Lakenham to Whitlingham

Yesterday Laura dropped me off early in Lakenham and i walked along the river to Trowse, and on to a lap of Whitlingham. By the Cock Inn 3 Kingfisher flew back and forth along the river, surprisingly often perching near the top of a nearby tall tree. 4 or 5 Song Thrush sang between here and Trowse which is nice to hear and a single Teal was on the river. A flock of Redwing (c20) were near the flyover and a Grey Wagtail whizzed past at Trowse Mill.

Since reading a report that Mistle Thrush are declining I've seen them in more places than ever, 2 where in the Jenny Lind Park on Sunday morning, 1 near the house on Sunday evening, 2 by the Trowse Sub-station and finally 2 more off Whitlingham Lane.

Whitlingham is now in a rather quiet stage with many ducks having left but spring migrants yet to arrive. Still the mixed flock of Siskin and Lesser Redpoll remain by the Little Broad with at least 2 Treecreeper and a Goldcrest in tow, and there was still a large group of Pochard on Thorpe Broad. Spring is obviously on its way with lots of birds starting to call with Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit and Robin seemingly in every tree. A lone Marsh Tit near the Flint Barn was nice to see and a Coal Tit uncommon for Whitlingham also nearby.

With the broad-side path closed while ditches are dug out i walked along the wooded trail just past the picnic meadow, here a Green Woodpecker was feeding in a clearing and a large flock of Linnet (38) feed on the adjoining stubble field (i tried to get some pictures but the camera wouldn't focus!). Scanning across to Thorpe Broad apart from the fore mentioned Pochard only a few Tufties remain. With the water level having fallen i recorded my first waders of the year on the shingle spit, 1 Redshank, 4 Oystercatcher, 6 Lapwing and a Common Snipe. The walk back along the north shore was uneventful with a Great Black-backed Gull in the conservation area the only bird of note.