Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Taiga Bean Geese x 12 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 500 at Cley NWT.
Shorelarks x 3, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 2 at Thornham Harbour.
Shorelarks x 3, Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 2 at Santon Warren.
Bittern on Norton Marsh, south of Reedham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at Ladysmith Road on West side at Scalloway, Shetland.
Monday, 30 November 2015
Sunday, 29 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harrier, Glaucous Gull at Snettisham RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike, Waxwings x 2 at Santon Warren.
Shorelarks x 3, Hen Harrier, Velvet Scoters x 2, Twite x 27 at Thornham Harbour.
Little Auk, Great Skua, Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Lapland Bunting at Salthouse.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Lapland Bunting at Titchwell RSPB.
Barnacle Geese x 2 at Stanhoe.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Common Cranes x 4 at Clippesby.
Twite x 6 at Brancaster Staithe.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Roydon Common.
Taiga Bean Geese x 20, Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at Ladysmith Road on West side at Scalloway, Shetland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at New Quay, County Clare, Ireland.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harrier, Glaucous Gull at Snettisham RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike, Waxwings x 2 at Santon Warren.
Shorelarks x 3, Hen Harrier, Velvet Scoters x 2, Twite x 27 at Thornham Harbour.
Little Auk, Great Skua, Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Lapland Bunting at Salthouse.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Lapland Bunting at Titchwell RSPB.
Barnacle Geese x 2 at Stanhoe.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Common Cranes x 4 at Clippesby.
Twite x 6 at Brancaster Staithe.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Roydon Common.
Taiga Bean Geese x 20, Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at Ladysmith Road on West side at Scalloway, Shetland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at New Quay, County Clare, Ireland.
Saturday, 28 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harriers x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Lapland Bunting at North Beach, Winterton.
Guillemot at Breydon Water.
Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 36 at Salthouse.
Taiga Bean Goose x 3 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Great Grey Shrike, Waxwings x 2 at Santon Warren.
Black Brants x 2 north of minor road from Binham to Warham.
Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 2 at Friary Hills, Blakney.
Black Brant still from Beach Road, Hen Harrier from Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
Waxwings x 3 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey.
Rough-legged Buzzard in wood, from minor road between Brancaster Staithe and Stanhoe.
Cattle Egret flew north over Sharrington towards Blakeney.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Roydon Common.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at Ladysmith Road on West side at Scalloway, Shetland.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harriers x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Lapland Bunting at North Beach, Winterton.
Guillemot at Breydon Water.
Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 36 at Salthouse.
Taiga Bean Goose x 3 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Great Grey Shrike, Waxwings x 2 at Santon Warren.
Black Brants x 2 north of minor road from Binham to Warham.
Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 2 at Friary Hills, Blakney.
Black Brant still from Beach Road, Hen Harrier from Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
Waxwings x 3 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey.
Rough-legged Buzzard in wood, from minor road between Brancaster Staithe and Stanhoe.
Cattle Egret flew north over Sharrington towards Blakeney.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Roydon Common.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at Ladysmith Road on West side at Scalloway, Shetland.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
FRIDAY 27th November
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Waxwings x 4 flew south, Waxwings x 4 at Beach Road at Snettisham RSPB.
Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum.
Waxwing in garden, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Black Redstart north of pier at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Yellow-browed Warbler and Ring Ouzel in gardens at Salthouse.
RISSO'S DOLPHINS, probable x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Great Skua, Water Pipits x 2, Bittern, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Red-crested Pochard at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Bunting at Thornham Point.
Twite x 19 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harriers x 2, Velvet Scoter, Great Northern Diver at Holme.
Taiga Bean Geese x 23, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 129 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Water Pipit at Cantley Beet Factory.
Taiga Bean Geese x 4 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN BITTERN again east of Owenahincha on lake north of road at Castlefreke, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at Ladysmith Road on West side at Scalloway, Shetland.
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Waxwings x 4 flew south, Waxwings x 4 at Beach Road at Snettisham RSPB.
Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum.
Waxwing in garden, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Black Redstart north of pier at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Yellow-browed Warbler and Ring Ouzel in gardens at Salthouse.
RISSO'S DOLPHINS, probable x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Great Skua, Water Pipits x 2, Bittern, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Red-crested Pochard at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Bunting at Thornham Point.
Twite x 19 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harriers x 2, Velvet Scoter, Great Northern Diver at Holme.
Taiga Bean Geese x 23, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 129 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Water Pipit at Cantley Beet Factory.
Taiga Bean Geese x 4 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN BITTERN again east of Owenahincha on lake north of road at Castlefreke, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at Ladysmith Road on West side at Scalloway, Shetland.
Thursday, 26 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Spoonbill, Lapland Bunting, Woodlark, Hen Harriers x 3 at Snettisham RSPB.
Waxwings x 4 at Beach Road, Snettisham.
Rough-legged Buzzard 2/3 miles NE of Sunderland Farm, 2.5mls south of Brancaster Staithe.
Black Brant at south end of East Bank, Cley NWT.
Taiga Bean Geese x 22 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike briefly at Sculthorpe Mill.
Firecrest at Beeston Common, Sheringham.
Hawfinches x 6, Firecrest at Lynford Aboretum.
Hen Harrier at Morston.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey.
Snow Buntings x 14, Purple Sandpiper at Horsey.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN BITTERN again at Owenahincha on lake below Castlefreke, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at top of Houl Road, Scalloway, Shetland.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Spoonbill, Lapland Bunting, Woodlark, Hen Harriers x 3 at Snettisham RSPB.
Waxwings x 4 at Beach Road, Snettisham.
Rough-legged Buzzard 2/3 miles NE of Sunderland Farm, 2.5mls south of Brancaster Staithe.
Black Brant at south end of East Bank, Cley NWT.
Taiga Bean Geese x 22 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike briefly at Sculthorpe Mill.
Firecrest at Beeston Common, Sheringham.
Hawfinches x 6, Firecrest at Lynford Aboretum.
Hen Harrier at Morston.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey.
Snow Buntings x 14, Purple Sandpiper at Horsey.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN BITTERN again at Owenahincha on lake below Castlefreke, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) again in garden at top of Houl Road, Scalloway, Shetland.
Wednesday, 25 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Snettisham RSPB.
Waxwings x 2 at Beach Road, Snettisham.
Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water.
Spoonbill, Little Gulls x 3, Great Skuas x 2, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Spoonbill, Twite x 18 at Thornham Harbour.
Shorelarks x 3 at Thornham Point.
Richard's Pipit between Weybourne and Salthouse.
Sandwich Tern flew east past Weybourne.
HUMPBACK WHALE again, south past Winterton.
