A Day in The Brecks

 4th April 2021

Still in-between times  and many of the coastal sites will be busy during the school holidays so time to head inland and have a look around The Brecks. First stop was Cavenham Heath.

I am not sure how the Stone Curlews are fairing in recent years but today only four were on view. No photo opportunities here though as they were all very distant and Cavenham Heath must be the only place on Earth where you get a heat haze at 9.00am on a rather fresh morning!!

The heath was also fairly quiet with only a single Chiffchaff and Wood Lark singing  and very few other birds around. Eventually a Yellowhammer appeared at the top of a very tall Silver Birch and stayed long enough for a couple of shots and then it was the turn of a female Kestrel.

The most numerous birds by far were Sky Larks, although fairly tricky as they picked their way through the long grass and heather. However, with a little bit of patience it was possible to get close enough for a few shots.

Stonechats are normally fairly common here, but I could only find three birds and none of them particularly approachable. 

So now on to Lakenheath Fen and a couple of opportunities for some close-ups, a Collared Dove and a cock Pheasant. The Pheasant certainly wasn't at all concerned about being shot, at least by a camera!!

Reed Buntings were fairly numerous and were queuing up for their turn in front of the camera, as were a pair of Long-tailed Tits.

But the star of the show today was this Marsh Tit which was enjoying itself feeding on insects in amongst the willow catkins. It was an absolute joy to be able to photograph a Marsh Tit in a natural setting rather than on or around a feeding station.