A summary of sightings in January 2026

 

For the 1^st day of the new year I spent some time at Thompson Water and the nearby Peddars Way, I chose these sites as they are usually productive and a good way to get the new years birding underway.  My first bird of the new year was Tawny Owl with 3 calling ♂♂ in woodland around the water closely followed as always by the ticking call of Robin. A Song Thrush was singing with another bird in woodland carr habitat giving an alarm call.

A very good visit to Thompson Water (partially frozen) with a good count of common wildfowl species. Mallard (209+) was the most numerous duck with smaller numbers of Gadwall.

Two Marsh Harriers (♂♀) over the reedbeds, the presence of these birds often unsettled the wildfowl on the water. Cetti's Warblers were heard in song and calling Crossbills passed overhead.

The Peddars Way alongside Flag Heath and Black Rabbit Warren was particularly productive beginning with two Crossbills (♂♀) in Hawthorn on the path at Flag Heath. The ♀ Crossbill was best seen briefly in the Hawthorn where calling, both birds flew off directly overhead. The woodland between Flag Heath and Black Rabbit Warren held Great Spotted Woodpecker and nearby two Mistle Thrushes and Fieldfare were present.  The highlight of the day occurred on the Peddars Way at Black Rabbit Warren when a pair of Ravens passed directly overhead, quite low, and headed off into the training area. Some throaty calls were heard.

The return walk was particularly productive for common species on the Peddars Way and in thickets and carr at Thompson Water. Blue Tits seen with one feeding from a windfall crab apple, also here was Great Tit, a Goldcrest foraging amongst hanging dead leaves, Coal Tit, and a pair of Marsh Tits.

Raven. An increasingly seen and welcome Crow species

A visit to the Watton Brook valley at Bodney on the 4^th produced Stonechats at a couple of localities, whilst in the dense cover of reeds in the brook a Water Rail was heard calling its pig-like squeal. Of interest at the sewage treatment works at Bodney at dusk several Blackbirds were seen flying into tall conifers to roost.

Water Rail. A secretive species more often heard than seen.

On the 5^th at Threxton a flock of 80+ Lapwings were seen, also, 28 Stock Doves flew around the sewage treatment works, and a single Great White Egret flew west along Watton Brook.

The morning of the 6^th saw my first Goshawk of the year near the Clermont estate, its presence was betrayed by the disorganised and rapid departure of Wood Pigeons. The highlight of the 6^th came in fading light at the end of the day when an impressive flock of 23 Cranes passed directly over the Wick Farm estate.

I had a short but productive visit to Seamere Marsh towards the end of daylight hours on the 12^th.. A check of distant trees beyond the marsh saw many Wood Pigeons sitting quietly, after a while, the Pigeons dispersed erratically with behaviour indicating the presence of a raptor, a short while later I picked up a large raptor approaching from the NE in a glide, I suspected Goshawk, and indeed it was, a juvenile ♀ bird which continued in a level flight over the marsh and then off over farmland to the SW, once out of sight, the Goshawks presence was obvious when panicking Crows called loudly.
On the marsh a ♂♀ Reed Bunting were seen on the largest Bramble patch and willow scrub by a ditch, a typical habitat for this species.

Early in the morning of the 14^th I visited Thompson Water and following a series of night frosts the majority of Thompson Water was frozen with only an area of open water in the middle of the lake where all of the present wildfowl were congregated. The counting of the wildfowl was made easy by the enforced gathering with Mallard (292+), Wigeon (3), and several Gadwall noted. A single Marsh Harrier (♀) sat throughout my visit in dead trees within a reedbed, even at range, the creamy coloured head and overall dark plumage is distinctive.

On the morning of the 16^th I had a pleasant walk along Fairstead Lane in Little Cressingham and a check of a large game strip produced an impressive 300+ Linnets and a number of Bramblings and Chaffinches too, all three of these Finch species are attracted to good feeding within the game strip which is a source of various seeds and grains for the birds to feed upon. Nearby, a single Woodlark was overhead performing its wonderful display and song-flight. It is worthy of note that our local Breckland is one of the strongholds for Woodlarks in Britain.

Woodlark. Breckland is one of this beautiful birds stronghold in Britain 

On the 25^th I had an early morning walk beginning at St. Botolph’s Church in Stow Bedon, passing through Lower Stow Bedon, following the Rocklands Road to as far as Mere Road, and back to Stow Bedon. Walking along Rocklands Road I approached a large game strip and immediately thought of good numbers of Finches here to feed, and I was right as there was a very large flock of 350+ Linnets and 250+ Chaffinches, all of which were attracted for the good feeding. Also of interest a flock of 20 Golden Plovers flew over.

