Thompson Water 27 September 2026 (1200-1300)

A relatively short but productive visit to Thompson Water.  Wildfowl were present in good numbers with Mallard being the most numerous species with 150+ birds present.  Other wildfowl included a few Shoveler, Gadwall, 5 Mute Swans, and rather interestingly, a single ♀ Pintail.

Two Marsh Harriers were seen (♂ and ♀), the ♂ being readily identifiable by his smaller size and tri-coloured plumage.  Also present was two Buzzards.

1. Hobby hunting insects at Thompson Water 27 September 2026

2. Hobby (juvenile) Thompson Water 27 September 2026

3. Hobby at Thompson Water 27 September 2026. 

4. Hobby 27 September 2026. Feeding.

The highlight of this visit to Thompson Water was watching at least two Hobbies hunting, catching, and feeding upon insects.  These supremely fast Falcons fly low and close to the Water Soldier where they would chase insects, sometimes displaying incredible manouvers in the chase.

Typical behaviour was seen as in picture (1) where a Hobby would make frequent passes over the Water Soldier.  Picture (2) shows a Hobby in a fast pass, this is a juvenile bird, it's age confirmed by the pale tips to the wing coverts and on the rump.  The Hobby in picture (3) is turning sharply, possibly having seen an insect to chase, this is a useful angle for ageing this bird as it has pale buff undertail coverts, on adult birds the undertail coverts or 'trousers' are red. Finally, as shown in picture (4) the Hobby has an insect in its talons upon which it feeds on in flight.

Once seen, as in this observation today, the supreme velocity in the chase and stoop by Hobbies is mesmerising and totally unforgettable as they chase and catch insects and small birds which include Hirundines and even Swifts.

The Hobby is a migratory Falcon arriving with us in Britain in mid-April, they are scarce but increasing breeders with us.  At the time of writing, Hobbies will be preparing to migrate south, most would have departed now and by October all birds will have left us for their wintering grounds in south-central Africa. 

Little Cressingham (Peddars Way) 25 September 2026

This morning I visited the small section of the Peddars Way between Watton Brook north to the Watton Road crossroads.  The topography here ranges from the low lying valley where Watton Brook flows through lush meadows, rising to a gentle but long climb to the Watton Road crossroads which is the highest land in this immediate area.  The wide expanses of farmland either side of this section of the Peddars Way is very rolling in nature.

My aim was to search for migrant birds in the rich hedgerows alongside the Peddars Way, but also I wanted to see what the hedgerows comprised of along with the variety of fruits which await the arrival of migratory Thrush species.

Beginning at the lowest point of my walk at Watton Brook, the dominant tree species here is the Alder, a typical tree of wet ground, especially alongside rivers.  A meadow saw encroaching Alder scrub where a Wren sang its loud song.  At the start of the ascent along the Peddars Way I checked a field boundary of Willow and ground covering scrub, here I saw at least 4 Yellowhammers.  Also noted here was a singing Chiffchaff.

The gentle climb along the Peddars Way north of Little Cressingham 25 September 2026

  

Field boundary west of the Peddars Way 25 September. Check low scrub for Stonechats.

As the climb along the Peddars Way begins to level a lovely long and well established and unbroken hedgerow runs alongsie the full length of the road to the crossroads. This hedgerow held a variety plants bearing healthy stocks of fruit including Hawthorn, Blackthorn (good crop of sloes seen), Dog Rose, Bramble, and Buckthorn.  This hedgerow held at least 3 Chiffchaffs and an alarm calling Blackcap. The large field to the immediate west of the Peddars Way held 50+ Stock Doves and Wood Pigeons.

Mixed hedgerow alongside the Peddars Way 25 September 2026 (awaiting the arrival of winter Thrushes)

Blackthorn (Sloes) 25 September 2026 (Awaiting Thrushes such as Fieldfare

Fieldfare - soon to arrive with other Thrush species to plunder the hedgerows of their fruits

Buckthorn 25 September 2026. Watch for Thrushes, Starlings, and Waxwings.

So, there is much to look forward to now in the latter days of September and especially into October when an early morning visit at first light to berry laden bushes within our hedgerows, will see Fieldfares, Redwings, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Mistle Thrushes, and maybe Waxwings, either feeding, or dropping out of the sky, sometimes in their hundreds, to feed following a long night on the wing.

Little Cressingham (Watton Brook Valley) 20 September 2026

A bright morning with a light to moderate westerly wind, occasionally fresh in strength.  An early morning visit to private land alongside the Watton Brook valley and adjacent grassland currently grazed by cattle.

My visit was aimed at finding migrants, and what was particularly evident was a constant passage of Hirundine species, especially later on the visit when I had a static vismigging (Visual Migration) session.

Upon my arrival, an initial check of my surroundings produced 2 Mistle Thrushes high in a dead Oak and below these in a farmland boundary hedgerow two Stonechats were present.   One Buzzard was also seen close by in the valley.

As I set off west along the valley I paused to check the grassland for migrants, however, nothing was seen.  As I walked west I was aware of a movement of Swallows and the odd House Martin, it was then that a Hobby appeared directly above me where it soared for a while, the Hirundines were undoubtedly aware of this falcon as these were potential prey.  Checking the fence and fence-posts ahead of me I saw a further 3+ Stonechats and at least 3 Meadow Pipits (passage migrant and winter visitor).  A further scan of grassland ahead of me saw 3 Mistle Thrushes, two of which may have been the birds I saw upon my arrival.

An area of disturbed ground, caused by trampling cattle at a hay-feed, saw a single Grey Wagtail which was attracted to the ground for invertebrate food.  It is at such habitats at this time of year to check for Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits.

