 27 September 2026

3. Hobby at Thompson Water 27 September 2026. 

4. Hobby 27 September 2026. Feeding.

The highlight of this visit to Thompson Water was watching at least two Hobbies hunting, catching, and feeding upon insects.  These supremely fast Falcons fly low and close to the Water Soldier where they would chase insects, sometimes displaying incredible manouvers in the chase.

Typical behaviour was seen as in picture (1) where a Hobby would make frequent passes over the Water Soldier.  Picture (2) shows a Hobby in a fast pass, this is a juvenile bird, it's age confirmed by the pale tips to the wing coverts and on the rump.  The Hobby in picture (3) is turning sharply, possibly having seen an insect to chase, this is a useful angle for ageing this bird as it has pale buff undertail coverts, on adult birds the undertail coverts or 'trousers' are red. Finally, as shown in picture (4) the Hobby has an insect in its talons upon which it feeds on in flight.

Once seen, as in this observation today, the supreme velocity in the chase and stoop by Hobbies is mesmerising and totally unforgettable as they chase and catch insects and small birds which include Hirundines and even Swifts.

The Hobby is a migratory Falcon arriving with us in Britain in mid-April, they are scarce but increasing breeders with us.  At the time of writing, Hobbies will be preparing to migrate south, most would have departed now and by October all birds will have left us for their wintering grounds in south-central Africa. 

Little Cressingham (Peddars Way) 25 September 2026

This morning I visited the small section of the Peddars Way between Watton Brook north to the Watton Road crossroads.  The topography here ranges from the low lying valley where Watton Brook flows through lush meadows, rising to a gentle but long climb to the Watton Road crossroads which is the highest land in this immediate area.  The wide expanses of farmland either side of this section of the Peddars Way is very rolling in nature.

My aim was to search for migrant birds in the rich hedgerows alongside the Peddars Way, but also I wanted to see what the hedgerows comprised of along with the variety of fruits which await the arrival of migratory Thrush species.

Beginning at the lowest point of my walk at Watton Brook, the dominant tree species here is the Alder, a typical tree of wet ground, especially alongside rivers.  A meadow saw encroaching Alder scrub where a Wren sang its loud song.  At the start of the ascent along the Peddars Way I checked a field boundary of Willow and ground covering scrub, here I saw at least 4 Yellowhammers.  Also noted here was a singing Chiffchaff.

The gentle climb along the Peddars Way north of Little Cressingham 25 September 2026

  

Field boundary west of the Peddars Way 25 September. Check low scrub for Stonechats.

As the climb along the Peddars Way begins to level a lovely long and well established and unbroken hedgerow runs alongsie the full length of the road to the crossroads. This hedgerow held a variety plants bearing healthy stocks of fruit including Hawthorn, Blackthorn (good crop of sloes seen), Dog Rose, Bramble, and Buckthorn.  This hedgerow held at least 3 Chiffchaffs and an alarm calling Blackcap. The large field to the immediate west of the Peddars Way held 50+ Stock Doves and Wood Pigeons.

Mixed hedgerow alongside the Peddars Way 25 September 2026 (awaiting the arrival of winter Thrushes)

Blackthorn (Sloes) 25 September 2026 (Awaiting Thrushes such as Fieldfare

Fieldfare - soon to arrive with other Thrush species to plunder the hedgerows of their fruits

Buckthorn 25 September 2026. Watch for Thrushes, Starlings, and Waxwings.

So, there is much to look forward to now in the latter days of September and especially into October when an early morning visit at first light to berry laden bushes within our hedgerows, will see Fieldfares, Redwings, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Mistle Thrushes, and maybe Waxwings, either feeding, or dropping out of the sky, sometimes in their hundreds, to feed following a long night on the wing.

Little Cressingham (Watton Brook Valley) 20 September 2026

A bright morning with a light to moderate westerly wind, occasionally fresh in strength.  An early morning visit to private land alongside the Watton Brook valley and adjacent grassland currently grazed by cattle.

My visit was aimed at finding migrants, and what was particularly evident was a constant passage of Hirundine species, especially later on the visit when I had a static vismigging (Visual Migration) session.

