A pictorial guide to my walk at South Pickenham and Great Cressingham 4 October 2025

Saturday the 4th October was very windy with a strong to very strong westerly blow.  The day began with wall to wall sunshine, however, cloud did build as the morning progressed.

The wind strength affected birding with only sheltered sides of woodland producing birds, therefore, I have decided for this post to give a pictorial guide to my 5 mile walk.

Beginning at All Saint's Church in South Pickenham I walked west along Church Road and then onto a track through farmland known as Heath Road.  This first long section of my walk took me through very typical but spectacular Breckland landscapes, big skies, very light sandy soil both mature deciduous and conifer woodland, and large fields of arable.

1. Walking west away from South Pickenham along Heath Road

Having walked through mature woodland I was greeted by some stunning views over typical Breckland farming country as seen in picture (1) above.  To the right of the woodland you can make out the huge turbines on the former North Pickenham airfield.

A little further along this path I walked by a mature block of Pine woodland, the sheltered side saw a mixed flock of Long-tailed Tits, Coal Tits, Blue Tits, and two Marsh Tits moving through the woodland edge to locate food.

2. Walking west alongside a mixed hedgerow

The long hedgerow shown in picture (2) offered some respite from the very strong wind, little was seen due to the wind strength although I did hear a calling Yellowhammer in the hedge.

3. Walking west along the path I eventually reached this lovely old WW2 air raid shelter.

4. The air raid shelter showing the blast walls on the left of the structure.

Continuing west along the track I came across a stand of typical Breckland tree species, the beautiful Scots Pine, and on the opposite side of the track was a number of fine Hawthorns along with plenty of Blackthorn which had a heavy crop of the beautiful purple sloe fruits. Now we are into October it won't be long before winter Thrush species, Redwings, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, and Song Thrushes, arrive from Scandinavia to plunder the berries from these bushes.

5. Another beautiful Breckland scene of Scots Pines and some fine Hawthorns and Blackthorn.

 Beyond the Scots Pines seen in picture (5) I turned south to walk some trails which would eventually take me to Great Cressingham Wood, but before reaching this wood I did hear a Chiffchaff in woodland, also a Buzzard flew off and 6 Egyptian Geese passed over, driven quickly along by the wind.

6. A large game strip which will support songbird survival in winter.

Game strips, as seen in picture (6) is an important habitat for supporting songbird survival.  Birds to expect at these habitats includes Chaffinches, Bramblings, Linnets, Goldfinches, Yellowhammers, and Reed Buntings, and of course, where you have such a gathering of birds, inevitably, Sparrowhawks will be seen.

7. Looking NW along the track leading to Great Cressingham Wood.

As you can see in picture (7) the cloud has built somewhat from the earlier very bright conditions. I am looking back from whence I came in this picture, the track, although wet today, is in dry and hot weather, essentially sand, a typical Breckland soil type.  This exposed landscape did not stop a couple of Red Kites searching the land for food items, I never tire of their ability to use the wind to their advantage, their turning tail and altering wing movements keeping them on a steady course.

Also noted in the above landscape today was a number of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, and in the weedy track sides a few Goldfinches visited to feed.

Back onto a metalled surface I walked the long South Pickenham Road NE towards the end of visit and entering mature woodland of Beech and Oak, two Marsh Tits were seen, bringing my total for this declining species today to four birds.

8. All Saint's Church at South Pickenham

 At the end of my 5 mile walk I reached my final destination, the fine 12th century All Saint's Church at South Pickenham.  This beautiful church is surrounded by mature woodland of Oak and Beech, also some fine Holly specimens occur whilst in the churchyard a fine old Yew tree grows as well as peripheral Oak and Beech specimens.

The sheltered churchyard and woodland was my most productive for birds this morning with a mobile flock of Long-tailed Tits passing through the churchyard and into surrounding woodland, these birds were joined by several Blue Tits and Coal Tits, two Treecreepers and Nuthatch.  The lovely old Yew in the far left in picture (8) saw two Goldcrests foraging and offering cracking views, of this, our smallest bird species.
 

A review of observations for September 2025

What an exciting month for birding September is, this is a pivotal month for migration with the departures of summer migrants and the arrivals of the first winter visitors. Departing summer visitors can turn up almost anywhere, I always marvel at how species such as Warblers defend their territories in the breeding season but in autumn become more sociable in their behaviour, for example, a typically seen behaviour for me in autumn is finding a number of Blackcaps or Whitethroats feeding in one Elder bush, sometimes with a Reed Warbler as well, all of these birds are just interested in feeding upon berries to fuel their migration to the Mediterranean basin or further south into Africa. 

