A little time off work, and away I headed towards Thetford in Norfolk. The target list was fairly short and my main aim was to improve my birding away from my local area and give myself time to experiment and improve my photography. I had chosen sites where I knew I would see target birds but the aim was to see what else I could find whilst at these sites.
RSPB Lakenheath was the first port of call, and the sun was baking hot. Along the path towards Fen pools gave sightings of Sedge warbler and a quick glimpse of a Cetti's warbler within 10 minutes of arriving. A male Kestrel flew into the corner of the woods further along the path and I noticed both birds heading towards this corner several times during my visits.
At New Fen viewpoint Great crested grebes and Mute swans graced the water in front of us. A Kingfisher and a adult Bearded tit gave us brief views before I took the long walk towards Joist fen viewpoint. A Hobby was hunting quite high overhead, probably catching insects on the wing. Once at the viewpoint Marsh harriers entertained us as they searched the fens and reed beds.
Near the end of the river walk I noted Little grebe lots of Mute swans and a male Gargney .
Back at the car park I managed to lock my car keys in the boot and I had to call the AA. That gave me chance to look around the car park area. Jays,Great spotted woodpecker and the call off a Turtle dove back towards the car park made me turn around. Somewhere near the visitors centre I heard the dove again, walking towards the centre I noticed it upon a wooden bridge before it flew to my left and posed briefly atop a tree before moving out of view.
The AA rescued the keys and off I went towards Weeting Heath.
You don't have far to walk at Weeting heath.50 yards or so and your in one of the hides, I chose west hide. Just in front of the hides is a grassy flowery strip of meadow that is quite tall and about 20 yards wide, behind this is a greener shorter area of grass where I counted over 20 Rabbits running around in the slowly dimming light. Over to my far left I managed to pick out a distant Stone curlew but it was not worth trying to photograph. I heard the calls similar to the more common Curlew but I saw nothing. Then 3 birds flew across my field of view before landing to my far left and close to the first bird. I could still here calling as I searched the whole area then 2 birds flew from the left and landed to my right hand side giving better views but still quite distant. I watched as these birds stood erect looking around with those large eyes, before running a short distance and pecking at the ground for food. Then after a minute it stood upright again ran a short distance again and stopped to feed again. It did this several times moving from my right across the ground and over to the far left again. These are cracking birds and something I have not seen before. Sadly I saw no Wood lark at this site one of my target birds. Though I did pick up a Spotted flycatcher in near darkness when I was leaving.
Saturday I had a quick run to a site that was given to me for Nightjars, called Firebreak 24. A large track between two blocks of trees in Thetford forest. It led to a clear fell area that looked superb. I would return that evening.
Back at Lakenheath I started by walking the riverside towards the New fen viewpoint, a Cuckoo was keeping its distance in front of me but constantly calling. As I turned left towards the New fen area a fluted exotic call came from the tall Poplar trees just by the path. Another birder was stood on the path looking into the trees where the sound had come from. Scanning the trees was pointless really but we did. After a few minutes and no more calls we walked down to the viewpoint.
The young Bearded tits were active but no adults today. The Marsh harriers hunted around the reeds and a Hobby flew from behind us and over towards the Joist fen area. Trying to photograph the Bearded tits between the reeds was hard and then another fluted exotic call came from the Poplar trees behind us sounding quite close. We stopped and scanned the trees again but saw nothing. A few more minutes chasing the Beardies and again came the fluted call of the exotic Golden oriole but no sighting. This happened several times before I moved over to the Joist fen viewpoint. Sitting in the shade of the bus shelter 2 Common buzzards soared in the distance and the Marsh harriers made a food pass above this huge fen. Two men with scopes sat on the benches in the sun to our right, talking amongst themselves. One of these guys suddenly jumped up shouting " Cranes", and pointed towards the back of the fen. Two Common cranes had taken off and were rising as they flew across the back of the fen, a great sighting and also another target bird. we watched them drift away and sat back in the shade. The Cetti's called from the same area as the day before
so I decided to let it come to me this time but with no luck. As I waited a Bittern rose from the reeds flew 20 yards and dropped down again. Ten minutes later another Bittern rose and flew away from us before dropping down into the reeds. On the walk bact to the car a Kestrel flew into the same corner of the woods and one flew out moments later. Sedge, Willow and Reed warblers sang from the side of the path and I picked up a Grasshopper warbler nearer the car park.