Upon my arrival, an initial check of my surroundings produced 2 Mistle Thrushes high in a dead Oak and below these in a farmland boundary hedgerow two Stonechats were present.   One Buzzard was also seen close by in the valley.

As I set off west along the valley I paused to check the grassland for migrants, however, nothing was seen.  As I walked west I was aware of a movement of Swallows and the odd House Martin, it was then that a Hobby appeared directly above me where it soared for a while, the Hirundines were undoubtedly aware of this falcon as these were potential prey.  Checking the fence and fence-posts ahead of me I saw a further 3+ Stonechats and at least 3 Meadow Pipits (passage migrant and winter visitor).  A further scan of grassland ahead of me saw 3 Mistle Thrushes, two of which may have been the birds I saw upon my arrival.

An area of disturbed ground, caused by trampling cattle at a hay-feed, saw a single Grey Wagtail which was attracted to the ground for invertebrate food.  It is at such habitats at this time of year to check for Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits.

Grey Wagtail at Bodney 20 September 2026

Hirundine Passage (Static vismigging)

Having noticed earlier on during my visit a movement of Swallows and House Martins moving through, I decided to stand and watch for evidence of passage by these species.  For a period of 20 minutes or so I watched as a light but constant passage of both Swallows and House Martins moved west along the valley, I also checked the distant east along the valley through binoculars and I could see more Swallows and House Martins approaching and eventually passing me in a westerly heading.  These Hirundines were forced low close to the ground due to the wind strength, they follow rivers with their destination being 'The Wash' from where they follow river systems south before leaving Britain.  Migration is fascinating, especially when you witness it happening.
 

From my archives. Honey Buzzard over Watton 17 September 2012 (A new garden record)

17 September 2012 (Watton, Norfolk)

Throughout the morning of 17 September 2012, I made frequent visits to the garden to check for overflying migrant birds.  It was a warm and settled day, perfect for raptor passage.

At 1345, I was about to pack up when a large, unusual looking bird of prey appeared in the north-west.  Immediately, I knew this was something different by the birds appearance. 
I raised the camera and started shooting, I could see through the lens that this was in fact a Honey Buzzard, later examination of the photograph showed this to be a dark-phase juvenile bird.

Honey Buzzard (dark-phase juvenile bird) passing over the garden 17 September 2012.

Honey Buzzard over Watton 17 September 2012

A number of features of this bird separates it from Common Buzzard, this shot shows the yellow bill base, solid brown underparts, paddle-like tail, extensive black 'hands' and obvious head projection.

This Honey Buzzard was initially seen approaching from the north-west, I could not believe my luck when the raptor turned slightly and passed directly over the garden, I then continued to watch it as it headed off south.  What a great garden record.

Bodney Camp and Watton 14 September 2026

There had been rain in the night but the morning dawned sunny with a light WSW wind.  The day began with a migrant Chiffchaff in the garden.

Bodney Camp (STW) 0705-0845

The wind has been for some time come from the South-West, West, and North-west, and at the time of writing there seems to be no change in this wind direction for the foreseeable future.  Winds from the North-east and East are more favourable for migrant birds at this time of year, so hopefully a change will come later in the month and especially into October when the first winter Thrushes and Finches are on the move.

My visit to Bodney STW on 14 September was productive despite the wind direction with a few Chiffchaffs present, mostly in Elder bushes, and overhead, the best single count of 15+ Swallows headed south.

Two Grey Wagtails were within the STW complex, along with other common species including 2 Stonechats (female eating elderberry), two Coal Tits, two Great Tits, and Linnet.  As I was leaving two Ravens flew low overhead in a SW heading and calling.

Ravens. This impressive Crow is being seen more frequently in Breckland

Thompson Wood 0905-1000

The most obvious species seen on this visit was Swallow (100+) high and low over grassland, also, 3 Meadow Pipits were my first autumn arrivals of the year.  The best single count of 30+ Skylarks was noted, and in a weed-filled Pingo a single female Reed Bunting was present giving her "tsu" call.  

Watton 1325

I was working in a friends garden when I thought I heard a very distant Raven calling, I listened carefully and grew more confident of the birds identity, after a short wait 3 Ravens were seen together approaching from the Merton area and headed off over Watton in a NE heading whilst continuing to give their wonderful call.

