Arriving at first light we set off along the main track heading towards the paddock.
As we walked across the stone bridge we found a Marsh Tit coming down to the feeder above the bridge.
Just across the bridge was the paddock area, where after a short search we located a single Hawfinch, it quickly dropped lower down the tree and into thicker cover.
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| Marsh Tit |
At the second bridge there was plenty of bird activity, as several Chaffinch, Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Marsh Tit and Nuthatch were coming to the seed that had been scattered.
As myself and dad had a close encounter with a Kingfisher along the river, Brian found a single Brambling among a small party of Chaffinch.
The walk back towards the car park produced a sizable flock of Siskin and several Treecreeper. Brian found another Brambling feeding on the path, but I again failed to see it before dog walkers flushed the flock.
Back at the manor grounds we watched Coal Tit, marsh Tit and a single Grey Wagtail dropped in to add another year tick to the day's total.
Determined to get a sighting of Brambling before heading home, we made the short trip to Santon Downham and found a large tit flock feeding among the leaf litter.
Among the Blue, Great and many Coal Tit's were small numbers of Treecreepers and Brambling.
Having finally managed to add Brambling to the year list, we still had time to take a look at the Great Grey Shrike that was in the area.
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| Brambling |
A very enjoyable mornings birding, that added another five year tick's.
We had a weekend up in Thetford (10th &11th Jan) and we visited Lynford Arboretum hoping to find a Hawfinch! We visited twice and were not lucky enough to see one! So jealous! Great blog. :) Jeni
ReplyDeleteHi Jeni, There is an area called the Paddock and this is a favoured area early morning at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteSometimes they are perched up at the top of the tall trees within this fenced off area, sometimes lower down even on the ground.
Keep trying and you will see a Hawfinch on one of your visits.
Lynford is also very good for Crossbill a little later in the year, many times they will come down to small puddles within the grounds of the large house on the left a short distant from the main car park.
Thanks for the comments. Hope you have a great year's birding ahead of you.