Pomarine Skuas x 2 at Wells.
Snow Buntings x 60 east of north end of East Bank, Black Brant near Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
Great White Egret (possible) flew west over Loddon.
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.
Short-eared Owl at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard 2 miles south of Brancaster.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN BITTERN at Owenahincha on lake below Castlefreke, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) in garden at top of Houl Road, Scalloway, Shetland.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Snettisham RSPB.
Waxwings x 2 at Beach Road, Snettisham.
Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water.
Spoonbill, Little Gulls x 3, Great Skuas x 2, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Spoonbill, Twite x 18 at Thornham Harbour.
Shorelarks x 3 at Thornham Point.
Richard's Pipit between Weybourne and Salthouse.
Sandwich Tern flew east past Weybourne.
HUMPBACK WHALE again, south past Winterton.
Pomarine Skuas x 2 at Wells.
Snow Buntings x 60 east of north end of East Bank, Black Brant near Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
Great White Egret (possible) flew west over Loddon.
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.
Short-eared Owl at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard 2 miles south of Brancaster.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN BITTERN at Owenahincha on lake below Castlefreke, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE 1w (form meena) in garden at top of Houl Road, Scalloway, Shetland.
Tuesday, 24 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Auk yesterday, seen from boat at Blakeney Point.
Grey Phalarope at Sheringham.
Common Cranes x 6 at Acle.
Black Redstart at docks, King's Lynn.
Siberian Chiffchaff, probable in car park briefly, Shorelarks x 6, Snow Buntings x 12, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Hen Harriers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 11 at Thornham Point, Twite x 19 at Thornham Harbour.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Spoonbill juv, Hen Harriers x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Glaucous Gull at Scratby.
Waxwing flew north over Norwich.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Little Auk yesterday, seen from boat at Blakeney Point.
Grey Phalarope at Sheringham.
Common Cranes x 6 at Acle.
Black Redstart at docks, King's Lynn.
Siberian Chiffchaff, probable in car park briefly, Shorelarks x 6, Snow Buntings x 12, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Hen Harriers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 11 at Thornham Point, Twite x 19 at Thornham Harbour.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Spoonbill juv, Hen Harriers x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Glaucous Gull at Scratby.
Waxwing flew north over Norwich.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Red-footed Falcon Shot in Cambridgeshire!!!
This is utterly sickening!
Hope the £1000 reward jolts someone's memory!!!
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/410405-rspb-offer-1000-reward-in-appeal-for-information-on-shooting-of-rare-redfooted-falcon-
Hope the £1000 reward jolts someone's memory!!!
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/410405-rspb-offer-1000-reward-in-appeal-for-information-on-shooting-of-rare-redfooted-falcon-
Monday, 23 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Richard's Pipit, Snow Buntings x 30, Grey Phalarope, Little Auk, Red-necked Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Shag at Weybourne.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 in field, 2/3 miles east of windmill at Ringstead.
HUMPBACK WHALE again at Winterton and Waxham.
Bewick's Swans x 5 flew over dunes at Winterton.
Little Auks x 4, Black Redstart at Waxham.
Little Auk, Great Northern Diver at Trimingham.
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 4, Great Skua, Hen Harrier, Bewick's Swans x 5, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Glaucous Gull at Thornham Point.
Twite x 15 at Thornham Harbour.
Water Pipits x 3 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Little Auk, Pomarine Skua at Sheringham.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS still at South Wall on mud opposite Herbert Barnes car park at Breydon Water.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Great White Egret, Hen Harriers x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Whooper Swans x 4, Hen Harrier at Holme NOA.
Waxwing in garden in village at Holme.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Richard's Pipit, Snow Buntings x 30, Grey Phalarope, Little Auk, Red-necked Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Shag at Weybourne.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 in field, 2/3 miles east of windmill at Ringstead.
HUMPBACK WHALE again at Winterton and Waxham.
Bewick's Swans x 5 flew over dunes at Winterton.
Little Auks x 4, Black Redstart at Waxham.
Little Auk, Great Northern Diver at Trimingham.
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 4, Great Skua, Hen Harrier, Bewick's Swans x 5, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Glaucous Gull at Thornham Point.
Twite x 15 at Thornham Harbour.
Water Pipits x 3 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Little Auk, Pomarine Skua at Sheringham.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS still at South Wall on mud opposite Herbert Barnes car park at Breydon Water.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Great White Egret, Hen Harriers x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Whooper Swans x 4, Hen Harrier at Holme NOA.
Waxwing in garden in village at Holme.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Sunday, 22 November 2015
Lucy's Concert!
My sister Lucy's first concert in ten years!
My sister Lucy attended the Royal College of Music in London many, many years ago – her first instrument is violin and second is piano. Lucy has had to cope with so many tough things in her life, which is way too long a story for now. She hasn't played in an orchestra for about ten years, although she regularly plays her violin at home. Recently, she decided she wanted to join an orchestra again. For the last couple of months I have been taking her weekly to rehearsals with the Norfolk Symphony Orchestra and tonight along with my youngest sister Vivien, we watched her play violin at the Corn Exchange in King's Lynn. I am so proud of her and what she has achieved, it brought tears to my eyes and it was so nice to see her name in print in the programme. For anyone that's interested, here are the details of the concert:
NORFOLK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Music Director Philip Hesketh
Stravinsky Jeu de Cartes
Elgar Introduction & Allegro for Strings + Bingham Quartet
Dvořák Symphony No.9 ‘New World’
One of the most popular and well loved pieces in the classical repertoire - Dvořak’s ‘New World Symphony’ will be performed alongside a rare concert hall outing for Stravinsky’s witty and boisterous Jeu de Cartes, his ‘Ballet in Three Deals’ based on the card game of poker. Joining them will be Elgar’s masterpiece of a symphonic poem for strings.
Sunday Update!
As I'm sure some of you have noticed, I haven't posted very much lately, tweeted much or been birding much or done anything much at all to be honest! I had a mini breakdown, just over a couple of weeks ago and have been off work to recover – I go back to work tomorrow and just hope I'm not going back to soon – I will find out in the morning! The constant worry of my parent's situation with my Father's failing health and life in general just got to me. I have found it almost impossible to leave the house, even to go birding and have been sleeping alot. Frustratingly that has also mean't I have missed out on some top draw seawatching this weekend and would dearly loved to have seen the Humpbacked Whale at Winterton – oh well. I did go and see the Hoopoe at Crostwick, but only got rubbish distant pictures. I hope to get back to normal birding soon and back to normality in general.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Auk at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Little Auks x 7, Grey Phalarope, Great Northern Divers x 3, Black Brant, Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 3, Short-eared Owl at Cley.
