General records 2015

Moorhen (3+) in H.H. garden. Stoat hunting between pond and shed, attacked rabbit out of sight -- attack still under way 15 minutes later (approx 1145 GMT). Barn owl over field west of West Raynham Road over two periods, later one around 1530 GMT. Goldfinches (small numbers) still on burdock in H.H. garden.

Marsh tit on feeders. Kestrel near west boundary of plot (1530 GMT). Great tit song H.H. garden.

Greenfinch (55+) collecting on sycamore by shed before transferring to laurel hedge roost (at 1535 GMT) -- pattern similar to 2014 when numbers started to build in December.

Stoat observed over ~40 minutes making 4+ journeys between edge of H.H. plot and log pile by pond, carrying small mammals (one looked like a baby rabbit, other could have been a baby stoat, but difficult to identify with certainty (~1115 to 1155 GMT).

Moorhens (3+) in H.H. garden. Kestrel perch-hunting from lower branches of oak by shed.

Nuthatch on oak.

Barn owl (2) hunting over field to west of plot and over meadow (1533 GMT).

Moorhens (3+), kestrel in H.H. garden.

Buzzard (2) in general vicinity of H.H. GSW flying over meadow from north.

Moorhens (4) in H.H. garden. Kestrel hunting over front lawn etc. H.H. garden.

Woodcock flushed from pond (1530 GMT).

Barn owl twice over field west of meadow (0840, ~1530 GMT).

Nuthatch, GSW H.H. garden. Jay in spinney by H.H. Dead rabbit, probably killed by stoat, near H.H. pond. Many clouds of chironomids in general area of pond.

Moorhens (3+) in H.H. garden.

Under reed cuttings on meadow -- many active thrips and wolf spiders.

Buzzard near West Raynham Road. Kestrel on ash meadow, also pied wagtail. Grey wagtail H.H.

Grey geese flying SE, prob. PFG (700+) ~1230 GMT.

Stoat chasing rabbit through H.H. front garden (0815 GMT), last seen by cypresses by A1065.

Moorhens (3+) in H.H. garden. Jackdaws (4+) in H.H. garden, near oak nestbox etc.

Treecreeper on sycamore by shed. Goldfinches (15+) on burdock by oak. Great, blue, coal and marsh tits in H.H. garden. Buzzard over field east of H.H. plot.

Barn owl over field west of meadow (1515 GMT).

Moorhens (4) in H.H. garden. Jackdaws (6+) in H.H. garden -- 1 in oak nestbox, others inspecting at least 2 of the 3 other large nestboxes. Stock dove on oak, later near north box on ash by pond.

Several greenfinches in laurel hedge at dusk, numbers unknown.

Chiffchaff (prob.) on small cypresses (~1000).

Barn owl over meadow and adjacent (1450-1500 and 1605 GMT).

Moorhens (3+) in H.H. garden. Jackdaws (2) in vicinity of oak nestbox. GSW on oak.

Greenfinch (~15) collecting in vicinity of H.H. laurel hedge (about 1530 GMT).

Jackdaws (6 or 7) in vicinity of oak nestbox. One pair with one individual apparently missing its left eye -- so one of the combatants from 01/12 did apparently lose an eye in the fight. Each individual of the pair now in possession of the nestbox has both eyes intact.

Marsh tits (2) near shed, oak etc (very white cheeks, no call heard).

Moorhens (3+) in H.H. garden.

Sparrowhawk (prob. female) over meadow eastwards. Cloud of many chironomids by small cypresses (v. mild for Dec.).

Moorhens (3+) in H.H. garden. Jackdaws (2) in and in vicinity of oak nestbox, each with both eyes intact (so either, the incumbents were not seriously hurt on 01/12, or the incumbents have been displaced by the interlopers).

Sparrowhawk a) prob male attacking passerines (by stooping) in garden of house by West Raynham Road, b) prob female over meadow disappearing eastwards. Kestrel in general area. GSW male on oak.

