Just a few facts from their website: Nicholas started farming on
280 acres in 1964. The family now farms 2500 acres. He reckons
he has a potential 58 breeding species.
First stop was to his reservoir which was surrounded by reedbed, scrub, some woodland and meadow which hadn’t been farmed for 20 years and was a carpet of wildflowers. This site attracted 7 species of warbler in the spring. Increasing Reed warbler numbers have attracted Cuckoos and the BTO were there recently attaching a (new, smaller) transmitter to a female cuckoo. There were 2 pairs of Common Terns nesting on a “tern” raft with the inevitable Black-Headed gulls. He has seen the numbers of Common Terns decline sharply over the years (at one time he had over 80 pairs), by Mink (now eradicated) but also by Moorhen. Hopefully the numbers may start to increase again. We
saw Peregrine and Hobby here but were surprised to the first of several Ravens, not associating them with the Fens and Nicholas said that the derelict farmhouse on the site supported a Barn Owl
nest.
Next site was a sand mound where there were maybe 60 holes excavated by nesting Sand Martins.
Each winter Nicholas would use the sand for jobs on the farm renewing the surface for the martins the following year. We went down a track past a small ditch, the end of which was overgrown with
bramble and nettle. Here we saw at least 3 Painted Lady butterflies as well as a Large Skipper and 2 nettles covered with black hairy caterpillars which we thought were probably Peacock. The value of
not being too tidy! Years ago, Nicholas had removed the good peaty soil on one of the fields and dug out some shallow pools and devoted it to wildlife. Here there were nesting Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Redshank and also Shoveller, Gadwall, Mallard , a single Wigeon, Little Egret, Sedge Warbler and Skylark. It was a real soundscape and joy to see.
From here, on request, he took us a couple of miles up the road to a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust site called Willow Tree Fen, purchased in 2009 when an arable farm came up for sale. The plan is/was to
restore it as wet fenland with seasonally flooded pastureland. According to Nicholas, restricting public access and especially dogs has led to a massive increase in wildlife and from the viewing point
we had a great view over mixed grassland, reedbeds and fen. Oh and 2 pairs of Common Crane and 2 Marsh Harriers.
Back then to his land and we stopped by a bridge where we could view the drainage channel. Nicholas had persuaded his local Internal Drainage Board to restrict mowing and clearing of the drainage channels (initially only on his land but now further afield) to once a year and then to alternate sides. This has led to huge increases in Reed Buntings, Reed and Sedge warblers and other wildlife and he had even seen a Bittern along one channel!
Our next treat was to see Corn Buntings perched on a fence by early barley which he said they favoured. And then on to a site with 2 parallel mixed hedges the foliage of both of which had been largely eaten by 2 different moth caterpillars: Brown-tail moth and Spindle Ermine moth. Despite this it was a good site for Tree Sparrows which were nesting in a line of nestboxes, one of which Nicholas opened to reveal 5 young. 
​Although there are Muntjac there for once on a WVBS trip we didn’t see one(!) nor indeed Grey Squirrel! We did see many Hare and the Red-Legged Partridge and Pheasant were all not released birds.
But then it was time to return to the café for an excellent lunch.
What really impressed me about Nicholas was his seemingly endless energy and knowledge about his land and wildlife. He knew how many breeding birds he had, where they were, whether they were increasing or in decline and if anything new was about and where. We were very lucky to have him as our guide around his farm.