Iceland Gull at Blakeney Point.
Little Auks x 19, Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 3 at Winterton.
HUMPBACK WHALE again at Winterton.
Iceland Gull, Little Auks x 3, Velvet Scoter, Purple Sandpiper, Great Northern Diver, White-fronted Geese x 5 at Hemsby.
Iceland Gull at Mundesley.
Iceland Gull at Waxham.
Little Auks x 8, Short-eared Owl at harbour entrance, Snow Buntings x 31 at North Beach, Great Yarmouth.
Little Auks x 300, unconfirmed report on sea early morning, then flew west, Great Northern Diver, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Weybourne.
Waxwing in garden at Sheringham.
Long-eared Owl flew on off sea, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Little Auks x 17, Great Skuas x 10, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 6, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoters x 2, Iceland Gull, Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Goshawk juv & Waxwing in churchyard, Waxwings x 2 in Purdy St, Little Auk on duck pond at Salthouse.
Snow Bunting, Little Gulls x 2, Great Skuas x 2, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Shorelarks x 3, Snow Buntings x 5, Glaucous Gull, Little Auks x 8, Great Skuas x 6, Velvet Scoters x 4, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver at Holme.
Twite x 10 at Thornham Harbour.
Black Guillemot (probable) flew north distantly at Horsey.
Little Auks x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Little Auks x 5 at Cromer.
Grey Phalarope on River Great Ouse at Ten Mile Bank.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Little Auk, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe at Happisburgh.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harriers x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Common Cranes x 3 at Acle.
Glaucous Gull on beach at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Great Grey Shrike near North Walsham at Felmingham.
Hen Harriers x 4, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Shag x 3 at Cromer.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! SNOWY OWL unconfirmed report yesterday ENE of Scunthorpe +1.25 miles south of Appleby just of B1207 over fields by Common Plantation, viewed from train in afternoon – Appleby, Lincolnshire.
Little Auk at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Little Auks x 7, Grey Phalarope, Great Northern Divers x 3, Black Brant, Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 3, Short-eared Owl at Cley.
Iceland Gull at Blakeney Point.
Little Auks x 19, Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 3 at Winterton.
HUMPBACK WHALE again at Winterton.
Iceland Gull, Little Auks x 3, Velvet Scoter, Purple Sandpiper, Great Northern Diver, White-fronted Geese x 5 at Hemsby.
Iceland Gull at Mundesley.
Iceland Gull at Waxham.
Little Auks x 8, Short-eared Owl at harbour entrance, Snow Buntings x 31 at North Beach, Great Yarmouth.
Little Auks x 300, unconfirmed report on sea early morning, then flew west, Great Northern Diver, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Weybourne.
Waxwing in garden at Sheringham.
Long-eared Owl flew on off sea, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Little Auks x 17, Great Skuas x 10, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 6, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoters x 2, Iceland Gull, Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Goshawk juv & Waxwing in churchyard, Waxwings x 2 in Purdy St, Little Auk on duck pond at Salthouse.
Snow Bunting, Little Gulls x 2, Great Skuas x 2, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Shorelarks x 3, Snow Buntings x 5, Glaucous Gull, Little Auks x 8, Great Skuas x 6, Velvet Scoters x 4, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver at Holme.
Twite x 10 at Thornham Harbour.
Black Guillemot (probable) flew north distantly at Horsey.
Little Auks x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Little Auks x 5 at Cromer.
Grey Phalarope on River Great Ouse at Ten Mile Bank.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Little Auk, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe at Happisburgh.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harriers x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Common Cranes x 3 at Acle.
Glaucous Gull on beach at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Great Grey Shrike near North Walsham at Felmingham.
Hen Harriers x 4, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Shag x 3 at Cromer.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! SNOWY OWL unconfirmed report yesterday ENE of Scunthorpe +1.25 miles south of Appleby just of B1207 over fields by Common Plantation, viewed from train in afternoon – Appleby, Lincolnshire.
Saturday, 21 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Auks x 5, Pomarine Skua at harbour entrance, Great Yarmouth.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
HUMPBACK WHALE again at Winterton and Hemsby.
LEACH'S PETREL, Cory's Shearwater, Little Auks x 10, Velvet Scoters x 5, Little Gulls x 8, Sooty Shearwater, Snow Buntings x 2 at Winterton.
Little Auks x 2 at Overstrand.
Grey Phalarope, Little Auks x 15, Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Cromer.
Long-tailed Duck at Weybourne.
LEACH'S PETREL, Grey Phalaropes x 2, Little Auks x 42, Pomarine Skuas x 13, Great Northern Divers x 3, Red-necked Grebe, Great Skuas x 141, Arctic Skuas x 4, Long-tailed Skua, Little Gulls x 39, Velvet Scoters x 5, Sooty Shearwaters x 5, Manx Shearwaters x 4, Scaup x 2, Black-throated Diver, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Long-eared Owl found dead, Jack Snipe, Little Auk in pool by Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
LEACH'S PETREL, Little Auks x 25, Great Skuas x 191, Arctic Skuas x 10, Sooty Shearwater, Pomarine Skuas x 6, Velvet Scoters x 2, Scaup x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Little Gulls x 8, Manx Shearwaters x 2, Blue Fulmar at Cley.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Little Auk at Brancaster.
Little Auks x 12, Great Skuas x 180, Pomarine Skuas x 9, Little Gull, Whooper Swans x 2, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Twite x 12 at Thornham Harbour.
Little Auks x 5, Pomarine Skuas x 7, Great Skuas x 182, Arctic Skuas x 3, Scaup at Holme.
Pomarine Skuas x 16, Great Skuas x 63, Arctic Skuas x 2, Skua sp. x 63, Manx Shearwaters x 2 at Hunstanton.
Pomarine Skuas x 10, Little Auk, Great Skuas x 15 at Lynn Point, King's Lynn.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland.
Little Auks x 5, Pomarine Skua at harbour entrance, Great Yarmouth.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
HUMPBACK WHALE again at Winterton and Hemsby.
LEACH'S PETREL, Cory's Shearwater, Little Auks x 10, Velvet Scoters x 5, Little Gulls x 8, Sooty Shearwater, Snow Buntings x 2 at Winterton.
Little Auks x 2 at Overstrand.
Grey Phalarope, Little Auks x 15, Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Cromer.
Long-tailed Duck at Weybourne.