 

Watton/Saham (Private land immediately west of Watton and north of the B1108 road) 11 September 2026 - 0645-0930

With the wind continuing from the west, I chose to walk alongside the sheltered east facing hedgerow which lies south to north through large meadows, with the purpose of finding migrant species which hopefully should be resting and feeding in this long unbroken hedgerow.  The habitat comprises Hawthorn hedgerow with a mixture of Elder, Buckthorn, Blackthorn, Dog Rose, and Bramble.

Blackcap in typical habitat ia autumn where they feast on soft fruits for energy for their journey south. 

I walked the full length of this hedgerow waiting and searching for migratory birds, and with the land immediately adjacent to the west side of the hedgerow being a large area of game cover, the first birds seen were Finches and Buntings which will have good feeding here.  30+ Linnets, 4+ Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Greenfinches, and Goldfinch, were all present and as autumn progresses into winter, the flocks of both Finches and Buntings should increase in number. 

My search for migrants eventually paid off with at least 3 Blackcaps present including a male in Buckthorn habitat, also noted was at least two Whitethroats, one of which was a juvenile bird.

In addition to the migrants seen a couple of Snipe were seen on a wet meadow, both birds flew up to relocate on nearby marsh habitat.

Houghton 9 September 2026 (0645-1030)

A bright, cool start to the day with a light to moderate WNW wind eventually NW. It remained dry and later quite warm.

A few migrant Warblers were found with the best observations coming from the sheltered and warm east facing hedgerow.

Upon my arrival a female Kestrel was on the tower of St. Mary's where she was calling, also here was a few Jackdaws.  The sheltered east facing woodland boundary of the churchyard held a mobile flock of Long-tailed Tits along with Blue and Great Tits too.

A gathering of 10 Stock Doves were on overhead wires whilst the same area held a wandering flock of 50+ Linnets.

Blackcap (feamle) at Houghton 9 September. In typical autumn habitat of Elder.

Once I reached the sheltered east facing hedgerow on Houghton Common I decided to watch this habitat carefully in the knowledge that birds would benefit from being out of the wind.  This long and continuous hedgerow is laden with mixed fruits including elderberry, Dog Rose, Hawthorn, and Buckthorn, and it was in this habitat I found 7+ Chiffchaffs (including a singing bird) and another feeding upon elderberries.  At least 8 Blackcaps were seen, again attracted to elderberries where a female bird was taking fruit.  Also seen was a single juvenile Whitethroat, again in elder.

My return walk was productive with at least 10 Grey Partridges seen in stubble.

Hever Castle, Kent. 6 September 2026

My wife Pam has a great interest in history, especially the history of the Tudor times, and one of her ambitions was to visit Hever Castle in Kent, the childhood home of Ann Boleyn.  We travelled from our home in Norfolk to our accommodation near Sevenoaks in Kent on 5 September, we stayed overnight in fairly basic accommodation, but that is all we required for our one night.  

On the morning of 6 September I drove the 15 miles or so to Hever, we arrived early as we wanted to look around St Peter's Church in Hever as well as a walk round the outside of the King Henry 8th pub, both of which are located close to the entrance of Hever Castle and its gardens.

Henry the V111 pub at Hever

St Peter's Church at Hever (Resting place of Thomas Boleyn, the father of Ann Boleyn)

 

Hever Castle (the beautiful gardens approaching the castle)

Here we are at Hever Castle

Hever Castle 6 September 2026

The beautiful lake at Hever Castle

Birds

Shortly following our arrival at the car park for Hever Castle I had a stroll round and located a calling juvenile Tawny Owl.  Also noted here was both Nuthatch and Robin.

Although our main focus was on visiting the castle and its magnificent gardens, our wanderings included the birds seen, and the various bodies of water, including the castle moat and the large lake saw Coot and Mallard being the most numerous of species.  Most Coot were adult birds with a few juveniles seen.

Coot at Hever Castle

The wonderful area of woodland, and indeed solitary trees within parkland, held Robins, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker, and Goldcrest.  I noticed several Robins in the beautiful Italian themed gardens, the many cavities in the brick structures undoubtedly providing good breeding sites.

The large lake at Hever Castle saw 4 Great Crested Grebes (a pair with a single juvenile and a lone adult), also Black-headed Gulls and a single Little Egret was seen overflying. 