Two harvest mouse nests just outside the zone of reeds cut in 2014 for tree-planting (found during scything work).

Barn owl hunting over field west of meadow (1605 GMT). A few fieldfares.

Greenfinch (15+) collecting at dusk, perhaps going to roost in laurel hedge.

Jackdaws (4) fighting fiercely in vicinity of oak nestbox. At one point, two were engaged in vigorous struggle on the ground below the box, lasting two to three minutes, and a third joined in. I was relieved to see that all four later flew up to perch in the oak. However, it gradually became clear that one of the 'owners' of the oak box had either lost its left eye in the fight, or possibly the eye was just completely closed. The injured jackdaw could apparently still judge distances quite well as it was able to land at the front of the nestbox and enter it.

Moorhens (3) in H.H. garden.

Blackbirds (7+) in H.H. garden, jay.

Stoat (around 1040 GMT) in H.H. garden, near oak etc. Working towards the area where the rabbit was left 21/11, disappeared by grass cuttings heap under cypresses. Visible for 10-15 minutes. On later inspection, the rabbit killed by the stoat on 21/11 had gone, so was either stashed by the stoat or removed overnight by another mammal such as a fox.

Moorhens (4), H.H. garden. Jackdaws (2) on oak in and out of nestbox, also others at other trees with nestboxes (willow, ash etc.). GSW on ash by allotments. Probably at least 5-6 blackbirds in H.H. garden, in leaf litter by oak, on Pyracantha, on grass etc.

Buzzard (2) in poplars by S. Raynham S.S.

(1200 GMT) Alerted by what I took to be a rabbit screaming, I looked outside and saw a stoat latched on to an adult rabbit between the kitchen and shed of H.H. The stoat was gripping the rabbit on the side or nape of its neck. At times the rabbit would jump or run a short distance, but the stoat held on. At one point the stoat seemed to lose interest, left the rabbit for a minute or so, and began searching a few metres away, near the shed. Then it returned and gripped the rabbit again. Eventually the two ended up near H.H. kitchen under or by the little yew trees there. By this point the rabbit was clearly fading and seemed to be in shock (its feet were quivering). After about 20 minutes I lost sight of the two of them.

About an hour later I went out and found the body of the rabbit behind the yew trees. It was mostly intact, except that the stoat had eaten a large hole in its neck just behind the skull. As it was raining, I left it, intending to come back and weigh it, but see 22/11.

While the contest between the stoat and rabbit was going on, several gallinaceous birds stood by and watched from close range, apparently little concerned at the potential danger of being so close to the stoat. Four moorhens and at least three pheasants (all females) were present. Also in the general area, but above ground, were a few jackdaws, robins, blackbirds etc. There was little or no mobbing behaviour -- these others, like the moorhens and pheasants, just observed what was going on.

[note -- van den Brink (A Field Guide to Mammals) gives as weights: stoat 125-300 grammes; rabbit (adult) 1.3-2.2kg. So the stoat here was probably something like one eighth of the mass of the rabbit! Evidence of remarkable tenacity on the part of the stoat].

Grey wagtail on H.H. shed.

Mild.

Moorhens (4) and pheasants H.H. garden. Jackdaws (2) in and out of oak nestbox, 1 prob. with food. Goldfinches (15) on burdock in H.H. garden. Starlings (30) flying west (1510 GMT). Buzzard on field west of meadow. Kestrel perch-hunting in spinney area. Grey wagtail on and near H.H. plot.

Moorhen (2+), pheasants in H.H. garden. Buzzards (3) over Mill Covert (west of Raynhams).

[Fields either side of road between S. Raynham and Wellingham: linnets (40), fieldfares (45) and lapwings (40) on sugar beet haulm, meadow pipits (8-10), skylark (2-3), yellowhammer (5+), bullfinch, great tit, chaffinch. Greenfinches (20) to roost in laurel bushes near Wensum Pools. Buzzard. Starlings (250 on new plough, 750 to roost somewhere west of Wellingham. BHG (~150) on winter wheat.]

