The Brecklands

Hi

A day out today (23rd) in the Brecklands of Norfolk and Suffolk, with fine sunny and warm weather.

First stop was the small Norfolk town of Thetford, where a couple of Otters have been showing most days along the River Thet and Little Ouse.  We saw two animals which were active and completely ignored human activity (please see image below).  Birds included Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, common warblers etc.

A wander around Lynford Arboretum provided a singing Firecrest, Grey Wagtail, Brambling, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and common woodland birds - and Lynford Hall provided a decent cup of coffee too!  Lots of butterflies on the wing today including Orange-tip.  Also interesting that Common Buzzard has now colonised the Brecklands with quite a number seen during the day.

Next was a pleasant hike around open woodland near to Mayday Farm, part of the Thetford Forest complex.  The best birds were Woodlark, Crossbill and again plenty of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll.  Deer were numerous, Muntjac and Roe being the most common.

An afternoon cup of tea at Brandon Country Park gave up another singing Firecrest, Brambling, Siskin and a Nuthatch collecting mud to finish its nest hole.

Scanning at Weeting Heath failed to locate any Stone Curlew; Marsh Harrier, Wheatear and Tree Pipit were suitable recompense.

Our final birding venue for the day was the impressive RSPB reserve at Lakenheath.  A walk along the raised footpath was productive with 2 Common Cranes, up to 4 Bitterns, lots of Marsh Harriers, a Whooper Swan, a Short-eared Owl, a Barn Owl, a Nightingale, a Grasshopper Warbler and a couple of Egyptian Geese.  A roadside Long-eared Owl was the final good bird of the day.

Regards

Eleanor and Neil

Grey Wagtail

Otter

Nuthatch

Tree Pipit

Barn Owl