Last Sunday we went over the border from Suffolk into Norfolk to Lynford Arboretum, near Thetford, where we were told there were good chances of seeing a Hawfinch. On arrival in the carpark we met somebody who was looking to borrow a pen, he was a fellow bird watcher and was able to point us in the right direction.
His first suggested place was where there were some bird feeders and food on the ground where he had seen some Bramblings that day and Hawfinches in the past.
The Bramblings were there anyway, our first sighting of them for 18 years.
Then on to the more likely place but with a more distant view. There were people waiting for any Hawfinches so we joined them and one did turn up after a while, a first for us, and it gave a very good impression of being grumpy at being spotted..
After it flew off we found a seat for lunch and as we ate saw movement in the nearby trees. A small group of Goldcrests, the first this winter, and quite obliging in posing for some fairly close up pictures.
Then back to where we saw the Bramblings, now joined by a group of Yellowhammers and Chaffinches.
At the end of the afternoon we headed back for another look for Hawfinches and on the way saw two people with bins looking into the trees near where we saw the Goldfinches. What they had found was a small group of Firecrests, another first for us and they were as obliging as the Goldcrests. No more Hawfinches though.
Then another one a little further up the path.
A very successful day out and very much a last minute decision to go, two firsts and one long unseen. We've since learned that Lynford Arboretum as well as being a good place to see Hawfinches in the winter is also a good for Firecrests.
Best Wishes,
Trevor