After doing some shopping for my parents I went to Titchwell RSPB. Found a Goldcrest, Chiffchaff and a Wren by The Fen Hide, but no sign of the recent Firecrest.
Loads of Golden Plover and Lapwings along with Teal, Shovelers, Shelducks, Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Little Egrets, Gulls etc. A nice count of 6 Little Grebes near the end of the main path with 1 Greenshank and a couple of Curlews.
On the sea, a Red-necked Grebe, 3 Guillemots east, 5 Common Scoters west – a Grey Plover on the beach, with Redshanks, Sanderlings, Turnstones. Loads of Oystercatchers and Gulls east, towards Brancaster.
A very tame Black-headed Gull sat begging for food on the beach next to me and a couple of other birders! Sadly I had no food to give though. I walked out to the sea and suddenly I noticed the same gull had followed me out there! There it was, only a yard away looking up at me with a sad and hopeful look in its eyes. I carried on sea-watching and every time I looked round, the gull looked up at me – took some pictures with the iphone! Raining and cold whilst I was birding.
Spent the evening with my parents and Vivien, discussing Christmas, big birthdays, jobs, life and all kinds of stuff! Mother is most intrigued by lots of Honey Bees that are around the roof of her house – she can't work out what they are feeding on and has never seen Honey Bees this late in the year before!
Chatted to Andy W. when I got home, who had returned from Holland with Justin and Chris L., having bagged African Desert Warbler for their netfugl lists! and also saw a White-crowned Black Wheatear and a Long-legged Buzzard! Slightly more interesting than my weekend!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Sunday, 30 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Twite x 30 at Thornham Harbour.
Pomarine Skuas x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Twite x 20 at Cley NWT.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Velvet Scoters x 3, Snow Buntings x 6 at Caister-on-Sea.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Water Pipit, Velvet Scoters x 2, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynfor Aboretum.
Black Redstart at Blakeney Point.
Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Burgh Castle.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Haddiscoe Island.
Scaup, Jack Snipe at Hopton-on-Sea.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Pomarine Skua at Cromer.
Snow Buntings x 8 at Horsey.
Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier at Winterton.
Pomarine Skua, Little Gulls x 40, Black Redstart, Snow Buntings x 2 at Holme NOA.
Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3 at Waveney Forest.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Hen Harrier at Halvergate Marshes.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Lough Gill, County Kerry, Ireland.
Twite x 30 at Thornham Harbour.
Pomarine Skuas x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Twite x 20 at Cley NWT.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Velvet Scoters x 3, Snow Buntings x 6 at Caister-on-Sea.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Water Pipit, Velvet Scoters x 2, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynfor Aboretum.
Black Redstart at Blakeney Point.
Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Burgh Castle.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Haddiscoe Island.
Scaup, Jack Snipe at Hopton-on-Sea.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Pomarine Skua at Cromer.
Snow Buntings x 8 at Horsey.
Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier at Winterton.
Pomarine Skua, Little Gulls x 40, Black Redstart, Snow Buntings x 2 at Holme NOA.
Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3 at Waveney Forest.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Hen Harrier at Halvergate Marshes.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Lough Gill, County Kerry, Ireland.
Saturday, 29 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Auks x 2, Bewick's Swan, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Water Pipits x 2, Hen Harrier, Swallow, Firecrest, Snow Buntings x 5 at Titchwell RSPB.
Little Auks x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Puffin, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Cley NWT.
Black-throated Diver, Black Brant, Twite x 30 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Great White Egret at Glandford.
Short-eared Owls x 8, Hen Harrier at Breydon Water.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Docking.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 54 at Somerton Holmes.
Little Auk at Sheringham.
Smew at Filby Broad.
Bewick's Swans x 3 at Happisburgh.
Hen Harrier at Waveney Forest.
BLACK-WINGED STILT esc., FERRUGINOUS DUCK Probable at Welney WWT.
Snow Buntings x 12, Bittern, Hen Harrier, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Bewick's Swans x 12 at Ongar Hill.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Great Grey Shrike, Hen Harriers x 4 at Roydon Common.
Lapland Bunting, Black Redstart at Hunstanton Cliffs.
Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 7 at Holkham.
Twite x 60 at Thornham.
Snow Buntings x 30 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Brancaster Staithe.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Little Auks x 2, Bewick's Swan, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Water Pipits x 2, Hen Harrier, Swallow, Firecrest, Snow Buntings x 5 at Titchwell RSPB.
Little Auks x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Puffin, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Cley NWT.
Black-throated Diver, Black Brant, Twite x 30 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Great White Egret at Glandford.
Short-eared Owls x 8, Hen Harrier at Breydon Water.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Docking.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 54 at Somerton Holmes.
Little Auk at Sheringham.
Smew at Filby Broad.
Bewick's Swans x 3 at Happisburgh.
Hen Harrier at Waveney Forest.
BLACK-WINGED STILT esc., FERRUGINOUS DUCK Probable at Welney WWT.
Snow Buntings x 12, Bittern, Hen Harrier, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Bewick's Swans x 12 at Ongar Hill.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Great Grey Shrike, Hen Harriers x 4 at Roydon Common.
Lapland Bunting, Black Redstart at Hunstanton Cliffs.
Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 7 at Holkham.
Twite x 60 at Thornham.
Snow Buntings x 30 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Brancaster Staithe.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Aviary or Mega?!!!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=751177008265475&set=gm.756793517735064&type=1&theater
Better photographs of this bird have now appeared and it seems to be a Leucistic House Sparrow – would be nice to see though!
Better photographs of this bird have now appeared and it seems to be a Leucistic House Sparrow – would be nice to see though!
Friday, 28 November 2014
Caraline's Leaving Bash & The Weekend!
Caraline's leaving party tonight, so out on the town! Caraline has been working in our team for eight years and is a very popular and lovely person – she is going to be greatly missed by all of us. Her last week at work next week.
We all had a really lovely evening at Pizza Express. I was really surprised by the quality of the food – Pizza Express has certainly improved massively since I last went there. I had 'Dough Balls Formaggi' (dough balls rolled and baked with Gran Moravia cheese, served with garlic butter) to start, 'Leggera Superfood Salad' (Baby spinach and seasonal mixed leaves, roasted butternut squash, beetroot, light baby mozzarella, avocado, pine kernels, cucumber, lentils and fresh basil finished with balsamic syrup) and for dessert, my favourite, 'Tiramisu'. The food was excellent, couldn't fault it at all. Lovely setting, good service, although a little slow. But a few problems when the bill arrived as some of us paid by card, some by cash, some had the meal deal and some didn't!!! The bill came to quite a bit more than we had added it up – don't know how, but it did.
We all then went to 'The Globe' which was full of people far younger than me and found a table to sit at towards the back of the pub. We stayed in here for about an hour and then had a little dance on the way out! Gave a few people lifts home (I wasn't drinking obviously).
However, I will be having a drink or too and dancing the night away at our forthcoming Christmas Party – can't wait!
Weather
Saturday: SE Winds all day. A cloudy or misty start, but dry and bright though the day, with some sunny spells, particularly in the south of the region. Light winds. Cool overnight, with fog forming.
Sunday: W, NW and then N all day. Cloudy but dry, with fog perhaps slow to clear in place.
High Tides – Wells Bar
Saturday: 11.14am. Sunday: 12.35pm
We all had a really lovely evening at Pizza Express. I was really surprised by the quality of the food – Pizza Express has certainly improved massively since I last went there. I had 'Dough Balls Formaggi' (dough balls rolled and baked with Gran Moravia cheese, served with garlic butter) to start, 'Leggera Superfood Salad' (Baby spinach and seasonal mixed leaves, roasted butternut squash, beetroot, light baby mozzarella, avocado, pine kernels, cucumber, lentils and fresh basil finished with balsamic syrup) and for dessert, my favourite, 'Tiramisu'. The food was excellent, couldn't fault it at all. Lovely setting, good service, although a little slow. But a few problems when the bill arrived as some of us paid by card, some by cash, some had the meal deal and some didn't!!! The bill came to quite a bit more than we had added it up – don't know how, but it did.
We all then went to 'The Globe' which was full of people far younger than me and found a table to sit at towards the back of the pub. We stayed in here for about an hour and then had a little dance on the way out! Gave a few people lifts home (I wasn't drinking obviously).
However, I will be having a drink or too and dancing the night away at our forthcoming Christmas Party – can't wait!
Weather
Saturday: SE Winds all day. A cloudy or misty start, but dry and bright though the day, with some sunny spells, particularly in the south of the region. Light winds. Cool overnight, with fog forming.
Sunday: W, NW and then N all day. Cloudy but dry, with fog perhaps slow to clear in place.
High Tides – Wells Bar
Saturday: 11.14am. Sunday: 12.35pm
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Common Cranes x 15 at Acle.
Hen Harrier (yesterday) at Haddiscoe.
Black-throated Divers x 2, Great Skuas x 3, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 50 at Horsey.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 5, Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 5 at Breydon Water.
Water Pipits x 3, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Velvet Scoters x 3, Snow Buntings x 20 at Titchwell RSPB.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose, White-fronted Goose, Snow Bunting, Black Redstart at Cley NWT.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Yellow-legged Gull at Cromer.
Snow Buntings x 38 at North Beach, Great Yarmouth.
Lapland Buntings x 2, Snow Buntings x 4, Black-throated Diver, Great Skuas x 2 at Salthouse.
Black Redstart, Snow Buntings x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Twite x 25 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland.
Common Cranes x 15 at Acle.
Hen Harrier (yesterday) at Haddiscoe.
Black-throated Divers x 2, Great Skuas x 3, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 50 at Horsey.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 5, Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 5 at Breydon Water.
Water Pipits x 3, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Velvet Scoters x 3, Snow Buntings x 20 at Titchwell RSPB.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose, White-fronted Goose, Snow Bunting, Black Redstart at Cley NWT.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Yellow-legged Gull at Cromer.
Snow Buntings x 38 at North Beach, Great Yarmouth.
Lapland Buntings x 2, Snow Buntings x 4, Black-throated Diver, Great Skuas x 2 at Salthouse.
Black Redstart, Snow Buntings x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Twite x 25 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland.
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Colour-ringed Twite in the Pennines!
Jamie Dunning contacted me recently to ask for my help with the following:
"We study Twite on their breeding territory in the north west of England, and this summer we have colour ringed a good number of birds in order to track where they move to in winter. Previous studies have found most move to the east coast although the evidence is minimal.
We see that there have been some large flocks on the North Norfolk coast and we wondered wether you would help us out in the way of a kind of press release?
We are worried that the flocks on twite on the North Norfolk coast are not being checked for rings and we get how difficult it can be.
