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Monday 30 June 2014

Feeling Better!

I woke up this morning feeling fine, well still have a stomach ache, but all other symptoms gone – weird one day virus! Spent this evening, finally cutting the hedges with shears – longest I have left it and took over two hours to do with the clearing up aswell.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Nightjar (flew over carpark), Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 10, Red-crested Pochards x 4 at Titchwell RSPB

RED-BACKED SHRIKE at North Dunes, Winterton
RED-BACKED SHRIKE at Horsey

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE SW of Pig Bush, Hampshire

Sunday 29 June 2014

Sunday Update

Went to work today and we finished at 3pm. Been on sofa with hot water bottle since then and dosed up with paracetamol.  Nasty bug with temperature of 38.3, stomach pains and my head felt really weird, like I was going to faint and felt sick, eyes burning and felt hot and then cold. As the evening progressed I felt even worse. Hopefully I will feel better for work in the morning!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
HONEY BUZZARD at North Repps

RED-BACKED SHRIKE North Dunes, Winterton
Spoonbills x 24 at Cley NWT

Spotted Redshanks x 4, Spoonbills x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Common Cranes x 2, Little Gulls x 3 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Spoonbill at Snettisham

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk
BLACK KITE (esc) still at Wrentham, Suffolk

Golden Oriole at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN still, Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Saturday 28 June 2014

Holme Reserves!

Didn't get out until after lunch as chores to do in the morning and the weather and lack of birds didn't exactly inspire me to rush out of the door.

The New Holme Dunes NWT Cafe!
The new cafe looks fabulous indeed, but I just hope it doesn't encourage more beach dudes and dogs. One part of the cafe leads off from the shop with round tables and chairs and then opens out into a second room, which has doors leading out onto the current patio area with more tables outside. Very fresh and modern feel to it, with large pictures filling the walls and video screens. Serving cheese and fruit scones, sandwiches with side salad, toast & jam, snacks, hot and cold drinks. Hot food will be added to the menu when the ovens are installed – not sure when this will be though. See video (to be added)

Holme Bird Observatory NOA
Walked to the oberservatory and sat in the Dell Hide for quite a while. The sun had gone and the clouds were looming. Watched Goldfinches, Great and Blue Tits and Swallows skimming across and also a Whitethroat. One Painted Lady and several Red Admirals flying around. A couple of Pied Wagtails on the NOA carpark and 2 Magpies.

NWT Forestry
There were masses of orchids here and also found a few Marsh Helleborines. Cinnabar Caterpillars on Ragwort, Vipers Bugloss was in abundance as was Bird's Foot Trefoil and numerous other plants. Woodpigeons and a Chaffinch were the only birds I found though!

Driving along the road I noted the the log cabin (known as the standing caravan site, where the Collared Fly was) is currently for sale with Sowerbys at an asking price of a whopping £350,000!!!

Redwell Marsh Hide NOA
As soon as I opened the hide flap I was excited to see a Spoonbill (adult) here! I noted in the sightings book that an hour before me, there had been a juv aswell and also on the 23rd June at 8.15pm there had been 7 Spoonbills here! That must be a record for Redwell Marsh surely? Other birds seen from 5.55pm to 6.55pm were: 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 3 Green Sandpipers (flew over), Cuckoo calling, Heron flew over, Little Grebe, Redshank, Lapwing, Shelducks x 3, Mallard and juvs, Starlings x 2, House Martins, Swallows, Black-headed Gulls x 3, Oystercatcher flew over, Reed Bunting calling and a Coot. A Whitethroat was skulking in the elder bush as I left.

Visited my parents for the rest of the evening and drove home via Ringstead. As I drove up the hill a massive new property and grounds has appeared and up for sale (before the Mill). It dwarfs the houses next to it! Beautiful sunset and dramatic, cloudy skies.

PICTURES & VIDEOS TO BE ADDED

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
RED-BACKED SHRIKE North Dunes, Winterton

Spoonbill at Redwell Marsh Holme NOA
Spoonbills x 4 flew over Holme NWT
Spoonbills x 22 at Cley NWT
Spotted Redshanks x 10, Spoonbills x 3 at Titchwell RSPB

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk
BLACK KITE (esc) still at Wrentham, Suffolk

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN still, Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex

'Festival Too' Kicks off in King's Lynn Tonight!

Tonights kicks off with 'The Rhythm and Blues Brothers' and Fireworks at King's Staithe Square.

Friday 4th July – 'Katrina and the Waves' headlining.

