Had a nice mix of local and broadland birding today that began with a Turtle Dove, Little Owl, Lesser Whitethroat, singing Reed Bunting and four Bullfinches on a common near my village. The Little Owl was being mobbed by a pair of Treecreepers while it sat in its chosen tree looking slightly bemused about the harrasment. This owl showed be re-named Mischievous Owl as whenever I see one, they always seem to have an aura of cute abandonment about them.
Went over to Buckenham Marsh late morning and had barely got out the car when a familiar chipping noise overhead, had me looking skyward. Expected to see one or two Crossbills going over but was surprised to count a nice late spring flock of 21 flying west. Very pleasing for the time of year and the site.
A juvenile Mistle Thrush perched on a telegraph wire and a scan over the marsh showed that it was alive with Swifts. Barely 30 minutes later and was halfway down the track and I could here Cranes calling in the distance. I picked up three of these majestic birds circling over the other side of the river. They gradually drifted over to the Buckenham side and then headed off in a northerly direction.
A Hobby was hawking over Claxton Marsh and three Common Buzzards were on the wing also. Back over Buckenham, a virtually tail-less female Sparrowhawk was circling and the lack of a tail made her look just like a miniature Buzzard which was interesting to see. The Mute Swan numbers were up to at least 120.
A Cuckoo began calling in the distance and a group of five Common Terns flew up-river followed shortly after by the regular 1st summer Little Gull which was hawking insects over the river. A Snipe drummed briefly, the Redshanks were very active and there were several Lapwing chicks. Nice to have some first hand evidence of waders breeding on site.
I thought that was the end of my birding day but this was not the case as a Red Kite low over the A140 back near home proved, putting the final icing on a very good days birding which came out of nowhere.
Steve.