LEACH'S PETREL, Grey Phalaropes x 2, Little Auks x 42, Pomarine Skuas x 13, Great Northern Divers x 3, Red-necked Grebe, Great Skuas x 141, Arctic Skuas x 4, Long-tailed Skua, Little Gulls x 39, Velvet Scoters x 5, Sooty Shearwaters x 5, Manx Shearwaters x 4, Scaup x 2, Black-throated Diver, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Long-eared Owl found dead, Jack Snipe, Little Auk in pool by Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
LEACH'S PETREL, Little Auks x 25, Great Skuas x 191, Arctic Skuas x 10, Sooty Shearwater, Pomarine Skuas x 6, Velvet Scoters x 2, Scaup x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Little Gulls x 8, Manx Shearwaters x 2, Blue Fulmar at Cley.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Little Auk at Brancaster.
Little Auks x 12, Great Skuas x 180, Pomarine Skuas x 9, Little Gull, Whooper Swans x 2, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Twite x 12 at Thornham Harbour.
Little Auks x 5, Pomarine Skuas x 7, Great Skuas x 182, Arctic Skuas x 3, Scaup at Holme.
Pomarine Skuas x 16, Great Skuas x 63, Arctic Skuas x 2, Skua sp. x 63, Manx Shearwaters x 2 at Hunstanton.
Pomarine Skuas x 10, Little Auk, Great Skuas x 15 at Lynn Point, King's Lynn.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland.
Friday, 20 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
PALLID HARRIER again, flew south over southern pits at Snettisham RSPB.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Overstrand.
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard south of Brancaster.
Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
Snow Buntings x 3, Great Skuas x 3, Velvet Scoter at Cley.
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose off Beach Road, Cley.
Little Auks x 5, Great Skua at Holme Dunes.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Stanhoe.
HUMPBACK WHALE again off beach car park at 2.30pm, Winterton.
Little Auk, Snow Buntings x 30, Great Skuas x 25, Short-eared Owl, skua sp. x 4 at Winterton.
Common Cranes x 2 at Acle.
Black Brant at Salthouse.
Great White Egret, Firecrests x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 30 at Holkham.
Twite x 16 at Thornham Harbour.
Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 3 at Welney WWT.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
PALLID HARRIER again, flew south over southern pits at Snettisham RSPB.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Overstrand.
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard south of Brancaster.
Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
Snow Buntings x 3, Great Skuas x 3, Velvet Scoter at Cley.
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose off Beach Road, Cley.
Little Auks x 5, Great Skua at Holme Dunes.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Stanhoe.
HUMPBACK WHALE again off beach car park at 2.30pm, Winterton.
Little Auk, Snow Buntings x 30, Great Skuas x 25, Short-eared Owl, skua sp. x 4 at Winterton.
Common Cranes x 2 at Acle.
Black Brant at Salthouse.
Great White Egret, Firecrests x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 30 at Holkham.
Twite x 16 at Thornham Harbour.
Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 3 at Welney WWT.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Thursday, 19 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD & MAMMAL REPORT 2014!
My first Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report Front Cover!
Whinchat fly catching at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse – 23rd April
Link to my post and pictures in April 2014.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
GLOSSY IBIS, Jack Snipe still, in field south of lake at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Shorelarks x 3 east end of beach near mouth of Thornham Harbour at Holme.
Hen Harrier, Twite x 12 at Thornham Harbour.
Purple Sandpipers x 4 at Sheringham.
HUMPBACK WHALE again distantly, late morning at Winterton.
House Martin at 1.15pm in South Valley at Winterton.
Spoonbill at Snettisham RSPB.
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 350 in field east of Old Woman's Lane, Cley NWT.
Hen Harriers x 6, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Warham Greens.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB.
Water Pipits x 3 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints, but no sign after 1.35pm at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
GLOSSY IBIS, Jack Snipe still, in field south of lake at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Shorelarks x 3 east end of beach near mouth of Thornham Harbour at Holme.
Hen Harrier, Twite x 12 at Thornham Harbour.
Purple Sandpipers x 4 at Sheringham.
HUMPBACK WHALE again distantly, late morning at Winterton.
House Martin at 1.15pm in South Valley at Winterton.
Spoonbill at Snettisham RSPB.
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 350 in field east of Old Woman's Lane, Cley NWT.
Hen Harriers x 6, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Warham Greens.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB.
Water Pipits x 3 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints, but no sign after 1.35pm at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Wednesday, 18 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
GLOSSY IBIS still, in field south of lake at Felbrigg Hall NT.
HUMPBACK WHALE heading south, off North Dunes at Winterton.
Short-eared Owl at Beeston Common, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Short-eared Owl at Attleborough.
Firecrest at Abel Heath at Aylsham.
PALLID HARRIER juv in trees early morning (then flew towards Heacham), Great White Egret at Snettisham RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 6 at Warham Greens.
Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and then over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
GLOSSY IBIS still, in field south of lake at Felbrigg Hall NT.
HUMPBACK WHALE heading south, off North Dunes at Winterton.
Short-eared Owl at Beeston Common, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Short-eared Owl at Attleborough.
Firecrest at Abel Heath at Aylsham.
PALLID HARRIER juv in trees early morning (then flew towards Heacham), Great White Egret at Snettisham RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 6 at Warham Greens.
Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and then over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
GLOSSY IBIS still, in field south of lake & Jack Snipe at Felbrigg Hall NT.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harriers x 4, Short-eared Owl, Lapland Bunting at Warham Greens.
PALLID HARRIER juv reported at Snettisham RSPB.
Bewick's Swans x 6 still in maize/stubble field at Aylsham.
Caspian Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet nr Henderson Community Park, Norwich.
Lapland Buntings x 2, Purple Sandpipier at Gore Point, Holme.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Whooper Swans x 3 at St Benet's Abbey, SSW of Ludham.
Short-eared Owls x 2 on north side of airport, Norwich.
Twite x 12 at Thornham Harbour.
Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Bunting at Sidestrand.
Short-eared Owl yesterday at Cley NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and then over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
GLOSSY IBIS still, in field south of lake & Jack Snipe at Felbrigg Hall NT.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harriers x 4, Short-eared Owl, Lapland Bunting at Warham Greens.
PALLID HARRIER juv reported at Snettisham RSPB.
Bewick's Swans x 6 still in maize/stubble field at Aylsham.
Caspian Gull, Ring-necked Parakeet nr Henderson Community Park, Norwich.
Lapland Buntings x 2, Purple Sandpipier at Gore Point, Holme.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Whooper Swans x 3 at St Benet's Abbey, SSW of Ludham.
Short-eared Owls x 2 on north side of airport, Norwich.
Twite x 12 at Thornham Harbour.
Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Bunting at Sidestrand.
Short-eared Owl yesterday at Cley NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and then over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Monday, 16 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
GLOSSY IBIS still, in field south of lake at Felbrigg Hall NT.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harriers x 6, Spoonbill at Warham Greens.