We would really appreciate the help from the south east to conserve the iconic bird life of the north west!"
Jamie also highlights in a second email:
"It may interest you to know that one of the Colour ringed birds that has been reported 6 times independently from Thornham harbour has apparently became known to locals as Yorkie. He is a juvenile hatched this year on the Pennines around Rishworth and is fitted with a Yellow ring over the metal and then a Yellow and a White ring on the other leg. seems to be a good model for anyone wishing to photograph Twite if the photo’s I’m being sent are anything to go by."
Colour-ringed Twite in the Pennines!
In conjunction with the RSPB, from Autumn 2014, we have been colour-ringing Twite Linaria flavirostris in the Pennine region of West Yorks. This study has several aims: first, to investigate the changing wintering areas of birds which gather in the area in autumn; secondly to determine whether they remain to breed in the area in summer and thirdly as a means of studying feeding behaviour and range of nesting birds. We will also be assisting with productivity surveys of Twite breeding in the Pennines during the spring and summer to assess population trends over time.
All birds have been ringed with a metal BTO ring on the left leg with a single colour-ring above the metal ring and two colour rings on the right leg. The colours used have been: black (N), white (W), yellow (Y), orange (O), red (R), dark green (G), blue (B) and pale/pastel blue (P).
So far in 2014, c.150 birds have been individually colour-ringed of which 67% were juveniles (Nov, 2014), indicative of a successful breeding season. This included a bird ringed as a nestling in 2009 as part of a previous study, at 5 years 3 months it wasn’t far from beating the longevity record at that time although, it has since pushed to over 6 years! (T Mainwood). While some birds have been re-sighted at locations up to 15km away, one has already been reported from the Lincolnshire another in Flintshire, two in Norfolk and two more in Suffolk (the latter just a week after ringing). We have also noted, as those before us had also found that this population will rove widely for food, 2 birds caught early one morning were re-sighted near Huddersfield that afternoon.
We would be grateful to receive any sightings of these birds, either in the area of ringing or elsewhere. Sightings, including location, date, full colour-ring combinations, and numbers of birds in the flock, should be sent to Jamie Dunning at: jamiedunning8@gmail.com. All sightings will be acknowledged and the finder provided with the original ringing details.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to those who have run similar projects before us, including David Sowter and Sean Gray and Linda Williams who were kind enough to offer information on previous Pennine Twite work; the Grampian RG for kindly lending us one of their whoosh nets; the people who have tirelessly baited feeding stations, especially Tim Walker and David Sill. Also to the ringers who have offered their time to lend a hand where was needed, Mick Pearson and Gillian Dinsmore; The RSPB Twite Recovery Project, Nick Wilkinson, who co-prepared the CR application, provided our first batch of rings and advised throughout, Tim Melling, Roy Taylor, Jenny Oldroyde, Dave O’Hara, Mike Denton, Kelvin Jones, Alan Draper and Henry McGhie for their useful comments. Then C Atkin, S Whayman, N Lound, A Brown, B Perkins, P Drewy, D Horsey, R S J Smith, S Blain and K Jones for reporting CR birds. Additionally to the above, thanks to the Cley bird club, Lincs bird club, East lancs ornithological society, Calderdale bird club, Bird guides and The BTO for their help in promoting the project.
Jamie Dunning & Steve Christmas
"We study Twite on their breeding territory in the north west of England, and this summer we have colour ringed a good number of birds in order to track where they move to in winter. Previous studies have found most move to the east coast although the evidence is minimal.
We see that there have been some large flocks on the North Norfolk coast and we wondered wether you would help us out in the way of a kind of press release?
We are worried that the flocks on twite on the North Norfolk coast are not being checked for rings and we get how difficult it can be.
We would really appreciate the help from the south east to conserve the iconic bird life of the north west!"
Jamie also highlights in a second email:
"It may interest you to know that one of the Colour ringed birds that has been reported 6 times independently from Thornham harbour has apparently became known to locals as Yorkie. He is a juvenile hatched this year on the Pennines around Rishworth and is fitted with a Yellow ring over the metal and then a Yellow and a White ring on the other leg. seems to be a good model for anyone wishing to photograph Twite if the photo’s I’m being sent are anything to go by."
Colour-ringed Twite in the Pennines!
In conjunction with the RSPB, from Autumn 2014, we have been colour-ringing Twite Linaria flavirostris in the Pennine region of West Yorks. This study has several aims: first, to investigate the changing wintering areas of birds which gather in the area in autumn; secondly to determine whether they remain to breed in the area in summer and thirdly as a means of studying feeding behaviour and range of nesting birds. We will also be assisting with productivity surveys of Twite breeding in the Pennines during the spring and summer to assess population trends over time.
All birds have been ringed with a metal BTO ring on the left leg with a single colour-ring above the metal ring and two colour rings on the right leg. The colours used have been: black (N), white (W), yellow (Y), orange (O), red (R), dark green (G), blue (B) and pale/pastel blue (P).
So far in 2014, c.150 birds have been individually colour-ringed of which 67% were juveniles (Nov, 2014), indicative of a successful breeding season. This included a bird ringed as a nestling in 2009 as part of a previous study, at 5 years 3 months it wasn’t far from beating the longevity record at that time although, it has since pushed to over 6 years! (T Mainwood). While some birds have been re-sighted at locations up to 15km away, one has already been reported from the Lincolnshire another in Flintshire, two in Norfolk and two more in Suffolk (the latter just a week after ringing). We have also noted, as those before us had also found that this population will rove widely for food, 2 birds caught early one morning were re-sighted near Huddersfield that afternoon.
We would be grateful to receive any sightings of these birds, either in the area of ringing or elsewhere. Sightings, including location, date, full colour-ring combinations, and numbers of birds in the flock, should be sent to Jamie Dunning at: jamiedunning8@gmail.com. All sightings will be acknowledged and the finder provided with the original ringing details.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to those who have run similar projects before us, including David Sowter and Sean Gray and Linda Williams who were kind enough to offer information on previous Pennine Twite work; the Grampian RG for kindly lending us one of their whoosh nets; the people who have tirelessly baited feeding stations, especially Tim Walker and David Sill. Also to the ringers who have offered their time to lend a hand where was needed, Mick Pearson and Gillian Dinsmore; The RSPB Twite Recovery Project, Nick Wilkinson, who co-prepared the CR application, provided our first batch of rings and advised throughout, Tim Melling, Roy Taylor, Jenny Oldroyde, Dave O’Hara, Mike Denton, Kelvin Jones, Alan Draper and Henry McGhie for their useful comments. Then C Atkin, S Whayman, N Lound, A Brown, B Perkins, P Drewy, D Horsey, R S J Smith, S Blain and K Jones for reporting CR birds. Additionally to the above, thanks to the Cley bird club, Lincs bird club, East lancs ornithological society, Calderdale bird club, Bird guides and The BTO for their help in promoting the project.
Jamie Dunning & Steve Christmas
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Redstart at The Firs, Holme NWT.
Lapland Bunting, Water Pipits x 4, Eurasian White-fronted Goose at Blakeney Freshes.
Common Cranes x 2 at Attleborough.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Snow Buntings x 45 at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Snow Buntings x 4, Twite x 2 at Thornham Point.
Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Pomarine Skuas x 5, Great Skua, Common Cranes x 2, White Stork (probable) at Horsey.
Black Brant, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Acle.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Breydon Water.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3 at Haddiscoe Island, viewable from Waveney Forest.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
Black Redstart at The Firs, Holme NWT.
Lapland Bunting, Water Pipits x 4, Eurasian White-fronted Goose at Blakeney Freshes.
Common Cranes x 2 at Attleborough.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Snow Buntings x 45 at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Snow Buntings x 4, Twite x 2 at Thornham Point.
Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Pomarine Skuas x 5, Great Skua, Common Cranes x 2, White Stork (probable) at Horsey.
Black Brant, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Acle.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Breydon Water.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3 at Haddiscoe Island, viewable from Waveney Forest.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Barnacle Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese 2,850 at North Creake.
Waxwing at Stanhoe.
Twite x 40 at Thornham Harbour.
Snow Buntings x 27 at Thornham Point.
Snow Buntings x 24 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Cley.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
Short-eared Owls x 5 at Breydon Water.
Water Pipit, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Hen Harrier, Firecrest, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Water Pipits x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
Barnacle Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese 2,850 at North Creake.
Waxwing at Stanhoe.
Twite x 40 at Thornham Harbour.
Snow Buntings x 27 at Thornham Point.
Snow Buntings x 24 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Cley.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
Short-eared Owls x 5 at Breydon Water.
Water Pipit, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Hen Harrier, Firecrest, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Water Pipits x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Fair Isle Made in Fair Isle Clothing Store!
Made by Hollie Shaw on Fair Isle, Shetland.
https://www.facebook.com/fairislemadeinfairisleknitwear?fref=photo
https://www.facebook.com/fairislemadeinfairisleknitwear?fref=photo
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwing, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 220, Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver, Twite x 4, Shag at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2, Hen Harrier at Burnham Overy Staithe.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 14, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Holkham.
Slavonian Grebe at Filby Broad.
Caspian Gull at Buxton.
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Breydon Water.
Hawfinches x 7 at Lynford Aboretum.
Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton.
Mealy Redpoll at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Lough Gill, County Kerry, Ireland.
Waxwing, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 220, Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver, Twite x 4, Shag at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2, Hen Harrier at Burnham Overy Staithe.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 14, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Holkham.
Slavonian Grebe at Filby Broad.
Caspian Gull at Buxton.
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Breydon Water.
Hawfinches x 7 at Lynford Aboretum.
Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton.
Mealy Redpoll at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Lough Gill, County Kerry, Ireland.
Monday, 24 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Redstart at Weybourne.
Common Cranes x 7, Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting, Eurasian White-fronted Goose, Bewick's Swan at Horsey.
Barnacle Geese x 3, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
BLACK STORK at 11.45am, flew SE over Bradwell.
Pomarine Skua, Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 300 at Cley NWT.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Salthouse.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 4 still at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 7 at North Beach, Great Yarmouth.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Snow Buntings x 5 at North Beach, Winterton.
Snow Buntings x 60, Hen Harrier at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 4 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Waxwing flew west over Riverside, Norwich.
Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
Black Redstart at Weybourne.
Common Cranes x 7, Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting, Eurasian White-fronted Goose, Bewick's Swan at Horsey.
Barnacle Geese x 3, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
BLACK STORK at 11.45am, flew SE over Bradwell.
Pomarine Skua, Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 300 at Cley NWT.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Salthouse.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 4 still at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 7 at North Beach, Great Yarmouth.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Snow Buntings x 5 at North Beach, Winterton.
