Lazy Day!

Sadly no bird news from me today. I had breakfast at 2pm and lounged on the sofa all afternoon and evening! I really wanted to get out and go birding, but I just couldn't. I couldn't get to sleep properly this morning and still feel exhausted from last night's Christmas Party. I am at work all day tomorrow, so need to somehow get fit again quickly!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Shorelarks x 3 at Great Yarmouth
Glaucous Gull, Sooty Shearwater, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Scaup, Otter at Cley NWT
Long-eared Owl, Yellow-browed Warbler, Slavonian Grebe, Great Skua, Arctic Skua, Long-tailed Duck, Purple Sandpiper, Snow Buntings x 12 at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 75 at Thornham Point
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL, Crossbills x 2, Hawfinches x 12 at Lynford Aboretum
Snow Buntings x 80 at Great Yarmouth
Balearic Shearwater, Velvet Scoters x 5 at Gorleston
Sooty Shearwater, Scaup x 2 at Horsey
Waxwing, Snow Buntings x 32 at Holme
Sooty Shearwater, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 2 at Sheringham
Black Brant, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
Snow Buntings x 60 at Winterton
Hen Harrier at Walcott

Other News
MEGA! BAIKAL TEAL at Marshside Marsh RSPB, Lancashire & North Merseyside
MEGA! IVORY GULL flew north at Seaburn, County Durham

Christmas Party!!!

Fabulous Christmas Party with all my work colleagues at the 'Bank House' in King's Lynn. The food was incredible! To produce food of that quality for 38 people and with excellent service – 10/10! Fabulous night out with everyone. Dee's hair 'updo' was just a work of art! I work with so many beautiful people, some of whom could easily have just walked off the catwalk this evening! I love seeing everyone all dressed up and out of our boring uniforms. Most of us then went to 'Kudos' to dance. Highlight of the evening was Cilla's back flip on the dance floor!!! I left later on to go to 'Heights' as the music wasn't exactly brilliant in 'Kudos'. The music was better in 'Heights', but felt very guilty leaving everyone, so went back at just after 2am to join everyone for the last hour, but the bouncer wouldn't let me back in – they don't let people in after 2am!!! So annoying, especially as I could hear that the music had improved since I had left! Police were outside dealing with a fight that had broke out on the dance floor! Gemma and Sarah came out and we shared a taxi home. Currently munching on peanut butter and toast at 3.30am! Don't think I will get up until well after lunch.

Getting on down at KUDOS, King's Lynn. The sound quality is atrocious though! I'm on here somewhere!

Christmas Party at the Bank House Restaurant and then getting on down at KUDOS with Georgina, Fiona, Keri, Emily x 2, Rachael x 2, Penny x 2, Debbie, Dee, Jo, Daniel, Adam, Jane, Sarah, Gemma, Cilla, Chandi, Ghaya and others.

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights  RBA
Bitterns x 3 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Glaucous Gull, Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Snow Buntings x 40 at Cley NWT
Yellow-legged Gull, Little Stints x 4, Whooper Swans x 2, Snow Buntings x 30 at Titchwell RSPB
Shag at Wells Quay
Common Cranes x 2 at Horsey Mere
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 12 at Holt Country Park
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Hawfinches x 9 at Lynford Aboretum
Swallow, Arctic Skuas x 2, Black-throated Diver at Holme

Other News
HAWK OWL – Netherlands
Some crazy Twitchers I know are off to see this at the weekend – good luck!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Smew x 3 at Horsey Mere
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL at Lynford Aboretum
Purple Heron (flew west), Snow Buntings x 30 at Titchwell RSPB
Purple Heron flew west over Holme
Hooded Crow at King's Lynn
Whitethroat, Black Brant, Black-bellied Brent Goose at Cley
Velvet Scoters x 5 at Gorleston
Shorelarks x 6 at Great Yarmouth
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Hen Harriers x 4 at Roydon Common

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Snow Buntings x 105 at Winterton
Hawfinches x 9, Common Cranes x 4 at Lynford Aboretum
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 12 at Holt Country Park
Purple Heron, Shorelarks x 2, Snow Buntings x 35, Garganey, Scaup at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 6 at Great Yarmouth
Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler at Holkham Pines
Purple Heron, Velvet Scoters x 5 at Holkham
Snow Buntings x 60, Red-necked Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Little Gulls x 9, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 30 at Bale
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Swallow Juv. on wires at Salthouse
Hen Harriers x 3 at Roydon Common

I noted whilst eating my lunch in the car today, that there seemed to be quite alot of bird action in the wood opposite me. There were 5 blackbirds just in one tree, which is unusual here.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 20th-26th November

By Mark Golley
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2013no48.aspx?s_id=583943452

Help Catch a Thief!

A pair of £1600 Swarovski binoculars were stolen from Lancashire Wetland Centre on the 24th November. Can you identify the man in the light grey hat in this video who appears to take them. Can you help? Email the name of the guy to: mail@viewpointoptics.co.uk and it will be passed it on to Lancs Police - or just call Crimestoppers (anonymously if you wish) on 0800 555 111.

Also see more pictures and information here: herehttp://www.lancashire.police.uk/news/cctv-appeal-after-6k-worth-of-binoculars-stolen-from-burscough-wildlife-exhibition

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 10 at Holt Country Park
Snow Buntings x 19, Velvet Scoters x 17 at Holkham
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male at Lynford Aboretum
Snow Buntings x 80, Common Cranes x 2 at Winterton
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Snow Buntings x 30 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Brant, Scaup at Cley NWT
Common Cranes x 2 at Welney WWT
Snow Buntings x 20, Shorelarks x 4 at Great Yarmouth
Taiga Bean Geese x 28, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 96 at Cantley Marshes RSPB

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 12 at Holt Country Park
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Hawfinches x 12 at Lynford Aboretum
Snow Buntings x 15, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Holkham
Ring Ouzel at Clenchwarton
Black Brant at Burnham Overy Staithe
Glaucous Gull at Edgefield Tip
Shorelarks x 4 at Great Yarmouth
Black Brant at Cley NWT
Pomarine Skuas x 2, Great Skuas x 2, Slavonian Grebe at Holme NOA
Long-tailed Duck at Snettisham RSPB
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Glaucous Gull at Cley NWT
Taiga Bean Geese x 120 a Cantley Marshes RSB

'Songs About Birds'

Remember Ronnie Haar singing at the Rutland Bird Fair this year? Here is his album 'Songs About Birds"
http://www.nhbs.com/songs_about_birds_tefno_187179.html
http://www.themusicalbirder.com/

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 12 at Holt Country Park
Yellow-browed Warbler, Snow Buntings x 8, Twite x 7 at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens
Glaucous Gull at Edgefield Tip
Snow Buntings x 12, Great Skuas x 4, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Winterton
Scaup, Black Brant, Snow Buntings x 6 at Cley NWT
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Hawfinches x 28 at Lynford Aboretum
Firecrest at Great Yarmouth Cemetery
Shorelarks x 2 at Great Yarmouth
Taiga Bean Geese x 48 at Cantley Marshes RSPB
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Great Skuas x 3, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 10 at Holme
Great White Egret at Claxton Marshes

Other News
MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER remains at Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Hawk Owl in the Netherlands!

http://waarneming.nl/foto/view/5827248

Dancing the Night Away!