Moorhens (3) in H.H. garden. Jackdaw pair in and out of oak nestbox. Grey wagtail on and around H.H. Goldfinch (30) in H.H. garden. Kestrel on field to west of H.H., on ash in spinney. etc. Tit flock through H.H. garden, including 2 marsh tit. GSW. Buzzards (2) round S.Raynham.

Starlings (1750+250) over westwards (1555 GMT).

In H.H. garden: moorhens (3), pheasants, goldfinch (5+) on burdock, marsh tit, great tit, blue tit, robin, wren, dunnock, collared dove, etc. Grey wagtail overhead, on plot etc. Kestrels (2) on and around H.H. plot, also buzzard in spinney next to A1065.

Starlings (55+30) over from east at dusk, probably heading to roost quite close to South Raynham (location yet to be discovered).

[On this day, 5000 starlings were recorded moving west at Holme.]

Moorhens (4) and pheasants in H.H. garden. Another rabbit with myxomatosis, dead in H.H. garden.

[28/10/2015: Along South Raynham-Wellingham road: house sparrows (~5, near Wensum Pools), redpoll (1), yellowhammer (max. 5 simultaneously, but prob. 20-30+ total), chaffinch (10+), greenfinch (3-4), linnets (~8 on sugar beet), great tit, blue tit, meadow pipit (~25 on sugar beet haulm with 8-10 pied wagtail, then 40+ on wheat stubble), skylark (3-4), buzzard (2+), GSW, fieldfare (5+), redwing (small flocks, mostly 10-15), starlings in small flocks (10+) flying from east, moorhens on pond at Wellingham, mistle thrush, sparrowhawk male, carrion crows (5-10), magpie, jay. Finches and yelllowhammers probably roosting in tall hedges planted in last 5 years or so along lane -- see picture. 2 roe deer in field near Wellingham].

Moorhens (4) and pheasants in H.H. garden. Jackdaws hanging round the oak nestbox. Sparrowhawk (male) attacked tit by oak, missed.

[Along South Raynham/Wellingham road -- house sparrows (total of 12+10=22; a new local location, but still none near Hillside House), yellowhammers (5-10), redwings (small numbers), odd fieldare, gulls on fields (common, BHG, etc., total 200+), buzzards (3-4), carrion crows (3-4).]

Anticyclonic weather conditions again (about to end).

Moorhens (3) and red admiral in H.H. garden. A 'myxi' rabbit seen on 19/10 had died in the garden. Buzzard (2) over field to west of H.H. plot. Grey wagtail below bridge on West Raynham Road (stream around bridge has recently been cleared of waterplants).

Pheasants and RLP on fields near South Raynham church, probably 40+ of each. At least 2 GSW in trees near South Raynham church. [Brambling (2) at Del's Nursery near Sculthorpe].

Still anticyclonic.

Moorhens (4, i.e. 2 ads, 2 juvs) in H.H. garden, some fighting occurring -- perhaps adults competing with, or driving off, this year's offspring. A jay was on the oak, also a nuthatch. Four tit species were in the garden (great, blue, coal and marsh). Sparrowhawk (female) on field adjacent to H.H. garden, mobbed by jackdaw. Comma, red admiral & speckled wood butterflies, a hornet, and at least two unidentified spider-hunting solitary wasps were in H.H. garden. Young common frog and common toad were on meadow. Kestrel was on field next to meadow. The usual flock of goldfinches was in H.H. garden (12 today) -- these were feeding on burdock seeds.

A cormorant flew northwards over the A1065 towards Raynham Hall. Pied wagtails (at least 2) were on South Raynham Service Station buildings.

Anticyclonic weather conditions.

