Having spent the day volunteering at RSPB Strumpshaw Fen in the Norfolk Broads yesterday we decided to treat ourselves to witnessing the corvid roost at nearby Buckenham, famous from the Mark Cocker book ‘Crow Country’ and recently visited by Simon King for Autumn Watch.
We arrived at Buckenham Station (this really is the definition of a rural station) at about 3:00 PM, and walked a short way back up the hill to stand under the evergreen oak, all was quiet and the only corvids to be seen were 2 rooks feeding in the field, not a very promising start but we contented ourselves with watching these 2 birds as they only stopped their feeding to mob a loan buzzard that drifted through until it sat alone on a fence post (probably wanted to watch the spectacle unfold). Despite scanning the skies there was little further corvid activity for the next half hour.
At about 3:30 with fading light we thought things were about to start, a group of about 200 rooks and jackdaws flew in and landed in a nearby tree, we then waited for the spectacle we had been promised and for some time were treated to very little, the rooks and crows sat where they were and no others came to join them. We passed the time watching a flock of Lapwing, a handful of Fieldfares and a single Barn Owl drifted by.
We continued to scan the skies despite the failing light and after about 15 minutes, we started to notice small black dots appearing literally out of nothing, several thousand corvids started to pass overhead, some of them joining our small group and assembling along the telephone wires arguing over the best place to sit, then these themselves joined the growing number flying overhead, soon we were witnessing the spectacle we had been promised as the sky above Buckenham Carr and the church was full of black dust and constant noise.
A single rook or jackdaw can easily be overlooked as pretty ordinary, but when you see so many thousands of these birds in such a small area it really is one of natures greatest spectacles, and we recommend it to anybody in the Norfolk Broads over winter.
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins
Hi Norfolk Dipper
Thanks for sharing your day which must have been fantastic - sounds like it was an amazing sight to see so many in one go like that. Were you able to stay til the end when they actually settle in their roosts?
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
There was still a bit of noise when we left, but by then the only thing I could hear calling was the sound of my fish & chips!
Unknown said: There was still a bit of noise when we left, but by then the only thing I could hear calling was the sound of my fish & chips!
LOL!
I just wondered that was all whether or not they eventually quietened down with that many - I imagine the quietness after all their callings would be just as dramatic! :-D
Norfolk Dipper, thanks for your very descriptive report of your day at Buckenham Carr. You made me feel as if I was there. We certainly think we should visit in the New Year.
Unknown said: Norfolk Dipper, thanks for your very descriptive report of your day at Buckenham Carr. You made me feel as if I was there. We certainly think we should visit in the New Year.
Thank you Brenda H.
To be honest it is impossible to convey in words the scale of this event, or to understand why so many birds arrive at one location at precisely the same time, in books and on TV they try to capture the atmosphere but (and I know it's often said) it is no substitute for being there, and makes standing about in the cold all worth while.
Fantastic ND!! It must have been superb to see & hear! Can't quite imagine the scale of it! Always good to finish the day with fish & chips too! :-)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
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I'm halfway through Crow Country at the moment and would love to hear to Buckenham to watch the roosting. I enjoyed reading your account, Norfolk Dipper!
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
Hello Norfolk Dipper.Thanks for sharing details of what sounds like a great day. You've painted a fantastic picture.
Paul.
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