Been at work today until 4.30pm and then decided to have a workout to Diversity's Dance, Fitness, Fusion DVD – so tired now! Note to self: must remember I'm not 18 any more! The video is huge fun, but a job to keep up with!

The highlight on X-Factor tonight was watching Mary J Blige and Jessie J sing a duet – they were so incredible – Wow!

Parrot Crossbills!!!

 PARROT CROSSBILL

at Holt Country Park

 
The last couple of days have been exhausting to say the least. Father wasn't well, but he's ok now. Took mother shopping straight after work on Friday night and didn't get back to my house until gone 9pm – fell asleep on the sofa and woke up at 12.01am precisely. I could have slept all day today to be honest. I got up at a reasonable time, but then got back into bed, I felt so tired.

I missed the best photo opportunities for the Parrot Crossbills at Holt Country Park this morning, when the light was better, but I made it over there by lunchtime. I had my best views of these awesome birds today and I saw 10+ birds in the end. They were feeding on a tall larch and also on the adjacent pine tree – opposite the path that runs alongside the road (where I saw them last week). It was magical watching them picking off cones like sweets and carrying them effortlessly to the top most branches. I managed to get some better pictures than last week, but still nothing spectacular. Too far for my 300mm lens – too high up and poor light most of the time I stood here. It was raining on and off aswell. Walked round the park to the pond and back to the carpark. Sat and had a coffee by my car and then walked round again. Someone told me they never show much after 2pm – this seems to be the case, as I didn't see them any more.

PARROT CROSSBILLS

at Holt Country Park

I really fancied sitting having a pot of tea and cake in the Cley Visitor Centre, so whizzed over to Cley and just made it by the deadline of 3.30pm! Had a lovely surprise when I got to the V.C. when I bumped into James and Simeon Grundy – it was great to see them and catch up. They were on their way to Norwich to join Connor for his 21st Birthday Celebrations – oh dear, sounds carnage! Look out Norwich and the girls!!! James and Simeon told me they were going to 'do some birding tomorrow' – yeah right!!! The piece of Cranberry & Orange Cake I had was particularly scrummy!

Went to get my sea fix and drove to Coastguards. Scrunched through the shingle and walked down to the sea's edge – saw 2 Common Scoters flying west and a few gulls, nothing else of note. Pinkfeet flew overhead and lots of Brent Geese landed on the Eye Field.

Popped into Holt to look at shoes, to see if I could find something more funky than the pair I already have for next week's Christmas Party, but didn't find anything exciting. Drove home. Seems like a very short day off, but then I didn't exactly get up very early!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Shorelark, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 60 at Winterton
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF, Firecrests x 3 at Great Yarmouth Cemetery
Snow Buntings x 12 at Great Yarmouth
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 10 at Holt Country Park
Velvet Scoter, Scaup, Glaucous Gull at Cley NWT
Velvet Scoter, Black Brant at Salthouse
Hawfinches x 7, Firecrest, Crossbill at Lynford Aboretum
Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB
Whooper Swans x 5 at West Somerton
Common Scoter at Barton Broad
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
LITTLE BUNTING, probable at Weybourne
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF trapped and ringed at Holme NOA
Slavonian Grebe at Holme
Glaucous Gull at Edgefield Tip
Velvet Scoters x 5 at Hopton-on-Sea
Black-throated Diver at Waxham
Hen Harrier at Buckingham Marshes RSPB
Velvet Scoters x 7 at Gorleston
Glaucous Gull at Cromer
Common Cranes x 12, Hen Harriers x 2 at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT

Other News
MEGA! SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER remains at North Ronaldsay, Orkney
MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER remains at Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Norfolk Bird News!

FRIDAY
Main Highlights – RBA
Hooded Crow, Hen Harrier, Water Pipits x 2, Snow Buntings x 30, Little Stint, Spotted Redshanks x 5 at Titchwell RSPB
Taiga Bean Geese x 30 at Cantley Marshes RSPB
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 10 at Holt Country Park
Long-tailed Duck, Puffin at Gorleston
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham
Pomarine Skua, Soot Shearwater, Great Northern Diver at Cley NWT
Snow Buntings x 19 at Winterton
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum
Snow Buntings x 34, Velvet Scoters x 22 at Holkham
Snow Buntings x 20 at Happisburgh

Other News
MEGA! SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER remains at North Ronaldsay, Orkney  MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER remains at Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Yellow-legged Gull, Snow Buntings x 30 at Titchwell RSPB
Glaucous Gull at Edgefield Tip
Black Brant at Cley NWT
Hen Harrier at Irstead
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 12 at Holt Country Park
Sooty Shearwater, Slavonian Grebe, Great Skua at Cromer

Other News
MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER remains at Marloes, Pembrokeshire

Important new STROKE Information!

Please read:
https://www.evernote.com/shard/s283/sh/b49d0649-fe98-49a1-94de-8305402fcbd0/aee41700c06abf059d1883616f1abc77

NORFOLK BIRD FAIR!!!

PRESS RELEASE

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th of May 2014
Mannington Hall, Norfolk


The county of Norfolk has one of the largest bird watching communities with an array of different habitats, which attract birds on migration to several key reserves located throughout the county.

With this in mind Norfolk should be the logical place to stage its own bird fair and we are proud to announce the event will be held in the grounds of the beautiful Mannington Hall in 2014.