Snow Buntings x 60, Hen Harrier at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 4 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Waxwing flew west over Riverside, Norwich.
Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Local Birding!
What a dire weekend – rain, rain and more rain!
Went to Roydon Common to look for the Great Grey Shrike. I was the only fool here, not another soul in the pouring rain. Along the track just beyond the car park, several Blackbirds and a couple of Song Thrushes were feeding, along with a Robin and a Great Tit. Several Redwings were sitting around in hawthorn bushes. I walked along the main track through the heather and saw 2 Hen Harriers distantly. Apart from Jackdaws I didn't see any other birds.
Lynn Docks – lots of Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls, 3 Turnstones, 1 Redshank, Mallards and Teal by the Shellfish sheds.
Went to Roydon Common to look for the Great Grey Shrike. I was the only fool here, not another soul in the pouring rain. Along the track just beyond the car park, several Blackbirds and a couple of Song Thrushes were feeding, along with a Robin and a Great Tit. Several Redwings were sitting around in hawthorn bushes. I walked along the main track through the heather and saw 2 Hen Harriers distantly. Apart from Jackdaws I didn't see any other birds.
Lynn Docks – lots of Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls, 3 Turnstones, 1 Redshank, Mallards and Teal by the Shellfish sheds.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl yesterday at Breydon Water.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Whooper Swans x 8, Bewick's Swans x 5, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 12 at West Somerton.
Glaucous Gull at Sheringham.
Twite x 15 at Thornham Harbour.
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Roydon Common.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Kinvarra, County Galway, Ireland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Lough Gill, County Kerry, Ireland.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl yesterday at Breydon Water.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Whooper Swans x 8, Bewick's Swans x 5, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 12 at West Somerton.
Glaucous Gull at Sheringham.
Twite x 15 at Thornham Harbour.
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Roydon Common.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Hartlepool near Seaton Carew, Cleveland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Kinvarra, County Galway, Ireland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Lough Gill, County Kerry, Ireland.
Saturday, 22 November 2014
The Shortest Birding Trip!
Things have not been going to plan this week at all. Several things that I was quite excited and positive about, have been squashed unfortunately. Back to the drawing board. Feeling tired, fed-up and having a pre-mid-life crisis!
Why are there blue skies and sunshine during the week and then rain and clouds at weekends? – so unfair!
Watched tons of Brent Geese feeding in a field just east of Titchwell by the church this afternoon and got a nice little video with the Canon 7D. Short walk at dusk at Titchwell RSPB to hear 2 Cetti's Warblers and watched several large Starling flocks over the reedbeds.
Photos to be added
Why are there blue skies and sunshine during the week and then rain and clouds at weekends? – so unfair!
Watched tons of Brent Geese feeding in a field just east of Titchwell by the church this afternoon and got a nice little video with the Canon 7D. Short walk at dusk at Titchwell RSPB to hear 2 Cetti's Warblers and watched several large Starling flocks over the reedbeds.
Brent Geese at Titchwell
Photos to be added
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwings x 2, Firecrest at Titchwell RSPB.
Velvet Scoter, Purple Sandpiper, Snow Buntings x 6 at North Beach, Winterton.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Bewick's Swans x 15 at Holme.
Snow Buntings x 10, Hen Harrier at Salthouse.
Black Brant at Cley.
Taiga Bean Geese x 2 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Hen Harrier at Upton.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Slavonian Grebe at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Blakeney.
Waxwing at Earlham
Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at County Kerry, Ireland.
Waxwings x 2, Firecrest at Titchwell RSPB.
Velvet Scoter, Purple Sandpiper, Snow Buntings x 6 at North Beach, Winterton.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Bewick's Swans x 15 at Holme.
Snow Buntings x 10, Hen Harrier at Salthouse.
Black Brant at Cley.
Taiga Bean Geese x 2 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Hen Harrier at Upton.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Slavonian Grebe at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Blakeney.
Waxwing at Earlham
Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at County Kerry, Ireland.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Friday 21st November
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens.
Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Waxwing at Overstrand.
Snow Buntings x 11, Hen Harrier at Thornham Point.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 10, Slavonian Grebe, Hen Harrier at Holkham.
Waxwing flew south over cliffs, Hunstanton.
White Storks esc. x 2 at Great Yarmouth.
Barnacle Goose, Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 5,400 at North Creake
Rough-legged Buzzard, Barnacle Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 375 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 3 at Salthouse.
Velve Scoter at Kelling.
Little Auks x 3 past beach car park at Cley.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull at Breydon Water.
Waxwings x 5 flew south over Riverside at Norwich.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Friday 21st November
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens.
Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Waxwing at Overstrand.
Snow Buntings x 11, Hen Harrier at Thornham Point.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 10, Slavonian Grebe, Hen Harrier at Holkham.
Waxwing flew south over cliffs, Hunstanton.
White Storks esc. x 2 at Great Yarmouth.
Barnacle Goose, Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 5,400 at North Creake
Rough-legged Buzzard, Barnacle Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 375 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 3 at Salthouse.
Velve Scoter at Kelling.
Little Auks x 3 past beach car park at Cley.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Yellow-legged Gull at Breydon Water.
Waxwings x 5 flew south over Riverside at Norwich.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Thursday, 20 November 2014
10 bizarre objects found in 'cool' offices
Love the sky ceiling at Virgin Money's office!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25355618
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Ring Ouzel at Burham Overy Staithe.
Waxwing at Norwich.
Great Skuas x 6, Snow Buntings x 4, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 4 at Winterton.
Caspian Gulls x 2 at Aylsham.
BLACK STORK flew SE over field just east of B1159 at Walnut Farm, late morning, 1.25 mils SSE of Waxham.
White Storks esc. x 3 at Great Yarmouth.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2, Purple Sandpiper at Breydon Water.
Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Snow Bunting, Sandwich Tern a Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwing near NOA entrance, Lapland Buntings x 2 at Holme.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Ring Ouzel at Burham Overy Staithe.
Waxwing at Norwich.
Great Skuas x 6, Snow Buntings x 4, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 4 at Winterton.
Caspian Gulls x 2 at Aylsham.
BLACK STORK flew SE over field just east of B1159 at Walnut Farm, late morning, 1.25 mils SSE of Waxham.
White Storks esc. x 3 at Great Yarmouth.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2, Purple Sandpiper at Breydon Water.
Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Snow Bunting, Sandwich Tern a Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwing near NOA entrance, Lapland Buntings x 2 at Holme.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Wednesday, 19 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 2, Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Twite x 50, Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour.
White Storks esc. x 2 at Great Yarmouth.
Little Auk (taken into care), Richard's Pipit, Rough-legged Buzzard, Red-necked Grebe, Yellow-legged Gull, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Red-crested Pochards x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
PENDULINE TITS x 2, Bittern, Water Pipit at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Snow Buntings x 70 at Holme.
Twite x 16 at Breydon Water.
Common Cranes x 8 at Ten Mile Bank.
*BASKING SHARK (on Monday) at Eccles-on-Sea.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 6 at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Taiga Bean Geese x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 88 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Water Pipit at Cantley Beet Factory.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! WHITE'S THRUSH at Lerwick, Shetland.
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 2, Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Twite x 50, Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour.
White Storks esc. x 2 at Great Yarmouth.
Little Auk (taken into care), Richard's Pipit, Rough-legged Buzzard, Red-necked Grebe, Yellow-legged Gull, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Red-crested Pochards x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
PENDULINE TITS x 2, Bittern, Water Pipit at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Snow Buntings x 70 at Holme.
Twite x 16 at Breydon Water.
Common Cranes x 8 at Ten Mile Bank.
*BASKING SHARK (on Monday) at Eccles-on-Sea.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 6 at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Taiga Bean Geese x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 88 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Water Pipit at Cantley Beet Factory.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! WHITE'S THRUSH at Lerwick, Shetland.
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Red-necked Grebes x 2, Lapland Bunting at Titchwell RSPB.
Great Skuas x 4, Little Gulls x 26 at Salthouse.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Great White Egret at Holkham.
Pomarine Skuas x 2, Great Skuas x 11, Little Gulls x 40 at Horsey.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2, Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Caspian Gulls x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 6 at East Winch.
PENDULINE TITS x 2, Water Pipits x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 2 at Trimingham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! LITTLE BUSTARD at 8.55am only, West Bexington, Dorset.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
Red-necked Grebes x 2, Lapland Bunting at Titchwell RSPB.
Great Skuas x 4, Little Gulls x 26 at Salthouse.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Great White Egret at Holkham.
Pomarine Skuas x 2, Great Skuas x 11, Little Gulls x 40 at Horsey.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2, Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Caspian Gulls x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 6 at East Winch.
PENDULINE TITS x 2, Water Pipits x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 2 at Trimingham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! LITTLE BUSTARD at 8.55am only, West Bexington, Dorset.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
Monday, 17 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Snow Buntings x 2, Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Snow Buntings x 12, Twite x 8 at Salthouse.
Lapland Buntings x 2, Twite x 12, Short-eared Owls x 7 at Breydon Water.
Pomarine Skua, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT.
Little Auk, Slavonian Grebe, Great Skuas x 3, Little Gulls x 20, Short-eared Owl, Sandwich Tern at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Great Northern Diver, Little Gulls x 20, Great Skuas x 6, Common Cranes x 4, Hen Harrier at Horsey.
Goshawk at Santon Warren.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 7 at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Slavonian Grebe, Great Skuas x 2 at Holme NOA.
Common Cranes x 4, Hen Harrier at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
Snow Buntings x 2, Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Snow Buntings x 12, Twite x 8 at Salthouse.
Lapland Buntings x 2, Twite x 12, Short-eared Owls x 7 at Breydon Water.
Pomarine Skua, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT.
Little Auk, Slavonian Grebe, Great Skuas x 3, Little Gulls x 20, Short-eared Owl, Sandwich Tern at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Great Northern Diver, Little Gulls x 20, Great Skuas x 6, Common Cranes x 4, Hen Harrier at Horsey.
Goshawk at Santon Warren.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 7 at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Slavonian Grebe, Great Skuas x 2 at Holme NOA.
Common Cranes x 4, Hen Harrier at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
Sunday, 16 November 2014
Spectacular Winter Birding!
At Cley Coastguards I watched a Great Northern Diver on the sea and a Snow Bunting headed east over Beach Road. Several birders were here, hoping for yesterday's Black Guillemot to appear, but no luck all day with that bird, well not as far as I know anyway!
At Salthouse Eddie, Simon and I had a brilliant seawatching session which included: 2 Little Auks (possibly 3), 1 Razorbill on sea, 7 Red-throated Divers, 2 Common Scoters, 4 Eiders, 3 Gannets, a flock of 18 Little Gulls and more later (didn't keep counting!) There was a Great Skua too, but I didn't see this. The light rain gradually became heavier. Eddie and Simon left. I sat in my car at Beach Road for a mid-morning snack and coffee. Pouring with rain now and looked set for the day.
