A Day in The Brecks

23rd May 2021

A rather dull day but off to The Brecks for a last chance of photographing Hobbys before they move on to their breeding grounds. At Cavenham Heath I could only find a single Stone Curlew, very distant on the ridge. However, despite the weather the air was filled with Sky Lark song flights and on the ground they were fairly obliging.

Luckily there was also a pair of Stonechats near the track and although the female kept her distance the male posed quite nicely on top of the heather.

Lakenheath Fen has always been a great place for Cuckoos, and in the past I have seen three flying around together. Today just one was calling for most of the day and was keeping to the poplars behind the New Fen Viewpoint.

Sadly the 50 Hobbys that had been reported during the week were now down to just five birds which were mainly keeping well out on Joist Fen, although occasionally one would venture over the viewpoint.

But today what was surprising was the number of Bittern flights. This is quite common when they are feeding young in the nest but normally in June/July so perhaps an early brood. Either way a most rewarding sight.