We were having a couple of days off work and spoiling ourselves with a couple of days in Norfolk the plan was to stop off at Narborough for butterflies and a planned walk with Limosa Holidays around the Brecks. So Monday the 6th we eventually headed off towards Norfolk after the early morning distraction to the hospital. We arrived at Narborough, which is an old railway line good for butterflies, in overcast skies , light rain, and a light wind, the feeling wasn’t good, however a walking we did go seeing Yellowhammer, Common Whitethroat and Great Spotted Woodpecker and hearing Garden Warblers the only butterfly of the day was a female Common Blue.
Narborough Railway Line
We moved away from Narborough to Weeting Heath in the vain hope of seeing Stone Curlew and once again we were disappointed no sign but Pied Wagtails, Crows, Lapwings kept us entertained and of course plenty of Rabbits [Cost for Weeting £3.50 pp].
Time to sign into the B and B and once again it was Magdalen House excellent choice no disappointments here first class welcome, first class B and B and first class food [see B and B tab for more information]. After the evening meal we called in at Lakenheath RSPB for 30 minutes to get sight of a Marsh Harrier and Barn Owl to round the day off.
Tuesday the 7th was to meet a gang of people doing the Birdwalk+ organised by Limosa holidays which would take in Lakenheath RSPB and Santon Downham around the Brecks and it was at Lakenheath that we meet at 9am prompt. After the introduction by a member of the RSPB staff we hit the reserve stopping a the feeders first seeing Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting and very vocal Reed Warblers. On the reserve the first bird we saw/heard were Cuckoos’ they seemed to be in every part of the reserve flying to and fro we couldn’t miss them, other birds that showed themselves off were Sedge Warblers, Common Whitethroat and Marsh Harriers. There was wildlife everywhere we had brief views of numerous Bittern heard Golden Oriole saw and heard Cettis Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Egyptian Goose, Swift, Swallow and somebody made out two Hobbies which I never picked up, bearded Tits, Cormorant, Skylark, Grey Heron. Dragonflies which I saw where Hairy Dragonfly and Banded demoiselle, butterflies about Meadow Brown and Common Blue, day moths Mother Shipton It was sad to leave Lakenheath behind but new birding places beckoned but first dinner at Mundford and a ploughman’s lunch at The Crown Inn, good grub.
Banded Demoiselle
The Brecks called and it was on to Santon Downham where our first port of call for birds was a struggle but I caught up with Large Skipper for the year. Our second stop down the road was more productive on the bird side with a number of Tree Pipits a Stonechat, and a few Stock Dove and Woodpigeons about. Here also were a few Small Skippers but also more day flying Moths Speckled Yellow, Brown Silver Line, Clouded Buff but the day had to come to an end but it ended with a fine bird a Breckland Special and a family party as well Woodlark
A few Photos to finish along with the List >The List More Photos
Limosa Holidays > Tour Report
Speckled Yellow Moth
Brown Sliver Line Moth
Large-Skipper
Huddsbirder 