The event will be lots of fun for the individual or family, interested in birds and wildlife, from the beginner to the hardened twitcher and we hope the charities such a the Hawk and Owl Trust and Norfolk Wildlife Trust will provide many activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Our main goals are to provide an event for birders where they can look at the latest equipment from a variety of bird and wildlife related companies which will include optics, digital photography, holiday companies, photography and art work, books and field guides.

We hope to attract both Canon and Nikon the two leading camera manufacturers, where the budding photographer can look and touch the latest digital camera and there will be a retailer where the equipment you looked at can be purchased.

We also intend to showcase Norfolk and the companies relating to organic and naturally produced products which may include locally produced Chocolate, Honey, bread, cheese, jam  etc

Around the marquees will be plenty of space for children’s activities, relaxing, and there will be plenty of opportunity to walk around the grounds of the Hall.

Local and national experts will be offering lectures and there will be book signings and other activities throughout the weekend.

The event is only six months away, but we are still busy looking for businesses, caterers, food stalls and charities to make the weekend a success for all.

For more information visit the website:

www.norfolkbirdfair.com

https://www.facebook.com/norfolkbirdfair
https://twitter.com/norfolkbirdfair

Busy Bee!

The roadworks outside the hospital this week are absolutely insane. It is taking approximately and hour and an quarter to get home and I live in King's Lynn!!! Anyway, when I eventually got out onto the main road, I went straight to Tescos to do a big shop, then onto a work colleague's house to collect a table and five chairs (very kindly given) to give to my parents. Mother and father's kitchen table is a joke and has been falling to pieces for ages. After loading up my car, I was amazed that the drop leaf table and 5 chairs all squeezed into the car! I was reluctant to go home, unload the car, then load up again to take to parent's at a later date, so whizzed straight over to Holme to deliver them. Parent's were very pleased with the table and chairs thank goodness. Loaded up car with their old table and chairs. Went to Ringstead farm to buy a a bag of sticks for mother's fire and delivered them, now 10.30pm! Drove back to King's Lynn and off to the dump in my lunch tomorrow to get rid of old table and chairs. PHEW!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Green-winged Teal x 3 at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Taiga Bean Geese x 6 at Cantley Beet Factory
Glaucous Gull, Black Brant at Cley NWT
Velvet Scoters x 6, Snow Buntings x 60 at Caister-on-Sea
Richard's Pipit, Snow Buntings x 4 at Winterton
Hen Harrier at Holme

Other News
MEGA! SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER remains at North Ronaldsay, Orkney 
MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER remains at Marloes, Pembrokeshire
No sign of yesterday's reported Snowy Owl at Felixstowe but, escaped Snowy Owl reported recently near Felixstowe

RBA Weekly Round-Up 13th-19th November

By Mark Golley
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2013no47.aspx?s_id=588616916

MEGA! SNOWY OWL!

At Felixstowe Ferry, Suffolk on Golfcourse at 3.40pm but no further sign by dusk.

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, no sign at Blakeney Point
Richard's Pipits x 4, Snow Buntings x 19 at Winterton
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 8 at Holt Country Park
Long-eared Owl yesterday at Ringstead
Kittiwake at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford
Snow Buntings x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Lapland Bunting, Siberian Chiffchaff, Snow Buntings x 85 at Blakeney Point
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 2, Snow Buntings x 6 at Great Yarmouth
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Common Cranes x 25 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad

Other News
MEGA! SNOWY OWL at Felixstowe Ferry on Golfcourse at 3.40pm but no further sign by dusk
MEGA! SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER remains at North Ronaldsay, Orkney   
MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER remains at St Brides, Pembrokeshire 
White-rumped Sandpiper remains at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

TWO HUMPBACK WHALES IN NORFOLK!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/could_scroby_dick_have_a_scroby_chick_caister_lifeboatman_spots_two_whales_off_north_norfolk_coast_1_3012122

MEGA! YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING!

The Lupins, Blakeney Point, Norfolk
3pm-3.30pm – no further sign by dusk. Discussion HERE

How incredibly annoying that this mega bird should turn up on a Monday. I have been waiting and hoping that Norfolk would get at least one mega this autumn, but was praying it didn't turn up when the clocks changed or on a bl**dy week day!!!

The north east winds yesterday afternoon were playing on my mind – was it too late to produce anything exciting? No, it wasn't!

North east again from Thursday until the weekend and the following week – may add some more excitement!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Scaup, Snow Buntings x 30, Black Brant, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gulls x 3 at Cley NWT
Firecrest at Waxham
Red-necked Grebes x 4, Snow Buntings x 42 at Holkham
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 10 at Holt Country Park
Scaup, Sandwich Tern at Titchwell RSPB
Short-eared Owl, Shorelarks x 4 at Great Yarmouth
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum
Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Slavonian Grebe at Holme

MEGA! YELLOW-BREASTED BUNTING, The Lupins, Blakeney Point

Other News
MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER remains at St Brides, Pembrokeshire 
White-rumped Sandpiper remains at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

More Parrot Crossbills!

Arrived at Holt at just after 8am. Parked the car by the Edgefield sign and spent an hour and a half searching Holt Lowes for Parrot Crossbills. I didn't see any birds of note at all. The only unwanted excitement was an alsatian bounding about all over the place and barking, which really unnerved me – I spent most of my time trying to avoid this dog! I was hoping that I might be really lucky and see some crossbills drinking from the pond. Bumped into one other birder who had also found nothing. Almost back to the car and the pager bleeped up with Parrot Crossbills at Holt Country Park and then another message with them being in the clearing opposite my car.

Made my way to the clearing, but I only saw Common Crossbills here – the 'Parrots' had flown further back into the pine copse when I arrived on the scene.

Joined the crowds to watch 6 Parrot Crossbills at the top of a pine, along the path that runs alongside the road in Holt Country Park. The light was dire for photography and I didn't obtain any decent shots at all. But even with the poor light I had fantastic views of these monster billed birds! Sadly though I left at the wrong time – I was told later that 5 minutes after I left, the Parrot Crossbills had flown through into the carpark and were on a lower pine and in better light.

Went to Cley briefly – saw a Stonechat from the West Bank (Beach Road) and then went to search for passerines in Stiffkey Campsite Wood and Garden Drove, Warham Greens – apart from two blackbirds found nothing at all of note.