Made my way to Walsey Hills NOA. Walked round in the rain and found a Great Tit, Blue Tit and 1 Robin – that was it! Spent a long time here, hoping for a good bird, but nothing more found.
Parked up on the concrete pad at Garden Drove, Warham. Steady rain and lots of mud! Nobody here but me – my turn to find the mega! Yeah right! I found a surprising amount of birds here – Blackbirds and Woodpigeons scattered as I walked along the hedge-lined track. There was a tit flock which comprised of Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits along with Chaffinches. In the ploughed field there were 35 Curlew and a good number of Lapwings. The hawthorns at the bottom by the copse held a few Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches and Linnets. I walked west along the field side of the hedge and found a massive finch flock which included more Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Linnets and also Reed Buntings. Two Sparrowhawks swooped low over the field which scattered the finches. Walked west as far as the pond where there were several Reed Buntings perched in the hawthorns. Walked back the same way and found a couple of Robins by the end of the track near the copse and then plodded back along the track in the squelchy mud and puddles. Sat in the car and had a coffee, whilst listening to the squealing pigs in the field and the rain battering the car.
Ended the day watching a spectacular sight of 24 Red Kites at a roost site along with a Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, a Bullfinch, 2 Black Birds and a few flocks of Starlings.
A top day's birding, considering the atrocious weather!
PHOTOS & VIDEO TO BE ADDED
At Salthouse Eddie, Simon and I had a brilliant seawatching session which included: 2 Little Auks (possibly 3), 1 Razorbill on sea, 7 Red-throated Divers, 2 Common Scoters, 4 Eiders, 3 Gannets, a flock of 18 Little Gulls and more later (didn't keep counting!) There was a Great Skua too, but I didn't see this. The light rain gradually became heavier. Eddie and Simon left. I sat in my car at Beach Road for a mid-morning snack and coffee. Pouring with rain now and looked set for the day.
Made my way to Walsey Hills NOA. Walked round in the rain and found a Great Tit, Blue Tit and 1 Robin – that was it! Spent a long time here, hoping for a good bird, but nothing more found.
Parked up on the concrete pad at Garden Drove, Warham. Steady rain and lots of mud! Nobody here but me – my turn to find the mega! Yeah right! I found a surprising amount of birds here – Blackbirds and Woodpigeons scattered as I walked along the hedge-lined track. There was a tit flock which comprised of Great, Blue and Long-tailed Tits along with Chaffinches. In the ploughed field there were 35 Curlew and a good number of Lapwings. The hawthorns at the bottom by the copse held a few Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches and Linnets. I walked west along the field side of the hedge and found a massive finch flock which included more Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, Linnets and also Reed Buntings. Two Sparrowhawks swooped low over the field which scattered the finches. Walked west as far as the pond where there were several Reed Buntings perched in the hawthorns. Walked back the same way and found a couple of Robins by the end of the track near the copse and then plodded back along the track in the squelchy mud and puddles. Sat in the car and had a coffee, whilst listening to the squealing pigs in the field and the rain battering the car.
Ended the day watching a spectacular sight of 24 Red Kites at a roost site along with a Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, a Bullfinch, 2 Black Birds and a few flocks of Starlings.
A top day's birding, considering the atrocious weather!
PHOTOS & VIDEO TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Auks x 2 at Salthouse.
Little Auks x 6, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Little Gulls x 76, Pomarine Skuas x 3, Great Skuas x 3, Snow Bunting at Cley.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owls x 2, Snow Bunting at Breydon Water.
Hen Harrier, Caspian Gull (probable) at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 12 at North Beach, Great Yarmouth.
Richard's Pipit (on Thursday) flew south over Hunstanton Cliffs.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male x 2 reported, Pomarine Skuas x 4, Velvet Scoters x 20, Great White Egret at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Siberian Chiffchaff Possible at Wells Woods.
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl at Stiffkey.
Little Auk at Holme Dunes NWT.
Little Auks x 2, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 18, Great Skua at Sheringham.
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common.
LESSER CANADA GEESE (possible) x 2 – form parvipes at Lynn Point.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Little Auks x 2 at Salthouse.
Little Auks x 6, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Little Gulls x 76, Pomarine Skuas x 3, Great Skuas x 3, Snow Bunting at Cley.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owls x 2, Snow Bunting at Breydon Water.
Hen Harrier, Caspian Gull (probable) at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 12 at North Beach, Great Yarmouth.
Richard's Pipit (on Thursday) flew south over Hunstanton Cliffs.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male x 2 reported, Pomarine Skuas x 4, Velvet Scoters x 20, Great White Egret at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Siberian Chiffchaff Possible at Wells Woods.
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl at Stiffkey.
Little Auk at Holme Dunes NWT.
Little Auks x 2, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 18, Great Skua at Sheringham.
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common.
LESSER CANADA GEESE (possible) x 2 – form parvipes at Lynn Point.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Saturday, 15 November 2014
Vodafone Stop Twitter Text Notifications!
Vodafone have stopped twitter text notifications, just like that, with no warning! So along with a crap service from vodafone generally, with hardly any 3G signal in Norfolk and my Apple iphone 5s playing up massively, its time to put in a big complaint to Apple and Vodafone. A long way off the end of my 2 year deal – will have to look into this. I never thought I would give up my iphone, but its looking that way more and more. Can't tweet or post to facebook when I am out. Can't empty my mail boxes on the phone. Can't use the touch screen to open certain parts of Apps I have etc etc, very poor service indeed.
Cley NWT and Salthouse!
Everything took twice as long to do this morning with decreased use of right hand and with pulled muscle in back! Very little to report today really. Fabulous views of two Great Northern Divers from Coastguards at Cley with Andy J., Simon and Pete S. Also Red-throated Diver, 3 Common Scoters, 1 Goldeneye and a few Turnstones. A Wedding party arrived at the car park and posed on the shingle beach, which included lots of pretty ladies in short skirts/dresses and heels which also mean't the birds were neglected for a while from the male birders around me LOL!
I heard through the grapevine that a large whale had been seen off Cromer at 1pm today, but don't know if this correct or not – not reported through the news services.
News of a Black Guillemot at Salthouse an hour after it was seen at Salthouse, bleeped up on the pager. Went to Salthouse and saw nothing apart from a few Pied Wagtails. Returned to Coastguards after news came out again of the Black Guillemot drifting west from Arnold's Marsh. Joined John F., Kieran and Kayn for lots of interesting banter, which is not appropriate for publishing!!! Had a coffee and then went home.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
I heard through the grapevine that a large whale had been seen off Cromer at 1pm today, but don't know if this correct or not – not reported through the news services.
News of a Black Guillemot at Salthouse an hour after it was seen at Salthouse, bleeped up on the pager. Went to Salthouse and saw nothing apart from a few Pied Wagtails. Returned to Coastguards after news came out again of the Black Guillemot drifting west from Arnold's Marsh. Joined John F., Kieran and Kayn for lots of interesting banter, which is not appropriate for publishing!!! Had a coffee and then went home.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Slavonian Grebe, Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier, Sandwich Terns x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 9, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 56 at Holkham.
Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 15 at Winterton.
Ring-necked Parakeet at Repps.
Black Guillemot, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter at West Runton.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Black Guillemot at Salthouse and Cley.
Great White Egret at Setchey.
Black Redstart at the Esplanade, Sheringham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
Slavonian Grebe, Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier, Sandwich Terns x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 9, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 56 at Holkham.
Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 15 at Winterton.
Ring-necked Parakeet at Repps.
Black Guillemot, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter at West Runton.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimes Graves.
Black Guillemot at Salthouse and Cley.
Great White Egret at Setchey.
Black Redstart at the Esplanade, Sheringham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
Friday, 14 November 2014
The Weekend!
I am just wondering if we have any remote chance of a mega bird turning up in Norfolk before winter birding commences? Who knows! Fed-up with one-handed typing – I usually type at a massive speed, soooooo slooooowwwwww OMG!
Weather doesn't look very kind over the weekend, but if it brings a good bird, then I'm not too bothered! No news on the Humpback Whale all week – hope its still around, wouldn't mind seeing that this weekend. Not sure where to start in the morning.
Weather
Saturday
Misty and cloudy with some areas of fog lingering through the morning, especially in the west. Most places dry though, with a chance of scattered showers. Brighter conditions developing later.
Sunday
Many areas dry Sunday with variable cloud, but a chance of a few showers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2652856
Weather doesn't look very kind over the weekend, but if it brings a good bird, then I'm not too bothered! No news on the Humpback Whale all week – hope its still around, wouldn't mind seeing that this weekend. Not sure where to start in the morning.
Weather
Saturday
Misty and cloudy with some areas of fog lingering through the morning, especially in the west. Most places dry though, with a chance of scattered showers. Brighter conditions developing later.
Sunday
Many areas dry Sunday with variable cloud, but a chance of a few showers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2652856
Fracture Review!
Review appointment this morning at the Fracture Clinic to be informed by a very nice Consultant that I havn't actually fractured my finger afterall (borderline), but as he explained (which I knew already) severe bruising can be just as painful. A nurse then removed my splinting and applied some nice support bandages, which felt much more comfortable. There was no suggestion of draining the blood away from the haematoma, so I didn't bring it up! The good news is I can drive the car, but only allowed to do 'admin' duties for the following three weeks until healed. The bad news is (yes there is more!) I pulled a muscle in my back whilst trying to have a shower this morning! However, my 'Blue Peter' skills came in useful for making my hand waterproof – a large plastic food bag, secured with rubber band over at elbow – worked brilliantly! Will be glad when my catalogue of accidents is done with! Thank you to everyone who has very kindly sent me get well messages.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Little Auk, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Great Skuas x 8, Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 10 at Winterton.
Yellow-legged Gull at Cromer.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Firecrest at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Staithe.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female on beach midway between amusements and beach cafe at Gorleston-on-Sea.
STORM PETREL Probable flew south past Gorleston-on-Sea.
Bittern at Cley NWT.
Black Brant at Walsey Hills NOA.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Ring Ouzel at UEA, Norwich.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Little Auk, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Great Skuas x 8, Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 10 at Winterton.
Yellow-legged Gull at Cromer.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Firecrest at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Staithe.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female on beach midway between amusements and beach cafe at Gorleston-on-Sea.
STORM PETREL Probable flew south past Gorleston-on-Sea.
Bittern at Cley NWT.
Black Brant at Walsey Hills NOA.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Ring Ouzel at UEA, Norwich.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
Thursday, 13 November 2014
Another Trip to A&E!!!
