Lynford Arboretum

[Reader]

Lynford is on the same Landranger Map as Mayday Farm. Map No 144
Grid Ref TL822 943

This is a huge area but an easy walk that can produce Crossbill and Hawfinch is as follows.

You will arrive at Lynford Arboretum, having passed Lynford hall (watch out for Muntjacs along the road here) and the car park you have to use is on your left. On your right is the disabled car park. Once parked you have to walk back and through the disabled car park looking at the tops of the trees as you go. I have had Hawfinch in the leaf litter under the trees on your left before now. Crossbills I had just after you have passed the Disabled car park. Keep on walking along this path, still searching the trees for any movement. Eventually you will cross a small bridge. Passed this bridge is a field on your right. There are a row of trees in the middle of the field. that is where the Hawfinches can normally be seen. We also had 13+ Crossbills here as well.

[Ashley beolens]

I had Hawfinch in the trees above the disabled car park last year. Check everywhere here you never know.

[Reader]

Yes Ashley. The very first Hawfinch I ever saw was just at the end of that car park, on the left hand side in the leaf litter under the tangled undergrowth that is there.

[boznia]

I went on Tuesday 22nd April, struggled to see a Hawfinch due to all the foliage on the Hornbeams. I thought i did see one fly above, it certainly was a bulky bird making a similar noise. I did however see a Firecrest in the big old tree, about 4 trees up from the bridge heading north ( not the gravel path, but the one across the grass ). I also saw a Crossbill with suspicious white markings on the side ( poss 2 barred, but i am too much of an amateur to know ).

Ben

[lou]

a good place for Hawfinch here is down by the lake, in the field by the corner where the bridge is, I use it every year for my yearly tick!

[SimonC]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'm planning possible trips to get a few lifers.
Hawfinch & Crossbill would both be welcome additions to my life list, as would Stone Curlew, and I see that Weeting Heath is not far away from Lynford.

I understand that the reserve at Weeting doesn't open 'til April(?) so would this be a good time to visit Lynford as well?

If not, what would be the best time to visit Lynford for the best chance of seeing both Hawfinch & Crossbill?

Thanks in advance

[deboo]

Simon,
Any time now for both species. Look in either the paddock at the Hornbeams or just past the Hall in the allotment for Hawfinch. Crossbills seem to occur all over the site!
Going in May will no doubt encounter problems, i.e foliage!
At this time you should see Stone Curlew and Woodlark at Weeting Heath and as an added bonus maybe Golden Oriole at Lakenheath/Hockwold RSPB washes (which are just down the road).
Cheers Dave.

[SimonC]

Dave,

Thanks! I know where I'm going in the next couple of weeks then ;)
and again in Spring (I forgotten about Orioles at Lakenheath!)

Cheers

[pduxon]

Dave,

Thanks! I know where I'm going in the next couple of weeks then ;)
and again in Spring (I forgotten about Orioles at Lakenheath!)

Cheers

Yep, me too. Missed the Orioles last year. Cracking view of Stone Curlew at Weeting along with Woodlark and Spotted Flycatcher (they sit in front of the hides and do what Flycatcher's do - well on my visit they did!!)

Weeting's not far from Welney or RSPB Ouse Wash

[deboo]

Pete,
The Orioles can be quite a walk and quite a wait...you should hear the males and the calls are very distinctive.
There is a lane which is on the other side of the river, I've driven down it and it does seem like a lazy option!
But you may only get flight views from here, although any view is a good view of a male Oriole!
Also at the washes are Grasshopper Warblers...heard and not seen! You should also get good views of Hobby hawking dragonflies and possibly Garganey.
Good luck,
Dave.
P.S. I saw 6 Hawfinches at Lynford last month....so was V.happy!!

[SimonC]

Golden Oriole at Lakenheath/Hockwold RSPB washes (which are just down the road).
Cheers Dave.
Anyone got directions please?
I've searched for this site but drawn a blank!

Cheers

[jose]

From "Best birdwatching sites in Norfolk"

(Approx. 13 miles SE of Downham Market and 9.5 miles W of Thetford)

Situated off B1112(Feltwell to Lakenheath road) From Feltwell, head S through Hockwold cum Wilton. Cross over a channel, then just after the next bridge(over the little Ouse River) turn right into the car par. This car park is not very obvious, but is situated opposite a white house. If you reach Lakenheath station you have gone too far.
Walk back towards the Ouse along a very short footpath then bear left onto a raised grass bank(following the footpath sign, keeping the river on your right. If you reach the bridge you have gone too far). Follow his raised bank for about a mile and a half to the poplar trees.

[Tim Allwood]

the river at Fordham used to be excellent for orioles in the mid nineties at least

you could stand by the road and watch them crossing the river

[Geoff Pain]

Tried Fordham for the last 2 years but no birds there :-C ,mind you I've still to see them at Lakenheath yet. :king:

[Tim Allwood]

used to be easy when you could walk thru the plantation - much more difficult now.

try watching from the bank in the early mornings but may take a while

[Ashley beolens]

I was under the impression that the orioles stopped breeding at Fordam a good few years ago. I know they moved from the foot bridge area to the other side of the road, but then they were gone (at least 4 years now I think). I would like to be wrong though, its a darn sight easier to get to than the Lakenheath birds, and used to be more reliable.

[boznia]

I went to Lynford on Friday and saw a Firecrest in the back entrance car park.

Returned on Saturday and saw a Hawfinch in the hornbeam in the paddock, it was feeding on the ground beneath the tree mixed in with a lot of redwings and tits, it took patience, I was told by somebody else there was one there, but then had to keep looking for a good while before I saw it.

I also saw 20 odd crossbills up by the lake hide beyond the car park - if you have not been before this can be hard to find as you have to walk through a gravel works.

There were also 100 odd siskins and 6 goosander on one of the lakes by the gravel works.

Please feel free to ask me if you want some more detailed info on the site.

Previously I have seen a few Nuthatch, marsh tit, all woodpecker ( not lesser, but they are there apparently ), little grebe, goldcrest, jay, blue tits, great tits, tufted duck, common sanpiper, pochard, wigeon, heron, mute swan, goldeneye.

I have heard there are Jack Snipe there by the lake, but have not spotted them myself.

Ben