Please note R.M's comments on the crossbills HERE

PICTURES TO BE ADDED

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Shorelarks x 4 at Great Yarmouth
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 12 at Holt Country Park (carpark)
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 110 at Winterton
Common Cranes x 8, Lapland Bunting at Horsey
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Firecrest, Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Walsey Hills/Salthouse
Caspian Gull, Scaup, Curlew Sandpiper, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT
Snow Buntings x30, Slavonian Grebe at Holkham
Shags x 2, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Wells
Velvet Scoters x 3 at Gorleston
HUMPBACK WHALE at Sea Palling
Snow Buntings x 70, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB
Waxwing at Northrepps
Snow Buntings x 2 at Breydon Water
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Snow Buntings x 40 at Salthouse

Other News
MEGA! SHORT-BILLED DOWITCHER at North Ronaldsay, Orkney
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH at Brixham, Devon
MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER remains at St Brides, Pembrokeshire White-rumped Sandpiper at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

PARROT CROSSBILL & A Surprise Bird!

Arrived at Holt Country Park to find the carpark almost full. Lots of birders waiting and hoping to catch a glimpse of the Parrot Crossbills seen here in the week. Lots of familiar faces here including Julian B., Andy S., Paul W., Jim S., Andy W. etc etc. Walked off to the pond area with Andy W. to search. Phone call from Julian B. to say he had a Parrot Crossbill sitting in a pine almost above his head, along with Jim S.!!! We flew back to the carpark and drove just down the road to the clearing opposite the Edgfield sign (where the Roller was). The Parrot Crossbill along with approx 15 Crossbills had flown over to the single tall tree stump in the middle of the clearing and were difficult to ID from where we were standing, but we did finally see the female Parrot Crossbill amongst them! The flock then moved to the distant pine trees and then magically flew to the pines just to our left where we and lots of other birders had spectacular views of one female Parrot Crossbill – a new bird for me, so exciting! There was no mistaking this bird with its bulky beak and neck – stood out from the crowd so to speak! There was much discussion over a male Crossbill which was obscured from view most of the time. Whilst here, there were also 2 Red Kites. The light was absolutely dire for photography with dull grey, lifeless skies. Drove back to Holt Country Park to have a coffee. A message came up on the pager to say that there were 12 Parrot Crossbills at the clearing, at the time we had been there. We certainly did not see 12! Not saying that somebody didn't see 12, but there certainly wasn't 12 when we and lots of others were there at that time.

Cley Visitor Centre for late lunch with Andy W. and the usual fun banter with Pat. Our lunch was interrupted by news of a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Coastguards – really?! I didn't quite believe it to be honest, but Andy and I finished our sandwich toasties pretty quick, just in case. We then quickly got up to make a sharp exit. As I was about to walk past the reception desk a man was showing a picture on the back of his camera to the lady that works there – she kindly called me over to look at the picture – OMG, there on the back of the camera WAS a Red-breasted Flycatcher!!!! I flew down those stairs and ran to the car. Andy got a lift with me and I scorched up to Beach Road. I stopped by a row of birders standing by the Cattle Pen, as this is where I had heard it was earlier, but they were looking for geese when we asked. Flew up to Coastguards to find several people had been looking and had not re-found the RB Fly. Mark G. Richard M., Andy St. and several others looking – nothing! The finder of the bird appeared amongst us and said he had first seen it on the shingle by the pill box looking exhausted, then on the low fence wire where he photographed it (picture HERE). The Red-breasted Flycatcher then made its way west, where he and his wife saw it again on the fence wires in the carpark!!! (mortified) It then flew south over the Eye Field. I walked east over the West Bank along the shingle for a short distance (towards BP) just in case, but found nothing. Mark G. phoned me (he was standing on the West Bank) to point out that a stonking male Hen Harrier was flying west not far from where I was standing – fantastic, but brief views only of this lovely bird, but it melted away when I lifted the camera!

Walked to Daukes Hide with Andy W., Pete S., Steve West etc just in case the RBFly had re-located there, but nothing. Went back to the car and was told all the gulls had left the NWT hides and headed for North Scrape. Went back to Coastguards and ended the day walking to North Hide with Andy W. to look at gulls, but light failing rapidly at 4pm and didn't see anything exciting apart from two Pintail.

PICTURES TO BE ADDED

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Shags x 2
RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER at Cley NWT
Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Great Northern Diver, Black Brant, Swallow at Cley NWT
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 80 at Winterton
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Crossbills x 30, Firecrest, Hawfinchs x 6 at Lynford Aboretum
Short-eared Owl, Hen Harriers x 2, Water Pipits x 2, Whooper Swans x 2, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell RSPB
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 23 at Great Yarmouth
Whooper Swans x 6, Hen Harrier at Horsey
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter at Holme
PARROT CROSSBILL, Crossbills x 15 at Holt Lowes
Slavonian Grebe at Holkham
Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 3 at Salthouse
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Glaucous Gull at Edgefield Tip

Other News
MEGA!!! Orphean Warbler remains at St Brides, Pembrokeshire
White-rumped Sandpiper at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

The Weekend!

Left work late tonight, whizzed round someone's to get their deposit for works' christmas party, whizzed home, whizzed back to restaurant to pay the balance and then back home, two phone calls and now I'm blogging – no time to eat and now its time to sleep. I was so stressed this week about so many things, I decided to treat myself and have the entire weekend off! So looking forward to a stress free weekend!

I notice a Leach's Petrol has been seen at Cley today, will I EVER get to see one?!!! Northern Harrier, Parrot Crossbills to see, busy, busy bee!

Weather for Weekend = Rubbish:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2652856

HIGH TIDES
King's Lynn Docks
Saturday: 5.03 and 7.2 metres — Sunday: 5.45 and 7.3 metres

Wells Bar
Saturday: 4.50 — Sunday: 5.34

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Leach's Petrel, Grey Phalarope, Arctic Skuas x 3, Great Skua, Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 7, Arctic Skua, Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 2 at Cley NWT
Glaucous Gull at Edgefield Tip
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 10, Crossbills x 9 at Holt Country Park
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male at Lynford Aboretum
HUMPBACK WHALE off Cartgap, Happisburgh
Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl at Titchwell RSPB
Lapland Buntings x 17 at Holkham
Shags x 2 at Wells
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Arctic Skua, Little Gulls x 55 at Holme
Snow Buntings x 9 at Winterton
NORTHERN HARRIER reported at Welney WWT
Hen Harrier at Horsey
Common Cranes x 9 at Horsey Mere
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens

Other News
MEGA!!! Orphean Warbler remains at St Brides, Pembrokeshire
White-rumped Sandpiper at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

'Birdwatching' Magazine

In the November issue of 'Birdwatching', Lucy McRobert's has written an article on 'Where are the female birders?'