A walk through woodland to visit the ruins of Anne of Cleves Bower House produced a couple of Chiffchaffs.

Following our very memorable visit to Hever Castle Pam and myself rounded off the day with a lovely meal in the King Henry V111 pub, which along with nearby St Peter's Church, is part of the Hever Castle estate.  

We departed this beautiful part of Kent with a drive through some beautiful old villages and wonderful countryside before joining the main routes for our journey back to Norfolk.

Sparham (Churchyard and immediate surrounds) 1015-1115

Sparham Churchyard is a beautiful well wooded location which holds a range of species, mostly around the boundaries.  The southern boundary typically has some large, old Yew trees, the east boundary has a nettlebed, a dead tree,a plum tree, and a Japanese Mock Orange.  The northern boundary is particularly well wooded with Ash, two Hazel, 2 Field Maples, Hawthorn, Elder, Hawthorn, a large Cedar, Ivy, and Black Bryony.  The west boundary of the Churchyard has a few fruiting Rowans.  There is a small wildflower meadow.

1 Stock Dove singing

1 Green Woodpecker (heard)

8+ Blackbirds

1 Blackcap ♂ singing

Robin

Coal Tit

3+ Blue Tits

2+ Goldfinches (including a juvenile)

3 Swallows

Hardingham and Scoulton 2 September 2026

 I had a short work break between calls, I therefore visited Low Road in Hardingham (1810 to 1845) where I counted:-

26 Egyptian Geese (all S/E)

120+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls in stubble

28+ Stock Doves on wires

Carrion Crow

6+ Rook

1 Swallow (south) battling against the wind

Scoulton (Woodrising Road) 2145  

A beautiful Barn Owl was seen in car light in a hollow within a large roadside tree.

31 August 2026 at Thompson, Norfolk (with Sarah Harris, and 'Digger')

With the last day of the month upon us, my plan was to visit Thompson Wood for a search for migrant birds. I was not to be disappointed.  This was a sunny morning with increasing cloud. The wind was a light to moderate, occasionally fresh W to SW.

I messaged Sarah Harris (BB editor) and her gorgeous Border Collie 'Digger' and was later joined by her for a lovely walk and catch up.

Probably the most spectacular observation this morning was watching several hundred Hirundines gathering along wire fencing and hunting low over large weedy fields.  The majority species present was the House Martin with many Swallows too.  A single female Reed Bunting was seen.

I then walked alongside a long fence enclosing a very large weedy field, I was confident that I would find migrants here and a relatively short search revealed 5+ Whinchats either on the fence or on tops of tall weeds where they showed reasonably well.

Whinchat 31 August at Thompson. 

 

Whinchat 31 August 2026 (Note the bold pale supercillium)

The Whinchats seen today shared their surroundings with a number of Stonechats, it was therefore possible to see the difference between the two species.  Whinchats are paler birds with a strong pale supercillium, the tail pattern (as seen with a hovering bird) shows distinct white outer tail bases.

Also noted this morning was a single Whitethroat in a patch of scrub within grassland habitat.  

I later met up with Sarah Harris for our walk and catch up and although the high numbers of earlier Hirundines had moved on, more Swallows and House Martins arrived to fly low and close to the grasses and weeds.  

As we continued our walk Sarah saw a Goshawk flying left to right just above the treeline, it then dropped into the canopy when several Wood Pigeons scattered erratically.

It was a lovely walk with Sarah and it was good to see her again. Thank you Sarah.

And finally, as I was about to leave I met another friend, Jean Wagner, for a brief catch up.  Good to see you too Jean.

1 September 2026 (Observations from the garden)

September is the pivotal month for bird migration with birds leaving us and other species arriving later in the month from Northern Europe.  Although a fantastic month for witnessing bird migration, I have to say that October is without doubt the best month for this phenomena with autumn storms from the south-west seeing the arrival of birds from North America, whilst here in the east we can witness the spectacular arrival of thousands of winter Thrushes and Finches from Northern Europe along with scarce and rare passerines from Europe and Siberia.

1 September

The day began with a male Blackcap in our native hedgerow where it remained for much of the day, obviously a resting migrant bird which hopefully benefitted from the soft fruits in the hedge. Subsong was heard.  