Moorhen (imm) clambering around in box tree and apparently eating seeds off the same tree, H.H garden. Pale green looper moth caterpillar on alder on meadow (species TBD). Hornet in H.H. garden. Migrant/southern hawker over pond. Kingfisher flew from pond towards West Raynham Road.

Approx 35 jackdaws hawking flying insects near South Raynham church. Bean fields near South Raynham have now been harvested and on the field next to the church (where cutting occurred around 24/09 or 25/09) some spilt crop is present. However it is hard and brown and probably could not be eaten by birds [except perhaps by hawfinches??]. Hornet near 'two bridges'.

Around 40 house martins over meadow etc. Buzzard in vicinity of H.H. Moorhens (2) allopreening in H.H. garden. Misty caught another bank vole, which was released alive. Grey wagtail on one of the bird baths. Chiffchaff calling.

Mistle thrush near S. Raynham church.

Spotted flycatcher (ad) on oak and nearby, ~1000.

H.H. -- goldcrest, jay. Chiffchaff singing ~0800.

H.H. garden: Speckled wood (quite late?). Large tit flock (blue, great, coal, long-tailed, marsh) with at least 1 Phylloscopus sp. (probably willow warbler) moved through garden northwards. Jackdaws (4+) squabbling over oak nestbox again. Blackbirds (4+) & song thrush eating berries on cherry laurel hedge. These berries (and the flowers before them) only seem to appear on the top parts of the hedge where the hedge is sparser.

Possible vapourer moth caterillar on alder, edge of meadow.

Redpolls (2) near South Raynham church, apparently feeding on dock seeds. Possible native black poplar found near footpath north of East Raynham church. Mistle thrush in grounds of Raynham Hall.

Spotted flycatcher ad. and juv on big oak.

Hobby flew fast through Hillside House garden (about 0900).

Nuthatch and tits (5 species) in H.H. garden. About 6 blackbirds (may have just arrived as migrants).

Woodmouse (or yellow-necked mouse) by the house, later probably killed by cat.

Kestrel to west of plot as usual.

Spotted flycatcher in corner of H.H. garden, near oak.

Barn owl on field west of meadow at dusk.

Spotted flycatcher (2 juv & 1 ad) H.H. garden. Juvs still being fed by adult.

Sparrowhawk young male on meadow. GSW.

Reed warbler song on pond.

BLACK STORK was recorded at S. Raynham (reported on Penny's Hot Birding and Life). A large dark bird soaring on flat wings was seen near the Church Lane but no bins were to hand. This bird was almost certainly the black stork.

Red kite over West Raynham Road.

Reed warbler song on pond. Jackdaw feeding at oak box. Mistle thrush feeding at nest to south of A1065 (possibly a new nest).

Araniella cucurbitina near pond.

Whitethroat song (3) near to meadow; 1 on edge of plot.

At least five species singing meadow & pond area. Species and apparent numbers of territories: song thrush (2); reed warbler (2); chiffchaff (2); blackcap (2); wren (2).

Cuckoo (2 males song -- a) on meadow, b) near South Raynham church).

Linnet (25-30) on bean field by S. Raynham church. Mistle thrush nearby.

Reed warbler song from S.E. corner/edge of meadow.

Mistle thrush pair nest-propsecting in various trees in/near H.H. garden.

Mistle thrush feeding fledged juv in H.H. garden.

Barn owl over field west of plot (0817).

H.H. garden: mistle thrush pair still collecting food and delivering to nest south of A1065. Jackdaw feeding at oak box.

[Wensum valley between A1065 and Raynham Hall: singing chiffchaff, blackcap, dunnock, wren, great tit, blackbird, whitethroat (latter near 'two bridges'). Prunus padus is now in flower (numerous trees/shrubs along this stretch). Hobby drifted east. Kestrel male & female.]