Saturday 5th July – 'Aswad' is the main event, but for me its 'Jaki Graham' – I remember going to see her at a nightclub in Great Yarmouth as a youngster!

Friday 11th July – 'Toploader' is the headline band, but with X-Factor's 'Rough Copy' performing – I will have to go!

Saturday 12th – being the finale evening with headline band 'Scouting for Girls' and more!

All the dates and information here: http://www.festivaltoo.co.uk/

Friday 27 June 2014

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Common Scoters x 7 at Breydon Water
Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 8, Curlew Sandpiper at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 17 at Cley NWT

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk
BLACK KITE (esc) still at Wrentham, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Lifestyle Has To Change!

Had a general check up and blood test (over 40's check up!) at the GP last week and was asked to come in again (always a worry). Went back on Monday and all checks and blood was fine etc. BUT my cholesterol level is really high at 7.2. Advised to cut down on fat etc, increase exercise and to come back to be reviewed in 6 months time. I was told I have a 2% chance of having a stroke or a heart attack if this level stays the same!!! So I really have to start taking things seriously now. How boring!!!

Thursday 26 June 2014

Ines's Party!

A lovely evening with a few work colleagues and others at Ines's house (round the corner from me). Fabulous food: home made pizza and salad, cakes, coffee and wine. Ines is a spectacular cook. The highlight for me was reading a story to Ruth, her very intelligent, amusing, pretty little 4 year old daughter. Ruth got upset when she dropped her plate of chocolate cake, which broke straight away on the concrete patio – I tried to reassure her that everyone has broken plates and not to worry about – she had probable got overtired and excited as they do at that age.

It was lovely to see Lesley and Bob (worked with Lesley for several years) again. As usual Bob was the main entertainment, with amusing tales after drinking more wine than most!!!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Gulls x 3 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 2 at Breydon Water
RED-NECKED PHALAROPE at Winterton
Spoonbills x 13 at Cley NWT
TURTLE DOVE, Spoonbill at Holme NWT

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk
BLACK KITE (esc) still at Wrentham, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis x 2 still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Wednesday 25 June 2014

"Remember the time....."

when I watched you perform in three concerts, twice at Wembley and once at Milton Keynes, etched in my mind forever, RIP MJ.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 18th to 24th June

By Jon Dunn
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2014no25.aspx?s_id=346367575

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spotted Redshanks x 2, Little Gull at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT

Crossbill at North Dunes, Winterton
Spotted Redshanks x 7, Red-crested Pochards x 8, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk
BLACK KITE still at Wrentham, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire
Black-winged Stilt (esc), Great White Egret at Berry Fen, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Tuesday 24 June 2014

The Shooting of Migratory Birds in Malta 2014 - Featuring Bill Oddie!

Mark McCormick, Senior Communications Officer for LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS asked me if I would feature this video on my blog to gain awareness of the ongoing slaughter of birds in Malta. Obviously I was more than happy to do this. Here is the film, made in April this year. This sad and pointless loss of life needs to end, hopefully this will happen soon.



http://www.league.org.uk/our-campaigns/shooting/the-shooting-of-migratory-birds-in-malta/film-shooting-of-migratory-birds-in-malta-2014

Cafe Now Open at Holme Dunes NWT!

FOR BIRDERS ONLY! I Wish! Open today, later than originally planned. See my previous post.

http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/stop-press-new-cafe-at-holme-dunes-nwt.html

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbills x 8 at Cley NWT
Spotted Redshanks x 8, Red-crested Pochards x 4 at Titchwell RSPB

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk
BLACK KITE still at Wrentham, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire
Black-winged Stilt (esc) at Berry Fen, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! SCOPS OWL Yell, Shetland

MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE Ashdown Forest, Sussex

Monday 23 June 2014

Paragliders Criticised for Disturbing Nesting Birds at Wells

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/paragliders_criticised_for_disturbing_nesting_birds_at_wells_1_3652242

'Natural Surroundings' 25th Anniversary!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/photo_gallery_much_loved_wildlife_reserve_in_bayfield_celebrates_25th_anniversary_1_3651000

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
BLACK KITE at Potter Heigham
Spoonbills x 14, Great Northern Diver at Cley NWT
Glossy Ibises x 4 flew west over Weybourne
Little Gull at Welney WWT

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at Carlton Colville, Suffolk
BLACK KITE at Wrentham, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire
Spotted Crakes x 3 at Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland

Sunday 22 June 2014

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
TURTLE DOVE, Crossbills x 5 at Horsey
Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 5 at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Breydon Water
TURTLE DOVES x 5 at Kelling Heath
Spoonbill at Cley NWT

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at South Pier, Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk
BLACK KITE west of Benacre Broad, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland

Saturday 21 June 2014

Nightjars & The Big Cat!!!

