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.