The car park was fairly fruitful with the usual Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Blackbird and Wren alongside the flyover Oystercatchers, Mallard, various Gulls, Corvids and Swallows. We went along the farm track to the field in front of the Farmland hide. This field is sown with a variety of crops for their seed potential but because of the underlying compactness of the soil there is a marked differential in germination success of different crops. Hopefully these
will all provide good feeding grounds for the winter buntings and finches that like the hedges on the right.
We walked to the scrubby area at the end of the track, two of us catching a glimpse of a pale bird which might (or might not) have been a Barn Owl. We were hoping for some singing warblers in the
scrub but instead got good views of a male Marsh Harrier and 2 Herons in flight. Into the woods and we were surrounded by the song of Blackcap, Robin and Wren; then onto the Wetland hide where
we found, alongside the usual suspects, a single Wigeon which Richard said was a new arrival.
On, and the first Swifts of the day, and then around Old Squaw lake to the bridge by the Fishing hut where the meadow in front acted like a sounding area for birdsong. Here we heard Cuckoo, Song Thrush, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Cetti’s and Whitethroat. The woodland hide was very quiet, as usual at this time of year, but we heard and then
saw Treecreeper and Jay as we went on through the woods.
We saw our first of at least 3 Common terns as we were walking through the meadow and a brief trip to the Scrape hide gave us more Avocets with maybe 6 on nests, a single Common Sandpiper
and a single Little Ringed Plover and a few hundred Black headed gulls with some early chicks. En route back to the café we had good views of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and also of a Garden
warbler which sounded like a Blackcap.
In all, we saw/heard 7 warblers and 5 waders. And great views of Marsh Harrier and a hunting Sparrowhawk. Then back to the café for a really excellent cooked breakfast and time to reflect on our early morning out. 
Very many thanks to Richard for giving up his time to take
us around and to the whole Pensthorpe team for their
generous hospitality yet again. What a wonderful mutually
beneficial relationship we have with them.

Bird List
Grey Heron Garden Warbler Moorhen
Sparrowhawk Common Whitethroat Coot
Marsh Harrier Goldcrest Avocet
Great Spotted Woodpecker Treecreeper Oystercatcher
Green Woodpecker Wren Little Ringed plover
Jay Starling Lapwing
Magpie Song thrush Sandpiper
Jackdaw Blackbird Black-headed gull
Rook Robin Lesser Black-backed gull
Carrion Crow Dunnock Herring gull
Blue tit House Sparrow Little grebe
Great tit Skylark Cormorant
Long-tailed tit Pied wagtail Common tern
Sedge Warbler Chaffinch Greylag goose
Reed Warbler Greenfinch Barnacle goose
Barn Swallow Linnet Mute swan
House Martin Goldfinch Egyptian goose
Chiffchaff Yellowhammer Shelduck
Cetti’s Warbler Reed bunting Gadwall
Blackcap Swift Wigeon
Stock dove Cuckoo Mallard
Woodpigeon Pheasant Tufted duck
Collard dove

At least 5 singing males serenaded us as we crossed the breck & went into the scrub. On a number of occasions it sounded like one was right in front of us but other than a brief glimpse they stayed hidden. It didn't matter, just hearing the beautiful song was enough.
There was also a Cuckoo calling, the first one this year for many of us, along with numerous Blackcap, Garden warbler & Chiffchaff.
We headed back to the Visitor Centre for a quick coffee break before taking the East Lakes trail. There was nothing unexpected on the
lakes but it was nice to see a Little Ringed plover on one of the scrapes. Just outside one of the hides a Green Hairstreak butterfly was
showing well. For many of us it was the first time seeing this beautiful butterfly. After lunch we took the very short circular Kingfisher trail. No kingfishers seen but a Treecreeper was added to the list. Then we took a final wander up the entrance road and found a Willow warbler.
A really lovely relaxed days bird watching in good company.

Bird List

Mute Swan Canada Goose Egyptian Goose 
Greyag Goose Mallard Tufted Duck
Gadwall Shelduck Wigeon
Teal Shoveler Moorhen
Coot Great-crested grebe Cormorant
Black-headed gull Lesser black-backed gull Grey Heron
Common Tern Oystercatcher Lapwing
Avocet Little Ringed plover Kestrel
Hobby Red kite Buzzard
Jackdaw Rook Carrion crow
Magpie Stock dove Woodpigeon
Mistle thrush Song thrush Blackbird
Nightingale Robin Dunnock
Blue tit Great tit Marsh tit
Long-tailed tit Goldfinch Linnet
Chaffinch Chiffchaff Blackcap
Garden warbler Willow warbler Cettis warbler
Whitethroat Sedge Warbler Reed bunting
Wren Pied wagtail Treecreeper
Pheasant Skylark Swallow
Cuckoo