On hearing late news in the day that there were three Silver-washed Fritillaries at Holt Country Park this morning, I decided to head there first. It was too late in the day when I got there though. Tested out the new olloclip macro 3-in-1 lens (see my last post) – see photos to be added.

Dauke's Hide, Cley NWT – I had the hide to myself! It was a beautiful evening – 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Spoonbills (1 adult and 2 juvs begging food) and a Sparrowhawk where the main highlights along with the usual Avocets, Redshanks, Teal, Mallards, Pied Wagtails, 2 Grey Herons, 3 Little Egrets, Shelducks, Shoveler, Black-headed Gulls, 2 Marsh Harriers and several Swifts gracing the skies. A beautiful sunset on the longest day of the year.

Edgefield –  at least three Nightjars here – whizzing around my head, it was awesome. Managed to record them churring on the iphone – which I need to now find out how to get onto the computer and I will then add to this post. The mist come up over the wood piles and it really looked eerie at 10.30pm!!! As I was about to leave...... in the headlights of the car I could see two eyes shining! At first I thought fox, but it wasn't – most definitily a cat, a big cat, but wild cat size, not puma! Put it this way, it was huge chunky cat for a domestic cat!!!! It stood staring at me for a few seconds and then turned and disappeared into the bracken and undergrowth. Made me think very hard about being here in the dark alone!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbills x 13 at Cley NWT
Common Cranes x 2, Little Stint at Hickling Broad NWT
Spoonbills x 4, Little Gull at Holme
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly, Swallowtails x 13 from boat trip at Hickling Broad NWT
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly at Filby Broad
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly at Felbrigg Hall NT

Other News
ROLLER on wires by equestrian centre at 10.45am only, Warboys, Cambridgeshire
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at South Pier, Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland

Weekend Update!

Well the weather is glorious and there are some good birds around I see! With the highlight of the day in East Anglia being a ROLLER on wires at 10.45am by the Equestrian Centre at Warboys, north of Cambridge. No sign since the first sighting, but I hope very much this is re-found! Second person was on site 15 minutes later (via birder on twitter), no sign of finder or bird!

I now have my third iphone 5s!!! which I exchanged on Thursday evening after work at the Applestore, Chapelfield, Norwich. All information didn't copy across to new phone as it should have done via icloud when I returned home. But it now has today – so at long last I have a phone which is working properly and the speaker problems seems to be ok – well it certainly was when I phoned my mother and I had to hold the phone away from my ear, it was so loud! The Apple Rep would not admit there was a speaker problem with these phones, however hard I tried to get him to admit to it! I bet they have a stock of checked phones, sitting on a shelf for those people that persevere with the situation! There are alot of people out there putting up with the speaker issue, I'm sure. I was tempted in the Applestore – love this shop and bought the olloclip Macro 3-in-1 lens – this is a tiny lens which clips over the top of your iphone and enables you to take the tiniest detail!!! There is a choice  of 7x macro, 14x or 21x in the kit. It only fits to the iphone 5, 5s or ipod touch 5 generation. I will be testing this out today hopefully. You can also buy the 4-in-1 kit which includes fish eye, wide angle and 2 macro settings (not as high as the pure macro kit though).

Very stressful and tiring week, so no time or energy to go out birding in the evenings. I've been spending alot of time watching the football, but really don't why I bothered!!! Up late today, too tired to get up at a decent time. Working all day tomorrow.

Just seen the perfect job for me: Graphic Designer for Norfolk Wildlife Trust – I was so excited when I saw this, but then my heart sank when I read '2 days a week'. Here's the advert. If only it had been full time, that would have been awesome. Creativity combined with wildlife, my dream job!

Friday 20 June 2014

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbills x 9, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT

Osprey at Rockland Broad
Little Gulls x 3 at How Hill
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly at Felbrigg Hall NT
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 8 at Kelling Water Meadows

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at South Pier, Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk 
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS! 
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Inner Farne on Farne Islands, Northumberland

Thursday 19 June 2014

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Red-crested Pochards x 13 at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 5 at Cley NWT

Osprey at Rockland Broad

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW at Landguard Nature Reserve
BEE-EATERS x 2 at Minsmere RSPB
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire
Spectacled Warbler at Burnham Overy Dunes, Norfolk has NOT been seen today – read somewhere on the net that the tide had flooded next to where the bird was nest building, so may have moved on.