You have to laugh really – I'm losing count now of my accidents this year! Shut my middle and ring finger of right hand in a door at work today..... pain kicked in immediately, blood etc. Ran to the sink and held hand under cold water. The pain then hit me like a ton of bricks and I was crying with the intensity of it and then felt faint. Luckily, working in a hospital, you have the immediate attention of lots of lovely colleagues! A Doctor, Sister and my team all assisted – bandaged me up and then Sarah took me to A&E in a wheelchair (Sarah took me A&E in September!). Seen by a nurse, given pain relief, went to X-Ray, back to A&E, seen by a Sister. Ring finger fractured and both this finger and middle finger bruised and swelled. Fingers taped up (bad ones taped to good ones for support and arm sling to keep elevated – review appointment tomorrow morning in fracture clinic. Haematoma developing next to nail, which may have to be drained if it gets any worse by morning, otherwise may lose nail.
Went back to work and carried on with light duties. Went to hospital hairdressers to get my hair washed, as won't be able to do this myself – cost me £10. Managed to drive home. Will be at work tomorrow. Can't believe I have done this! Good job I have just edited my best Desert Wheatear pictures, as won't be able to do any more for a while, as need two hands to use photoshop.
Typing the Norfolk news and this post up with just my left hand has taken forever, but I will not be beaten. The blog goes on!!!
Went back to work and carried on with light duties. Went to hospital hairdressers to get my hair washed, as won't be able to do this myself – cost me £10. Managed to drive home. Will be at work tomorrow. Can't believe I have done this! Good job I have just edited my best Desert Wheatear pictures, as won't be able to do any more for a while, as need two hands to use photoshop.
Typing the Norfolk news and this post up with just my left hand has taken forever, but I will not be beaten. The blog goes on!!!
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 5, Snow Buntings x 12, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 700, Lapland Buntings x 3 at Cley NWT.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female on beach near boating pool, near amusements at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier at Berney Marshes RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Lapland Bunting, Twite x 40, Snow Buntings x 40 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NNR, Thetford.
*MINKE WHALE Probable at 9am off Walcott.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret at Holkham.
Twite x 30 at Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Morston.
Ring Ouzel at Kelling Quags.
Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 8 at Blakeney Point.
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Breydon Water.
Firecrest at Waxham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
All typed up with one hand, as fractured and bruised two fingers today!
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 5, Snow Buntings x 12, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 700, Lapland Buntings x 3 at Cley NWT.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female on beach near boating pool, near amusements at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier at Berney Marshes RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Lapland Bunting, Twite x 40, Snow Buntings x 40 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NNR, Thetford.
*MINKE WHALE Probable at 9am off Walcott.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret at Holkham.
Twite x 30 at Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Morston.
Ring Ouzel at Kelling Quags.
Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 8 at Blakeney Point.
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Breydon Water.
Firecrest at Waxham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
All typed up with one hand, as fractured and bruised two fingers today!
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Great Skua, Sandwich Tern, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Jack Snipe, Twite x 30 at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 12, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
Twite x 50 yesterday and 80 today at Thornham Harbour.
Common Crane, Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 600, Twite x 3 at Cley NWT.
* LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALES x 2 reported again off beach carpark, Cley.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female between 2nd and 3rd shelters from amusements at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Hawfinches x 5 at Lynford Aboretum.
Rough-legged Buzzard, White Storks x 3 at Halvergate Marshes.
Firecrest at Beeston Common, Sheringham.
Caspian Gull at Aylsham.
Richard's Pipit Probable at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Twite x 10, Water Pipits x 2 at Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Richard's Pipit at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret, Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Osprey at Lenwade.
Black-winged Stilt (Escape) at Ouse Washes, RSPB, Cambridgeshire.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Great Skua, Sandwich Tern, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Jack Snipe, Twite x 30 at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 12, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
Twite x 50 yesterday and 80 today at Thornham Harbour.
Common Crane, Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 600, Twite x 3 at Cley NWT.
* LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALES x 2 reported again off beach carpark, Cley.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female between 2nd and 3rd shelters from amusements at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Hawfinches x 5 at Lynford Aboretum.
Rough-legged Buzzard, White Storks x 3 at Halvergate Marshes.
Firecrest at Beeston Common, Sheringham.
Caspian Gull at Aylsham.
Richard's Pipit Probable at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Twite x 10, Water Pipits x 2 at Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Richard's Pipit at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret, Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Osprey at Lenwade.
Black-winged Stilt (Escape) at Ouse Washes, RSPB, Cambridgeshire.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
RBA Weekly Round-Up 5th to 11th November!
By Mark Golley
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2014-45a.aspx?s_id=335998964
Thanks to the RBA Team for using my Desert Wheatear shot at Gorleston.
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2014-45a.aspx?s_id=335998964
Thanks to the RBA Team for using my Desert Wheatear shot at Gorleston.
Obituary – Derek Moore
Stephen Moss wrote an obituary for Derek Moore and emailed me the link to the "Independent". Beautiful piece.... RIP.
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Rough-legged Buzzard, Common Crane (west at 1.50pm and east at 2.15pm), Snow Buntings x 23, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Twite x 20 at Titchwell RSPB.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Velvet Scoters x 3, Rough-legged Buzzard (probable) at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 17, Velvet Scoter, Jack Snipe at North Beach, Winterton.
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Walsey Hills NOA.
Twite x 9 at Happisburgh.
Black Redstart at The Esplanade, Sheringham.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female still by 4th shelter from amusements at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
Twite x 25 at Salthouse.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 4, Long-tailed Duck at Horsey.
Snow Buntings x 50 at Cley NWT.
Common Crane east at 2.25pm over Holme NOA.
Common Crane east at 3.25pm over Stiffkey.
Common Crane east at 3.45pm & west at 4.20pm over Cley NWT.
Common Crane east at 4pm over Salthouse.
Common Crane west at 5pm over Upper Sheringham.
Hen Harrier at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens.
Great White Egret at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Admirality Point.
Short-eared Owl at Aylmerton.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
• EASTERN HOUSE MARTIN (form lagopodum) Possible, yesterday, Whitburn, County Durham – no sign today.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Common Crane (west at 1.50pm and east at 2.15pm), Snow Buntings x 23, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Twite x 20 at Titchwell RSPB.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Velvet Scoters x 3, Rough-legged Buzzard (probable) at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 17, Velvet Scoter, Jack Snipe at North Beach, Winterton.
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Walsey Hills NOA.
Twite x 9 at Happisburgh.
Black Redstart at The Esplanade, Sheringham.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female still by 4th shelter from amusements at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
Twite x 25 at Salthouse.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 4, Long-tailed Duck at Horsey.
Snow Buntings x 50 at Cley NWT.
Common Crane east at 2.25pm over Holme NOA.
Common Crane east at 3.25pm over Stiffkey.
Common Crane east at 3.45pm & west at 4.20pm over Cley NWT.
Common Crane east at 4pm over Salthouse.
Common Crane west at 5pm over Upper Sheringham.
Hen Harrier at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens.
Great White Egret at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Admirality Point.
Short-eared Owl at Aylmerton.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, County Kerry, Ireland.
• EASTERN HOUSE MARTIN (form lagopodum) Possible, yesterday, Whitburn, County Durham – no sign today.
Monday, 10 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
*HUMPBACK WHALE seen at Happisburgh, Sea Palling, Waxham and Horsey.
*PILOT WHALES x 10, east at 11.49am and 17 east at 12.16pm, 18 east at 1.12pm at Cley.
*PILOT WHALES x 10, east at 12.17 and 18 east at 1.03pm and 1.12pm, 22 east at 1.45pm at Salthouse.
*LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALES x 25 at 2.20pm and 28 at 3.05pm off Salthouse.
*LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALES x 28 at 4pm off Weybourne and then at 4.40pm at Sheringham.
Great Skua, Black Redstarts x 3, Whinchat, Twite x 10 at Happisburgh.
Short-eared Owls x 2, Snow Buntings x 14, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female still by 2nd shelter from amusements, White Wagtail, Snow Bunting at Gorleston-on-Sea.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Velvet Scoters x 10, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Breydon Water.
Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier at Warham Greens.Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
White Storks x 3 at Acle.
Shorelark at Hunstanton.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Twite, Snow Bunting at Titchwell RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT County Kerry, Ireland.
*HUMPBACK WHALE seen at Happisburgh, Sea Palling, Waxham and Horsey.
*PILOT WHALES x 10, east at 11.49am and 17 east at 12.16pm, 18 east at 1.12pm at Cley.
*PILOT WHALES x 10, east at 12.17 and 18 east at 1.03pm and 1.12pm, 22 east at 1.45pm at Salthouse.
*LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALES x 25 at 2.20pm and 28 at 3.05pm off Salthouse.
*LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALES x 28 at 4pm off Weybourne and then at 4.40pm at Sheringham.
Great Skua, Black Redstarts x 3, Whinchat, Twite x 10 at Happisburgh.
Short-eared Owls x 2, Snow Buntings x 14, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female still by 2nd shelter from amusements, White Wagtail, Snow Bunting at Gorleston-on-Sea.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Velvet Scoters x 10, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Breydon Water.
Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier at Warham Greens.Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
White Storks x 3 at Acle.
Shorelark at Hunstanton.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Twite, Snow Bunting at Titchwell RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT County Kerry, Ireland.
STOP PRESS! First live sightings of 28 Long-finned Pilot Whales in Norfolk!!!
28 Long-finned Pilot Whales
Seen at Cley, Salthouse, Weybourne and Sheringham.
Pictures HERE and Video HERE
For all Cetacean information and sightings in Norfolk see here:
http://norfolkcetaceans.wordpress.com/list-of-norfolk-cetaceans/
Seen at Cley, Salthouse, Weybourne and Sheringham.
Pictures HERE and Video HERE
For all Cetacean information and sightings in Norfolk see here:
http://norfolkcetaceans.wordpress.com/list-of-norfolk-cetaceans/
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Desert Wheatears in Norfolk & Suffolk!!!
DESERT WHEATEAR
First Winter Female at Gorleston, Norfolk
I had not been very well at all yesterday, which had ruined half of my weekend, but I was determined to make up for it today. I thought I had set my alarm last night, but woke up to find my phone on the duvet and the clock read 7.30am. 7.30am was supposed to be my arrival time at Lowestoft, not the time I woke up!!! Got into action quickly, to get on the road. Plan for the day was to see both Desert Wheatears and a Humpback Whale!
No news on the pager about either the Desert Wheatear at Gorleston or the Lowestoft bird, so asked RBA to put out a 'no news' message. If the bird is there, it works every time! A few minutes after the no news message went out, the Gorleston bird appeared on the pager as still there. The Lowestoft bird appeared later at 10.20am.
