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Wayland wood let me down for the very first time. I have never missed out on Golden Pheasant here so it was a big disappointment that I dipped out this time. I had arrived at the car park just as a couple of birders were about to leave, and they too hadn’t seen any. First place to look is to the right of the car park as I have had them there a few times but nothing hardly moved. One thing I noticed, the wood was full of birdsong, one in particular caught my attention. It was the Marsh Tits pitchu – pitchu call and it wasn’t long before I located it. Ordinary Pheasants were calling from all around the wood and a couple of Jays appeared to be having a right set to and there raucous screeches echoed around the wood. The liquid song of the nuthatch became very evident and the little blighter actually dropped almost at my feet, catching me out completely. It must have realised its mistake and took off, bullet style, for the nearest cover and soon was invisible to view but its call still betrayed its presence. Great Tit and Blue Tit were in full song and the Alarm call of the Blackbird exploded behind me. A Chiffchaff stared its call and it took just over a minute to find this little warbler. A Great spotted Woodpecker flew straight over my head but was gone in a flash but still no sign of the Golden Pheasant. I met another two birders that had been wandering around for a couple of hours without success. Thinking that perhaps I had got to the site a little late I decided to leave and try the Wolferton Triangle for a chance of Golden Pheasant. Problem is I have never been successful at this site.
I decided to try a leisurely drive in this brilliant and warm morning. It was nearly 10am and the sun was bright in the sky. I had to drive with both windows down as it was so warm. I went for a longer drive to Wolferton taking in a couple of detours down little known lanes. There is a little road that comes out of Swaffham that goes to Beachamwell I like driving along. I have had good views of Buzzards along here and I thought that with a day like today I would see some more but it wasn’t to be. I did come across quite a few Yellowhammer feeding alongside a field full of Sheep. As usual, as soon as your camera comes out they take flight and today was no exception.
I carried on along back roads through Narborough, East Walton,Grimston, Hillington and on through the Sandringham Estate before reaching Wolferton. It was time for a sandwich and to just park up for half an hour. This is usually the best way to see the Pheasants as from time to time they tend to do a quick run across the run, well that’s the theory. In practise it never happens to me and today was no different. One consolation was a Muntjac that came out of the wood only about twenty feet in front of me. I couldn’t try for my camera as I’m sure the Muntjac would have shot off. I watched it for a brief couple of minutes but I have never been so close to one of these medium dog sized deer. It was a lovely moment watching this timid looking animal go about its business as if it hadn’t a care in the world. It soon disappeared through the Rhododendron bushes and into the wood.
It was now time to go after the Sardinian Warbler
I decided to try a leisurely drive in this brilliant and warm morning. It was nearly 10am and the sun was bright in the sky. I had to drive with both windows down as it was so warm. I went for a longer drive to Wolferton taking in a couple of detours down little known lanes. There is a little road that comes out of Swaffham that goes to Beachamwell I like driving along. I have had good views of Buzzards along here and I thought that with a day like today I would see some more but it wasn’t to be. I did come across quite a few Yellowhammer feeding alongside a field full of Sheep. As usual, as soon as your camera comes out they take flight and today was no exception.
I carried on along back roads through Narborough, East Walton,Grimston, Hillington and on through the Sandringham Estate before reaching Wolferton. It was time for a sandwich and to just park up for half an hour. This is usually the best way to see the Pheasants as from time to time they tend to do a quick run across the run, well that’s the theory. In practise it never happens to me and today was no different. One consolation was a Muntjac that came out of the wood only about twenty feet in front of me. I couldn’t try for my camera as I’m sure the Muntjac would have shot off. I watched it for a brief couple of minutes but I have never been so close to one of these medium dog sized deer. It was a lovely moment watching this timid looking animal go about its business as if it hadn’t a care in the world. It soon disappeared through the Rhododendron bushes and into the wood.
It was now time to go after the Sardinian Warbler