Little Cressingham (The Arms to Watton Brook)

Once again, I didn't want to stay out too long because of this sometimes unbearable dental pain, however, I wanted to check the valley for signs of migrants.
Having left the car near 'The Arms' I was greeted by a small party of Long-tailed Tits passing between hedgerows in front of me, whilst overhead a Buzzard drifted north.
A quick search for migrants in the valley produced a single male Blackcap moving through a Bramble patch, vegetation alongside the Brook, and then a nearby hedgerow where a single Chiffchaff was seen calling.  I could not see any other visible evidence of migrants along the valley, but I am sure birds would have been skulking in the lush vegetation either side of the Brook.  Several Blue Tits, a male Yellowhammer, and juvenile Goldfinch were seen here.  A Buzzard passed over with a deep crop, thus indicating it had recently eaten.

Threxton (Watton Brook Valley)

Once again, a very short visit to the patch due to continuing dental pain, nevertheless, the very bright, almost cloudless skies and a late afternoon temperature helped raise spirits a little.


Goldcrest

Since my last visit to this locality, when it was pretty quiet, it seemed evident that there has been an arrival of Chiffchaffs with a number of calling birds in the peripheral bushes and trees around the Sewage Treatment works.
I did not see any other Warbler species, however, there was good numbers of Goldcrests calling from within the conifer screen.
Swallows and House Martins were conspicuous by their absence on this visit.
A couple of young Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail were seen.  At least 5 Stock Doves were present in the area.

Little Cressingham (The Arms/Watton Brook Valley)

A mid afternoon walk to the Watton Brook Valley firstly produced a very brief of a large raptor, so brief that I did not identify it.  I made for open ground, however, the mystery bird was gone, despite this a very large and spectacular 2000+ Corvids (mostly Jackdaws and smaller numbers of Rooks) went airborne, perhaps 'put-up' by the raptor.
Having reached Watton Brook I checked the fences and herbage for migrants, none were seen, although several Swallows and House Martins skimmed over the fields and Brook for insect prey. The N wind blew moderate to occasionally fresh, perhaps the conditions had forced any migrants to cover.   The fence-posts held many Wood Pigeons.
On my walk back I checked sheltered area of hedgerows and woodlands for any movements, all I could muster was a single calling Chiffchaff and a calling Bullfinch.

Sloe Berries

Looking ahead towards the last week of September and into October, and in the right conditions, eyes and ears will be trained skyward as winter Thrushes arrive, possibly in their thousands from Scandinavia. 
Redwings, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, and Fieldfares really do provide a spectacle to behold as the first light of dawn sees these birds possibly making first landfall since leaving Scandinavia the night before.
Thrushes will seek a variety of fruits to feed upon in the lanes and hedgerows, one of these fruits is that of Blackthorn, the beautiful Sloe.  This year has seen a bumper crop of these delightful fruits, these and other fruits will form a wonderful larder for hungry migrants.   

Threxton (Watton Brook Valley)

With winds from WNW this afternoon, I didn't expect to see too many passage birds on the patch, however, I decided to pay a short visit to the Threxton area, specifically, the Sewage treatment works and the beautiful, and very lush looking Watton Brook Valley.
The current wind direction has probably put on hold any major movements of passerine species, nevertheless, the following species were seen/heard on this short visit:

1 Grey Heron
6 Greylag Geese
1 Hobby
Grey Wagtail
2+ Pied Wagtail (juvenile)
50+ Hirundines (mostly Swallows)
1 Whitethroat
1 Chiffchaff 

I was overviewing from the exposed, windy western edge of the STW, therefore, it was highly likely that more migrants were present in other sheltered areas.
Much of the time at the STW I spent watching Swallows swooping over the ponds and flying at speed and with agility around and between trees and bushes around the periphery of the plant, I suspected that it would be just a matter of time before a Hobby would appear.  Suddenly, I was alerted by alarm calling Hirundines, at the same time all 50+ birds climbed above the area, and as suspected, a Hobby passed through quite leisurely.  After a short while the Swallows settled and the Hobby soared and climbed away to the south.....perhaps with an eye on the Swallows for a surprise attack.

Little Cressingham, Norfolk

A very interesting walk this morning through wide open arable habitat outside Little Cressingham.  Yes, migrants were my main target, however, I had an unexpected visitor in a very old hedgerow of a species I was formerly very familiar with when living in south-west Suffolk, but is now sadly rare in Norfolk.