It was lashing down with rain as I drove along the A47 this morning and there was alot of water in places along the road.
DESERT WHEATEAR
First Winter Male at Lowestoft, Suffolk
It wasn't until after I had left Lowestoft that I discovered that my ISO had been set on 1600 for every shot I took – no idea why I didn't check that, which then resulted in grainy and over exposed shots which I have attempted to rescue!
Lowestoft, Suffolk
I arrived at Links Road car park, Lowestoft to find that the Desert Wheatear was much further south along the sea wall, opposite the 'net posts', which is next to the Bird's Eye Factory and the wind turbine at Ness Point. With assistance from Andy W. (via phone) I re-located to park next to the net posts. What a fabulous area for birding! I walked across the grassy field to the sea wall. I could see the Desert Wheatear hopping along the sea wall before I got there! As I neared the concrete slope I could see a lady jogger making her way along the sea wall. I managed to get a couple of photos, but then as the jogger neared the bird, it flew a short distance along the wall and then as she neared again, it flew off high and landed on the roof of the Bird's Eye Factory! I heard someone say 'well done' in a sarcastic voice and presumed this was aimed at the jogger, but found out a couple of minutes later via another birder who had been standing next to me, that it had been directed at us! The man standing next to me said 'did you know that we were blamed for that?'. Now, if the person that had said that, did not see the jogger and what happened, then they need to go either back to birding school, or Specsavers or possibly both!!! Anyway, the Desert Wheatear shortly returned to land directly in front of me! Lovely! What a fabulous bird and the sun was out too, what more could you ask for! I spent quite a while photographing this stunning little bird. Ben Moyes and his father were also here. Lots of people walking dogs – some the wheatear seemed alarmed by and some it wasn't bothered by at all. I could have easily stayed here for the rest of the day, a beautiful spot.
Drove south a short distance to the Wind Turbine at Ness Point. Watched a 1w Red-backed Shrike in the compound with Greenfinches distantly, which was an unexpected bonus. There was a Black Redstart here too, but I didn't see this. Parked by the sea and walked along the sea wall to look for Purple Sandpipers and managed to find one on the rocks near a fisherman – fabulous to watch, but a bit too distant for photography. It was beautiful here, waves crashing onto huge, seaweed covered rocks with blue skies and sunshine – good for the soul. Bumped into Jon Evans here and a birder that had travelled from a long way north for both Desert Wheatears. Back at the car I had a quick cup of coffee and a sandwich and left to return to Norfolk!
Taken through the gap in the fence of the boat yard!
After sunset the amusement arcade lights make the back drop
for my last shots of the evening.
for my last shots of the evening.
DESERT WHEATEAR
First Winter Female at Gorleston, Norfolk
Gorleston, Norfolk
Parked up by the Pavilion Theatre – free parking, always good! It was really weird being here and seeing the 'Ocean Rooms' which were once a brilliant nightclub I used to go to when I lived here. I lived in Gorleston in my second year at Great Yarmouth Art College. For some strange reason, I have always remembered the address, it was a bedsit at 15 Avondale Road and cost me £15.00 a week – there are stories to tell about the other tenants that lived in that place I can tell you!
I started walking along the promenade and could see a handful of photographers in the distant by the third shelter where the Desert Wheatear was mean't to be, but they didn't seem to be watching anything! That's because the bird had flown high across the beach and beyond where I had parked according to Phil Heath and friend who I then bumped into. Oh dear! I turned back and walked with Phil and a few other birders to try and re-locate the wheatear. I walked along the jetty area where people were fishing and then suddenly some birders had spotted the Desert Wheatear through a fence in an enclosed boat yard! I had to smile – birders trying to find the biggest gaps between the fence panels to peak through, in hope of a glimpse of this bird. Eventually I saw it, sitting inches from me in an old boat just below me through the fence! It then perched up a bit higher and I managed to get a really close picture of it through the gap! I didn't see it fly, but a little while later it flew back to the beach and headed slowly back to its favoured spot on the beach, opposite the third shelter. News of the Humpback Whale came up on the pager again, but it was too late in the day to get to Cart Gap before dusk, so will dedicate next weekend to whale watching I think!
There were lots of people on the beach with dogs bounding around – sadly you had be careful where you walked. One lady's dog went for the wheatear big time and chased it round – I really thought for one scary moment that it was going to catch it too – the lady was not even aware, when Rob asked her to keep her dog under control. I spent a long time here, carefully crouched down, along with Jill and Rob Wilson photographing my second Desert Wheatear of the day! It was nice to see that families walking along the promenade seemed really interested in what we were photographing, what the bird was and where it had come from. My best picture was when everyone else had gone – it was dusk and the wheatear had perched on one of the posts on the beach and I managed to photograph it with a round orange light behind its head and although not the sharpest shot I have taken today, it looked really atmospheric, very pleased with that picture indeed. The bird was still feeding on the beach at 4.25pm as I left.
Made my way back along the promenade and was very tempted by the fish 'n' chip shop, good job I had no cash on me! It was a long drive back to King's Lynn and I collapsed on the sofa as soon as I got in. Well, today certainly made up for yesterday – lots of pictures to sort through now!
MORE PICTURES TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Redstarts x 2 at South Dunes, Winterton.
Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 33, Velvet Scoter at North Dunes, Winterton.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Ring Ouzel, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Black Redstarts x 4 at the Esplanade, Sheringham.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoters x 11, Snow Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, Ring Ouzels x 2, Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
DUSKY WARBLER reported this morning at Meals House, Holkham Pines.
Grey Phalarope, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 6, Whooper Swans x 3, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female still, below sea wall, by 3rd shelter from amusements carpark at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Great Northern Diver off beach car park at Cley.
Twite x 40 at Thornham Harbour.
Great White Egret at Lynn Point, King's Lynn.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Breydon Water.
Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 20 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Black Redstarts x 2 at Mundesley.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Sea Palling at 1.28pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Horsey at 1.54pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Eccles at 2.40pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Cart Gap, south of Happisburgh at 4pm.
DESERT WHEATEAR 1w Male still, Red-backed Shrike 1w. at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
SURF SCOTER Juv. at Holbrook, Suffolk.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
Black Redstarts x 2 at South Dunes, Winterton.
Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 33, Velvet Scoter at North Dunes, Winterton.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Ring Ouzel, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Black Redstarts x 4 at the Esplanade, Sheringham.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoters x 11, Snow Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, Ring Ouzels x 2, Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
DUSKY WARBLER reported this morning at Meals House, Holkham Pines.
Grey Phalarope, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 6, Whooper Swans x 3, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female still, below sea wall, by 3rd shelter from amusements carpark at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Great Northern Diver off beach car park at Cley.
Twite x 40 at Thornham Harbour.
Great White Egret at Lynn Point, King's Lynn.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Breydon Water.
Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 20 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Black Redstarts x 2 at Mundesley.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Sea Palling at 1.28pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Horsey at 1.54pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Eccles at 2.40pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Cart Gap, south of Happisburgh at 4pm.
DESERT WHEATEAR 1w Male still, Red-backed Shrike 1w. at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
SURF SCOTER Juv. at Holbrook, Suffolk.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
Saturday, 8 November 2014
Girly Night In!
Very sadly I wasn't well enough to go birding today, but felt a bit better by early evening. Went birthday shopping for my youngest sister Vivien and made her a chocolate cake in the afternoon. Lashing down with rain and strong winds from mid afternoon. Picked up Lucy at 5.30pm and spent the evening at Vivien's flat in Ely. Had a really nice relaxing time with my sisters – watched Strictly and X Factor. The theme on X Factor this week was 'Queen' and 'MJ' – Vivien and I reminisced about the Michael Jackson concert we went to together (my second of three MJ concerts) and how crazy and brilliant it was. We left Vivien with cards, flowers and presents for her birthday on Tuesday and left at around 9.45pm. Still raining on the way home.
Birding all day tomorrow!
Birding all day tomorrow!
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
DESERT WHEATEAR Fem. south of boating pool at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Gorleston.
Black Redstarts x 2 at Sheringham.
DESERT WHEATEAR Fem., Black Redstarts x 4 at South Denes, Great Yarmouth.
Little Auks x 4, Great Skuas x 2 at North Denes, Great Yarmouth.
* MINKE WHALE North past Coastwatch, Happisburgh.
Pomarine Skua at Mundesley.
Little Auks x 3 at Salthouse.
* HUMPBACK WHALE (between 9.40am & 3.40pm), Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 3, Snow Buntings x 35 at Cart Gap near Happisburgh.
Little Auk, Black Brant, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Bittern, Water Pipit at Cley NWT.
Yellow-legged Gull at Sheringham.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Grey Phalarope, Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Great White Egret, PALLAS'S WARBLER at Holkham.
Sandwich Terns x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Sandwich Terns x 2 at Weybourne.
Snow Buntings x 33 at North Beach, Winterton.
Purple Sandpiper at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Common Cranes x 2 at Horsey.
Common Cranes x 6 at Waxham.
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey.
Pomarine Skua at Blakeney Harbour.
Hen Harrier at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Lapland Bunting at Hunstanton Cliffs.
DESERT WHEATEAR still at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
DESERT WHEATEAR Fem. south of boating pool at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Gorleston.
Black Redstarts x 2 at Sheringham.
DESERT WHEATEAR Fem., Black Redstarts x 4 at South Denes, Great Yarmouth.
Little Auks x 4, Great Skuas x 2 at North Denes, Great Yarmouth.
* MINKE WHALE North past Coastwatch, Happisburgh.
Pomarine Skua at Mundesley.
Little Auks x 3 at Salthouse.
* HUMPBACK WHALE (between 9.40am & 3.40pm), Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 3, Snow Buntings x 35 at Cart Gap near Happisburgh.
Little Auk, Black Brant, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Bittern, Water Pipit at Cley NWT.
Yellow-legged Gull at Sheringham.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Grey Phalarope, Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Great White Egret, PALLAS'S WARBLER at Holkham.
Sandwich Terns x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Sandwich Terns x 2 at Weybourne.
Snow Buntings x 33 at North Beach, Winterton.
Purple Sandpiper at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Common Cranes x 2 at Horsey.
Common Cranes x 6 at Waxham.
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey.
Pomarine Skua at Blakeney Harbour.
Hen Harrier at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Lapland Bunting at Hunstanton Cliffs.
DESERT WHEATEAR still at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.
"Homes By The Sea" visits Norfolk!