Mistle thrush carrying food from near oak to nest south of A1065. Chiffchaff singing by allotments (next to H.H. plot). Buzzard over H.H. Kestrel male & female West Raynham Road area. Grey heron on pond. Male roe deer on meadow. Greylag alarm calls near meadow, two others also present.

Blackthorn thicket on meadow (top blackthorn)-- reed bunting song, whitethroat song.

Blackbird male with 2 flying juvs, by Hillside House kitchen.

Mistle thrush food deliveries as on 29/04 (two nests).

Kestrel on field west of meadow.

Adult male marsh harrier soared over West Raynham Road with buzzard, departed south (~0950).

Jays (2) mobbed by blackirds in spinney by A1065, possibly with small whiteish egg. House martin over pond.

Singing on/by pond: reed warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap. 2nd singing whitethroat in blackthorn thicket on meadow (female also present), also 2nd singing BC S.E. corner of meadow.

Arrival of several summer visitors. Lesser whitethroat song, whitethroat song top blackthorn (thicket near Carr Stream on meadow). Also blackcap song edge of meadow. Chiffchaff song by pond.

Great tit visited shed nest-hole (in concrete blocks). Jackdaw feeding at oak and willow boxes. Buzzards (2+) over plot. Sparrowhawk male perched in poplars on edge of plot, departed east. Sparrowhawk female by West Raynham Road.

Mistle thrush in Hillside House garden -- apparently 2 pairs (1 feeding at nest in spinney north of A1065, near junction with West Raynham Road, the 2nd feeding at nst in hornbeam on south side of A1065). Magpie on West Raynham Road in hedgerow.

Mistle thrush pair prospecting in sycamore near Hillside House kitchen, also in oak.

Jackdaws visited oak and ash boxes. Stock dove perched in oak. Buzzards (4) overhead. Song in Hillside House garden: greenfinch, goldfinch.

Kestrel male & female near meadow.

Mistle thrush pair collecting food in Hillside House garden and carrying it to a nest in a hornbeam tree on the south side of the A1065, about 60 metres from Hillside House; nest 8-9 metres up in an acute-angled fork in main stem.

Greylag goose (2) and grey heron (2) by pond.

Red kite in vicinity of Hillside House, also buzzard (2).

Marsh harrier (female/imm male) over meadow, departed eastwards.

Jackdaw pair into oak box and willow box.

Redwings (4) possibly to roost by pond.

Redpoll call over Wensum woods near South Raynham.

Jackdaw with light nest material (not sticks) oak box.

Buzzard (2) over West Raynham Road.

Barn owl on field west of meadow and nearby, 1735.

Mistle thrush in ash and Salix near pond, possibly prospecting. Chiffchaff singing, large poplars by meadow.

Barn owl on field west of meadow and nearby, 1817.

Weasel spent around 100 minutes in the vicinity of H.H. kitchen. Carried two rodents (probably bank voles) to a possible nest nearby.

Kestrel in H.H. front garden.

Oystercatcher over plot.

Barn owl hunted over the field west of meadow at 1603.

Barn owl on field next to meadow.

Hillside House garden -- greenfinch (75) to roost in laurel hedge (64 + ~10, probably the peak in numbers).

H.H. garden -- goldcrest singing in oak; marsh tit; kestrel, buzzard nearby.

Barn owl on meadow.

Greenfinch (50+ ) to roost in laurel hedge.

Hillside House garden -- song thrush (2+, 1 singing). Robin song.

Greenfinch (50+) at dusk to roost in laurel hedge.

H.H. garden: kestrel hunting voles by house, perched in beech tree. Moorhen (2+), goldcrest, dunnock (2).

Greenfinch (45-50) collecting at dusk to roost in laurel hedge.

Hillside House garden -- kestrel hunting voles by house.

Greenfinches (15-20) collecting at dusk to roost in laurel hedge.

Hillside House garden -- goldfinch (2), moorhen (3), pheasant, wren, dunnock, song thrush (2+), blackbird.

Greenfinch (27+).