A Jaunt Around The Brecks

6th June 2019

It is now that quiet time of year when most birds are raising their families, so I decided on a jaunt around The Brecks to see if any fledglings wanted their photograph taken. First stop was Santon Downham at the level crossing car park. No sign of any Woodlarks today, but I did come across a male Yellowhammer singing deep inside a tree.

On the other side of the railway a family of Whitethroats were churring deep inside the bushes and it was only the adult male that ventured outside to see what was going on.

The only other interest was along the river where a veritable army of Banded Demoiselles were enjoying the sunshine on the bankside vegetation.

The next port of call was the area of clear-fell at the end of Ride 24. This area had been cleared about 3-4 years ago and was home to both Wood Larks and Tree Pipits. However, today the newly planted mixture of conifers are 4-8 feet tall depending on the species and there was no sign of any pipits or larks. Here the main attraction was a number of the bright Speckled Yellow Moths, this one nectaring on Comfrey.

The final stop of the day was Cavenham Heath. I had no intention of trying to photograph the Stone Curlews because of the distance and heat haze, which is just as well because there weren't any. Even on a quiet day Cavenham has a strong supporting cast such as this Osprey and Hercules aircraft. I always get some funny looks when I shout out "Osprey".

The award for bravery today goes to the Willow Warbler which insisted on hanging on to the top of a Silver Birch tree which was swaying about two yards each way in strong wind, instead of dropping to a lower branch where photography would have been so much easier.

An unexpected visitor was a female Marsh Harrier which appeared over the Stone Curlew area and was being mobbed by the crows. I have been coming to Cavenham for a few years now and as far as I can remember this is the first time I have seen a harrier.

But the star of the show today was the Sky Lark which was singing from the top of a patch of heather close to the road and allowed me to get some photos from the car at a range of just 8 yards. Why can't all birds be this cooperative?