Rough-legged Buzzard at East Hills, Wells.
Common Cranes x 2 in stubble field north of Acle.
Hawfinch flew north over Eaton Park at Norwich.
Snow Buntings x 15 at north end of East Bank, Black Brant in field near Babcock Hide, Whooper Swans x 11 landed on main reserve, Great Skua at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 3, 870 1/4 mile west of Great Bircham.
Firecrest at Beeston Common.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 1,585 north east of Docking.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Whooper Swans x 22 flew south over Heacham Beach.
Whooper Swans x 13 flew south over Great Barwick, Stanhoe.
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common.
Water Pipit, Great Skuas x 6 at Titchwell RSPB.
Bewick's Swans x 6 in crop field, Yellow-legged Gulls x 4 in pig fields at Aylsham.
Great White Egret, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 12 at Holkham.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and then over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
GLOSSY IBIS still, in field south of lake at Felbrigg Hall NT.
PALLID HARRIER juv again, Hen Harriers x 6, Spoonbill at Warham Greens.
Rough-legged Buzzard at East Hills, Wells.
Common Cranes x 2 in stubble field north of Acle.
Hawfinch flew north over Eaton Park at Norwich.
Snow Buntings x 15 at north end of East Bank, Black Brant in field near Babcock Hide, Whooper Swans x 11 landed on main reserve, Great Skua at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 3, 870 1/4 mile west of Great Bircham.
Firecrest at Beeston Common.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 1,585 north east of Docking.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Whooper Swans x 22 flew south over Heacham Beach.
Whooper Swans x 13 flew south over Great Barwick, Stanhoe.
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common.
Water Pipit, Great Skuas x 6 at Titchwell RSPB.
Bewick's Swans x 6 in crop field, Yellow-legged Gulls x 4 in pig fields at Aylsham.
Great White Egret, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 12 at Holkham.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and then over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Sunday, 15 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby.
GLOSSY IBIS still, in field south of lake at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Hen Harrier, Twite x 13 at Thornham.
Short-eared Owl at Caister-on-Sea.
Black Brant in Eye Field, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit from Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
MINKE WHALE south 11.30am, Water Pipit at Happisburgh.
Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water.
Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Morston.
Water Pipit from Secker Hide at Hickling Broad NWT.
Hen Harrier, Marsh Harriers x 36 at Stubb Mill Roast, Hickling Broad NWT.
Little Gulls x 12, Great Skuas x 3 at Cromer.
PALLID HARRIER juv at 3.35pm, Hen Harriers x 7, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Swallow at Overstrand.
Sandwich Tern in field at Waxham.
Slavonian Grebe at Holkham.
Bewick's Swans x 6 at Aylsham.
Spoonbill, Snow Buntings x 3 at Snettisham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and then over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Kinvarra Bay, County Galway, Ireland.
HOOPOE still, NNE of Hall Lane junction in paddocks at top of slope at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby.
GLOSSY IBIS still, in field south of lake at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Hen Harrier, Twite x 13 at Thornham.
Short-eared Owl at Caister-on-Sea.
Black Brant in Eye Field, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit from Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
MINKE WHALE south 11.30am, Water Pipit at Happisburgh.
Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water.
Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Morston.
Water Pipit from Secker Hide at Hickling Broad NWT.
Hen Harrier, Marsh Harriers x 36 at Stubb Mill Roast, Hickling Broad NWT.
Little Gulls x 12, Great Skuas x 3 at Cromer.
PALLID HARRIER juv at 3.35pm, Hen Harriers x 7, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Swallow at Overstrand.
Sandwich Tern in field at Waxham.
Slavonian Grebe at Holkham.
Bewick's Swans x 6 at Aylsham.
Spoonbill, Snow Buntings x 3 at Snettisham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, on and around Football Club Proact Stadium and then over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Kinvarra Bay, County Galway, Ireland.
Saturday, 14 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Snow Bunting at Cromer.
HOOPOE still along Hall Lane 100yrds NW of B1150 by AGF Marketing though elusive, NE of Spixworth at Crostwick.
GLOSSY IBIS still in rough grazing meadow below dam at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Short-eared Owl at Gimingham.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Haddiscoe Island.
Purple Sandpiper on rocks below cliffs at Hunstanton.
Bewick's Swans x 6 NW of Aylsham.
Black Brant by Beach Road, Water Pipit at Cley NWT.
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby.
Caspian Gull, Swallow at Sidestrand.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints and then later on and around Football Club Proact Stadium at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Snow Bunting at Cromer.
HOOPOE still along Hall Lane 100yrds NW of B1150 by AGF Marketing though elusive, NE of Spixworth at Crostwick.
GLOSSY IBIS still in rough grazing meadow below dam at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Short-eared Owl at Gimingham.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Haddiscoe Island.
Purple Sandpiper on rocks below cliffs at Hunstanton.
Bewick's Swans x 6 NW of Aylsham.
Black Brant by Beach Road, Water Pipit at Cley NWT.
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby.
Caspian Gull, Swallow at Sidestrand.
Great Grey Shrike at Santon Warren.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again, over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints and then later on and around Football Club Proact Stadium at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Friday, 13 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
House Martin at Caister-on-Sea.
Great Grey Shrike, Bewick's Swans x 13 at Breydon Water.
GLOSSY IBIS in field south of lake, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Jack Snipes x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham.
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Market.
Black Brant in Eye Field, Cley NWT.
Grey Phalarope probable, flew west past West Runton.
Short-eared Owl west of Morston Quay.
HOOPOE for 4th day, near AGF Barns at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN reported yesterday and again today over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
House Martin at Caister-on-Sea.
Great Grey Shrike, Bewick's Swans x 13 at Breydon Water.
GLOSSY IBIS in field south of lake, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Jack Snipes x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham.
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Market.
Black Brant in Eye Field, Cley NWT.
Grey Phalarope probable, flew west past West Runton.
Short-eared Owl west of Morston Quay.
HOOPOE for 4th day, near AGF Barns at Crostwick, NE of Spixworth.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN reported yesterday and again today over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Thursday, 12 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Water Pipits x 4 at Babcock Hide, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 10 east of East Bank at Cley NWT.
Common Cranes x 2 flew South West over King's Lynn.
Black Brant in Cley channel at Blakeney Point.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owls x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egret at Holkham.
Great Grey Shrike north of railway at Santon Warren.
Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Waxwing at Hall Road (for 3rd day) at Norwich.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at North Dunes, Winterton.
Common Cranes x 12 at West Somerton.
