The Brecks

A couple of days on a course in Peterborough so I decided to make the most of it and head up a day early.  The Brecks seemed a good choice but as it transpired, it turned out to be a grim day with persistent rain that made birding challenging.

Highlights though were found at Lynford Arboretum with at least 60 Brambling many of which were transforming into their handsome summer colours.

It was gloomy but making the most of things, I traipsed around, avoiding the showers and lengthier spells of rain, eeking out as much as I could.

A couple of chaps alerted me to a roosting Tawny Owl, high up in a pine on the route down to the bridge.  This area held plenty of small birds including at least four Marsh Tit,  Nuthatch, Treecreeper, and seven flyover Crossbill heading toward the pines.

Small groups of Redwing were still present, dashing round the tops of the trees.  Siskin were a constant sound over the arboretum.  It felt more like winter than spring.

The search for Hawfinch proved fruitless so a quick visit to Weeting Heath for Stone Curlew was rewarded with three individuals braving the elements in from of the east hide.  There was unsurprisingly no sign of the Rough-legged Buzzard here.

Back to Lynford, at least one Firecrest was present near the car park.

There was very little sight or sound of Spring today.