Merton & Thompson - Thursday 4th September

Another one of our favourite local jaunts is around the villages of Merton and Thompson which are adjacent villages to Watton. A relatively new place for us is by the Firing Range entrance near The Peddars Way footpath. We weren't disappointed; it was a warmer sunnier day but the clouds soon came over. Once again we could hear the occasional distant thud of heavy artillery and an Apache Helicopter passed over quite low.

Sitting quietly near the gates we could see past the gates along the entry road to the Range. There was a constant stream of birds going from one side of the road to the other. At the moment there are lots of these highly mobile mixed flocks feeding up on the fruits of the hedgerows. We saw Blue, Great, Long Tailed & Marsh Tits, Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Nuthatch. It pays to keep an eye on these flocks because quite often you can see one of the rarer varieties of bird within them, they flock up for safety from predators.

It wasn't long before we saw a Roe Deer in the distance and a bit later on a Muntjac came up almost to the car, it only disappeared because a car came up to the gates and turned around.

Even the Squirrels were getting into the act and feasting on the ripe Blackberries.

Grey Squirrel Enjoying A Snack

As I'm typing this I've just noticed a movement behind me. It is a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly inside the room. I've just released it into the garden perhaps it has something to with the next post.

Remember keep your eyes peeled and good spotting.