Thanks for plugging my blog Lucy!

Heavy Snow Warning!

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/442873/Coldest-winter-in-modern-times-on-way-with-snow-forecast-for-Britain-starting-next-week

MEGA!!! ORPHEAN WARBLER!!!

St Brides, Pembrokeshire
For fifth day, identified from photographs. See discussion HERE and pictures shown here and thought to be a Lesser Whitethroat!!! Stonking Pictures HERE.

Also another mega, a MYRTLE WARBLER found dead at Southampton Western Docks.

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
THAYER'S GULL, 6.55am on Pat's Pool Cley NWT and then flew off
GLOSSY IBIS, Glaucous Gull, Garganey, Black Brant at Cley NWT
GLOSSY IBIS at Salthouse
HUMPBACK WHALE at Sea Palling at 10am
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Bewick's Swans x 2, Whooper Swans x 5 south of Horsey Mill
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 4 at Holt Country Park
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 22 at Holkham
Long-tailed Duck, Great Skuas x 4, Little Gulls x 4 at Holme NOA
Glaucous Gull at Edgefield Tip
Raven at Holt

Also interesting gull at Cley HERE

Other News
MEGA!!! Orphean Warbler at St Brides, Pembrokeshire

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Glossy Ibis at Welney WWT
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Velvet Scoters x 8, Snow Buntings x 24, Great Northern Diver, Short-eared Owl at Holme
Hooded Crow, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshanks x 4, White-fronted Goose, Crossbill, Water Pipit, Snow Buntings x 50, Twite x 10 at Titchwell RSPB
Greenland White-fronted Goose, Pink-footed Geese x 4,000, Barnacle Goose at Burnham Market
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
Shorelarks x 2, Snow Buntings x 19, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 4, Great Skua at Holkham 
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 12, Crossbills x 13 at Holt Country Park
Glaucous Gull at Edgefied Tip
Caspian Gull, Long-tailed Duck, Snow Buntings x 6, Great Skuas x 2, Black Brant at Cley NWT
THAYER'S GULL, Pat's Pool at dusk, Cley NWT – FIRST FOR NORFOLK!
HUMPBACK WHALE seen again 10.24am, 12.10pm & 1.42pm at Sea Palling!
Whooper Swans x 7 at Horsey
Velvet Scoters x 2, Common Scoters x 500 at Hopton-on-Sea
Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Winterton
Common Cranes x 25, Bewick's Swans x 6 at Billockby

RBA Weekly Round-Up 6th-12th November

By Mark Golley
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2013no46.aspx?s_id=480583546

Busy, Stressful Day!

Straight into the hairdressers after work at 5.15pm, left at 8pm with new hair do for christmas parties! Then onto Tescos - oh joy! Home at 9pm and then trying to sort out our works' christmas party which I have been collecting the money for - stressful is an understatement. Note to self: next year if I get involved in this - tell a big fat lie and say I need the money two weeks before I actually need it!

Just heard that some nasty driver knocked into my mother whilst she was cycling to the farm shop at Thornham and didn't stop. If only I had seen them - I WOULD have caught them!!! It must have been the wing mirror as she felt 'something hit her shoulder', she didn't fall off her bike, which I don't quite understand how she didn't! Tough cookie my mother! Two builders witnessed it and asked if she was ok, but no one got the number of the car, which is very frustrating!!! It was a burgundy coloured people carrier so mother said. I am fuming!

Shattered now, no tea, no jobs done and its 10.55pm!!!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA

Richard's Pipit at Holme NOA
Hooded Crow at Choseley
Twite x 8 at Titchwell RSPB
Greenland White-fronted Goose at Brancaster
Greenland White-fronted Goose at Burnham Market
Snow Buntings x 75, Velvet Scoters x 6, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Holkham
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 100 at Wells
Caspian Gull, Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 150, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Scaup, Lapland Bunting at Cley NWT
Snow Buntings x 35 at Salthouse
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 10 at Holt Country Park
Richard's Pipit at FelminghamCommon Cranes x 12 at Waxham
Richard's Pipit at Winterton

Other News
White-rumped Sandpiper at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire
Glossy Ibis at Ouse Washes, RSPB, Cambridgeshire
Northern Harrier again at Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

Typhoon Haiyan – The Biggest Storm in History!

I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks when I watched the 6 'o' clock news tonight.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24901993

My heart goes out to all those families that have lost loved ones and to all my Philippine colleagues and friends who must feel utterly devastated at the mass destruction and loss of life this monster storm has caused.

We are scrapping 'Secret Santa' at work this year and donating the money via one of our Filipino colleagues, who's family live in the Philippines. More ideas are being planned currently.

Happy Birthday Vivien!

Happy Birthday to my baby Sister

I know none of us are 18 any more, but Vivien will always be my sweet little baby sister!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Scaup x 2, Snow Buntings x 7, Short-eared Owl at Horsey
Goosander, Black Brant at Cley NWT
Snow Buntings x 15 at Salthouse
Velvet Scoters x 3, Great Skua, Snow Buntings x 6 at Gorleston
Lapland Bunting, Woodlark at Hunstanton Cliffs
Glaucous Gull at Edgefield Tip
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 12 at Holt Country Park
Snow Buntings x 20, Long-tailed Duck at Holme
Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Water Pipit, Snow Buntings x 8 at Titchwell RSPB

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Hooded Crow, Hen Harrier at Thornham Point
Hooded Crow, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Grey Phalarope, Little Auk at Titchwell RSPB
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 3 at Winterton
HUMPBACK WHALE, Pomarine Skua, Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 2 at Sea Palling
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 50, Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 8, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Hopton-on-Sea
Black Brant at Horsey
Black Brant at Winterton
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 6 at Waxham
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 50 at Waxham
Sooty Shearwaters x 2, Great Skuas x 6, Scaup x 6, Velvet Scoter, Sandwich Tern at Waxham
Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 8, Little Gulls x 13 at Gorleston
Glaucous Gull at Cley NWT
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum
Pomarine Skuas x 6, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoter x 1 at Holme
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at Caister-on-Sea
Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver at Blakeney Point
Shorelarks x 5 at Holkham

HUMPBACK WHALE!!! Wahooo!!!

My plan was to arrive at Salthouse at dawn, photograph the Grey Phalarope at sunrise – take awesome shots, seawatch, have a hot cheese scone at the Cley VC and then wherever the fancy took me after that. So – this is what actually happened! 

