Monday, 12 October 2015
Golden Plovers at Morley St. Botolph, Norfolk 11 October '15
A short break from work at 1000 and I decided to check on the numbers of Golden Plover at Morley. I stopped along Buck's Lane and it was clear that numbers have grown since my previous visit with 500+ birds seen there.
Tuesday, 6 October 2015
Barnham Broom, Norfolk
A work break to the churchyard in Barnham Broom was quite productive for common species, however, given the habitat here I am just waiting for that Firecrest to turn up. This is a beautiful, well wooded churchyard with the typical Yews of some age present along with a few very tall, mature Scots Pines, as well as another fine, tall Pine, a species whose identification is unknown to me.
Species seen/heard on this visit:
Jay
Jackdaw (around tower)
Wood Pigeon
4+ Blackbirds
2 Song Thrushes
3 Robins (all singing)
Wren
1 Chiffchaff (passing through)
Goldcrest
Chaffinch
It will be interesting to get others views on the numbers of Hornets. Here at Barnham Broom, as with many other localities visited, there seems to be more of these large insects about this year.
Churchyards are wonderful places to visit for birding, and for general unwinding. Such localities are wonderful nature reserves and provide a haven for birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles. Despite vast areas of monoculture, churchyards provide an oasis of habitat variety which will offer a haven for wildlife for eternity.
Species seen/heard on this visit:
Jay
Jackdaw (around tower)
Wood Pigeon
4+ Blackbirds
2 Song Thrushes
3 Robins (all singing)
Wren
1 Chiffchaff (passing through)
Goldcrest
Chaffinch
It will be interesting to get others views on the numbers of Hornets. Here at Barnham Broom, as with many other localities visited, there seems to be more of these large insects about this year.
Churchyards are wonderful places to visit for birding, and for general unwinding. Such localities are wonderful nature reserves and provide a haven for birds, insects, mammals, and reptiles. Despite vast areas of monoculture, churchyards provide an oasis of habitat variety which will offer a haven for wildlife for eternity.
Monday, 5 October 2015
Carrion Crow feeding behaviour at Wymondham, Norfolk 4 October 2015
During an evening break from work in Wymondham, I parked in an empty car park for a coffee. After a short while I could hear a crack sound, this was repeated on two or three occasion. I investigated the source of this sound and saw a Carrion Crow on the ground pecking at a small object. The Crow then took the object between its mandibles and flew up to about twenty feet or so and dropped what was undoubtedly a nut. A second Carrion Crow flew into the car park carrying a nut in its bill, it landed on the ground but soon flew up to a height of about fifteen to twenty feet and dropped the nut onto the hard ground below in order to try and crack the nut. The Crow flew down to the nut, it was at this time that I noticed the other Carrion Crow had been succesful in opeing the nut and was feeding. Very intelligent birds.
Little Cressingham
The weather today is now more October-like, grey skies, occcasional showers, and low light which seems to enhance the beauty of the multi-coloured colours of the autumn trees.
This afternoon I walked from 'The Arms' north along the Great Cressingham Road to 'The Fairstead' and back to 'The Arms'.
The highlights of this walk was 3 Chiffchaffs (at different localities) in the roadside hedgerows, and a single Blackcap. A Kestrel was seen. Several Goldfinches and Yellowhammers were noted along the route.
This afternoon I walked from 'The Arms' north along the Great Cressingham Road to 'The Fairstead' and back to 'The Arms'.
The highlights of this walk was 3 Chiffchaffs (at different localities) in the roadside hedgerows, and a single Blackcap. A Kestrel was seen. Several Goldfinches and Yellowhammers were noted along the route.
Hethel Old Thorn, Norfolk 3 October 2015
Today was another long day at work, however, I had a good afternoon break and decided to visit Hethel, in particular, the churchyard and nearby 'Old Thorn'
The churchyard at Hethel is quite small but very pretty with well-wooded area both around this location and in the immediate surrounds.
A check of the churchyard produced a couple of Chiffchaffs, a singing Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, and the ever-present Robin. Also seen today, as with other recent locations, was good numbers of Hornets.
Hethel Old Thorn
This beautiful Hawthorn is at 0.025 hectares, Britains smallest nature reserve. It was given to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust in 1960 by by the late Mr F.W. Myhill.
Hethel Old Thorn is aged between 700 and 1000 years old, it was said to be the meeting place for peasants during the revolt against King John some 700 years ago., therefore, it must have been a substantial Hawthorn at that time.
In 1841 the Hawthorn was measured, its trunk had a circumference of 12 feet 1 inch and the crown spread was 31 yards (90+ feet). Since that time the Hawthorn has split in two, however, it remains very much alive and is full of fruit as seen in my picture.
The churchyard at Hethel is quite small but very pretty with well-wooded area both around this location and in the immediate surrounds.
A check of the churchyard produced a couple of Chiffchaffs, a singing Goldcrest, 1 Song Thrush, Blackbird, Wren, Dunnock, and the ever-present Robin. Also seen today, as with other recent locations, was good numbers of Hornets.
 |
| Hethel Old Thorn 03/10/15 |
This beautiful Hawthorn is at 0.025 hectares, Britains smallest nature reserve. It was given to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust in 1960 by by the late Mr F.W. Myhill.
Hethel Old Thorn is aged between 700 and 1000 years old, it was said to be the meeting place for peasants during the revolt against King John some 700 years ago., therefore, it must have been a substantial Hawthorn at that time.
In 1841 the Hawthorn was measured, its trunk had a circumference of 12 feet 1 inch and the crown spread was 31 yards (90+ feet). Since that time the Hawthorn has split in two, however, it remains very much alive and is full of fruit as seen in my picture.