The Lifeboat House at Blakeney Point is featured and National Trust Ranger Ajay shows Charlie Luxton around this famous building. Other properties featured were: The lighthouse at Winterton, a quay side property in Blakeney, Cley Windmill and the coastguard cottage at Hunstanton. Definitely worth watching.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/homes-by-the-sea/on-demand/60043-003
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/homes-by-the-sea/on-demand/60043-003
Friday, 7 November 2014
The Weekend!
Have not posted much this week, apart from the usual bird news whilst I have been at work. It's been a difficult week, due to more ailments etc. So, aswell as dealing with my achilles tendinopathy in my ankle, I now have the same thing in my right elbow! Hurts to even lift a cup of coffee. Went to GP who recommended pain relief and not much else really. My right ear is also painful for some reason and I have heartburn daily at the moment and also feel constantly exhausted. So I'm feeling really healthy right now!!!
I have had several fabulous emails from blog readers this week, thanking me for all my efforts with my blog and how much they enjoy reading it. I will reply to you all invidividually, but have been feeling run down this week and not had time to reply yet, but thank you so much, it is hugely appreciated.
What a week for sea birds its been! Just a pity I was at work, but that's the way it goes. The Humpback Whale is still around today at Walcott and I'm sure will be a popular destination this weekend! Carl Chapman believes this is the same Humpback Whale that visited Norfolk last year and wrote the following after being lucky enough to see the whale this week: "What I did see of the tail fluke pattern, which like a fingerprint is unique to each Humpback, gave me confidence to announce that it was the same individual that had visited us last year despite it being some 5kms distant." A Desert Wheatear turned up at Gorleston today which will also draw the crowds in the morning if it hasn't done a Friday night bunk that is! Via the NARVOS website: 10 waxwings flew over a garden in Narborough today.
Weather
Saturday – Southerly winds, turning South east around 4pm. Mainly dry with some sunny spells during the morning. Becoming cloudy in the afternoon with rain, heavy at times, spreading in from the southwest later. Becoming windy.
Sunday – South west winds all day. Lighter winds with sunny spells and a few heavy showers.
High Tides – Wells Bar
Saturday: 6.41 and 19.06 • Sunday: 7.24 and 19.42
I have had several fabulous emails from blog readers this week, thanking me for all my efforts with my blog and how much they enjoy reading it. I will reply to you all invidividually, but have been feeling run down this week and not had time to reply yet, but thank you so much, it is hugely appreciated.
What a week for sea birds its been! Just a pity I was at work, but that's the way it goes. The Humpback Whale is still around today at Walcott and I'm sure will be a popular destination this weekend! Carl Chapman believes this is the same Humpback Whale that visited Norfolk last year and wrote the following after being lucky enough to see the whale this week: "What I did see of the tail fluke pattern, which like a fingerprint is unique to each Humpback, gave me confidence to announce that it was the same individual that had visited us last year despite it being some 5kms distant." A Desert Wheatear turned up at Gorleston today which will also draw the crowds in the morning if it hasn't done a Friday night bunk that is! Via the NARVOS website: 10 waxwings flew over a garden in Narborough today.
Weather
Saturday – Southerly winds, turning South east around 4pm. Mainly dry with some sunny spells during the morning. Becoming cloudy in the afternoon with rain, heavy at times, spreading in from the southwest later. Becoming windy.
Sunday – South west winds all day. Lighter winds with sunny spells and a few heavy showers.
High Tides – Wells Bar
Saturday: 6.41 and 19.06 • Sunday: 7.24 and 19.42
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3, Twite x 20 at Breydon Water.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
* HUMPBACK WHALE (between 10.13am & 2.34pm) south past Walcott .
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Walcott.
Black Redstart at Sheringham.
Velvet Scoters x 2 at Winterton.
Great Grey Shrike (yesterday) on west side by coast path, near Wiveton Fruit Farm, Cley.
Little Auk, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Twite x 23 at Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Twite x 35 at Thornham Harbour.
Grey Phalarope, Slavonian Grebe, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB.
Ring Ouzel, Black Redstarts x 2 at Waxham.
DESERT WHEATEAR by Beach Cafe at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Snow Buntings x 29 at North Beach, Winterton.
Common Cranes x 8 at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT.
Little Auks x 6, Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Arctic Skuas x 2 at Sheringham.
DESERT WHEATEAR still at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3, Twite x 20 at Breydon Water.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
* HUMPBACK WHALE (between 10.13am & 2.34pm) south past Walcott .
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Walcott.
Black Redstart at Sheringham.
Velvet Scoters x 2 at Winterton.
Great Grey Shrike (yesterday) on west side by coast path, near Wiveton Fruit Farm, Cley.
Little Auk, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Twite x 23 at Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Twite x 35 at Thornham Harbour.
Grey Phalarope, Slavonian Grebe, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB.
Ring Ouzel, Black Redstarts x 2 at Waxham.
DESERT WHEATEAR by Beach Cafe at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Snow Buntings x 29 at North Beach, Winterton.
Common Cranes x 8 at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT.
Little Auks x 6, Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Arctic Skuas x 2 at Sheringham.
DESERT WHEATEAR still at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Thursday, 6 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Auks x 25, Grey Phalarope, Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe, Snow Buntings x 35 at Cley NWT.
Little Auk at Sidestrand.
Little Auks x 5 at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Little Auks x 18, Velvet Scoters x 11, Great Skua, Little Gulls x 2, Snow Buntings x 9, Black Redstart at Happisburgh.
Little Auks x 8 at Overstrand.
Little Auks x 15, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 2, Long-eared Owls x 2, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 29, Jack Snipe at Winterton.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auk, Velvet Scoters x 10, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret at Holkham.
PALLAS'S WARBLER still at Holkham Pines.
Little Auks x 12, Puffin, Great Northern Diver, Great Skuas x 6, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 18 at Horsey.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Little Auks x 3, Black Redstarts x 3, Redstart at Sheringham.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Auks x 6, Short-eared Owl at Sea Palling.
Twite x 34 at Thornham Harbour.
Richard's Pipit at Happisburgh.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Breydon Water.
Little Auk, Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 15, Lapland Bunting at Salthouse.
Snow Buntings x 2 at Caister-on-Sea.
* HUMPBACK WHALE feeding east of lifeboat station, Little Auks x 7, Snow Buntings x 6, Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart at Mundsley.
Little Auks x 7, Great Northern Diver at Walcott.
Black Redstart at Cromer.
Common Cranes x 14 at Acle.
Hen Harrier at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Twite x 24 at Morston.
Little Auks x 5, Short-eared Owl at Holme.
Little Auk at Hunstanton.
DESERT WHEATEAR at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT, County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! SNOWY OWL, Camster, Highland, Scotland.
Little Auks x 25, Grey Phalarope, Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe, Snow Buntings x 35 at Cley NWT.
Little Auk at Sidestrand.
Little Auks x 5 at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Little Auks x 18, Velvet Scoters x 11, Great Skua, Little Gulls x 2, Snow Buntings x 9, Black Redstart at Happisburgh.
Little Auks x 8 at Overstrand.
Little Auks x 15, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 2, Long-eared Owls x 2, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 29, Jack Snipe at Winterton.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auk, Velvet Scoters x 10, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret at Holkham.
PALLAS'S WARBLER still at Holkham Pines.
Little Auks x 12, Puffin, Great Northern Diver, Great Skuas x 6, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 18 at Horsey.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Little Auks x 3, Black Redstarts x 3, Redstart at Sheringham.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Auks x 6, Short-eared Owl at Sea Palling.
Twite x 34 at Thornham Harbour.
Richard's Pipit at Happisburgh.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Breydon Water.
Little Auk, Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 15, Lapland Bunting at Salthouse.
Snow Buntings x 2 at Caister-on-Sea.
* HUMPBACK WHALE feeding east of lifeboat station, Little Auks x 7, Snow Buntings x 6, Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart at Mundsley.
Little Auks x 7, Great Northern Diver at Walcott.
Black Redstart at Cromer.
Common Cranes x 14 at Acle.
Hen Harrier at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Twite x 24 at Morston.
Little Auks x 5, Short-eared Owl at Holme.
Little Auk at Hunstanton.
DESERT WHEATEAR at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT, County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! SNOWY OWL, Camster, Highland, Scotland.
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Skua at Scratby
Little Auk, Pomarine Skua, Velvet Scoters x 4 at Gorleston
* HUMPBACK WHALE Probable, north Past Winterton
Great Skuas x 4, Little Auks x 3, Pomarine Skuas x 4, Great Northern Divers x 2, Little Gulls x 100 at Winterton
Little Auks x 33, Pomarine Skuas x 59, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwaters x 5, Great Skuas x 82, Little Gulls x 410, Red-necked Grebe, Great Skuas x 4, Gannets x 2400, Kittiwakes x 2700, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 2 at Horsey
Little Auk at Cromer
Little Auks x 73, Pomarine Skuas x 84, Sooty Shearwaters x 4, Great Skuas x 221, Arctic Skuas x 44, Manx Shearwaters x 8, Puffins x 3, Kittiwakes x 2639, Short-eared Owls x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Shag, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Purple Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 408, Black Redstart at Sheringham
Long-tailed Skuas x 3, Little Auks x 17, Pomarine Skuas x 45, Great Skuas x 47, Arctic Skuas x 6, Grey Phalarope, Velvet Scoters x 4, Puffin at Weybourne
Little Auks x 11, Pomarine Skuas x 5, Grey Phalarope, Great Skuas x 68, Manx Shearwaters x 5, Shorelark, Snow Buntings x 20, Purple Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting at Salthouse
Little Auks x 4 in field at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
Little Auks x 51, Pomarine Skuas x 166, Sooty Shearwaters x 4, Manx Shearwater, Great Skuas x 360, Arctic Skuas x 5, Little Gulls x 435, Grey Phalarope x 2, Short-eared Owl, Puffins x 5, Black-throated Divers x 2, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 3, Snow Buntings x 2, Water Pipit, Black Redstart (by V.C) at Cley NWT
PALLAS'S WARBLER at Wells Woods
Pomarine Skuas x 4, Great Skuas x 8, Hen Harriers x 2, Little Auks x 2 (flew west over Beach Road), Coastguards, Wells
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auks x 22, Pomarine Skuas x 6, Long-tailed Skuas x 3 (probable), Velvet Scoters x 12, Little Gulls x 4, Short-eared or Long-eared Owl at Holkham.
PALLAS'S WARBLER (pines), Great White Egret at Holkham
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Dunes
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 2, Little Gulls x 25, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Little Auks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
LEACH'S PETREL, Long-tailed Skua, Little Auks x 38, Pomarine Skuas x 23, Arctic Skuas x 2, Great Skuas x 24, Little Gull x 21, Manx Shearwaters x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Great Northern Divers x 2, Short-eared Owls x 4 at Holme Dunes NWT – Holme NOA Sightings HERE
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Black Redstart at Cockley Cley
Great White Egret, Common Tern at Denver Sluice
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT, County Kerry, Ireland.
