What an extraordinary week it's been for us all!! Wednesday I had a planned trip to the Brecklands in Suffolk organised along with three other Brandon regulars and after some thought, we all decided to go but that this would be our last venture out as a group for the foreseeable future. Another casualty of the pandemic for me and my wife Dazza is the decision to cancel our planned trip to Oregon in May, we decided to act before the inevitable cancellation of our flight with Virgin.
 |
| Displaying Stone Curlews at Cavernham Heath ~ Seven birds seen in total. |
Despite rain back in the midlands for most of the day our trip to Suffolk on Wednesday was dry if not overcast. We began at Cavernham Heath National Nature Reserve, where the highlights were displaying
Stone Curlews, many
Stonechats,
Yellowhammers,
Skylarks and three
Northern Wheatear. Other notables on the day included
Red Kite, several
Buzzards,
Red-legged Partridge and a couple of
Grey Partridge. We had hoped for
Woodlark but despite our best efforts, there was no sign. A worrying trend for the site as during last years visit only a single bird was found.
 |
| Another Stone Curlew on view at Cavernham Heath |
A short drive from Cavernham Heath is Santon Downham an area of Thetford Forest that borders Norfolk and Suffolk, running alongside the river Little Ouse. It was our first visit to this particular site which is renown as a good place to find our sort after
Woodlark.
Grey Wagtails and
Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers also breed here along the river.
 |
| One of two Woodlarks at Santon Downham |
We managed two
Woodlarks during an enjoyable walk, along with
Grey Wagtail and a female
Brambling, the latter feeding high in the pine canopy with a group of
Chaffinch.
 |
| Woodlark at Santon Downham |
On route home a stop at RSPB Lakenheath and a quick search for a reported
Garganey, which proved fruitless.
 |
| My 1st Little-ringed Plover of the year at Brandon Marsh on Thursday |
For the remainder of the week a few early and isolated visits to Brandon Marsh in search of spring migrants, noting my first
Little-ringed Plover of the year on Thursday morning. Worth noting too that sadly the trust has put a block on all voluntary work on the reserve, so its all birding during any future visits.
 |
| Clark's Mining Bees in action at Brandon Marsh |
On Friday and away from the birding at Brandon it was interesting to come across a group of
Clark's Mining Bees burrowing away near the Baldwin Hide, an annual event and always fascinating to watch.
 |
| A record shot of a Northern Wheatear at Borough Hill, Daventry on Saturday |
Finally, a walk around Borough Hill, Daventry on Saturday afternoon with Dazza for some fresh air produced a
Northern Wheatear on one the many concrete pylons.
**
Extraordinary times indeed: with news today (Saturday) of two Common Cranes flying directly over Brandon Marsh, a first for the reserve. What an amazing sight it must have been for Peter Cox and his wife Julia, I have to say I'm a little envious!
