The mild weather continues, overcast yesterday but beautiful early spring sunshine today. Plenty of birdsong about, so ventured to Lynford Arboretum yesterday and finally hit the jackpot after several disappointing visits recently. Two hawfinches flew into the top of the tallest hornbeam soon after I arrived and sat there obligingly, and I could hear crossbills calling - soon found a group near the lake, probably half a dozen or so, perched up in the poplars but repeatedly dropping down, perhaps to drink in the stream near the small bridge. Two stunning brick-red males then posed briefly with a female on the top of a hawthorn, before the whole gang flew off towards the hall. Plenty of siskins, goldfinches and greenfinches about also, plus a jay hopping around in the paddock. Then headed off to Santon Downham, walked through Santon Warren and then under the railway line. Just to the left, on an area of newish clear-fell, was a cracking great grey shrike, perched right up on the top of the tallest remnant trunks and periodically dropping down and flying to a new vantage point. Quite flighty, it wouldn't let me get too close but sat up well and I got good views. Heard a woodlark singing here too. I then walked back along the river - saw a couple of bramblings, pair of nuthatches, more crossbills overhead, and 3 little grebes on the river, and heard a lesserspotted woodpecker drumming and calling once in the poplars near the road bridge. Couldn't see it though!
This afternoon I ran over to Swaffham Forest to try for goshawks. No luck with them, but did see three red kites! Circling together with a single buzzard, before drifting away. Migrating birds perhaps? Also several woodlarks singing very well, plus a curlew briefly and lapwings displaying over the fields. Spring feels close!
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