Hen Harriers x 8, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 7 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Water Pipits x 4 at Babcock Hide, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 10 east of East Bank at Cley NWT.
Common Cranes x 2 flew South West over King's Lynn.
Black Brant in Cley channel at Blakeney Point.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owls x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egret at Holkham.
Great Grey Shrike north of railway at Santon Warren.
Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham.
Waxwing at Hall Road (for 3rd day) at Norwich.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at North Dunes, Winterton.
Common Cranes x 12 at West Somerton.
Hen Harriers x 8, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 7 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Osprey flew east offshore, Black Brant by Beach Road, Water Pipit, Sandwich Tern at Cley.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Water Pipits x 2, Jack Snipe, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Caspian Gull on beach between East Runton and Cromer.
Hen Harrier Juv at Holme NOA.
Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water.
Hen Harrier at Thornham.
Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Snow Buntings x 6 at Horsey.
Hen Harriers x 7, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Osprey flew east offshore, Black Brant by Beach Road, Water Pipit, Sandwich Tern at Cley.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Water Pipits x 2, Jack Snipe, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Caspian Gull on beach between East Runton and Cromer.
Hen Harrier Juv at Holme NOA.
Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water.
Hen Harrier at Thornham.
Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Snow Buntings x 6 at Horsey.
Hen Harriers x 7, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Brant in Eye Field, Water Pipits x 3 at Babcock Hide, Hen Harrier flew east over Arnold's Marsh at Cley NWT.
MINKE WHALE at 9.30am, Trimingham.
Firecrest at Beeston Common.
Crossbills x 13 at Lynford Aboretum.
Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton.
Common Cranes x 5 at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT.
Purple Sandpiper on marsh opposite golf course at Old Hunstanton.
Purple Sandpipers x 4 at Sheringham.
Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Black Brant in Eye Field, Water Pipits x 3 at Babcock Hide, Hen Harrier flew east over Arnold's Marsh at Cley NWT.
MINKE WHALE at 9.30am, Trimingham.
Firecrest at Beeston Common.
Crossbills x 13 at Lynford Aboretum.
Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton.
Common Cranes x 5 at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT.
Purple Sandpiper on marsh opposite golf course at Old Hunstanton.
Purple Sandpipers x 4 at Sheringham.
Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Monday, 9 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
HUMPBACK WHALE at 7.20am though distant at Hemsby.
Caspian Gull on beach at Cromer.
AMUR WAGTAIL possible (form leucopsis) still, 300 yrds NNW of visitor centre on pool west of main footpath then flew towards Patsy's Pool, Hen Harrier, Tundra Bean Goose, Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike at St. Helen's Picnic Site, Santon Downham.
Caspian Gulls x 2, House Martin at Overstrand.
Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Great Skua from beach car park at Cley, Bewick's Swans x 12, Whooper Swans x 11 on Simmond's Scrape at Cley NWT, Water Pipit from Babcock Hide, Black Brant in field by West bank at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton.
Bewick's Swans x 6 at Aylsham.
Bewick's Swans x 4 flew west past Sheringham.
Suffolk Highlights
• PALLID SWIFT on Saturday at dusk over plantation at Sizewell.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
HUMPBACK WHALE at 7.20am though distant at Hemsby.
Caspian Gull on beach at Cromer.
AMUR WAGTAIL possible (form leucopsis) still, 300 yrds NNW of visitor centre on pool west of main footpath then flew towards Patsy's Pool, Hen Harrier, Tundra Bean Goose, Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike at St. Helen's Picnic Site, Santon Downham.
Caspian Gulls x 2, House Martin at Overstrand.
Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Great Skua from beach car park at Cley, Bewick's Swans x 12, Whooper Swans x 11 on Simmond's Scrape at Cley NWT, Water Pipit from Babcock Hide, Black Brant in field by West bank at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton.
Bewick's Swans x 6 at Aylsham.
Bewick's Swans x 4 flew west past Sheringham.
Suffolk Highlights
• PALLID SWIFT on Saturday at dusk over plantation at Sizewell.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN again over crooked spire at church of St Mary's + All Saints at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Sunday, 8 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
AMUR WAGTAIL possible (form leucopsis) 300 yrds NNW of visitor centre on pool west of main footpath at 2pm with Pied Wagtails, Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harriers x 3, Shorelarks x 2, Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipits x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Short-eared Owls x 2, Water Pipit, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 55 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
House Martins x 3 over cliffs, golf course at Cromer.
Black Brant east of Beach Road, Water Pipits x 3 from Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
PENDULINE TIT flew over bridge towards Haddiscoe train station at St Olaves.
Shorelarks x 2, Short-eared Owl at Sidestrand.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS still at north end from hide, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Hen Harrier at Breydon Water.
Snow Bunting at Happisburgh.
Hen Harrier at Hemsby.
Water Pipit at Cantley Beet Factory.
Ruddy Shelducks x 3 at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Hen Harriers x 6, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Hen Harriers x 2, Bewick's Swans x 5 at Blakeney Point.
Rough-legged Buzzard over fields south of Lodge Farm at Hunstanton.
Lapland Bunting flew east over Kelling.
Common Cranes x 4 at Oby Marshes, Billockby.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• PALLID HARRIER Juv still at Gibraltar Point NNR.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN around parish church spire until 1.50pm then flew North West at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
AMUR WAGTAIL possible (form leucopsis) 300 yrds NNW of visitor centre on pool west of main footpath at 2pm with Pied Wagtails, Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harriers x 3, Shorelarks x 2, Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipits x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Short-eared Owls x 2, Water Pipit, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 55 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
House Martins x 3 over cliffs, golf course at Cromer.
Black Brant east of Beach Road, Water Pipits x 3 from Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
PENDULINE TIT flew over bridge towards Haddiscoe train station at St Olaves.
Shorelarks x 2, Short-eared Owl at Sidestrand.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS still at north end from hide, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Hen Harrier at Breydon Water.
Snow Bunting at Happisburgh.
Hen Harrier at Hemsby.
Water Pipit at Cantley Beet Factory.
Ruddy Shelducks x 3 at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Hen Harriers x 6, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Hen Harriers x 2, Bewick's Swans x 5 at Blakeney Point.
Rough-legged Buzzard over fields south of Lodge Farm at Hunstanton.
Lapland Bunting flew east over Kelling.
Common Cranes x 4 at Oby Marshes, Billockby.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• PALLID HARRIER Juv still at Gibraltar Point NNR.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! CRAG MARTIN around parish church spire until 1.50pm then flew North West at Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Saturday, 7 November 2015
Back To My Roots!
