29th June started off with the unusual sound of falling rain. This was a bit of a bugger as we were off to the Brecks to go birding. In fact the rain had stopped by the time we got to Thetford and the day eventually lifted its game to be very pleasant.
We were to be guided round by Paul, a friend of Ron (our host on Sunday). He specialises in birding the Brecks and does a lot of voluntary work with RSPB and the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
The first stop was an RSPB Reserve at Lakenham Fen where there was a chance of Cranes and Golden Oriole. In the end we scored neither of those but added Sparrowhawk, Hobby and Cuckoo to the trip list. The last named species were in large numbers: we saw a flock of 5 birds while 2 more were calling in nearby woods. So the minimum was 7 birds and we heard another 2 further on (so probably 9). It must be a tough life being a reed warbler in this area. I attempted to get good views of a whitethroat, but failed despite being certain I was within 2 metres of the bird. We had excellent views of a pair of Marsh Harriers hunting over the reedbeds: a male did a very impressive display for a female (OK, it impressed me, but we did not see evidence that the female was equally rapt).
There seemed to be some efforts to clear weeds from the watercourses. This boat was used for the purpose and dumped the weed on the banks where it was ignored by the cattle keeping the grass short.
Our next stop was a real Breck with short pasture lots of exposed flint and few bushes. More to the point it had several examples of the key bird of the day: Stone Curlew. Paul spotted the first poking its head over a low ridge. The bird was beaving a little strangely so we wondered if it had chicks or was just sending a message to some nearby corvids. As it wouldn't oblige by staying still to be scoped we moved on a few 100m to munch lunch and check another paddock. Paul soon found two more birds – an astonishing feat, which he modestly explained as being the result of spending several years tracking the birds for an RSPB project. Excellent views were obtained and everyone was very pleased.
Then to another reserve at which Paul volunteers. This boosted our day list of ducks considerably and added Turtle Dove, Nightingale, Egyptian Goose, Green Sandpiper and Kingfisher to the trip list (which now stands at 103 species). The Kingfisher views were amazing: the colour and movement were like a monster hummingbird in their visual appeal (although the style of movement was completely different of course.
This place was heavily focussed on education. Paul's description of what was done here was a brilliant exposition of how to integrate hobby birding; environmental education (the concept of mini-beasts I find amazing) and conservation policy. This is mainly funded by members with grants for specific things from 'Government'. The next two images are a real minibeast (a caterpillar of the cinnabar moth) and a midibeast (a toad).
All up an excellent day recording 52 species and adding 8 species to the trip list. I will need to check but I suspect there were three lifers in there!! (Yep 3 newies.)
Through much of the day the skies were full of miitary aircraft. At the start these wee British fighters and towards the end were American bombers. Taken with the spot near Kings Lynn where one could watch British surveillance planes taking off gives an impression that most of East Anglia is one big military base. I'm most surprised that the USAF is still present in the area.
After this trek through darkest Suffolk we decided that refreshment was in order so headed for the Cock Inn in Barford. This got very high ratings in the GBG. Unfortunately it was closed, having gone bankrupt 3 months ago. There seems to be a link emerging between Norfolk pubs appearing in the GBG and an inability to open their doors!
However Suffolk came to the rescue with some Greene King from our purchases yesterday. I am here to report that Old Speckled Hen and Strong Suffolk Ale are about as good as beer gets. Which is good indeed!
Finally let me keep a bit of balance by including an orchid image. This is a bee orchid seen at our last stop.
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