The hedgerow also attracted a couple of Blackbirds which fed upon berries of the Dogwood bush whilst other common species noted included a number of House Sparrows.  A juvenile Collared Dove was being fed by a parent bird.

A female Sparrowhawk was seen on a couple of occasions overhead, the second occasion saw the raptor closing its wings and plummeting towards the ground.

Overhead movements included a light passage of House Martins and Swallows in a north-west heading, perhaps this was pre-migration reorienting behaviour. 

Lepidoptera species in the garden today included two Hummingbird Hawk Moths and a single Painted Lady butterfly.

Little Cressingham 27 August 2026

A dry start to the day but with heavy thundery showers predicted. Some heavy and prolonged showers arrived around midday and it was great to look out of the window and finally see some decent rainfall following the long very dry spells and many days of very high temperatures.

My day began with a visit to a nearby army camp where I had to go through my annual safety briefing and pass renewal for the training area, an efficient process.

Little Cressingham (Watton Brook Valley within the training area) 0810-0930.

I arrived at my destination with full cloud and a muggy feel, the wind was an easterly shifting to a light south-easterly.  The morning had a feel of migrants about it.

The first birds I noticed was a couple of Red Kites perched in a dead Oak, in the same tree two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, one of which was chiselling away at dead bark.  A Goshawk was heard calling. Several Stonechats (c.10) and Whitethroat along the valley sides. I also saw a very brief acrocephalus species dart into cover, I suspected Reed Warbler.   

Before proceeding along the valley I decided to scope rolling grassland and in doing so located 3 Northern Wheatear.  Even watching from distance these Wheatears were easily identified migrants, firstly, I checked areas of short grassland at this time of year knowing that this kind of habitat supports passage Wheatear, I saw a distant bird standing upright and still before running fast over the land, then the birds were seen to fly short distances and showed their very distinctive white rump which appears as an inverted T.  

As I slowly walked towards the grassland a Marsh Harrier approached from the west then headed south. 

Wheatear at Little Cressingham 27 August 2026 (one of 3 birds present)

Wheatears are birds of open country and although a few pairs breed in the Brecks the vast majority of birds seen are migrants passing through both in spring and again in autumn.  I encounter these delightful birds every year on the patch.

The Wheatears seen today were easily identified from range by their upright carriage, short, fast runs over the land, stopping and once again upright as it looks around, often these Wheatear chose the highest perch in the area, on fence posts on top of a hillock.  The Wheatear pictured here is a juvenile bird, the other two birds were either female, or again, juveniles.  As previously written the most distinctive feature of a flying Wheatear is the very conspicuous white rump in the form of an inverted T shape.

North Elmham Chapel 25 August 2026

During a short work break on 25 August I visited the beautiful ruins of North Elmham Chapel in Norfolk. My apologies for possibly not getting the information panels in the correct order. I hope you enjoy this little tour.

The approach to the chapel

St Mary's Church North Elmham

Little Cressingham (Watton Brook Valley) 18 August 2026

It has been a long time since we had any significant and meaningful rainfall here in the Brecks, therefore, could you imagine my absolute delight that at just after midnight on the 18 August when it began to rain steadily and continuously for around 3 hours, it was a wonderful sound listening to the rain beating down on the conservatory roof.

I had only a short time for birding this morning and I chose to walk along the Watton Brook valley off Great Cressingham Road for a migrant search. 

Firstly, a single Red Kite perched rather statesman-like on a dead branch high in an Oak and nearby on wires were perched 5 Stock Doves.  Before entering the area of grassland an initial scan saw 25 Lapwings on the hard, dry land.

I walked along the valley through lots of grazing cattle which were being fed on a good supply of supplementary food as the usual lush grassland is looking more like a desert due to the current drought conditions.  I noted that 6 Pied Wagtails were feeding around the cattle. 

The lush green habitat alongside Watton Brook separates this feature from what otherwise appears as an arid looking surrounding landscape, as expected, the valley produced most birds.  My quick visit along Watton Brook produced at least two Whitethroats, Wrens, Dunnock, several Goldfinches, Great Tit, and in excess of 10 Stonechats, of which most were juveniles. 50+ Swallows flew low up and down the valley in their search for food. 