September also sees the arrival of the first winter Thrushes from Scandinavia, these species are Fieldfare, Redwing, Song Thrush, and Blackbirds, all of which abandon their breeding grounds in Scandinavia to seek milder conditions and food.  Similarly, winter Finches such as Bramblings, Siskins, and Redpolls abandon their breeding areas in Scandinavia due to food scarcity and harsh winter weather, all three of these species occur on my Breckland patch in winter.

September 2025 (A Review of observations)

A good start to the month on the 1st with a Yellow Wagtail at Bodney, also one Grey Wagtail and a single Willow Warbler in an elder where berries were consumed.

The 2nd of the month began clear and cool, it's beginning to feel like autumn. A visit to Threxton produced a flock of 70+ Linnets wandering a large game strip. A Hobby overflew in a westerly beading. A check of a field boundary hedge saw a very smart looking Lesser Whitethroat in an elder.  Nearby a hedgerow held 3+ Whitethroats and in a ditch an elusive Sedge Warbler was seen in dense cover.

Later the same morning a Marsh Harrier was seen high over Saham in a more or less southerly heading.

The 6th of the month saw an interesting series of events in Little Cressingham beginning with a ♀ Marsh Harrier flushing and chasing a Partridge, the Harrier was then chased by a Goshawk, the two raptors appeared to have a little tussle, the Goshawk broke off and flew into an Oak and the Marsh Harrier resumed hunting.

Evidence of visual migration seen with two Yellow Wagtails overhead in a southerly heading.  A single Whinchat was seen on fencing at a field boundary.   

Migrant Reed Warbler at Threxton 8 September

A visit to Threxton on the 8th was productive for migrants.  I decided to visit a roadside woodland which at its boundary has plentiful scrub and over the years has held migrants in autumn because of it being sheltered from the prevailing wind.  A small area of Bramble/Elder scrub held 3+ Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, one Reed Warbler feeding upon elderberries, and two Dunnock, a juvenile Robin, Blue Tits, and Chaffinch.  3 Red Kites soared overhead and a Sparrowhawk shot through.

Dawn at Wretham Heath on the 9th looked spectacular with low lying mist and fog eventually clearing to a warm, sunny morning. My aim was to visit Langmere to check for evidence of wader passage, it was also very productive for the numbers of arriving Goose species.  Entering the hide at Langmere I was immediately greeted by 7 Snipe on the muddy shore of the mere, also present was a single Common Sandpiper.

An overview of Langmere saw the arrivals of 100 Greylag Geese, 72+ Egyptian Geese, and 64 Canada Geese.  

A visit to the Watton Brook Valley near Threxton on the 10th saw a single Little Egret flying along the valley.  A large flock of 300+ Rooks was put up by the appearance of a low and fast Peregrine Falcon. Two Whitethroats were seen together in a bramble patch by the brook as was two Stonechats, one of which fed upon blackberries.

On the 11th in the Watton Brook valley between Little Cressingham and Bodney the visit began with a single Hobby drifting east over farmland and woodland until lost to view.  Migrants in the valley included one Whinchat, a Reed Warbler in thick cover, and two Blackcaps which included a ♂ taking an elderberry.  Beautiful scoped views of a ♀ Kestrel on a fencepost were had.

An elusive juvenile Reed Warbler at Little Cressingham 11 Sept (subsong was heard)

Whinchat at Bodney 11 Sept.

An early morning watch of the sky from the garden on the 12th saw two Little Egrets high over the town in a NW heading.  25+ Goldfinches seen in adjoining gardens and a ♀ Sparrowhawk passed through the garden low and at speed.

A pre-sunrise visit to Hockham (Rules Belt then Hockham Fen) was quite productive with ♂♀ Tawny Owls calling in Rules Belt area. At Hockham Fen at least 10 Chiffchaffs present (some song heard). Hawthorn and Birch scrub held Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Nuthatch, and Chiffchaff. Two Kestrels and Sparrowhawk seen and on the fen two Stonechats seen with a ♂ collecting a Zebra spider from long grasses.. At least 5 Siskins overhead.

Stonechat at Hockham 21 September 2025 (With Zebra Spider)

I visited Houghton on the 22nd with the aim of finding migrants as well as doing some vismigging.

The morning began with a Barn Owl in the former village site. A calling Raven was scoped in conifer woodland N/E of Houghton Common, later, two Ravens were seen north of the path leading to the church, these birds were engaged in chasing display and calling.

10+ Blackbirds and a Song Thrush were seen in bushes and hedgerow on Houghton Common.