Holme Beach, Norfolk
I'm not in a good place right now, because of recent events and maybe the entire year to be honest and other stuff that has occurred in my life over the years. It's all caught up with me – like a fast speed train that's just crashed. I don't feel able to operate as I would normally do, so have to take one day at a time. For my recent blog followers, this year alone included my Father breaking his hip, being in hospital with that, being admitted a second time a few weeks later, changing my job twice, my house being severely smoke-damaged from next door's fire and my Father's second stroke this October which I found especially difficult with him being on my own ward. Then throw in all the other general stuff that life throws at you and well...... your body and mind can only take so much! Yes, of course there has been positive things too, but the negatives have definitely outweighed them this year!
Today I managed to get out late afternoon for some me time and much needed fresh air. Luckily it was the best part of the day. It's been pouring with rain all day with strong winds, but around 2.30pm the sun came blazing out. I spent my 'me' time at Holme – a place where I have spent so many hours as a youngster, but much less so nowadays, mainly because of the massive increase in holidaymakers/day trippers and the huge increase in loose dogs. I couldn't have picked a better time or day to go to Holme beach – because of the heavy rain all day, the beach was almost empty aside from one couple with a small dog in the very far distance, I had the entire beach to myself – what a treat!
Holme Beach, Norfolk
Broad Water at Holme NOA
I parked in the NOA car park and walked across to the beach and then east, as far as Thornham Harbour in search of a Desert Wheatear. The light was incredible – dark and dramatic clouds, mixed with fluffy white wisps into bright blue skies, merging with dark blue sea and almost white sands in this beautiful light. A nice surprise of 21 Snow Buntings flew over my head west. Lots of gulls and Brent Geese distantly in the harbour. Walked through the dunes to Thornham Bank and walked back on the boardwalk alongside the Broadwater, which held lots of Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Shelduck and 2 Mute Swans. Chatted with Sophie, Warden at Holme Bird Observatory and renewed my NOA membership. We both had fabulous views of a Peregrine that bombed in and was over our heads for a few moments before it sped off – the colours in the sunshine were awesome! Didn't have time to get the camera out though – all too quick! A Stonechat was perched on the brambles on the other side of the Broadwater, along with a Common Buzzard on a post distantly and also a Marsh Harrier hunting. Watched the sunset over the Broadwater and then visited my parents briefly before returning home.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Great White Egret, Twite at Ongar Hill.
Black Redstart, Water Pipits x 3, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Caister-on-Sea.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe, Purple Sandpiper, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Swift flew south along beach at Hemsby.
Snow Buntings x 21 flew west over Holme Beach (PAC).
Great Grey Shrike at North Dunes, Winterton.
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 5, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• PALLID HARRIER Juv still at Gibraltar Point NNR.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Great White Egret, Twite at Ongar Hill.
Black Redstart, Water Pipits x 3, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Caister-on-Sea.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe, Purple Sandpiper, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Swift flew south along beach at Hemsby.
Snow Buntings x 21 flew west over Holme Beach (PAC).
Great Grey Shrike at North Dunes, Winterton.
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 5, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• PALLID HARRIER Juv still at Gibraltar Point NNR.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Friday, 6 November 2015
The Weekend!
Will yesterday's reported Desert Wheatear at Thornham Point re-appear I wonder?!
Links to my last sightings of Desert Wheatears on 9th November 2014 and 12th November 2011:
http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/desert-wheatears-in-norfolk-suffolk.html
http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/desert-wheatear-in-glorious-sunshine.html
Weather doesn't look exactly brilliant for the weekend with rain and strong winds! Still awaiting that Norfolk Mega! Maybe, just maybe the Black-and-white Warbler will re-locate, how cool would that be!
Links to my last sightings of Desert Wheatears on 9th November 2014 and 12th November 2011:
http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/desert-wheatears-in-norfolk-suffolk.html
http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/desert-wheatear-in-glorious-sunshine.html
Weather doesn't look exactly brilliant for the weekend with rain and strong winds! Still awaiting that Norfolk Mega! Maybe, just maybe the Black-and-white Warbler will re-locate, how cool would that be!
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 50 yesterday at Buckenham Marshes.
Slavonian Grebe yesterday, seen off Sheringham and Weybourne.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS still along North Wall, 1 mile west of hide briefly early morning, Spotted Redshanks x 6 at Breydon Water.
DESERT WHEATEAR reported yesterday at Thornham Point.
Little Auk found dead at Caister-on-Sea.
Slavonian Grebe, Snow Buntings x 3 at Holkham.
PALLID SWIFT unconfirmed report over beach near Eye Field at 2.15pm then flew east at Cley NWT.
Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Sheringham.
Hen Harriers x 3, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• PALLID HARRIER Juv still at Gibraltar Point NNR.
• PALLID SWIFT flew south between Wolla Bank and Chapel Six Marshes.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, Little London, Cornwall.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 50 yesterday at Buckenham Marshes.
Slavonian Grebe yesterday, seen off Sheringham and Weybourne.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS still along North Wall, 1 mile west of hide briefly early morning, Spotted Redshanks x 6 at Breydon Water.
DESERT WHEATEAR reported yesterday at Thornham Point.
Little Auk found dead at Caister-on-Sea.
Slavonian Grebe, Snow Buntings x 3 at Holkham.
PALLID SWIFT unconfirmed report over beach near Eye Field at 2.15pm then flew east at Cley NWT.
Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Sheringham.
Hen Harriers x 3, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• PALLID HARRIER Juv still at Gibraltar Point NNR.
• PALLID SWIFT flew south between Wolla Bank and Chapel Six Marshes.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, Little London, Cornwall.
Thursday, 5 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS still on North Flats near green posts 33 & 35, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret, Crossbill, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Holkham.
Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Hen Harrier at Holme Dunes.
Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Water Pipit, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoters x 5 at Titchwell RSPB.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• PALLID HARRIER Juv at Gibraltar Point NNR.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER by Worceser Cathedral between College Green and River Severn in yew of garden of Dean's cottage briefly at 1.30pm.
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT at The Warren then flew south, Spurn, Yorkshire.
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, Little London, Cornwall.
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS still on North Flats near green posts 33 & 35, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret, Crossbill, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Holkham.
Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Hen Harrier at Holme Dunes.
Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Water Pipit, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoters x 5 at Titchwell RSPB.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• PALLID HARRIER Juv at Gibraltar Point NNR.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLACK-AND-WHITE WARBLER by Worceser Cathedral between College Green and River Severn in yew of garden of Dean's cottage briefly at 1.30pm.
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT at The Warren then flew south, Spurn, Yorkshire.
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, Little London, Cornwall.
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Excitement At Burnham Overy Dunes & Gun Hill!