MEGA NEWS! 
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN still, Fair Isle, Shetland!

Wednesday 18 June 2014

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA – SPECTACLED WARBLER west of boardwalk at Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes 
 
Osprey at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Osprey, Spoonbills x 3, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Titchwell RSPB 
Osprey at Rockland Broad

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk 
ROSS'S GULL at Gibraltar Point NNR

Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS! 
MEGA! SPECTACLED WARBLER for 17th day, Burnham Overy Staithe/Gun Hill, Norfolk!
MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN still, Fair Isle, Shetland!

RBA Weekly Round-Up 11th to 17th June!

By Jon Dunn
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2014no24.aspx
Thanks to the RBA Team for including one of my Spectacled Warbler pictures.

My Best Spectacled Warbler Pictures!

http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/spectacled-warbler-again-chilled.html

Tuesday 17 June 2014

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA – SPECTACLED WARBLER west of boardwalk at Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes 
Spoonbills x 6, Arctic Tern at Cley NWT
Little Gull, Spoonbill at Breydon Water
White Stork (esc.) at Great Yarmouth
Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Red-crested Pochards x 8 at Titchwell RSPB  

Montagu's Harrier 1s fem on Wednesday (ID'd from photos) at Burnham Overy Staithe


Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk 
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS! 
MEGA! SPECTACLED WARBLER for 16th day, Burnham Overy Staithe/Gun Hill, Norfolk!

MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex!

MEGA! BRIDLED TERN still, Fair Isle, Shetland!

Monday 16 June 2014

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA – SPECTACLED WARBLER west of boardwalk at Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes 

RED-NECKED PHALAROPE, Spoonbills x 11 at Cley NWT
Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB 
Osprey at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
TURTLE DOVE at Choseley Drying Barns

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING still at Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk 
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS! 
MEGA! SPECTACLED WARBLER for 15th day, Burnham Overy Staithe/Gun Hill, Norfolk!

MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE still, Ashdown Forest, Sussex!
MEGA! SCOPS OWL still, North Ronaldsay, Orkney!
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN Fair Isle, Shetland!

Sunday 15 June 2014

Father's Day

I'm really not into football at all, but found myself watching some of the world cup games, watched England play last night and got really hooked, can't believe I'm saying this! Worked this morning until 1pm. Spent late afternoon with my parent's and Lucy (Vivien working all day). Father was pleased with his chocolates, grapes and new bed socks from us all. Mother's ankle still bad – she hasn't cancelled the GP appointment I made for her..... yet! Back to work tomorrow full time and back to working 6 days a week again until I find my rich sugar daddy!!! No more holidays booked now until September. Main jobs this week: cut the hedge, sort the garden and sort through my last lot of Spectacled Warbler photos and others for recent posts!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA – SPECTACLED WARBLER west of boardwalk at Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes
TURTLE DOVES x 2
in garden yesterday at Blofield Heath

Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbill flew east over Holme NOA
Spotted Redshank at Salthouse
Osprey at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
HONEY BUZZARD flew west over Holkham Pines
TURTLE DOVE flew over Walpole Highway

Other News
ROSE-COLOURED STARLING at Lowestoft Harbour, Suffolk
SAVI'S WARBLER still, singing South West of Walberswick, Suffolk 
Glossy Ibis still at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS! 
MEGA! SPECTACLED WARBLER for 14th day, Burnham Overy Staithe/Gun Hill, Norfolk!

MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE Ashdown Forest, Sussex!
MEGA! SCOPS OWL North Ronaldsay, Orkney!

Saturday 14 June 2014

BLAKENEY POINT!

Went into Holt to buy a Father's Day present for tomorrow and then drove to Cley. I don't know what possessed me to walk Blakeney Point today, I really don't! Cloudy and dull all morning. A few Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Reed Buntings on the way up. A single Chiffchaff in The 'Plantation' along with a couple of Linnets and a Meadow Pipit.

The sun came blazing out by mid afternoon and the walk back along the beach was stunning, with huge waves crashing on the shingle. The sea was not like a mill pond today! A beautiful afternoon, but no birds of note really. The odd Sandwich and Little Tern heading back to the colony with fish.