Migrants included several Chiffchaffs (some singing), 3 Blackcaps (2♂♂ and one♀) seen with a ♂ seen to take an elderberry. A single Whinchat was very briefly seen on the hedge east of the church

Stepping out into the garden early on the 23rd I was immediately greeted by two Ravens quite low directly overhead flying in a SW heading..

On the 26th at Carbrooke a mobile Tit flock included a single Willow Warbler, this was a particularly yellow bird. 

I was working on the 27th and a short stop by the beautiful River Wensum at Billingford produced a calling Kingfisher , this bird flew towards me and briefly alighted on a tall weed before flying off again. A Green Woodpecker was calling.

On the 29th a single migrant Chiffchaff passed through the garden.

An overview of farmland near 'The Arms' at Little Cressingham on the 30th saw a flock of 250+ Rooks wandering over the land feeding. 4 Carrion Crows, two Ravens directly overhead heading west, a single Chiffchaff occasionally singing, two Marsh Tits, 40+ Chaffinches, 60+ Linnets, and a ♀ Sparrowhawk flying fast and low, an expected bird given the Finch activity. An overhead movement of 4 Cormorants in a westerly heading.

Late afternoon in the garden a Hobby passed directly overhead fast and with intent.

  

Little Cressingham (Watton Brook Valley) 11 September 2025 (0825-1115)

 A pleasant morning, however, the moderate to fresh SW wind had a cool feel to it, despite this it remained sunny throughout the morning.  

My visit this morning was on private land and my focus was on finding migrant species, this includes listening for calls which was a little difficult owing to the noise of the wind.  I had commanding views over this part of my patch from the top of a Bronze Age burial tumulus from where I sat for a while hoping for some visible migration, however, no birds were seen, but the views were spectacular.

Looking west from the Bronze Age tumulus 11 September 2025

Looking north from the Bronze Age tumulus 11 September 2025

The first migrant of the morning was a single Hobby drifting slowly east until lost to view.  I began my walk my slowly moving along Watton Brook whilst looking for movement (which was difficult due to the wind) and listening for alarm or agitated calls.  A few Stonechats were seen on posts, but then I heard a harsh "trrr" call followed by the subsong of a Reed Warbler, I could see some movement in the vegetation and eventually caught a partial sighting of a juvenile Reed Warbler between cover.

Migrant Reed Warbler (juvenile) in Watton Brook 11 September 2025

Continuing my walk along the valley I noticed the usual Stonechats on the fence, however, one similar sized bird was with them and I could see straight away that this bird had a bold supercillium, this was a Whinchat, a scarce but regular passage migrant on the patch.

Whinchat 11 September 2025

This Whinchat was notable different from the nearby Stonechats, even without optics the salient features of Whinchat was the obvious bold supercillium, and when seen head on it appeared a much paler bird, with optics I could see a slight pale peach blush to the breast.

Raptor species seen on this visit included 4 soaring Buzzards, one Red Kite on carrion, and a beautiful ♀ Kestrel which gave great views in direct sunlight on a post.

Given the wind strength, my final part of my visit was along the leeward side of woodland, here I heard a couple of Chiffchaffs, also present was two Blackcaps, including a ♂ bird seen eating elderberries.

East Wretham Heath 9 September 2025 (0650-1000)

 The morning of the 9th of September began cool with mist and some fog over low lying areas, it had a very autumnal feel to it.  

I drove the 10 miles between my home in Watton to the wonderful East Wretham Heath reserve, a stunningly beautiful and large heath where you could spend a whole day exploring a true Breckland landscape and habitat.

I arrived at Wretham Heath at sunrise with the vast open landscape and meres covered in a low lying fog, it looked incredibly beautiful.

The incredible East Wretham Heath at dawn on 8 September 2025.

Setting off over the heath from the car park I was met with about 25 Goldfinches in the Hawthorns, both Robin and Wren noted too.  I approached my regular viewing area over the heath and Langmere, the fog was still yet to burn off, however, it was so atmospheric. Despite the fog and mist I could hear calling Chiffchaffs and Coal Tits in the nearby Scots Pines.

The warming sun soon burnt off the fog and I was given a great opportunity to photograph some of the very fine Scots Pines and Birch trees.  The area of Scots Pine woodland is known as Waterloo Plantation, this beautiful mature woodland was planted in the early part of the 19 century in order to celebrate Wellingtons victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.

