DAVID'S NATURE BLOG: March 2026

26 MARCH 2026 – IN THE BRECKS

It was a sunny cloudless morning that saw us (John, Mike, and me) setting off at 0815 hrs to the Brecklands of Norfolk and Suffolk, although it was deceptively chilly, with a moderate North Westerly, which could well have an influence on what we might see. John had his Landrover Discovery back from the garage, following necessary repairs.

Our first port of call was Lynford Arboretum, but right from the start it seemed somehow rather depleted of birds, with only a pair of Crossbills being the highlight here. Also, the usual array of snowdrops and daffodils had gone over earlier than one might normally expect, so it wasn’t in such pristine condition, although this was compensated for in no small way by the elegant, tall beeches (just coming into leaf), interspersed by aged oaks and conifers; it is such an impressive environment. After a welcome coffee at the Shepherd’s Baa, we moved off to Mayday Farm, near Thetford.

Over the years Mayday Farm (owned and operated by the Forestry Commission) has been an excellent site for birdwatching, with its extensive areas of both deciduous and coniferous woodlands interspersed with wide, open areas of scrub, suitable for many species of birds, and is renowned for less common birds such as Woodlark; Nightjar; Goshawk; Long-eared Owl, and Crossbill, despite or even because of the way the land has been managed. But, like so many of our inheritance of beautiful landscapes, the charge of modernity has shown itself here too with the introduction of parking meters, which were being installed as we arrived. One might hope of course that the proceeds go towards the upkeep of the forest, so maybe it’s not such a negative measure.

After a longish walk along an often-stony track, we came across a small trackside pool, where a couple of birdwatching photographers had set-up their cameras, waiting for birds to come down and take a drink. We were advised that Siskins; Redpolls and Crossbills had been seen throughout the morning, so we stopped awhile in the hope of getting some good close views ourselves. We didn’t have long to wait.

There was a tall conifer overlooking the pool, with a mixture of bramble and broom (or maybe gorse) and other shrubs, so there was plenty of cover. The pool was quite small in area - approximately 2 metres square - and was illuminated with bright sunlight throughout the time we were there.

The first birds to appear were Siskins (both sexes) followed by Redpolls (again, both sexes); a Goldfinch or two; a Chiffchaff; a Robin; a Blue Tit; a Chaffinch; a Great Tit; a Coal Tit, followed by a single female Crossbill, then another; then a male Crossbill; then a male and female Crossbill together; and then a lovely male Brambling. And finally, John spotted a juvenile Crossbill right at the very top of the conifer - the first juvenile either Mike or I had ever seen. What a treat!!

As the time was getting on (it was about 13.00 hrs by then) we moved off along the track hoping to get a glimpse of a Goshawk (which Mike had observed here earlier in the year) but we were to be disappointed in that that regard. But there were quite large numbers of Redpoll and Linnets along the trail, with the odd Chiffchaff and Chaffinch, although John did see a Yellowhammer too. With nothing else of note other than a female Minotaur Beetle and a lone Peacock Butterfly, we headed back to the car, with a brief stop back at the drinking pool - which was in shade by then, with few birds drinking, and headed off to Weeting (a few miles away), hoping to see Stone Curlews.

The reserve at Weeting is no longer operative as such, but the hides are still open to the public. Regrettably, there were no Stone Curlews on view either from any of the hides or indeed on the fields opposite, so it was assumed that either they hadn’t yet arrived, or the species no longer occurs there; though with little if any breeding success in recent years, it isn’t looking hopeful. The only birds present and likely to breed were several pairs of Lapwing. But scoping the fields John picked up a pair of Mistle Thrushes and a lone Fieldfare (both of which, unbelievably, were new to me for the year); then scoping more distantly, picked up a pair of Stonechats, and an early migrant female Wheatear.

To end the day, we called in at RSPB Lakenheath hoping to see a drake Garganey which had been recorded lately; but although we failed to find it, we did see a lone adult Whooper Swan; a Great Egret; a female Western Marsh Harrier and a pair of Marsh Tits. John also picked up a Little Egret and a probable Merlin, both of which Mike and I missed.

Overall, a reasonable day’s birding, with the undoubted highlight being the stunning mix of finches, and other species at the drinking pool at Mayday Farm.