Next site was over the border in Suffolk, Lackford Lakes. A good place for Nightingales, Woodlark, Turtle doves and Yellowhammer . The staff are very helpful though the site looks very family orientated. The paths are easy and the whole site is a superb mixture of woods, ponds, reed beds and lakes. My first stop was Bills hide. Grey herons and two Little egrets waded on the waters edge and two Green sandpipers pleased me when I found them. A Kingfisher flew back and forth across the hide but remained a tad out of reach for the camera.
Moving to the double decker hide I was expecting a busy packed hide but was surprised when it was empty, as I opened the door a window flap had been left open and I noticed a blue flash in the corner of my eye. A Kingfisher had landed within shooting distance so I slowly sat down and reached for the camera, I rattled off 20-30 frames and the bird dived from its perch returning with a Stickleback sideways in it's bill. I watched as the bird bash the fish on the branch again and again shooting frames all the time, it then tossed the fish into a head on position before swallowing it whole.
It was great watching this a few yards in front of me with the camera and good light. I rattled off about 80 shots and some results are the best I have ever taken of this species.
Moving around the site I noted lots of young Swallows, Blackcap, Swans and Greylag geese, Along with the odd Pochard and one male Red crested pochard that is a resident here. Lots of Cuckoos called around the reserve and a Muntjac deer stepped out in broad daylight. The briefest of sightings of a Pair of Yellowhammer, and
several Whitethroats sang from the scrub. Birds of prey included Kestrel, Hobby, Sparrowhawk and Buzzard. I imagine this site is superb in spring and winter and worthy of more visits.
As dusk arrived I headed towards firebreak 24 in Thetford forest covered in midge lotion and with a large supply of cold water. I stood on a piece of raised ground overlooking the area and waited. Within minutes I was covered in midges, they were in my eyes and ears and I must of swallowed a dozen. Muntjac barked and I saw three in total, Woodcock flew above the trees and I heard the screeching of what was probably young Long eared owls. The Nightjars started and became very vocal as the light faded and several birds could be seen at fairly close range. I left as the light gave up and went to my hotel for a long cool shower.
Sunday morning I headed towards Boston in Lincolnshire and Frampton Marshes RSPB, another site I had not visited before. Leaving Lastingham the skies were clear and blue. As I drove along the country lanes Sparrows and Collard doves could be seen, I slowed down and watched as two Red Legged Partridge ran for cover from the road side. Just before I joined the A1065 I noticed a bird soaring to my left so I lept from the car and stood with my back against a large bush as the bird circled closer I noticed it was a Red Kite, grabbing some shots it must of seen me and drifted away.
Pleased with my luck I made Frampton by 9am.
Frampton looks a great site with plenty of walks, and the staff were helpful. I started at the 360 hide and noticed Little Egrets, Avocets, some with young and good numbers of Black tailed godwits. Along the paths I noted plenty of Sedge warblers, Goldfinch, Reed buntings and Goldfinch. The Reedbed hide had plenty of Gulls in front of it but no Mediterranean gulls. more Grey herons and more Avocets, and Godwits. A circular walk back towards the visitors centre produced a single Corn bunting and a single Yellow wagtail.
Plenty of warblers along the paths again and close to the end a small group of Yellowhammers flitted around one favoured area.
At the car park a Marsh Harrier was flying low over the fields but was distant, close by a Little owl was stood on a fence post near a old farm building. After lunch I set off around again but this time towards the East hide. The first bird of note was a Little ring plover working along the edge of one of the pools and several more Avocets. At the bend leading towards the hide a couple were taking photos of something on the floor, beautiful, dainty Bee Orchids. These flowering orchids stood about 4 inches tall and looked superb in bloom.
At the hide a single Brent goose had remained also Ring plover, Redshank more Godwits and Avocets.
Leaving the site I was made to slam on the brakes as a large Adder slid across the tarmac in front of the car. I think it had been basking on the tarmac in the strong sunshine. Frampton Marshes is worthy of plenty more visits.
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