Little Cressingham (The Arms) 8 October 2026 (0725-0930)

Another of my favourite habitats to visit in autumn and winter is large game strips and wide field margins of various weeds and seed mixes.  These habitats are very attractive to Finch and Bunting species both as feeding sites as well as providing cover.  Such habitats attract good numbers of Chaffinches, Linnets, Goldfinches, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, and the very attractive winter visitor from Northern Europe, the Brambling.

On the morning of 8 October I visited a large game strip with gone-to-seed Oilseed Rape and Brassicas with adjacent stubbles and bare land.  Here in Breckland such sites often attracts small flocks of Woodlarks, especially on bare land within stubbles.  

Upon my arrival a very smart Chiffchaff passed through roadside scrub and overhead many small flocks of Chaffinches arrived.  A few small flocks of Redwings passed overhead in a southerly heading.

300+ Linnets at Little Cressingham 8 October 2026

Initially, around 50+ Linnets were present at the game strip and throughout this visit I aware of the constant arrival of more Linnets from the south, eventually, 300+ Linnets were present providing an impressive spectacle as they flocked together and wheeled above the game strip.  Linnets were often seen settling on the tall Oilseed Rape where they feed upon the seed pods.

Crow species were ever present, this included a single Raven watched flying west.  Two Meadow Pipits were seen and a Green Woodpecker heard calling. 

   

Houghton-on-the-Hill 7 October 2026 (Migrant arrivals and overhead movements) 0650-1000

An autumnal feel to the morning with mist and fog, mostly in low lying areas, some light rain and very calm to begin with.  Low thick cloud moved in. 

This was a productive morning for finding grounded migrants and for evidence of overhead bird movements, the highlights which were:

One Woodlark directly overhead NW then North

8+ Song Thrushes (recent arrivals) in Blackthorn and Hawthorn

Several Blackbirds (possible migrants) with Song Thrushes 

I arrived at Houghton some 15 minutes prior to sunrise, the long drive up the track to St Mary's saw a number of Thrushes in the half-light flying up from a field into trees.  Having arrived the first birds noted was Nuthatch, Robin, and Wren.

I walked to a break in a hedge where I had commanding views to the north and north-east where I hoped to witness visible migration.  At this time the cloud was high with one or two breaks, however, after some time of watching a covering of thick, low cloud moved in, the sky was positively leaden, it looked promising. Although I could not see any Thrush movement, excitement came with an approaching and calling Woodlark which passed directly overhead in a NW heading, I watched the bird through binoculars when it turned north before being lost to view.  I have seen Woodlarks away from their typical breeding habitats in autumn and winter when they move to farmland/st theubble to feed. 

Other movements seen included single and double figure counts of Skylarks flying in variable directions and Black-headed Gulls south.  Within the hedgerow where I was standing a single Blackcap was present and alarm calling.

The highlight of my visit was back at the church where I weas intent on watching the rich fruit bearing boundary hedgerow along the western boundary at the site of the former Houghton village.  I detected movement in a patch of Blackthorn and checking through binoculars and scope I could see lots of Thrush movement, birds were flying between cover and rarely settling.  Eventually, I could see these were all Song Thrushes (8+) and several Blackbirds too.  I had some good views occasionally of the Song Thrushes, these birds were very alert and gregarious with one view through binoculars involving four birds. Food included Hawthorn and Sloes.  British Song Thrushes are solitary birds, the Song Thrushes gregarious behaviour seen here clearly shows these were continental migrants from Northern Europe.  The question is "Did these birds arrive a little earlier when the thick and low cloud arrived"?

Also noted at this location was a number of mobile Long-tailed Tits and Blue Tits.   

Bradenham (Bradenham Lane) 4 October 2026

I frequently go birding to random locations without too much planning, my reason for doing this is to survey birds at sites which probably get little birding coverage.  For me this is very important as such sites, the habitats, and their birds, especially when recorded on BTO's Birdtrack, will provide important information on previously unknown, or under-recorded sites hitherto not documented.

On the morning of 4 October I visited Bradenham Lane, a very narrow and probably ancient road, which passes through arable farmland at an elevated location.  Having checked the long roadside hedgerow I could see that sloes was the most abundant fruit.

Bradenham Lane 4 October 2026

This was a morning of common species associated with typical arable habitat, although some overhead movements was seen.  Firstly, movements seen was:-

40+ Common Gull S/E

1 Meadow Pipit South

2 Red Kites South (very high)

The long and virtually unbroken hedgerow alongside the lane held 5+ Dunnock, 5+ Robin, 4 Carrion Crows (2 pairs), Wren, Dunnock (6 sites),  one Yellowhammer, one Chiffchaff (heard), 3+ Magpie, Jay, 13+ Stock Doves, Wood Pigeon, and Buzzard.

Overhead, a social gathering of 300+ Rooks were circling in what I suspect is a type of bonding behaviour associated with these gregarious crows.

Close to the end of the visit I saw a Sparrowhawk at height circling before plummeting at speed towards the ground.

Also of interest on this visit was the finding a Clouded Yellow butterfly, initially in the bramble scrub (right of centre in the above picture) and later along the roadside hedgerow. 

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.