Friday, 2 October 2015
Morley St Botolph and Deopham, Norfolk
Morley St Botolph and Deopham
The main feature of the landscape in the Morley and Deopham areas is the vast open, rolling farmland, and long lanes bordered by hedgerows. Some of these lanes are very narrow and winding, and unsuited to many modern day vehicles, but clearly life-lines in days gone by between the various small villages in the area.
This morning I parked at the church at Morley and walked west along Swingy Lane and returned via the Deopham to Wymondham road, probably some 3 miles distance.
4 Swallows
2+ House Martins
2 Chiffchaff
17+ Skylarks
60+ Greenfinches
The walk along Swingy Lane at dawn produced the first Chiffchaff of the walk, a singing bird in a wooded hedge. The only other bird seen along the lane was a Wren flying through thick foilage in a ditch.
The walk back along the Deopham to Wymondam road saw lots of 'loafing' Gulls, mostly Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the large fields. Close to the junction with Morleyfield Lane a small flock of 17+ Skylarks were above me, whilst in a roadside Hawthorn my second Chiffchaff of the walk was heard.
Along Mill Lane, Morley, a very nice flock of 60+ Greenfinches were attracted to a patch of tall weed seeds where they fed. This was a pleasing sight to see this many Greenfinches, a mass of Yellow tail and wing flashes seen when in flight.
Within the village of Morley St Botolph 4 Swallows were seen on wires and a pair of House Martins were visiting a nest-site, a late brood perhaps.
The main feature of the landscape in the Morley and Deopham areas is the vast open, rolling farmland, and long lanes bordered by hedgerows. Some of these lanes are very narrow and winding, and unsuited to many modern day vehicles, but clearly life-lines in days gone by between the various small villages in the area.
This morning I parked at the church at Morley and walked west along Swingy Lane and returned via the Deopham to Wymondham road, probably some 3 miles distance.
4 Swallows
2+ House Martins
2 Chiffchaff
17+ Skylarks
60+ Greenfinches
The walk along Swingy Lane at dawn produced the first Chiffchaff of the walk, a singing bird in a wooded hedge. The only other bird seen along the lane was a Wren flying through thick foilage in a ditch.
The walk back along the Deopham to Wymondam road saw lots of 'loafing' Gulls, mostly Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the large fields. Close to the junction with Morleyfield Lane a small flock of 17+ Skylarks were above me, whilst in a roadside Hawthorn my second Chiffchaff of the walk was heard.
Along Mill Lane, Morley, a very nice flock of 60+ Greenfinches were attracted to a patch of tall weed seeds where they fed. This was a pleasing sight to see this many Greenfinches, a mass of Yellow tail and wing flashes seen when in flight.
Within the village of Morley St Botolph 4 Swallows were seen on wires and a pair of House Martins were visiting a nest-site, a late brood perhaps.
29th and 30th September (Round up)
Both the 29th and 30th September were long work days for me, therefore, the following is a brief account of highlights and locations visited on these dates.
The weather remained settled and warm on both dates and the wind was a fresh, occasionally strong easterly.
29 September
The undoubted highlight on this day was a single Redwing heard calling in a clients garden in Deopham, it was then seen flying away to the west.
During a short break later in the morning I visited the church at Brandon Parva and walked the footpath which leads away to the north-west. The walk along the footpath was quiet but back at the church a walk around the well-wooded yard produced Goldcrest, Song Thrush (1), Mistle Thrush, Robin, Nuthatch (2), and a Kestrel.
A late afternoon visit in Wymondham produced a single Chiffchaff.
30th September
Prior to leaving for work I had a walk around the garden and heard a calling Chiffchaff in an adjoining garden.
During my afternoon break I decided to visit Brandon Parva again, on this occasion I walked the footpaths north-west of the church to Upper Brandon Parva. Once again it was warm, however, the wind was the most noticeable feature, blowing strong enough to remove the outer twigs of trees.
Wood Pigeons were the commonest bird seen. 3 Buzzards were seen. The only passage noted was overhead and unseen calling Siskins. One male Blackbird was seen and a single Song Thrush was heard in a field boundary hedgerow, this bird was within Blackthorn, a migrant perhaps feeding upon Sloes?
Walking back towards the church at Brandon Parva a calling Chiffchaff was heard in a hedge.
The weather remained settled and warm on both dates and the wind was a fresh, occasionally strong easterly.
29 September
The undoubted highlight on this day was a single Redwing heard calling in a clients garden in Deopham, it was then seen flying away to the west.
During a short break later in the morning I visited the church at Brandon Parva and walked the footpath which leads away to the north-west. The walk along the footpath was quiet but back at the church a walk around the well-wooded yard produced Goldcrest, Song Thrush (1), Mistle Thrush, Robin, Nuthatch (2), and a Kestrel.
A late afternoon visit in Wymondham produced a single Chiffchaff.
30th September
Prior to leaving for work I had a walk around the garden and heard a calling Chiffchaff in an adjoining garden.
During my afternoon break I decided to visit Brandon Parva again, on this occasion I walked the footpaths north-west of the church to Upper Brandon Parva. Once again it was warm, however, the wind was the most noticeable feature, blowing strong enough to remove the outer twigs of trees.
Wood Pigeons were the commonest bird seen. 3 Buzzards were seen. The only passage noted was overhead and unseen calling Siskins. One male Blackbird was seen and a single Song Thrush was heard in a field boundary hedgerow, this bird was within Blackthorn, a migrant perhaps feeding upon Sloes?
Walking back towards the church at Brandon Parva a calling Chiffchaff was heard in a hedge.
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