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.