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.