Butterflies:
Peacock Orange Tip
Holly Blue Brimstone
Green Hairstreak

As we started down Lady Ann’s Drive the species numbers began to mount. Our first waders: Redshank, Avocet, Curlew and good views of Common Snipe; good numbers of wildfowl: Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Shelduck, Gadwall and Shoveller and our first geese : Canada, Egyptian, Pink-footed and Greylag. By the Lookout we were delighted to see a flyover Spoonbill following on from Andy Bloomfield’s excellent talk at the club the previous week. At this stage we were pleased to be in the shelter of the woods as we made our way to the first of the 2 hides going westwards. More Chiffchaffs and briefly our first singing Blackcap along with vocal Wrens. Tufted ducks added to our count at the small mere en route but no Little Grebes there: we found one later from the other hide.
We also saw a Grey hare: apparently our Brown hare can look grey (‘can exhibit grey/brown shades in certain conditions and seasons’ - The Mammal Society).
The first hide didn’t yield anything new so we carried on to the Tower hide where we looked out on to the site of the  ancient fort mentioned to us by Andy in his talk and Decoy Wood, the nesting site of the Spoonbills. It is a spectacular view across a swathe of the Holkham estate.
There was a small herd of Red Deer to add to the Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer we had already seen. Ptolemy quickly spotted a few White- Fronted Geese which were then spooked into flying and flew towards us on their way past the hide. We saw a few more Spoonbills flying into their nesting site and another Great White Egret as well as more Little
Egrets: no Cattle Egrets though. There were several displaying Marsh Harriers and more Red Kites.
We left and made our way through the woodland to the sea which was looking fairly rough and uninviting. We had a brief sea watch but were soon deterred by the conditions and lack of birds so made our way back at the base of the dunes towards the Lookout and lunch. On the way we did spot a fine pair of
Stonechat perching conveniently and several Meadow Pipits and Skylark mainly keeping low on the deck.
Half of us left at lunch time while the rest ventured back towards the sea, bravely crossing the inlet before it was a raging torrent as the tide came in. We spotted Ringed Plover and many Sanderling scurrying along the tide line but the seawatch was tough because of the rough sea and the wind. Five of us then left the last few to carry on in the hope that they would spot that elusive scoter/diver/cetacean. We added Linnet to the list on the way back and arrived at the car park feeling tired after a long but fruitful session.
Many thanks to both Ptolemy and Alan for their patience and skills.
PS Liz and I would like to add that on the way home we saw a Greylag sitting on a high hedge at the roadside. Honestly. Shortly after there was a Buzzard on the same hedge (not so surprising) and after that a Wood Pigeon (not surprising at all). But all within the space of 30 seconds driving. Odd.


Holkham trip bird list (68 species)
Mute Swan Brent Goose Canada Goose Barnacle Goose
Greylag Goose Pink-footed Goose White-fronted Goose Egyptian Goose
Shelduck Tufted Duck Shoveler Gadwall
Wigeon Mallard Teal Pheasant
Red-legged Partridge Collared Dove Woodpigeon Moorhen
Coot Avocet Oystercatcher Ringed Plover
Lapwing Curlew Black-tailed Godwit Snipe
Redshank Sanderling Black-headed Gull Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull Cormorant Spoonbill Little Egret
Great White Egret Grey Heron Marsh Harrier Red Kite
Buzzard Great Spotted
Woodpecker

Magpie Jackdaw
Carrion Crow Raven Blue Tit Great Tit
Coal Tit* Skylark Long-tailed Tit Cetti's Warbler*
Chiffchaff Blackcap* Goldcrest Treecreeper*
Wren Starling Mistle Thrush Blackbird
Robin Stonechat Dunnock House Sparrow
Pied Wagtail Meadow Pipit Chaffinch Greenfinch
Linnet Goldfinch Siskin*
* Heard but not seen