Thompson Wood 17 August 2026

The vast open grassland with areas of broken hedgerows and scrub habitat was my intended destination at dawn on 17 August, and my reasons for covering the site this morning was to check for signs of migrant bird species.

My initial walk beside a long and well stocked hedgerow looked promising for migrant birds, especially given the fruit laden bushes within the hedgerow.  A couple of Robins were heard, then a single bird darted between cover, I managed a short view of the bird, a lovely juvenile Whitethroat.

A habitat I was particularly looking forward to visiting was a long broken hedgerow with lots of scrub growing between the breaks.  As I walked slowly along the hedge I detected movement and very soon after this I was rewarded with at least 3 Stonechats, 3+ Whitethroats, and a single Whinchat, all three species remained more or less together as they moved along the hedge and scrub. 

Whinchat

As I continued my walk I made my way to another area of hedgerow scrub, specifically bramble scrub, where I located at least a further 4 Whitethroats, a species I expected to see given the availability of fruit.

At least 3 Kestrels were seen together, a likely sign of local breeding success, the only other raptor species seen was Buzzard.

A few House Martins were seen distantly over houses in the village and at least 120 Swallows passed over.

A distant "korrp" call was heard, undoubtedly a Raven, the call was getting closer and then a single Raven passed over heading east.

As I approached the end of my walk a Little Owl was calling in a roadside Oak, this prompted a second Little Owl into calling in another roadside Oak.

Saham Toney (St. George's churchyard) 13 August 2026

The 13 August was dominated by a day of full sun and heat with a temperature high of 38°C (100° fahrenheit).  Very sadly, parts of Britain have been experiencing wildfires and there is still no sign of any significant rainfall.

Driving north through Saham Toney, the most dominant feature ahead of you is the tall tower of St. Georges church, and as you arrive it becomes clear that this is a large church which has some equally very large tree specimens, these include magnificent Cedar and Yew trees along the southern boundary of the churchyard and some impressive Beech trees along the eastern boundary.

St. George's Saham Toney (Magnificent Cedar and Yews flank the approach)

The Cedar which produced good numbers of Goldcrests 13 August

What a spread on this Cedar

Goldcrest in Saham Toney Churchyard 13 August 2026

Goldcrest in Saham Churchyard 13 August 2026 (at least 10 birds in the large Cedar)

This was a particularly productive visit for Goldcrests (10+) which were seen in the Cedar and Yews alongside the southern boundary of the churchyard, these birds were seen from eye level right into the canopy of the trees where they foraged amongst the needles.

Also seen in the largest Cedar was a couple of Coal Tits, Blue Tits, foraging Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch, and a female Sparrowhawk passed through low then continued off beyond the churchyard.

Saham (Meadow and Marsh in the Watton Brook Valley in TF8900) 12 August 2026

 Today was to be sunn and hot again with wall to wall sunshine. The site visited early morning on 12 August is private land in the Watton Brook Valley close to the western limits of Watton. The habitat here comprises marsh and grazing meadow, a couple of good lengths of fruit bearing hedgerows, a large game strip, and Watton Brook.

12 August - searching for migrants

Can you tell who is the real me (Courtesey of my dear daughter)

Habitats visited was the Watton Brook valley where I expected acrocephalus Warblers, and a long and well-stocked hedgerow and game strip.

As I walked north along a scrub lined ditch I first of all saw a single male Stonechat on fencing and bushes and as I reached Watton Brook the dominant species was Goldfinch, but as I walked alongside the brook I could see something different on fencing which was perched alongside a Goldfinch, the Goldfinch had an upright posture, however, the other had a horizontal carriage, I had a pretty good idea what this bird was  and checking with optics it was indeed a migrant Reed Warbler, this bird was seen a few times on the fence but also went to cover in thick herbage and reeds. 

Watton Brook at Saham 12 August (check herbage and fences for migrant birds)

The above picture was looking west along Watton Brook, it was here where I saw a Goshawk circling low over trees and farmland, also, 3 Red Kites were seen.

My return walk took me along a long and well-stocked hedgerow and gamestrip where Linnets dominated.  Also here was another Stonechat and at least two Whitethroats, one of which was a juvenile bird which picked at a blackberry.  A bit further along the hedgerow a single Chiffchaff was present.