Kestrel
Buzzard
Swallows (including a gathering of 216+ birds)
1 Whitethroat
2 Blackcaps
1 Willow Warbler (moving along hedge)
Chiffchaffs
Robin
Wren
Dunnock
Goldfinches (adults/juveniles on weeds in ditch)
Chaffinches
1 CORN BUNTING
Yellowhammer (including male feeding young)

My first check of the morning was along a heavily vegetated ditch where almost straight away I saw a single Whitethroat moving through umbellifer habitat and other weed species.  My first migrant of the morning was soon upstaged by a gathering of 216+ Swallows on overhead wires, additional birds were hunting low over nearby pasture, the true numbers of Swallows clearly much higher.

Most of my time was spent watching this old section of an old hedgerow in Little Cressingham

I then made a prolonged stay at the old hedgerow pictured above with the first species of note being a Hummingbird Hawkmoth which was working the right side of the hedge in this picture.  A lovely Hornet was also seen here.
A couple of Blackcaps (male and female) were seen here, however, the most numerous species here was Yellowhammer.  It was while watching the Yellowhammers that single, and very unexpected CORN BUNTING  dropped in and sat beside a Yellowhammer, this was immediately useful in giving a comparison between the species.  Corn Buntings are restricted to just a few area of Norfolk now, mostly in the north, but here in the Brecks they are indeed rare.  Perhaps this is a wandering bird from its usual range in Norfolk.

Yellowhammer at Little Cressingham 28/08/15

Having left this lovely old hedgerow I continued along the lane and saw a small Warbler darting between cover, very shortly after I heard the familiar "hooweet" call of a Willow Warbler, quite different from the "hweet" call of the Chiffchaff.
Finally, I made my way to the Watton Brook Valley to check for migrant activity, nothing seen, however, the recently impaled beetle was gone....the Shrike plot thickens.
This male Yellowhammer was frequently seen carrying bills full of grain, and occasionally insects.  This species may rear up to three broods in the year and are known to breed late in the season.
I am returning to work tomorrow now that the dental pain has almost gone.  Hopefully I will get some birding done in my break.   

Watton Brook Valley

Watton Brook and its banks are now looking very lush and full of weedy growth, a habitat which will hold a vast number of invertebrates and insect prey for migrating birds.  As I have written before, the fencing and posts along the Brook will hold resting migrant species.

Watton Brook Valley at Litte Cressingham. A very lush habitat that today supported Robin, Wren, Yellowhammers, Goldfinches on thistle, and a Whitethroat skulking amongst reeds.  Whilst watching this habitat, I failed to notice a raptor which passed directly overhead, only to be picked up as it was gliding behind trees.  The attitude of the wings suggested a possible Honey Buzzard passing through.  A pair of Red Kites were seen on distant stubble, slowly walking to probably  pick up carrion or insect prey.

Blackcap eating Elderberries

Watching a small mixed length of Bramble, Elder, Hawthorn, and Sallow in Little Cressingham produced a couple of migrant Blackcaps feeding upon Elderberries and Blackberries.
Sometimes alarmed, the Blackcaps gave their typical tongue-clicking "tak" call.
An elusive Chiffchaff moved through dense habitat.
A calling Little Grebe was heard, and close by, a pair of Mute Swans have 3 large young with them.

Threxton, Norfolk

Getting steadily better now, although still have facial swelling.  I have an appointment at the dentist on 11th September to have the offending tooth extracted...just want to be freed on this awful pain.
I decided to get out for some air this afternoon and visited Threxton Sewage Treatment Works.  It was raining heavily and persistently for most of this visit, this gave way to lighter rain/drizzle later.
There was evidence of migrant activity in bushes around the plant, however, once the heavy rain cleared, the area was dripping Chiffchaffs, some were bedraggled looking wet birds whilst others appeared to be adorned in post-breeding moulted, neat-looking plumages.  A single male Blackcap was also seen, he also gave a little sub-song.  Typically, Goldcrests were numerous.
With the STW, I estimated 300-400 Hirundines constantly sweeping close to the plant for food.  The majority appeared to be House Martins and Swallows, and at least a single Sand Martin was also seen.
The number of Hirundines increased my expectations of Hobby, and indeed, a single Hobby approached from the east at speed and made a mind-boggingly quick turn to chase a Hirundine species, however, the raptor appeared from the other side of the church in a more leisurely flight and empty-taloned.