Back at Coastguards, I collapsed in the car, had a cup of tea and chilled for a bit. I observed that the new notices that have been erected stating that dogs must be on a lead at all times, even on the beach, were being adhered to.... NOT!!! If any NWT staff are reading this, may I suggest the notice is bigger, bolder type and is placed on the middle of the shingle bank (where people cross over onto the beach), where the cars pull up at the front. No one that pulled up into the carpark with dogs this evening, even glanced at the notice boards over on the left hand side.

Dauke's Hide, Cley NWT
With Eddie M., Andy J., and Pete S. Eight Spoonbills seen and juvs. begging mother for food, lovely to watch. Birds seen: Avocets, Little Egrets, Black-tailed Godwits, Shelducks, Teal, Shoveler, Ringed Plover, Pied Wagtails, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier.

PICTURES TO BE ADDED

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA – SPECTACLED WARBLER 300yds west of boardwalk at Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 2, Black-throated Diver at Burnham Overy Dunes

Great White Egret flew over Holme NWT
Little Gulls x 3 at Horsey Gap
Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Spoonbills x 8 at Cley NWT
Garganey at Salthouse

Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshank, Red-crested Pochards x 10, Little Gull, Garganey at Titchwell RSPB
Spotted Redshank at Burgh Castle
TURTLE DOVE at Stoke Ferry

Other News
SAVI'S WARBLER still, singing South West of Walberswick, Suffolk
Glossy Ibis at Frampton Marsh RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS! 

MEGA! SPECTACLED WARBLER for 13th day, Burnham Overy Staithe/Gun Hill, Norfolk!

Friday 13 June 2014

Rare HONEY MOON to Appear on Friday 13th for First Time in 100 Years!

http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/482025/Honey-Moon-Watch-rare-Friday-13th-celestial-event-NOW

Emerald & Turquoise Jewels!

Incredibly hot again today, as it has been all week, although cooler on the coast apparently. I didn't bother posting yesterday as I was doing so many mundane things, it wasn't worth boring you all to tears. Today was much the same, but I eventually escaped late afternoon.

'Natural Surroundings', Bayfield Lake
I had a fabulous time here, photographing insects. The light was beautiful this evening and although it was probably too late in the day for dragonflies, I did manage to see and photograph a strikingly pretty Male Emerald Damselfly and also an interesting shieldbug. It was very picture postcard here, with water lilies and Swan on nest, pair of Tufted Ducks silhouetted over metallic green water, family of Mallards, Moorhen and cows in the field with buttercups. Also saw a couple of Tortoiseshell Butterflies on a patch of stinging nettles. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were also singing to set the scene.

Back on the approach road to 'Natural Surroundings' I found at least half a dozen Banded Demoiselles fluttering around the Yellow Flag Irises next to the Gunnera Plants. I was so pleased to have found these, I absolutely love them – stunning to watch with their metallic blue bodies and wings. Spent a long time photographing these with 300f4 lens and 100mm macro lens. Made my day!

Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
Reed Bunting, Whitethroat feeding young and 2 Goldfinches seen in the scrub at base of the hill. Watched the Sand Martins skimming over the top of the sandy cliff. It was incredibly still, not a breath of wind and the sea was like a mill pond! Several Carrion Crows about and a big flock of Starlings landed on the marsh, 1 Little Egret and that was about it. The bull in the field has definitely got a screw loose, be warned!

7 Spoonbills on the NWT pools at Cley, which I lazily scoped from the Cley NWT Visitor Centre carpark before going home!

PICTURES TO BE ADDED

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA – SPECTACLED WARBLER + Spoonbill, 300yds west of boardwalk at Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes
Please note: No news on the Spectacled Warbler since 9.15am – not sure if this is because people haven't bothered putting news out, or if its disappeared?
Spoonbills x 12 at Cley NWT
Osprey at Waxham
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum Lesser Emperor Dragonfly still at Felbrigg Hall NT Lake
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly x 3, Swallowtail Butterfly by boardwalk at Filby Broad
Red-veined Darter Dragonfly yesterday at North Dunes, Winterton
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 4 at Kelling Water Meadows 

Other News
SAVI'S WARBLER still, singing South West of Walberswick, Suffolk
BLACK KITE at Alderton, Suffolk

MEGA NEWS! 
MEGA! BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE at Saltholme RSPB, Cleveland!
MEGA! SPECTACLED WARBLER for 12th day, Burnham Overy Staithe/Gun Hill, Norfolk!

MEGA! SHORT-TOED EAGLE south over Hatchet Pond, Hampshire!