Long-tailed Skua at Scratby
Little Auk, Pomarine Skua, Velvet Scoters x 4 at Gorleston
* HUMPBACK WHALE Probable, north Past Winterton
Great Skuas x 4, Little Auks x 3, Pomarine Skuas x 4, Great Northern Divers x 2, Little Gulls x 100 at Winterton
Little Auks x 33, Pomarine Skuas x 59, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwaters x 5, Great Skuas x 82, Little Gulls x 410, Red-necked Grebe, Great Skuas x 4, Gannets x 2400, Kittiwakes x 2700, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 2 at Horsey
Little Auk at Cromer
Little Auks x 73, Pomarine Skuas x 84, Sooty Shearwaters x 4, Great Skuas x 221, Arctic Skuas x 44, Manx Shearwaters x 8, Puffins x 3, Kittiwakes x 2639, Short-eared Owls x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Shag, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Purple Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 408, Black Redstart at Sheringham
Long-tailed Skuas x 3, Little Auks x 17, Pomarine Skuas x 45, Great Skuas x 47, Arctic Skuas x 6, Grey Phalarope, Velvet Scoters x 4, Puffin at Weybourne
Little Auks x 11, Pomarine Skuas x 5, Grey Phalarope, Great Skuas x 68, Manx Shearwaters x 5, Shorelark, Snow Buntings x 20, Purple Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting at Salthouse
Little Auks x 4 in field at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
Little Auks x 51, Pomarine Skuas x 166, Sooty Shearwaters x 4, Manx Shearwater, Great Skuas x 360, Arctic Skuas x 5, Little Gulls x 435, Grey Phalarope x 2, Short-eared Owl, Puffins x 5, Black-throated Divers x 2, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 3, Snow Buntings x 2, Water Pipit, Black Redstart (by V.C) at Cley NWT
PALLAS'S WARBLER at Wells Woods
Pomarine Skuas x 4, Great Skuas x 8, Hen Harriers x 2, Little Auks x 2 (flew west over Beach Road), Coastguards, Wells
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auks x 22, Pomarine Skuas x 6, Long-tailed Skuas x 3 (probable), Velvet Scoters x 12, Little Gulls x 4, Short-eared or Long-eared Owl at Holkham.
PALLAS'S WARBLER (pines), Great White Egret at Holkham
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Dunes
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 2, Little Gulls x 25, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Little Auks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
LEACH'S PETREL, Long-tailed Skua, Little Auks x 38, Pomarine Skuas x 23, Arctic Skuas x 2, Great Skuas x 24, Little Gull x 21, Manx Shearwaters x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Great Northern Divers x 2, Short-eared Owls x 4 at Holme Dunes NWT – Holme NOA Sightings HERE
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common
Black Redstart at Cockley Cley
Great White Egret, Common Tern at Denver Sluice
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT, County Kerry, Ireland.
BASKING SHARK AT SALTHOUSE CAUGHT ON CAMERA!!!
John Furse managed to get this photograph of the BASKING SHARK at Salthouse yesterday!!!
http://norfolkcetaceans.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/norfolk-cetaceans-4th-november-2014/
http://norfolkcetaceans.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/norfolk-cetaceans-4th-november-2014/
Tuesday, 4 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Grey Phalaropes x 4, Long-tailed Duck, Garganey, Twite x 35, Snow Buntings x 30, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 16, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
Black Redstart at Sheringham.
Black Redstart at Hunstanton.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Arctic Tern, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB.
Bearded Tits x 4 at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auk, Velvet Scoters x 10, Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 7, Little Gulls x 16 at Horsey.
Twite x 30 at Salthouse.
* BASKING SHARK east past Salthouse, late afternoon.
Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe at Morston.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2, Twite x 11, Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water.
Lapland Bunting at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Twite x 23, Hen Harrier at Thornham Harbour.
Purple Sandpiper at Walcott.
Spoonbill, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit at Holme.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! RED-EYED VIREO in garden, Walney Bird Observatory, Cumbria.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN, County Dublin, Ireland.
Grey Phalaropes x 4, Long-tailed Duck, Garganey, Twite x 35, Snow Buntings x 30, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 16, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
Black Redstart at Sheringham.
Black Redstart at Hunstanton.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Arctic Tern, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB.
Bearded Tits x 4 at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auk, Velvet Scoters x 10, Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 7, Little Gulls x 16 at Horsey.
Twite x 30 at Salthouse.
* BASKING SHARK east past Salthouse, late afternoon.
Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe at Morston.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2, Twite x 11, Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water.
Lapland Bunting at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Twite x 23, Hen Harrier at Thornham Harbour.
Purple Sandpiper at Walcott.
Spoonbill, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit at Holme.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! RED-EYED VIREO in garden, Walney Bird Observatory, Cumbria.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN, County Dublin, Ireland.
Monday, 3 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Snow Buntings x 8, Velvet Scoter, North Beach, Winterton.
American or Pacific Golden Plover with 100 Golden Plovers flew east late afternoon, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Spoonbill, Caspian Gulls x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 6 at Cley NWT.
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 18, Puffin, Velvet Scoter at Sheringham.
Black Redstart at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 3 at Kelling.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 8, Arctic Tern at Holkham.
Little Auk, Snow Buntings x 23 at Salthouse.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Walsey Hills NOA.
Twite x 14 at Thornham Harbour.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Marshes.
Great Grey Shrike at Grime's Graves.
Osprey at Lenwade.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Snow Buntings x 8, Velvet Scoter, North Beach, Winterton.
American or Pacific Golden Plover with 100 Golden Plovers flew east late afternoon, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Spoonbill, Caspian Gulls x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 6 at Cley NWT.
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 18, Puffin, Velvet Scoter at Sheringham.
Black Redstart at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 3 at Kelling.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 8, Arctic Tern at Holkham.
Little Auk, Snow Buntings x 23 at Salthouse.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Walsey Hills NOA.
Twite x 14 at Thornham Harbour.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Marshes.
Great Grey Shrike at Grime's Graves.
Osprey at Lenwade.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Campsite Wood, Stiffkey.
Grey Phalaropes x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 3, Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck at Cley NWT.
Twite x 20 at Thornham Harbour.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Great Grey Shrike at Grime's Graves.
Great Grey Shrike, Ring Ouzel, Jack Snipe x 4 at Roydon Common.
Short-eared Owls x 3, Twite x 12 at Breydon Water.
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 11, Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Pomarine Skuas x 2 at Overstrand.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey.
Lapland Bunting, Twite x 13, Purple Sandpiper at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
Velvet Scoter, Hen Harrier, Slavonian Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank at Holme Dunes.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLACKPOLL WARBLER in set-aside field opposite Seaside Lane at 8.25-8.40am only, Easington, Spurn, East Yorkshire – found by Mick Turton.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN County Dublin, Ireland.
Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Campsite Wood, Stiffkey.
Grey Phalaropes x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 3, Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck at Cley NWT.
Twite x 20 at Thornham Harbour.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Great Grey Shrike at Grime's Graves.
Great Grey Shrike, Ring Ouzel, Jack Snipe x 4 at Roydon Common.
Short-eared Owls x 3, Twite x 12 at Breydon Water.
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 11, Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Pomarine Skuas x 2 at Overstrand.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey.
Lapland Bunting, Twite x 13, Purple Sandpiper at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
Velvet Scoter, Hen Harrier, Slavonian Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank at Holme Dunes.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLACKPOLL WARBLER in set-aside field opposite Seaside Lane at 8.25-8.40am only, Easington, Spurn, East Yorkshire – found by Mick Turton.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN County Dublin, Ireland.
88 Today!
Happy Birthday to My Father!
BAKE OFF Morning!!! I spent the entire morning baking! I made Sultana Scones, Cheese Scones and Banana Loaf Cake. I would have normally have gone over to my parent's in the morning, but Mother is too stressed out nowadays to cope with us all there at lunchtime, so we all decided to go after lunch instead. I picked Lucy up at 2pm and Vivien had arrived at Holme a short while before we did. It's not often the entire family is altogether, so it was a really nice day until a bit later!
Father had loads of presents to open! Mostly chocolates (at his request) and a selection of bed socks. My slippers fitted, thank goodness. Father LOVED the bell I bought him and smiled with glee! Mother however, was NOT impressed at all and said she would be hiding it up later! My home baking was very popular and I was chuffed that father ate both a cheese and sultana scone for his tea and also a piece of banana cake – he said 'they were very nice' – father has become very fussy with what he eats lately. Quite sad to only see 4 cards from all of us and only another from Malcolm and Eileen. I suppose most of his friends have passed away to be fair, but there are still a few left that would normally have sent a card. I know he can't see very well, but it's the thought that counts. Father could hear my nightingale card (that I bought from Titchwell RSPB yesterday), but commented that it didn't sound like one – mother couldn't hear it all and I had to open the card right next to her ear for her to hear it! Father was in quite good spirits and seemed pleased to see us all, but got me in massive trouble later. He asked if we could turn his mattress on his bed over for him as it felt lumpy. He knew mother wouldn't do it as she hates moving anything around and to be fair the bed is in an awkward place against a wall. So, when Mother went upstairs I attempted to do this as quickly as possible. I have never seen so many layers on a mattress!!! Mattress protector, sheet, blanket, another protector, sheet – I couldn't remember what order it was supposed to be after I turned the mattress. Vivien did her best to keep Mother occupied in the other room, but..... suddenly she appeared in the room and went absolutely beserk! That's the last time I turn that mattress!
After things had calmed, we lit the coffee cake with eight candles, sung Happy Birthday and father managed to blow them all out, just about. He commented 'my last one' – so sad to hear him say that. He is starting to look frail now though and walks even worse than he usually does. He nearly missed the chair when he sat down and I just managed to support him in time. He's what known in my terms at work as a 'sneaker in' – someone that goes to sit on a chair long before they have got close enough to sit down safely. Lucy, Vivien and I atttempted to take a 'selfie' with father – didn't come out too bad really! Because Mother can't hear most of what father is saying, it's becoming really difficult for him – he said he has 'no-one to talk to now' and said 'she was doing it on purpose' (not getting her ears sorted out). I am going to be ringing Mother's GP surgery this week and ask them to come out and syringe her ears – she's never going to do it and it's not fair for this to carry on week after week, just because she is so stubborn!
We cleared up and washed up. Scones and cake were distributed and we had all left by 8pm. Took Lucy home and Vivien whizzed home to Ely in her little car. Vivien's birthday next week!
Can't believe I have only had an hour's birding the entire weekend! It's going to be a long week at work! Roll on Saturday!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
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