The alarm went off at 5.30am – bashed the alarm and shut my eyes...... a few moments later it was 7.45am!!! I woke up in an angry, grumpy mood. Cross, that I bashed the alarm down, and cross because of several annoying things going on, which I can't really discuss on here. My mood worsened with the 'no news' on the Grey Phalarope at Salthouse. I was sooooo looking forward to watching this bird and photographing it – bl**dy typical – Friday night bunk!!! The only decent bird to see on my day off and it had gone – grumble, grumble, grumble.

I just could not be bothered to make sandwiches. Made a flask and left the house after 9am. Bought a quorn slice from Asda and went to Roydon Common to look for the Great Grey Shrike. If there were no other birders here already, I wasn't going to stop. I don't mean that in a lazy way, but I'm not exactly in love with this place, its bleak and often dead boring. I have spent hours wandering round here seeing nothing and with short days, I didn't want to spend any more time here than was necessary. Fortunately, as I pulled up into the carpark, Jim Swalwell had also just arrived and moments later Steve West and friend also joined us, so we all went off together in search of the Great Grey Shrike. We could hear Common Buzzards calling and a Golden Plover flew overhead also calling. As we walked along the path amongst the heather, I did not feel we had a hope in h*ll of seeing this bird, BUT we got really lucky when I spotted the Great Grey Shrike perched on a big birch stump at 9.55am. Another birder we bumped into moments after we found it, said he had been searching for the shrike for the last hour and a half! The shrike didn't stay on the stump for very long and zoomed off to perch on a small pine tree, where we watched it hover momentarily and then off again into a bunker and then again onto a hawthorn along a fence line. The shrike spent a bit of time in this favoured spot, flying down to the ground to feed and then back to the hawthorn. Some dog walkers appeared where the shrike was a bit later and I couldn't re-locate it. Jim and others had left. A huge flock of Redwings flew overhead – difficult to estimate how many, but at least 50+. I walked back alone and realised that the shrike had re-located to a hawthorn not far from the carpark. which is where another birder was watching it through his scope. Exciting news came on my pager: 'Norfolk Humpback Whale north past Waxham again'. OMG – I had just had to go, I wanted that Whale! I speed walked past the hawthorn bush where the shrike was only moments ago, but it was nowhere to be found – obviously sneaked off low over the heather somewhere. Any photographers thinking they are going to get a full frame picture of this bird, think again! You'll be lucky to digiscope it never mind photograph it. I didn't even get a blob on the camera!

Sat Nav: Destination: Waxham – Go! As I drove along, another message came up to say the Humpback Whale was now off Sea Palling but distant at 12.15pm – it was still there, how exciting! 57.5 miles later I arrived at Sea Palling, turning down Beach Road and then taking a left turn along a narrow road alongside the pay and display carparks. I continued along the road and turned right at a junction and then followed the road up until a campsite sign and parked the car along the verge. It was raining lightly and was freezing cold. I climbed up to the high dunes to overlook the sea and rocks below. I stood here for what seemed like ages. Saw a bonxie, an auk sp., gulls, several flocks of Starlings in off the sea, but nothing much else. My heart sank. There was no one else here, no whale, it was seriously cold and the rain was now much heavier. I left and trudged back to my car. Met Paul W. who's car was parked next to mine who told me the Whale was being seen with gannets from the main entrance to the dunes, by the shops, cafe's and carparks. I re-located and parked in the cafe carpark. Walked up to the dunes and found a few other birders looking for the whale including Tim Allwood! To be expected really, it's Tim's patch! A few gannets going past, but no sign of the Humpback Whale. Everyone left eventually and I stood alone. The pager bleeped up with news of the Whale being seen at Waxham at 2.47pm! Off I zoomed!

I parked at Shangri La Cottage at Waxham and walked up to the dunes to join a lady called Alison Allen who had very kindly put the news out (thank you so much) and Marcus Nash. Marcus kindly pointed out where he had last seen the whale a few moments ago. I looked through my scope to watch several gannets on the horizon. Then, suddenly I witnessed a tail splash – it was 3pm and I had just seen my first HUMPBACK WHALE OMG!!! – in fact the first whale I had ever seen and here it was in my home county of Norfolk – how awesome was that!!! I just couldn't believe my luck. My mood soared to a euphoric state! Ok, so it was distant, very distant as in on the horizon and you needed your scope and no I didn't get the camera out of the bag – there was no question of a record shot, BUT I had seen it. I watched the whale again, this time breaching and then another tail splash – I was smiling away to myself. I felt like I was watching a disney movie watching that tail flick up on the horizon, it was like a beautiful dream. So worth the 116 mile round trip, the cold, the rain and the waiting!!! A Bonxie was also seen, several Common Scoter and more Starlings. Duncan Mac. joined us who also saw the whale. We watched it up until 3.45pm (I think it was). Marcus left and then Alison. Then Duncan left and Tim Allwood joined me – nice to catch up. The light was now dire and I didn't see it any more. Walked back to the car, had a coffee and then drove home. It took forever to get back, its a long way to King's Lynn from Waxham!

I REALLY regret booking shifts tomorrow. If I wasn't working I would be back at Waxham again for the entire day, with flask of coffee and camera in hand.

Top tip for anyone going tomorrow – look for the gannets, keep focussed on them and watch for the tail coming up!

Footage and pictures HERE and pictures HERE

SEASCAPE PICTURE AT WAXHAM and FUNGUS AT ROYDON TO BE ADDED

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 60 at Winterton
Little Auk at Cley NWT (ETM)
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Snow Buntings x 12 at Sidestrand
HUMPBACK WHALE north past Waxham and at Sea Palling
Pomarine Skua at Sea Palling
Black Brant, Barnacle Geese x 6 at Salthouse
Black Brant at Cley NWT
Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 5, Snow Buntings x 50, Arctic Skua, Short-eared Owl at Titchwell RSPB
Shorelarks x 7, Snow Buntings x 15, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoters x 6, Great Northern Divers x 2, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Holkham
Hooded Crow at Choseley
Grey Phalarope, Lapland Bunting at Burnham Overy Dunes
Short-eared Owl at Thornham
House Martin at Wells
Velvet Scoters, Scaup x 2, Great Skua at Hopton-on-Sea
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens

Chris Packham Rapped by BBC

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10436603/Chris-Packham-rapped-by-BBC-for-intemperate-Twitter-remarks-about-badger-cull.html

Wedding Pictures!

