Birds

Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa) - widely released for shooting and surviving birds also proved to breed on occasion

Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix) - the native partridge, now very rare. Still seems to be hanging on by a whisker, with Shotesham records in 2010, 2013 and 2019.

Quail (Coturnix coturnix) - a surprise find in July 2022, when one was heard calling briefly one day from a barley field. It soon moved on.

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) - commonly released for shooting

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - small numbers sometimes alongside Greylags.

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) - a feral flock used to regularly visit the lake in the grounds of Shotesham House, and was known to correspond to birds using Buckenham Marshes by day because of a distinctively marked hybrid individual that accompanied them. Numbers peaked at 70 in early 2007, declining and not seen regularly since 2014.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser) - common particularly in fields around Old Hall.

Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) - a common winter visitor to the Broads and north Norfolk Coast but only occasional flocks seen flying over the village, in 2011, 2016 and 2019. More commonly overflying in late 2020, suggesting a new feeding area somewhere nearby.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - only occasionally seen over the village, but also present on the Tas.

[Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) - a bizarre record of this non-native species, involving a dead bird found decapitated on the Common in 2012].

Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiaca) - regular, particularly around Old Hall and St Martin's ruins where it nests.

Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) - 1-2 seen occasionally, may have bred during several years on the pool upstream from Joy's Loke.

Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) - at least two pairs in flooded woodland along the Tas in Shotesham Park Estate in spring 2018, presumably breeding around here as habitat looks ideal.

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) - regular in winter on the lake at Shotesham House, commuting to the pond by the Globe early morning or when otherwise quiet; highest count to date is 22 in March 2018.

Common Teal (Anas crecca) - small numbers when conditions are very cold, including several records in 2009 and 2018.

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) - common

Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) - a female seen on a couple of mornings on the pub pond in early 2025.

Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) - individuals noted flying  over in 2009 and 2013

Goosander (Mergus merganser) - a male flew over Wash Lane in December 2011, the only record to date

Swift (Apus apus) - regular in summer, but particularly around the Grove end of the village

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) - previously regular in spring but becoming irregular in line with a wider decline in the south-east of Britain. Recorded annually to 2013, then again in 2018 and 2020. Juveniles reared by Dunnock parents in at least 2009 and 2011.

Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) - feral birds occasionally join flocks of Woodpigeons in the fields, presumably after dropping out of racing

Stock Dove (Columba oenas) - common around the village, breeding in old trees

Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) - abundant

Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) - common in the village

Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) - as in most of Britain, now much declined.  Recorded annually to 2011, and again 2013, but not since.

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) - occasional birds detected in cold winter weather, in 2007, 2010 and 2018 and probably more regular but overlooked

Corncrake (Crex crex)  - an entirely unexpected record of a male calling for three nights in late May 2021 from the field beside Naidens Lane, presumably derived from the reintroduction program underway in the fens

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) - common

Coot (Fulica atra) - nested on the pond by the Globe to 2011 but not seen since.

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) - a pair nested on the Globe pond in 2007, and present again in 2008 and 2010

Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) - a single tantalising record of this rare species that breeds in the Brecks and on the Suffolk coast. One was calling from fields above Hawes Green after dark on 22nd April 2007, but despite much searching was never seen again. Shows that this is a potential breeding species if conditions were right!

Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) - recorded a few times in 2008, 2012 and 2017; a potential breeding species but not yet found conditions to its liking.

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria) - an irregular winter visitor, sometimes in the fields in reasonable numbers - the peak count being 150 in Feb 2008.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) - occasional, both in winter and as a breeding species in spring. A pair was confirmed to breed in 2010, and birds also were showing breeding behaviour in 2011 and 2013. This would once have been much more common in both seasons.

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) - probably was once a breeding species, but in recent years has only occurred in winter, particularly on the common in cold weather; 12 were counted on the Common in 2018 during the 'beast from the east' period.

Jack Snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) - one bird was flushed on the Common in November 2006, with no other records although this is a very easy bird to overlook.

Curlew (Numenius arquata) - an odd record of 1-2 birds heard at night on 19th June 2013.

Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) - migrant birds flew over on 10th July 2009 and three on 29th April 2011

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) - a potential breeding species (displaying birds recorded as recently as 2006 per Henry Walker), but in recent years only encountered in small numbers in winter; the species is shot on the estate.

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) - single birds occasionally on passage or during the winter on the Common, noted in 2006,2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2018.

Redshank (Tringa totanus) - only recorded as fly-over birds, with a flock of four on 9th July 2009 and two over on 3rd August 2019. A potential breeding species if suitable habitat existed.

Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephulus) - one flew over with Common Gulls in Nov 2020.

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) - common especially in winter

Common Gull (Larus canus) - common especially in winter

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) - can be common on the fields in late summer and autumn, and again in spring, although often scarcer mid-winter.

Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) - smaller number occur with Lesser Black-backed Gull flocks

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) - adults with other large gulls in the fields in Sep 2011 and Sep 2017; probably somewhat overlooked

Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) - a first-winter bird was with a large mixed gull flock on Naidens Field in September 2022.

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) - occasional birds noted flying over the village in 2013, 2018 and 2019

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) - occasional birds fly over

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - regular individuals along the Common, not known to breed in the village

Great White Egret (Ardea alba) - a juvenile on the lower Common in summer 2024, very approachable and was found dead soon afterwards.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) - has occurred regularly along the Common since at least 2007, and also observed by the main Tas ford. Usually just one or two, although four were counted in Feb 2008. Not known to breed in the village yet.

Night-heron (Nyticorax nycticorax) - one spent several days around Stubbs Green pond in spring 2023, part of a national influx of this southern European species.

Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) - commonly seen around the village

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) - has increased recently following a long absence from the east of England, now very common and apparent, with numerous pairs nesting around the parish

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) - occasional birds wander through from breeding areas nearby in the Broads, with singles in 2006, 2007, 2012 and 2020.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) - a ringtail was hunting near the Little Wood on 25th Dec 2011.

Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - previously very rare and now quite commonly encountered. First records were in 2010, followed by some in 2013 then annual from 2017. Almost daily sightings in the spring and early summer of 2020 and seems likely to have bred nearby, possibly in the parish itself.

Barn Owl (Tyto alba) - one of the most striking birds in the village, often visible and obvious hunting the Common in full view of houses and from the Globe. Several pairs appear to nest around the parish in a good year, although sightings do vary in frequency from year to year.

Little Owl (Athene noctua) - there appears to be a very high density of this species in Shotesham compared to many other areas, with birds seen and heard widely around the parish.

Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) - commonly heard around the parish, although seldom seen as usual for this highly nocturnal species

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) - regular along the Common, presumably nests somewhere along the valley (nest found here in 2000).

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) - common breeding resident

Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis) - common breeding resident

Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) - occasional sightings of birds flying over, presumably relating to the birds breeding in Norwich and other local sites - records in 2007, 2012, 2013 and three records in 2016.

Hobby (Falco subbuteo) - regularly seen around the parish between the end of April and mid September, often seen hunting hirundines around the Common. Suspected to breed nearby, and a pair seen in display flight over Shotesham Park Estate in 2012.

Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) - common breeding resident

Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) - one flew along the Common on 30th Jan 2011 (and was seen by someone else in their garden the same day). Unclear if likely to be from the large London population or perhaps more likely a more local recent escape?

Raven (Corvus corax) - would historically have been present, but exterminated from much of the lowlands by game-rearing interest in the last century. Has seen a recovery, and the first recent record for Shotesham was of one flying over on 20th April 2022. A pair were also noted overhead in February 2023. Likely to recolonise in the coming years.

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) - common resident

Rook (Corvus frugilegus) - common resident; a rookery exists around the lower end of the Common

Jackdaw (Coloeus monedula) - common resident, nesting in several areas including the ruins of St Martin's

Jay (Garrulus glandarius) - common resident

Magpie (Pica pica) - common resident

Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) - occasional winter visitor, seen twice in 2010 and once in 2012, when a flock of 10 dropped into the garden briefly to feed on rosehips but didn't stay long

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) - common resident

Great Tit (Parus major) - common resident

Coal Tit (Periparus ater) - common resident

Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) - a few pairs around the village, in more wooded areas, including Joy's Loke. Four territories located around Shotesham Park in 2018.

Skylark (Alauda arvensis) - common breeding resident, with flocks gathering together in the fields over winter; also passes over in autumn. A survey of a limited part of the parish in spring 2017 found nine territories.

House Martin (Delichon urbicum) - common summer visitor, with a particular concentration of nests around the Hollow Lane end of the village. 

Swallow (Hirundo rustica) - common summer visitor

Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) - occasionally seen in summer, and in 2007-2010 was more frequent in vicinity of Plantation Farm where assumed probably to be breeding in sand banks; very scarce in recent years though.

Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) - an increasing species in the Broads, this was a predicted arrival and one was finally heard singing by the Tas in Shotesham Park on 2nd June 2018.

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus) - common resident

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) - common summer visitor, generally the first long-distance migrant to arrive in spring with the earliest so far being on 11th March 2017. In 2009, an individual of the Siberian race tristis  was heard and seen around the Hollow Lane area of the Common between 26th-30th October, which was an excellent find.

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) - relatively scarce summer visitor in the village and in recent years not even annual, corresponding to a wider major decline in farmland in SE England. One present still in June in 2018 in Shotesham Park was suggestive that local breeding may still occur.

Yellow-browed Warbler (Phylloscopus inornatus) - one was heard and then seen around St Mary's churchyard on 2nd Nov 2019; this is a Siberian breeding species that winters in SE Asia but is becoming increasingly regular in the autumn in Britain - inland records are still quite notable though.

