Holme Reserves

Part 'family day' and part birding, although I might aswell have missed the birding bit out! Took Lucy to my parent's house.

Holme NWT Forestry
Male Bullfinch, linnets, goldfinches, hedge sparrows, reed buntings, common whitethroats, 2 gatekeepers, small copper, several little terns going east along the shore and a ton of holiday makers - it looked like a bank holiday weekend.

I was horrified to see that the 'standing caravan' (Collared Fly spot) has been removed and foundations now laid for a building of some sorts - I was told later, a wooden lodge is going to be built there. More trees cut down around the site, not many left now. Another monstrous modern looking house has been built along the Firs Road, which looks completely out of place amongst the other houses. I also heard through the grapevine that a Red-backed Shrike had been seen in the NWT Forestry on Thursday evening.

Holme Bird Observatory NOA
2 Goldcrests round the back of the pines. The A.W. and another birder had heard a grasshopper warbler along the Thornham Bank and a Spotted Flycatcher was seen around the obs. although I didn't see it whilst there.

Loads of 'beach' people with their picnic rugs on the NOA carpark (PLEASE READ THE SIGNS!!!)

Redwell Marsh NOA
Not alot really, but did see 2 mistle thrushes fly across the path and a cuckoo was calling.

Went back to my parents, sat and had strawberries and ice-cream - yummy! Took Lucy home and then spent nearly 2 hours washing off all the thick orange dust on my car from driving along the Firs Road at Holme.

No shifts tomorrow, so I am expecting some good birds, PLEASE!

Best birds seen in Norfolk today:
6, yes 6 BEE-EATERS!!!! seen at Waxham, Sea Palling and Bradwell (presumably the same ones that were seen yesterday)
Also 2 Bee-eaters over Hickling
Bee-eater heard only at Glandford (ETM)
Firecrest, Great Yarmouth (A.W. and J.L)
Montagu's Harrier at Breydon Water
Serin flew over Colkirk