Trip reports

Minibus trip to Mayday Farm and Welney WWT reserve 24th March

Tuesday, 27 March 2007

A fast run up to Mildenhall, thanks to Ray's extensive knowledge of the U.K's bypasses meant we could have a "civilised" loo stop and coffee break before moving on to Mayday Farm. Regrettably, the biting wind and low cloud, put paid to any chance of seeing Goshawk. However, in a recently replanted clearing, Woodlark fluttered around along with Chaffinch and Stonechat. In the tops of the pine forest Coaltit, Goldcrest and Siskin were heard but seldom seen and , briefly, the contact calls of Crossbill were heard.
As Welney had been subjected to flooding, it was decided to head for Lynford Aboretum, not far from Mayday Farm, a new site for many people.
A drizzle descended on us as we started walking around the site. In the paddock, sitting in the hornbeams, Redwing and Fieldfare were seen, but no sign of the species that this site is renowned for. Continuing around the perimeter of the field, keeping an eye on the hornbeams, when a thrush sized bird landed on a topmost branch, the bird we had been hoping for, a stunning male Hawfinch, who stayed long enough for everyone to view through a scope.
Moving through the trees, Long-tailed Tits, Siskin, Goldcrest, Treecreeper, Gt Spotted Woodpecker and Green Woodpecker were seen with the brief drumming of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker being heard.
For a lucky few a Marsh Tit was seen, before we headed home.