With relatively mild, settled weather and a gentle breeze I decided to go Goshawk hunting at Cockley Cley (Norfolk) on the 3rd. Early March is the best time of year to see Goshawks displaying, although they can be seen in February if weather conditions are right. After 75 minutes of waiting, only lots of Buzzards and a single Red Kite had been seen. However, as I tried to photograph an overhead Buzzard a second bird, clearly a hawk, came into view. People around me said that it was only a Sparrowhawk. Certainly it looked small, but it was fairly high. Eventually I managed to get a 'record shot' of the bird that wasn't blurred. Later examination showed lengthwise striping along the underside of the bird (perpendicular to the barring along the wings and tail), pointing to the fact that this was a young Goshawk - probably a male - success! The image is shown below.
'Record Shot' of a Juvenile Goshawk, Cockley Cley, 3 March
I called into Lynford Arboretum on the way home, on the off-chance that I could see a Hawfinch. A quick check of the feeding station near the 'Shepherd's Baa' cafe netted me my first Brambling of the year (a female). Surely, things couldn't get any better? Oh yes, they could! Sitting at the top of the tallest tree in the paddock was a Hawfinch. I managed to get a few photos before it flew down, not to be seen again.
Hawfinch, Lynford Arboretum, 3 March
The best was still to come. As I continued a walk that I regularly take through the forest I came across signs warning me to watch where I stood, as it was the time of year for migrating frogs and toads. A few yards further on, by the side of a lake, I came upon a mass of courting and mating Common Toads - probably 60 to 70 with more, sometimes 'piggybacking', arriving at the lake as I watched. Forty minutes later I had photographed toads (individuals, couples and even a 'threesome') from every angle. Some spawn had already been laid. The lake is well away from the nearest road, so hopefully mortality as the toads make their way to the mating pond from every direction will be low. I was a herpetologist before I became a bird watcher, so seeing these toads performing was a joy to see.
Common Toads in Amplexus, arriving at their Breeding Lake, Lynford, 3 March
Common Toad 'Mating Ball' (two males and a female), Lynford, 3 March
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