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) - a common summer visitor to the Broads but only occasional in Shotesham, with records in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2019.

Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) - seems to be a regular summer visitor (presumably breeding) by the riverside pond in Shotesham Park. Only occasional elsewhere in the village, mostly along the Common, noted in 2007, 2013, 2016 and 2019.

Common Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia) - one was heard singing from the lower end of the Common on 10th Jul 2007 only.

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) - common summer visitor. Although small numbers increasingly winter in Britain too, this is mostly a feature of towns this far north and not yet noted in Shotesham personally.

Garden Warbler (Sylvia borin) - a scarce summer visitor, noted in Shotesham Park in 2007, at Stubbs Green in 2009 and 2010, and at the Little Wood also in 2010. Notable by its absence since.

Whitethroat (Curruca communis) - a common summer visitor throughout much of the parish. Earliest spring arrival to date was 18th April 2010.

Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca curruca) - a regular summer visitor, particularly reliable in spring around the Hollow Lane area of the Common. The earliest arrival to date has been 18th April 2018.

Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) - common resident, probably supplemented by more incoming birds in winter

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) - common resident

Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) - several pairs in woodlands, particularly where older trees are present.  A survey of Shotesham  Park in 2018 located four territories.

Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) - a common species although easy to overlook. A survey of Shotesham Park found it difficult to estimate numbers but came up with an estimate of 14 territories.

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) - fairly common, sometimes a bit sporadic in its appearances, but with larger flocks on occasion.

Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - common resident

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) - a strongly declining summer migrant in SE England, and seems to have declined to the point of virtual absence now around Shotesham, although it's a quiet species and easy to overlook. Sightings were fairly regular in 2007-2013, but scarce since with just singles in 2016, 2019 and 2020. Certainly bred in the past and may still do so. I made a particular effort to find this species in Shotesham Park in 2018, without success.

Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) - an occasional spring migrant in fields, on its way to more northerly breeding grounds, noted in 2010 (at least four on four dates) and then again in 2020 (two on one date). Not yet noted on its return migration in late summer/autumn.

Blackbird (Turdus merula) - common resident

Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) - common winter visitor

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) - common resident

Redwing (Turdus iliacus) - common winter visitor, often heard calling when flying over at night, particularly in October

Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) - resident in small numbers, somewhat localised in the village.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) - local resident in the village, certainly not ubiquitous. Long-established flocks seem to focus on the Grove area and Hawes Green.

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) - rare in the village. An odd occurrence was of a pair in 2008 that nested in a House Martin nest (arriving before the martins returned in spring), raised at least one brood of young, and then departed, never to be seen again. Reported at the Grove end of the village in 2020.

Dunnock (Prunella modularis) - common resident

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) - common autumn migrant and winters increasingly regularly in the fields, with over 50 birds present on wires along Rogers Lane in Nov 2019.

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) - resident in small numbers

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) - regular along the stream on the Common and on the Tas. Has certainly bred, with young birds being seen every few years.

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) - only an occasional visitor, noted in 2006, 2017 and 2019, mostly birds calling as they fly over.

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) - common resident

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) - scarce winter visitor, most records are of birds calling in flight overhead, although occasionally visits garden feeders.

Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) - common resident

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) - common resident (increasingly so)

Siskin (Spinus spinus) - common in winter, often heard overhead and regularly visits garden feeders; occasional larger flocks of up to 100 on the Common. Most records between September and April, but occasional mid-summer records too.

Linnet (Linaria cannabina) - common breeding bird in hedgerows and larger gardens. About six territories were located in 2017 in a survey of a limited area of the parish. Can gather in larger flocks in winter, particularly when weedy vegetation is left, with some flocks of over 300 noted over the years.

Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret) - a fairly scarce winter visitor, the highest count being 10 on the Common in late 2009, with most records involving single birds flying over calling. Historically this would have been a widespread breeding bird in Norfolk but it is now very local indeed in the summer.

Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) - a rare visitor, with one flying over in December 2008, then five records of singles between October 2017 and January 2018 coinciding with a major influx from the continent. A major surprise was a further sighting of one in June 2018 near Priory Lane, giving a tantalising hint that they may have bred locally, but no more sightings to date. This can be a very secretive species, particularly if the call is not known.

Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) - occasional birds are detected calling as they fly over, with records to date being singles in September 2008 and January 2010, a flock of 10 in July 2012 and a pair in July 2013.

Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) - common resident

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) - a common resident breeding in hedgerows around the village. A survey of a limited part of the parish in 2017 located eight territories. In the autumn birds gather in small flocks in favoured areas, often around game-cover crops. Numbers were particularly high during winter 2020/21 with at least 80 in two flocks.

Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) - one or two pairs nest on the Common each year, with others likely present along the Tas valley. Birds are also noted on occasion during the winter months, including in flocks of Yellowhammers.