Plus:
Chinese Water Deer Reeves' Muntjac Red Deer Rabbit
Brown Hare

After crossing the main Norwich to Great Yarmouth line, we headed towards the river along a wide track with bird filled marshland both sides. At the start we passed the site of the biggest corvid roost in the UK, mainly Rooks, which has up to 60,000 birds and is very old and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.
It soon became apparent that there were Wigeon everywhere. Drew told us that they were neither diving or dabbling ducks but preferred to walk around feeding on the vegetation. The numbers here during the winter exceed any other UK sites.
Looking across the marshes, we could see lots of Chinese Water Deer around. At one point two of them started what can only be described as a boxing match, similar to that seen in European hares. Presumably this is to do with territorial disputes or mating rights. None of the group had ever
witnessed this behaviour before.
As we walked down to the river, we frequently witnessed large skeins of Pink-footed geese heading for the sugar beet fields. Occasionally they were joined in the sky by large groups of startled Lapwing and Wigeon put up by raptors. This is a prime hunting ground for them with such huge numbers of birds. We saw Marsh Harrier, Kestrel and Peregrine hunting and a Red Kite waiting to take advantage of any remains. Eagle eyed members even spotted a Peregrine on one of the sugar beet factory chimneys.
At the hide on the river we turned east and saw some of the many Mute Swans that were in evidence today.
The footpath became quite muddy here. We walked along it as far as the Beauchamp Arms looking quite spooky on the other bank. We turned around here and headed back. On the way we observed our only Snipe of the morning in flight.
After returning to the cars, the group then headed off to Strumpshaw RSPB reserve for lunch. We sat outside near the feeding station and watched Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Dunnock and Great Spotted Woodpecker as we ate.

Afternoon report: Strumpshaw Fen by Cath Robinson

The feeders at Strumpshaw are back in action after a pause because of rat activity. The birds were making up for it: a mixed group of tits, Chaffinch and also overhead Redpolls and a Great Spotted Woodpecker posing well for photos in the sun against a deep blue sky (even if the photographers
were distracted by an otter in the pool in front of the reception hide).
Kathy had passed the report baton on to me as Drew began the afternoon session. 
We stopped for a briefing, distracted by Goldcrests and a flock of Long-tailed tits, and then moved on to the woodland area which was quite quiet. So back along the path to the river as Drew regaled us with the amazing qualities of Long tailed tits: we probably all knew about their wonderful nests of moss, Lichen, feathers and spider silk but maybe didn’t realise that they expanded as the brood grew (that has to be the spider silk) and who knew that that they had different alarm calls for Kestrel and Sparrowhawk? We heard about the cyclical cutting of the reed beds to maintain the habitat and reduce succession: reeds were used for thatching, composting heaps and, when necessary, were burnt.
Along the riverbank we began to see the first Marsh Harriers and gulls which were commuting from Norwich down to Breydon water for their roost. Some seemed to follow the river while others were more southerly maybe following tree lines. Drew proudly pointed out that Strumpshaw had recorded 5 UK owls: and maybe still had Long-eared Owls somewhere. I must be more owl aware when I’m down there! He pointed out the pump house and tower which has recently been restored and said that it was one of only 2 in Norfolk which were still in existence and functioning. Oh, he
really shouldn’t have said that because someone then asked which was
the other one?? Maybe Emily knows.
Drew said that the Marsh Harrier roost had split between the 2 sides of
the river and the reserve so we stayed by the river for the one which
might yield the best views. They gradually started coming in while we also
chalked up several Fieldfares flying over, several Blackbirds, our only Little
Grebe of the day and a solitary goose flying downriver: solitary goose,
looking a bit different... what could it be? Well of course if you’re Drew
you can get it in the scope and identify it as a Russian White-fronted
Goose flying downstream.
It was a glorious evening and sunset and we were looking west towards it to see the harriers circling. The final count was 30. And although we didn’t see a late Hen Harrier dashing in at the end I think we were all very happy with our afternoon’s excursion. And were quite pleased to get back into some warmth!
With many thanks to Drew for his really informative excursion and for selecting such wonderful weather to do it. A substantial donation to RSPB Strumpshaw is on its way in his name.