Allegra on her Wedding Day 14th September 2013.

I took 485 pictures and have only just had time to start selecting and editing them. This is the first one of many and these will be added to my post HERE.

The Weekend!

The weather doesn't exactly look very kind tomorrow, but glorious on Sunday when I'm working all day! I wouldn't have minded at all if it had been north west with rain – I'd have been first at 'The Leas'!

South West with rain and sun tomorrow and North West with sunshine all day on Sunday. That's the wrong way round for goodness sake! Much more favourable it was south west winds and sunshine all day and then rain all day with North West Winds!!!!

Weather for Weekend:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2652856

HIGH TIDES
King's Lynn Docks
Saturday: 10.21 and 6.7 metres — Sunday: 11.30 and 6.3 metres

Wells Bar
Saturday: 10.10 — Sunday: 11.23

Caspian Gull and House Sparrows HERE

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Hawfinches x 10 at Lynford Aboretum
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Hooded Crow at Choseley
Hooded Crow at Thornham Point
Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Arctic Skuas x 2, Pomarine Skua, Hooded Crow, Short-eared Owl at Titchwell RSPB
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe east of Burnham Overy Staithe
Black-necked Grebes x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 6 at Holkham
Shorelarks x 2, Black Brant at Cley NWT
Grey Phalarope, Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 160 at Salthouse
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 25 east of Kelling Water Meadows
Hooded Crow, Snow Buntings x 17, Crossbills x 3 at Horsey
Richard's Pipit at Waxham
Hooded Crow, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 40 at Winterton
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at Caister-on-Sea
Velvet Scoters x 3 at Hopton-on-Sea
Waxwings x 2 at Norwich
Ruddy Shelduck at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

Norfolk’s Humpback Whale Captured By James!

James MacCallum in the EDP: HERE

James is holding an Autumn Exhibition of his paintings at the Hobart Gallery in Blickling Hall from 23rd November to 1st December, daily from 10.30am-4pm, but closed on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information see www.jamesmccallum.co.uk

The Warbler Guide!

This new book looks a good buy:
http://press.princeton.edu/titles/9968.html
Also see LGRE's review HERE

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Lapland Bunting at Buckingham Marshes RSPB
Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Hooded Crow at Choseley
Hooded Crow, Hen Harrier, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 20, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Short-eared Owl at Titchwell RSPB
Lapland Buntings x 2, Snow Bunting at Horsey
Grey Phalarope, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Snow Bunting at Salthouse
Mealy Redpolls x 4 at Martham South Broad
Waxwing, Beeston, Sheringham
Snow Buntings x 15 at Great Yarmouth
Hen Harriers x 2, Jack Snipe at Stiffkey
Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 19 at Wells
Velvet Scoters x 7 at Holkham
Shorelark at Cley NWT
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Velvet Scoters x 3, Great Skuas x 3, Lapland Bunting at Winterton
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
Hen Harrier at Scolt Head Island NNR
Shorelark, Snow Buntings x 4 at West Runton

Winter Blues!

Rain all day and a torrential downpour just now at 10.20pm. Fed-up with the dire weather and dark nights already. Fed-up with working, want to retire and 'do lunch'. There are so many months to go before spring.

No Mega's anywhere over the last couple of day's. Autumn migration has finished. Winter has arrived. Do I sound fed-up? Well, yes I am!

What I really need is a holiday, a proper holiday with white sands, turquoise seas, sunshine and sunsets, palm trees, a hammock, good food, being waited on and pampered on my own private island and beach! Dream on Penelope...... Better buy that lottery ticket!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Grey Phalarope at Salthouse
Snow Buntings x 16 at Great Yarmouth
Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 2, Red-necked Grebe at Holkham
Rough-legged Buzzard at Great Ryburgh
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male, Crossbills x 25 at Lynford Aboretum
Pomarine Skua, Red-necked Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 12, Twite x 8, Crossbills x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Long-tailed Duck at Holme
Glossy Ibis at Welney WWT
Hooded Crow at Choseley
Slavonian Grebe, Richard's Pipit (probable) at Cley NWT

RBA Weekly Round-Up 30th October-5th November

By Mark Golley
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2013no45.aspx?s_id=271459320

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights - RBA
Great Northern Diver at Winterton
Arctic Tern at Gorleston
Grey Phalarope at Salthouse
Garganey at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 2, Snow Buntings x 30 at Great Yarmouth
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Snow Bunrtings x 59, Velvet Scoters x 5, Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham
Hooded Crow at Choseley
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
Little Auk, Velvet Scoter at Cromer

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Black-throated Diver, Great Skuas x 9, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 3, Arctic Tern, Snow Buntings x 30, Grey Phalarope, Shorelark at Cley NWT
Grey Phalarope at Salthouse
Snow Buntings x 20, Shorelarks x 4 (north beach), Firecrests x 2 at Great Yarmouth Cemetery
Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Glaucous Gull, Velvet Scoters x 2, Great Skuas x 4, Twite x 3, Snow Buntings x 70 at Winterton
Great Northern Diver, Great Skuas x 2, Scaup at Hopton-on-Sea
Common Cranes x 3 at Great Snoring
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL Male at Lynford Aboretum
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham
Great White Egret, Hen Harriers x 3 at Stiffkey Campsite
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great Skuas x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe

Other News
Northern Harrier remains at Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

Winter Birding!

House Sparrow – Old Hunstanton.

When I stepped out of the house this morning, I hadn't realised how cold it was and promptly returned to add some more layers! It was glorious sunshine, but decidedly chilly today. I had this really silly idea that I was going to have a frame filling shot of a Yellow-browed Warbler today – ha ha!

Old Hunstanton
I must admit that I wasn't exactly sure where 'Linksway' was in Old Hunstanton – it is in fact a hotel which is at the far end of 'Waterworks Road' which is the road adjacent to 'Caley Hall Hotel'. I parked the car fifty yards along 'Waterworks Road' and walked to where yesterday's Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest were seen. On route there was a lovely flock of House Sparrows sitting in a hedgerow opposite a large house and garden. Just before 'Linksway Hotel' is 'Bridge House' (on your right) with several willow trees, a sycamore and bramble bushes. It was these willows were the YBW and Firecrest were seen yesterday. It was 9am when I arrived – I didn't think I had a hope of seeing any birds in these willows as it was really windy and very cold. At 10am I had a good, but short view of the Yellow-browed Warbler on a dead branch, just in front of the large sycamore – but sadly not seen long enough, to capture on my camera. No sign of the Firecrest. Connor and Billy Rand turned up and also four other birders, but that Yellow-browed Warbler did not show any more – very frustrating and to my knowledge didn't show any more today – I stayed until 11am and gave up. Several starling flocks flying west.

