It was Sunday at last, our chance to learn our bird identification by sound as well as sight. Glen had suggested that if we went to Felbrigg early we could get an hour in before the official start at 9.30am to hear the dawn chorus. Therefore, it was certainly an early start when I was picked up at 7.10 am (which due to the clock change still felt like 6.10am) to then go and pick Glen up at 7.30am. We waited outside his house at the time arranged, and waited…….., and then when he didn’t appear thought we had better ring him. Luckily he replied “Sorry, I have over slept!!” so a frantic 5 minutes later we set off. Eunice and I ribbed him all the way to Felbrigg as he hadn’t put the clocks forward!! Thank goodness he had made his sandwiches the night before!

So we arrived at Felbrigg at 8.30am which still felt like 7.30am and the temperature felt like 3 degrees Centigrade and we stood quietly and listened…. Great Tit, Dunnock, Robin, Song Thrush, Tawny Owl, Coal Tit, Blue Tit.. It was a lovely way to start the day… Sun shining, cows mooing, birds singing and the anticipation of a lovely day with WVBS.

We arrived for the official start and split into two groups with the more advanced mixed in with the beginners. We went for a lovely walk around the wood starting off with Jackdaw, Woodpidgeon, Chaffinch,Wren, Robin, and then the pew pew and an amazing view of a female Bullfinch. (one of my highlights). Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, and then we can across some lesser Redpoll, just begging to be watched. They stayed long enough for both parties to see them. Then off we went again to see Sparrow Hawk, Jay, and Stock Dove. Another highlight for me was watching the Great Spotted Woodpecker pecking and drilling away at a dead tree trunk. Then a flock of Redwing flew over, green finches calling, blackbirds singing and a Pheasant calling. We had made it round the walk and got some refreshments in the café… Yes I could justify the scone, I had just been for a walk and would need the stamina for the second part of the day walking round the lake.

The afternoon was just as sunny, and much warmer and we walked towards the church listening to a Skylark. We saw Oystercatcher down by a pool together with Shelduck. Greylag, Canada and Egyptian geese which were also out in the Church fields, together with Mallard, MoorhenTufted duck, Mute Swan, Coot on the Lake. Another highlight for me was seeing the Mandarin duck in the lake edges.

Several people then shouted Chiffchaff, a first for many, to let us know that spring has sprung. Then the screech of a little owl, unfortunately elusive to see … and we did really try to find him! Continuing the walk we then heard Siskin in the alders.

We then found ourselves back in the car park and had some more refreshments… yes, we had been for another walk, and needed the stamina to climb up Beeston Bump!! Here the official day ended, we said our good byes to our friends old and new and set off for Sheringham with a few hardies.

We parked up and started the climb up to the top of the bump… full of anticipation of what may be flying through….After a while, Glen said Black Redstart, and we got the scope onto it and had some lovely views of this special bird.

Well, what a way to end a perfect Spring day… I am sure we all slept well that night as we had been out birding for 12 hours!

Lucy Topsam