Brecks bonanza! Great Grey Shrike, Hawfinch and Crossbills

A very early start saw Brian, Norman and me at Lynford Arboretum by 7.15 am. Our initial stake-out of the 'feeder tunnel' was unproductive, so I walked down to the stone bridge: immediately I heard the distinctive calls of a small flock of Crossbills. I trotted (!) back to call the others and soon we were enjoying excellent views of two pairs of these recently-elusive finches.

We walked back to the tunnel, where Strumpshaw regulars Kim and Elaine and Breckland specialist Carl had pinned down a female Hawfinch. Although distant, the views were most welcome: we also added Brambling to the day's finch haul!

Riding our luck, we drove north to Cockley Cley. After a fruitless walk around (enlivened only by a beautiful pale Buzzard and a Yellowhammer) I suddenly had one of my famous hunches. Within minutes we found ourselves within thirty feet of a most confiding Great Grey Shrike: shame the skies had become so gloomy. Just after 1.00pm the clouds opened, so we drove back to East Norfolk: a terrific day out!