Grey Wagtail at Bodney 20 September 2026

Hirundine Passage (Static vismigging)

Having noticed earlier on during my visit a movement of Swallows and House Martins moving through, I decided to stand and watch for evidence of passage by these species.  For a period of 20 minutes or so I watched as a light but constant passage of both Swallows and House Martins moved west along the valley, I also checked the distant east along the valley through binoculars and I could see more Swallows and House Martins approaching and eventually passing me in a westerly heading.  These Hirundines were forced low close to the ground due to the wind strength, they follow rivers with their destination being 'The Wash' from where they follow river systems south before leaving Britain.  Migration is fascinating, especially when you witness it happening.
 

From my archives. Honey Buzzard over Watton 17 September 2012 (A new garden record)

17 September 2012 (Watton, Norfolk)

Throughout the morning of 17 September 2012, I made frequent visits to the garden to check for overflying migrant birds.  It was a warm and settled day, perfect for raptor passage.

At 1345, I was about to pack up when a large, unusual looking bird of prey appeared in the north-west.  Immediately, I knew this was something different by the birds appearance. 
I raised the camera and started shooting, I could see through the lens that this was in fact a Honey Buzzard, later examination of the photograph showed this to be a dark-phase juvenile bird.

Honey Buzzard (dark-phase juvenile bird) passing over the garden 17 September 2012.

Honey Buzzard over Watton 17 September 2012

A number of features of this bird separates it from Common Buzzard, this shot shows the yellow bill base, solid brown underparts, paddle-like tail, extensive black 'hands' and obvious head projection.

This Honey Buzzard was initially seen approaching from the north-west, I could not believe my luck when the raptor turned slightly and passed directly over the garden, I then continued to watch it as it headed off south.  What a great garden record.

Bodney Camp and Watton 14 September 2026

There had been rain in the night but the morning dawned sunny with a light WSW wind.  The day began with a migrant Chiffchaff in the garden.

Bodney Camp (STW) 0705-0845

The wind has been for some time come from the South-West, West, and North-west, and at the time of writing there seems to be no change in this wind direction for the foreseeable future.  Winds from the North-east and East are more favourable for migrant birds at this time of year, so hopefully a change will come later in the month and especially into October when the first winter Thrushes and Finches are on the move.

My visit to Bodney STW on 14 September was productive despite the wind direction with a few Chiffchaffs present, mostly in Elder bushes, and overhead, the best single count of 15+ Swallows headed south.

Two Grey Wagtails were within the STW complex, along with other common species including 2 Stonechats (female eating elderberry), two Coal Tits, two Great Tits, and Linnet.  As I was leaving two Ravens flew low overhead in a SW heading and calling.

Ravens. This impressive Crow is being seen more frequently in Breckland

Thompson Wood 0905-1000

The most obvious species seen on this visit was Swallow (100+) high and low over grassland, also, 3 Meadow Pipits were my first autumn arrivals of the year.  The best single count of 30+ Skylarks was noted, and in a weed-filled Pingo a single female Reed Bunting was present giving her "tsu" call.  

Watton 1325

I was working in a friends garden when I thought I heard a very distant Raven calling, I listened carefully and grew more confident of the birds identity, after a short wait 3 Ravens were seen together approaching from the Merton area and headed off over Watton in a NE heading whilst continuing to give their wonderful call.

 

Watton/Saham (Private land immediately west of Watton and north of the B1108 road) 11 September 2026 - 0645-0930

With the wind continuing from the west, I chose to walk alongside the sheltered east facing hedgerow which lies south to north through large meadows, with the purpose of finding migrant species which hopefully should be resting and feeding in this long unbroken hedgerow.  The habitat comprises Hawthorn hedgerow with a mixture of Elder, Buckthorn, Blackthorn, Dog Rose, and Bramble.

Blackcap in typical habitat ia autumn where they feast on soft fruits for energy for their journey south. 

I walked the full length of this hedgerow waiting and searching for migratory birds, and with the land immediately adjacent to the west side of the hedgerow being a large area of game cover, the first birds seen were Finches and Buntings which will have good feeding here.  30+ Linnets, 4+ Reed Buntings, Yellowhammers, Greenfinches, and Goldfinch, were all present and as autumn progresses into winter, the flocks of both Finches and Buntings should increase in number. 

My search for migrants eventually paid off with at least 3 Blackcaps present including a male in Buckthorn habitat, also noted was at least two Whitethroats, one of which was a juvenile bird.

In addition to the migrants seen a couple of Snipe were seen on a wet meadow, both birds flew up to relocate on nearby marsh habitat.

Houghton 9 September 2026 (0645-1030)

A bright, cool start to the day with a light to moderate WNW wind eventually NW. It remained dry and later quite warm.

A few migrant Warblers were found with the best observations coming from the sheltered and warm east facing hedgerow.

Upon my arrival a female Kestrel was on the tower of St. Mary's where she was calling, also here was a few Jackdaws.  The sheltered east facing woodland boundary of the churchyard held a mobile flock of Long-tailed Tits along with Blue and Great Tits too.

A gathering of 10 Stock Doves were on overhead wires whilst the same area held a wandering flock of 50+ Linnets.

Blackcap (feamle) at Houghton 9 September. In typical autumn habitat of Elder.

Once I reached the sheltered east facing hedgerow on Houghton Common I decided to watch this habitat carefully in the knowledge that birds would benefit from being out of the wind.  This long and continuous hedgerow is laden with mixed fruits including elderberry, Dog Rose, Hawthorn, and Buckthorn, and it was in this habitat I found 7+ Chiffchaffs (including a singing bird) and another feeding upon elderberries.  At least 8 Blackcaps were seen, again attracted to elderberries where a female bird was taking fruit.  Also seen was a single juvenile Whitethroat, again in elder.

My return walk was productive with at least 10 Grey Partridges seen in stubble.