On the 26^th a visit to Thompson Common was to prove rewarding with lots of birds in song, a sure sign of better weather to come. Many Song Thrushes were seen and heard, also Nuthatches and Treecreepers were in song as was Marsh Tit. A reed-filled pingo held a singing Reed Bunting, and nearby two Woodcock were seen, a very enigmatic species which has sadly suffered big in recent years.

Singing Marsh Tit

On the 29^th I met friends Darren Cowles and Carl Moss for a mornings birding at Lynford Water and Arboretum. Lynford Water held about 60 Tufted Ducks, also a pair of Great Crested Grebes with their resplendent head-dress were seen on the water. Also present here was a single Great White Egret, and a Water Rail. The highlight at Lynford Arboretum was the presence of 25+ Crossbills, a superb Finch whose bill has evolved to extract seeds from cones. A check of ‘Hornbeam Alley’ produced a singing Marsh Tit. The morning was rounded off with a lovely coffee in the relaxing surroundings of the café.

Little Cressingham and Watton 6 January 2026

 A severe overnight frost and no sign at all of lying snow thawing.  Following a clear and starlit night the morning was again very bright but very cold (well into the minuses).

A check of one of my favourite winter destinations, a large game strip comprising linseed and brassicas near 'The Arms' produced several Chaffinches, a few Greenfinches, and 60+ Linnets, all species were attracted to the area for feeding and shelter.  20+ Yellowhammers arrived and a single Bullfinch passed directly overhead and calling.

A juvenile ♀ Goshawk flew low over the game strip and made a half-hearted chase for something but continued to fly low and east.

Watton (1542)

A flock of 23 Cranes seen passing quite high and directly overhead (seen from garden) in a 'V' formation and continued east. What a fantastic sight....and sound.

Little Cressingham and Threxton 5 January 2026

 The 5th January began with a moderate to severe frost, there had been snowfall overnight and the morning eventually turned out stunning with beautiful snowscapes in the bright sunshine.  Even though the landscape looked beautiful, my thoughts rather strangely, were with the small Norfolk and Suffolk Dartford Warbler population, a species which is vulnerable in such conditions.

The highlight of the morning was watching 80+ Lapwings flying in wide arcs over the land before settling on sloping land to the north of Watton Brook valley at Little Cressingham, when caught in  bright sunshine the alternating black and white plumage of these birds was both stunning and conspicuous. 

Watton Brook Valley 5 January 2026

Looking north along Great Cressingham Road 5 January 2026

The only raptors seen this morning was a single Red Kite and single Buzzard, other observations were of low numbers of passerine species, these included one Mistle Thrush, 2 Greenfinches, 3+ Meadow Pipits, and one Pied Wagtail.  4 Stock Doves flew by.

Threxton

A late afternoon leading into a dusk visit to Watton Brook saw a single Great White Egret flying west along the valley, usually a very conspicuous bird, however, in todays conditions the bird totally blended into its wintry surroundings.

A flock of 28 Stock Doves arrived at dusk, circled for some time and then entered dense conifers to roost.  A few Blackbirds were also seen flying into these conifers at dusk to roost.  

 

Thompson Water and the Peddars Way footpath 1 January 2026 (0710-1100)

 I arrived at Thompson Water about an hour prior to sunrise and my first bird record for the new year was 3 calling ♂♂ Tawny Owls.  Ticking Robins took second place this year, Robins are usually the first birds to be heard in the woodland.

An alarm calling Song Thrush was heard in damp woodland with a second bird soon heard singing.  A single Cetti's Warbler was singing, the later months of last year at this site held 5 Cetti's Warblers.

With sunrise approaching the horizon saw some wonderful colours which were quickly changing from red, bright pinks, and fading to grey, one had to be quick on the ball for photographing this natural wonder.

Dawn at Thompson Water on New Years Day 2026

Wildfowl on Thompson Water included 209+ Mallard, a few Gadwall, and a single Teal. 15+ Coot and 5 Mute Swans were present.

Crossbills were passing overhead quite frequently, their distinctive calls always alerts one to the presence of this beautiful Finch.

Woodland thickets around the water held Long-tailed Tits, Blue Tits, Great Tit, Coal Tit, and two Marsh Tits. A Goldcrest was seen foraging amongst bunches of dead leaves and in thicket habitat.

Peddars Way

A walk along the Peddars Way near Thompson Water produced further Crossbills on the move, but a pair was seen close to in Hawthorns, the ♀ was seen best in her dull green plumage, however, as the pair flew off the brick red ♂ Crossbill was seen reasonably well. 

Both Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were present.  Both Fieldfare and Mistle Thrush were noted in woodland.

A pair of Ravens passed low overhead and flew into the army training area, one bird gave a few resonating "koorp" call.  Magnificent birds.

As I returned to finish my mornings birding further overhead calling Crossbills were heard and small flocks of Redwings passed over with some alighting in tall Birch trees.