Lakenheath and Mayday Farm

We drove up the A11 today in search of Goshawk but as they rise a little later than us we diverted to Lakenheath first arriving on the reserve at 7am we had two Cranes fly over our heads before leaving the car park. We walked out to Joist Fen Hide with Cetti's warbler singing all over the reserve and three Kingfisher were seen along the river. At Joist Fen we quickly spotted Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk before seeing a couple of Buzzards soaring in the distance. A walk up the river bank gave us good views of two Cranes feeding on farmland and at least fifteen Whooper Swans in a nearby field for another year tick.

Bearded Tit at Lakenheath

Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit

Beardies!

Our walk back gave great views of several Bearded Tits with some stopping long even for the camera to come out and catch a couple of shots. A single Bittern was briefly seen and at the visitor centre a Water Rail showed really well as did the Reed bunting which were coming to the feeders.

Water Rail at Lakenheath

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

With our usual Goshawk hot spot out of bounds this year we made the trip down the A11 to Mayday Farm where we walked out to the first clearing hearing and seeing Woodlark along the way for yet another year tick, I bagged my first Goldcrest of 2014 and found a Redpoll and Mealy Redpoll drinking at the watering hole further down the track. Crossbills and a Brambling were seen but we were here for the Goshawks. Scanning the distant tree line we found three Common Buzzard and two Sparrowhawks but failed to see our target despite a couple of birders telling us they had been seen today although no display flights had been witnessed at all this year so maybe Mayday isn't holding a pair at present.

Regardless we had a good day in Suffolk and my year list has moved to 150.