House Sparrow – Old Hunstanton.

Holt
Coffee, cheese scone and catch up with a friend in 'Byfords' Cafe and Restaurant.

Cley
East Bank
I walked along the 'East Bank' to find the Shorelark which was seen earlier today. Grey Plover on route, Little Egrets. Walked east along the shingle bank as far as 'Sea Pool' and back. Meadow Pipit, Skylark, flock of 21 Snow Buntings and 8 Gannets sitting on the sea, but no Shorelark.

Crop of picture below.

Caspian Gull (First Winter & polish colour-ringed) – Cley NWT

Yellow-legged Gull – Cley NWT.

Teal Hide NWT
5 Whooper Swans, a Polish colour-ringed Caspian Gull (see ETM's Video HERE) and a Yellow-legged Gull on 'Pat's Pool' from Teal Hide NWT later this evening. As always, a beautiful sunset to finish the day with the 5 Whooper Swans flying through the orange skies inland at about 5.30pm.

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Hooded Crow, Great Skua, Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Winterton
Rough-legged Buzzard at East Dereham
Ruddy Shelduck at Cantley Beet Factory
Puffin, Caspian Gull, Whooper Swans x 5 at Cley NWT
Yellow-browed Warbler at Old Hunstanton
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL, Hawfinch, Firecrest at Lynford Aboretum
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING, Sand Martin at Caister-on-Sea
Shorelark at Cley NWT
Water Pipit at Buckingham Marshes RSPB
Firecrest at Burgh Castle
Ring Ouzel at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Bunting at Great Yarmouth
Glossy Ibis at Welney WWT
Long-tailed Duck at Pentney Gravel Pits
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham
Black-throated Diver at Holme

Other News
MEGA! MOURNING DOVE remains Isle of Rhum
Northern Harrier remains at Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Ring Ouzel at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford
Shorelarks x 8, Twite x 3, Firecrest at Great Yarmouth
Shorelark, Snow Buntings x 12, Red-necked Grebe, Caspian Gulls x 2 at Cley NWT
Snow Buntings x 43, Velvet Scoters x 4, Lapland Buntings x 2 at Winterton
Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest at Old Hunstanton
Velvet Scoters x 5, Slavonian Grebe, Snow Buntings x 8, Shorelark at Holkham
Twite x 9 at Happisburgh
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL, Firecrest, Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum
Jack Snipe, Hen Harrier, Little Stint at Titchwell RSPB
Glossy Ibis at Welney WWT
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens
Water Pipit, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 80 at Buckingham Marshes RSPB
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at Caister-on-Sea

Other News
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS Bass Point, Cornwall  
MEGA! FEAS PETREL Ballycotton, County Cork   
MEGA! MOURNING DOVE remains Isle of Rhum  
MEGA!!! CAPE MAY WARBLER remains on Unst, Shetland!  
Northern Harrier remains at Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

87 Today!!!

It's my Father's 87th Birthday Today!

I had a lovely day with all my family at the 'Clarke Residence' at Holme. I didn't think father would cope with four females all day, but he managed us well!!! Old friends and NOA members Audrey and Maurice phoned up to wish father happy birthday, which was really nice of them and it made my day, when father indicated to me that he wanted to chat with them on the phone – he rarely answers or speaks on the phone now adays, so it was lovely to hear him conversing with some else, other than his family. Father had lots of presents, including his usual request of chocolates, a new cardigan and a coat. Birthday cake and singing commenced at tea time and lots of slimline (not) food was consumed by all! We left our parents to have a peaceful evening at 7pm. I dropped Lucy home and then took Vivien back to Ely as her bag of birthday presents was too heavy for her to manage on the train, I decided. The wind was pretty scary as we drove to Ely – items were hitting the car windscreen, don't know what they were!!! It was great sitting in Vivien's flat and having a girly chat – I really should spend more time with my sisters instead of devoting my entire time to birding!

I naughtily didn't book any shifts tomorrow, so I am out birding all day!!! 

PHOTOGRAPH TO BE ADDED

The Weekend!

It's been an absolutely rubbish week. A few of my work colleagues are going through some shocking and distressing things over the last few days, my heart goes out to them. Life is absolutely disgustingly unfair at times – so unfair and to the nicest of people.

I have spent the last couple of nights after work, whizzing around, getting presents for my father and youngest sister Vivien's birthday – its all go! Tiring week consisting of several nights of collapsing on the sofa with exhaustion as soon as I got in the door!

Still no 'easterlies' on the cards for Norfolk this weekend – oh well, that's the way it goes I suppose! As for the Humpbacked Whale – why oh why, couldn't it of hung on just a little bit longer!!! I would have loved to have seen that!

Weather for the weekend:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2652856

HIGH TIDES
King's Lynn Docks:
Saturday: 5.00am – 7.2 metres and 17.30 – 7.3 metres
Sunday: 5.39am – 7.5 metres and 18.07 – 7.6 metres

Wells Bar
Saturday: 4.47am and 17.20
Sunday: 5.29am and 17.59

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Old Hunstanton
Black-throated Diver at Cromer
Puffin, Caspian Gulls x 3, Shorelark, Snow Buntings x 12, Lapland Bunting, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT
Snow Buntings, Whooper Swans x 2 at Holme
Richard's Pipit at Sidestrand
Snow Buntings x 39, Lapland Bunting at Winterton
Hawfinch, Crossbills x 10 at Lynford Aboretum
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING remains at Caister-on-Sea
Great White Egret at Hardley Flood
Glossy Ibis at Welney WWT
Slavonian Grebe, Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harrier at Blakeney Harbour
Slavonian Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoters x 5 at Holkham
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Horsey

Other News
MEGA! MOURNING DOVE remains Isle of Rhum   
MEGA! HERMIT THRUSH remains at Porthgwarra, Cornwall   
MEGA!!! CAPE MAY WARBLER remains for eighth day on Unst, Shetland!
MEGA! WHITE'S THRUSH, remains St Agnes, Isle of Scilly
SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER remains at Sandy Point, Hampshire 
Northern Harrier remains at Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire