Trip reports

Bird Walk in the Brecklands, Sunday 15 April 2007.

Thursday, 24 May 2007

The prospect for a fine day looked promising from daybreak, but on joining the A14 at Ipswich after a few miles towards Bury St. Edmunds we encountered light mist and poor visibility. Arriving at Foxhole Heath at 9.30am conditions were similar and it was extremely cool. Locating Stone Curlews proved difficult initially with only very brief sightings of one bird at the top of the ridge. Fortunately as the 10.00am starting time approached and the number of participants on the walk built up to twelve, a pair of Stone Curlews were observed halfway down the slope and these gave excellent extended views to all including four interested passers-by.

Moving on to Mayday Farm the weather brightened and soon became very warm, as it remained for the rest of the day. No Goshawks could be located, and the small pool had dried up so no passerines were seen at the usual drinking spot. We had particularly good views of Woodlarks, Yellowhammers, Coal Tits and Chiffchaffs, with numerous Chaffinches and a Long-tailed Tit also seen. Back at the car park we enjoyed lunch while watching and being entertained by a delightful pair of Nuthatches at their nest site in a conifer.

We then moved on to Olley's Farm along the A11 towards Thetford. At this site during March a pair of Goshawks had displayed almost daily, but unfortunately neither earlier visitors nor our party were able to get a sighting. A probable Tree Pipit was seen briefly by two or three people but we were unable to relocate it to confirm the identification. The highlight here was an adder sunbathing along the track and was the first to be seen by some members. As we were leaving a distant pair of Buzzards were watched interacting and then soaring above the conifers.

During the day about three Muntjac were seen, and other birds of note seen by some were Green Woodpecker, Curlew and Red-legged Partridge.