A beautiful Scots Pine on Wretham Heath

Scots Pine, Birch, and Hawthorn on Wretham Heath

As I was approaching the hide to overlook Langmere I heard a "Good Morning", it was Dawn Balmer, we entered the hide and immediately saw 7 Snipe on the muddy shore of Langmere as well as a single Common Sandpiper. A couple of Chiffchaffs were seen to the left of the hide searching for food amongst the willow leaves.  It was good to see Dawn again and have a catch up. 

One of the 7 Snipe at Langmere

Common Sandpiper at Langmere

Also seen around the muddy shores of Langmere was several Pied Wagtails and on the water common Duck species seen along with Little Grebe.

By the time I left the hide at Langmere the sun had certainly warmed things up and on my return walk I stopped at my regular viewing area which was now bathed in sunlight, it was whilst here that many flocks of Geese passed me to my right, or directly overhead, and settled on Langmere or the surrounding shore.  Some good totals of Geese seen with the highest number being Greylag Geese (100), also a high number of Egyptian Geese (72+) arrived and Canada Geese (64).  A single Meadow Pipit arrived, my first bird of the autumn.

Threxton 8 September 2025

With the wind continuing as a fresh SW, I decided to be very specific about my habitat choice on the morning of 8 September and headed to Threxton for a small area of woodland scrub which have over the years has held migrant Warblers and Flycatchers.  This small area of scrub comprises Elder, Hawthorn, and Bramble and is protected on the south and west side by tall, mature woodland habitat.

Migrant Reed Warbler sharing Elder with Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs in woodland scrub habitat.

The small area of scrub habitat was sheltered from the wind and my search for migrants was narrowed down to a small Elder and Bramble patch.  Movement in the scrub eventually produced 3+ Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, and a single Reed Warbler.  whilst resident species seen included Blue Tits, 2 Dunnock, and 2 Robins (one juvenile).

Migrant Chiffchaff in woodland scrub at Threxton 8 September

Also noted here at Threxton was 3 Red Kites, Kestrel, and a Sparrowhawk which passed through at ground level

2 September 2025 - The Watton Brook Valley at Saham.

 Most of my local birding occurs on a large farming estate, much of which lies within the army training area known as STANTA (Stanford Army Training Area), this unique area of the country includes true Breckland landscapes of heath, grassland, light sandy soils, meandering river valleys, and of course, big skies. This mornings birding was on a marsh and grazing meadows with ditches, a herbage filled Watton Brook, and a long unbroken hedgerow comprising a variety of bushes in heavy fruit.

I arrived at my destination just a mile from home and an initial scan of a long hedgerow with an adjoining game strip saw a flock of 70+ Linnets wandering these habitats and a check of a ditch produced a single Stonechat.  As I walked through a meadow, lots of cattle came up to me to have a check of this handsome stranger 😄, this would have been a good opportunity to see if the cattle had brought Yellow Wagtails with them, but none seen on this occasion.  A Hobby did overfly the marsh in a westerly heading.

Watton Brook at Saham. A great habitat in autumn for finding migrants.

A check of some Hawthorns and elder in the river valley produced just a single Whitethroat, however, a distant check of a broken hedgerow comprising much elder did see a very smart Lesser Whitethroat feeding upon berries.  A Chiffchaff was also present here as well as a mobile flock of Long-tailed and Blue Tits

My final part of this visit included the checking of a long hedgerow bearing much fruit and at least 3 Whitethroats were seen in Buckthorn.  Along the same hedgerow I detected movement, I soon found a migrant Sedge Warbler moving through thick cover, this bird remained hard to see although on one occasion I had a very brief glimpse of the very bold and striking creamy supercillium.  

Finally, a couple of Stonechats, one a juvenile, were seen in the hedgerow and nearby game strip.

 

A summary of highlights for August 2025

 August to November is arguably my best time of year for birding both on my Breckland patch and beyond, especially the North Norfolk Coast.  The following is a summary of local highlights on my patch and as you will see there was a good selection of migrants to report through the month.

Early in the month on the 2nd it was obvious that Swift numbers had dropped significantly.

A visit to Little Cressingham on the 4th saw a single overflying and calling Crossbill, a welcome record of a bird which has been scarce on the patch in recent years.  Also seen was a notable count of 50+ Stock Doves.

Late summer and autumn sees Houghton-on-the-Hill as one of favoured locations to visit for both resting migrants and visual migration and my first visit for this migration period on the 9th proved to be an excellent visit with a Pied Flycatcher in woodland around the churchyard.  Common migrants are well represented here and today I recorded 10+ Blackcaps, 10+ Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs, and 3 Lesser Whitethroats.  A single Raven passed over calling. 

