Game strips/wild bird seed mix plots, buffer areas, and other useful field margin habitats.

 For me, target habitats for birding in autumn and winter are those areas of land created for wildlife and game by farmers. On my Breckland patch as well as other areas of agricultural landscapes, game strips comprising wild seed mixes, field marginal buffer areas (protecting hedgerows and immediate associated ground cover), and other areas left for wildlife such as uncultivated and undisturbed patches of farmland, are extremely important sources of foraging and feeding for our wild seed eating birds as well as providing habitats for game.  Wildflower and game strips also provide a vital habitat for invertebrate species which in turn help to control insect pests on adjoining areas of cereal crops and root vegetables. 

Little Cressingham 9 October

Game strips, wild bird seed mixes, and undisturbed patches of farmland, are often on traditionally used sites, one such area is on a large plot of land in Little Cressingham.  This valuable habitat comprises roadside hedgerows, grass margins, a large area of wild seed and weed mixes, and a large plot of undisturbed land, then the land is cropped.  

Game strip, wild bird seed mixes, and undisturbed land at Little Cressingham 9 October 2024

 I arrived at the above location in Little Cressingham at about 0800 in poor conditions, light quality was variable, often poor with frequent heavy showers and drizzle. Later in the day, conditions improved with better light quality too.

It was clear from my arrival that good numbers of Finches were present, birds I expected to see at such habitats.  Also, there had been a recent arrival of Redwings (18+) which were seen in woodland and scrub habitats where good feeding on winter fruits would provide these migratory Thrushes with sustenance following their flight from Scandinavia..   

The wide margin of weed/seed mixes closest to the hedgerow, as expected, saw good numbers of Chaffinches (80+), Linnets (40+), several Greenfinches, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers, all of these species will find good feeding here throughout the winter months.  As October progresses, the beautiful Brambling, a migratory Finch from Northern Europe will be seen here.  Bramblings have numbered in three figures here in previous years.

Inevitably, a large concentration of Finches will attract predatory species, and as expected a Sparrowhawk (male) flew fast and low along the hedgerow hoping to surprise a Finch, however, the alert obviously went up and just moments before the Sparrowhawk was seen there was a mass, disorganised departure of Finches, this behaviour immediately told me a raptor was in the area and approaching.  The Sparrowhawk appeared to pass through without prey.

Overhead, a Woodlark was singing, this beautiful songster breeds in the area, however, in winter they wander, sometimes in flocks, to areas of good feeding, the undisturbed land in the above picture would be ideal foraging habitat for this species.

Many Dunnock were both seen and heard with six together in one small area, also, a single Chiffchaff was both seen and heard.

Once I was home the conditions improved with some bright spells of weather with a few showers passing through.  Also passing through (our garden) a mixed mobile flock of Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, and Great Tits, included a single Chiffchaff.  In the autumn months look closely in wandering flocks of Tit species where summer migrants such as Chiffchaff may be seen.