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.