A visit to a sewage treatments works on the nearby army training ground on the 10th produced one Reed Warbler, one Lesser Whitethroat, one Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, and 3 Blackcaps, all in a small area of Elder bushes where all species were seen to eat berries.

On the 12th I enjoyed a great field trip to Titchwell Marsh with my good friend Darren Cowles.  The first bird of the day was a calling male Tawny Owl in the car park area and although still dark we could see the calling Owl silhouetted in the trees. 

Highlights on the marsh included 40+ Ruff, 14 Spoonbills, an early morning westerly movement of Little Egrets, and a single Great White Egret on the marsh. A few single Sedge Warblers were in the reedbeds.

Dawn at Titchwell Marsh 12 August 2025 (Unedited picture)

It was my intention to check the overflow car park as our visit wound down, I was surprised to see that despite the numbers of cars in the normal car park, there were no birders checking the wonderful habitat for migrant Warblers.  A check of elder bushes in the overflow car park produced 6+ Blackcaps feeding upon berries, these were undoubtedly passage birds.

Blackcap in the overflow car park 12 August

A walk along the Watton Brook valley west of Hopton Bridge on the 13^th saw at least 12 Stonechats and at least 3 Whitethroats on fencing alongside the brook. A single Sedge Warbler in herbage in the brook was undoubtedly a migrant bird. Later in the garden a Green veined White butterfly was seen.

A visit to Houghton-on-the-Hill on the 14^th began with a walk around the churchyard at St. Mary’s where a single Lesser Whitethroat emerged from thick Ivy where it had probably roosted. Many Blackcaps and Whitethroats were in the hedgerow corridor east of the church. Back at the church a juvenile Goshawk soared low overhead. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth was feeding in Buddleia.

Juvenile Goshawk at Houghton 14 August 2025

A visit to Bodney on the 18^th produced one Yellow Wagtail in an Elder, a single Wheatear along the boundary ditch separating Bodney Slip from the wet meadow east of the STW, 100+ Swallows, one Chiffchaff, and at least 4 Stonechats. Late morning saw a ♀ Sparrowhawk low and fast through the garden.

A check of the skies on the 19^th saw no Swifts, clearly some will be about, however, the majority of birds have now departed.

A late afternoon visit to Seamere Marsh on the 20^th produced a movement of 40+ House Martins which included a single Swift. On the marsh a ♀ Marsh Harrier was seen flying into thick willow woodland possibly to roost.

A very productive and rewarding day on the 23^rd in the Watton Brook Valley west at Little Cressingham with many Stonechats seen, one Whitethroat, Chiffchaffs, a calling Raven, visible migration with an overhead Yellow Wagtail, many Blackcaps in Bodney Slip where also 4 Spotted Flycatchers were found with one individual being a leucistic bird.

A leucistic Spotted Flycatcher at Little Cressingham 23 August (One of 4 birds seen together)

A morning visit on the 24^th to a marsh and meadows in Watton Brook valley produced at least 4 Whitethroats and a single migrant Lesser Whitethroat. Sizeable Finch flocks seen with 70+ Linnets and 100+ Goldfinches noted. At least 5 Stonechats were seen.

Lesser Whitethroat 24 August 2025 (Such stunning Warblers)

An early evening visit to Seamere Marsh on the 25^th was fairly quiet with the highlight being a single Swift over Seamere with a number of House Martins.

On the morning of the 26^th I was working in Wymondham where very high overhead two Sparrowhawks were seen soaring.

I visited the Watton Brook valley at Bodney on the 27^th arriving pre-sunrise and remaining until about 0930. This was a very good visit with a ♀ Blackcap in an elder eating berries and 4+ Chiffchaffs present. Cattle were grazing the grassland alongside Watton Brook, I suspected Wagtails to be present and when checked, 4+ Yellow Wagtails were feeding around the cattle. Also present was 3 Stonechats on fencing and posts in the valley.

On the 28^th I visited Hockham Heath and was rewarded with 30+ Crossbills wandering the treetops, also, a very notable 30+ Chiffchaffs seen in the Hawthorn scrub where 6+ Blackcaps also seen. Three Spotted Flycatchers (singles) seen around the site with one in the very top of a tall Poplar, a recently arrived migrant perhaps. One Little Egret was seen and at least one Raven passed over the Cranberry Rough area calling. A walk through Rule’s Belt produced calling Marsh Tit.

A single Swift was seen over Hethersett on the 30^th. Later on Old Runway Lane at Deopham one Yellow Wagtail was found whilst scoping a muck heap, also present was 12+ Pied Wagtails around muck heaps.