Raining and dull as ditch water ALL day. Jobs in the morning and then out to find that very elusive mega in the afternoon.
Headed to Burnham Overy Dunes again. Short-eared Owl sitting in the hedge in almost the same spot as before, just east of the track after the stile! The track to the sea wall was extremely muddy.
In the bushes at the end of the track I found a very elusive Chiffchaff in the apple tree, which I only got a couple of glimpses of before it dived deep for cover, along with a Hedgesparrow, one Robin and a Blackbird. Headed west to Gun Hill.
At Gun Hill I found nothing at all, until I walked towards the bushes immediately seaward side of the hill. Suddenly I spotted something colourful moving around on the sand underneath a rosehip spray. Heart beating, I lifted my bins to see an rusty orange breast – the bird then flicked up to perch on the bush, revealing itself as a female Stonechat! So, ok it wasn't a mega, but still nice to see and unexpected. Thinking about it, I can't ever remember seeing a Stonechat in these bushes before. Also saw a Wren here, sneaking around the lower branches of the almost bare elder bush.
Finding the Stonechat heightened my senses and I searched hard for another good bird. I walked back across the top of the dunes, pishing bushes on route. Found some cracking earth stars, but no other birds revealed themselves sadly. Walked back in the dusk, rain and gloom to my car.
Visited my parents briefly to deliver a new lamp for Mother and a couple of items from Burnham Deepdale garage shop. 'Careline' has been installed in their house today, mainly for Mother's use – which will give me some peace of mind, that is if she wears the call bell! Father looked a better colour today and had slept right through the night, without attempting to get out of bed!
Back to work tomorrow. Roll on the weekend!
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
Headed to Burnham Overy Dunes again. Short-eared Owl sitting in the hedge in almost the same spot as before, just east of the track after the stile! The track to the sea wall was extremely muddy.
In the bushes at the end of the track I found a very elusive Chiffchaff in the apple tree, which I only got a couple of glimpses of before it dived deep for cover, along with a Hedgesparrow, one Robin and a Blackbird. Headed west to Gun Hill.
At Gun Hill I found nothing at all, until I walked towards the bushes immediately seaward side of the hill. Suddenly I spotted something colourful moving around on the sand underneath a rosehip spray. Heart beating, I lifted my bins to see an rusty orange breast – the bird then flicked up to perch on the bush, revealing itself as a female Stonechat! So, ok it wasn't a mega, but still nice to see and unexpected. Thinking about it, I can't ever remember seeing a Stonechat in these bushes before. Also saw a Wren here, sneaking around the lower branches of the almost bare elder bush.
Finding the Stonechat heightened my senses and I searched hard for another good bird. I walked back across the top of the dunes, pishing bushes on route. Found some cracking earth stars, but no other birds revealed themselves sadly. Walked back in the dusk, rain and gloom to my car.
Visited my parents briefly to deliver a new lamp for Mother and a couple of items from Burnham Deepdale garage shop. 'Careline' has been installed in their house today, mainly for Mother's use – which will give me some peace of mind, that is if she wears the call bell! Father looked a better colour today and had slept right through the night, without attempting to get out of bed!
Back to work tomorrow. Roll on the weekend!
PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Snow Bunting at Cromer.
Purple Sandpiper, Arctic Tern, Little Gulls x 60, Bewick's Swans x 4 at Sheringham.
Great White Egret, Yellow-browed Warbler, Slavonian Grebe, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 5 at Holkham.
Great Grey Shrike at North Dunes, Winterton.
Hen Harrier, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshank at Holme NOA.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Purple Sandpiper, Snow Buntings x 20, Water Pipit, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Titchwell RSPB.
Twite x 9 at Thornham Point.
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Long-tailed Duck at Cley.
Short-eared Owl at Hopton-on-Sea.
Hen Harriers x 2, Short-eared Owl at Stiffkey.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, Little London, Cornwall.
Snow Bunting at Cromer.
Purple Sandpiper, Arctic Tern, Little Gulls x 60, Bewick's Swans x 4 at Sheringham.
Great White Egret, Yellow-browed Warbler, Slavonian Grebe, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 5 at Holkham.
Great Grey Shrike at North Dunes, Winterton.
Hen Harrier, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshank at Holme NOA.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Purple Sandpiper, Snow Buntings x 20, Water Pipit, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Titchwell RSPB.
Twite x 9 at Thornham Point.
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Long-tailed Duck at Cley.
Short-eared Owl at Hopton-on-Sea.
Hen Harriers x 2, Short-eared Owl at Stiffkey.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, Little London, Cornwall.
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
An Utterley Pants Day!
Its been such a horrible day and right now I feel pretty low and depressed and that's putting it mildly! I don't really feel I've been on holiday this past few days at all to be honest.
I was woken at 2am by my Mother who was hysterical – Father wasn't well and she was having a job to get him back into bed – I don't know how or why he got out, but he was. I felt I just couldn't go out – I felt incapable of leaving the house at that time. It may sound mean, but I just couldn't. It wasn't a life and death situation after all, otherwise I would have gone without question. Mother had the option of calling an emergency team, but chose not to after getting him back into bed and into a fairly reasonable position. I won't go into the gory details of why he wasn't well, but the drug he is newly on called Clopidogrel, had made him bleed.
I lay there feeling guilty about not going out and basically didn't really sleep, so might as well have gone anyway. I phoned my Mother at 6.20am who had just rung the emergency team because this was the THIRD time he had got out of bed, but this time she couldn't get him back. He was sitting on the floor next to the bed. The falls team she normally rings were not able to come out and she was asked to ring the paramedics, who came out pretty quickly.
I jumped in the shower, chucked some gear in a bag and flew over to Holme. Three paramedics were still there when I arrived. An electrician rang me to say he was coming out to look at the dodgy double socket. I could tell from this moment on, it was going to be a full on, stressful and rubbish day. The paramedics were nicely lecturing my Mother about how it was time she looked after herself and how could she possibly continue to care for Father etc etc. All his obs were fine and I think the paramedics also thought the bleeding could have been due to the drug which is a side effect in some cases, but obviously they couldn't be sure. They also told us the hospital was in black alert and that there only two beds available earlier this morning in the entire hospital – what a crazy situation! They asked us to phone Father's GP to get someone to come out, which Mother did. The paramedics got a few home truths from me, which made Mother furious.
Anyway, long story short, after they left we then attended to Father. He was exhausted and looked really pale, which is hardly surprising after a night of no sleep, Mother didn't look much better either. I made him eat a banana first of all, to give him some energy. He was cold – washed his top half and put on my new thermal birthday vest, shirt and thick jumper. Then he had breakfast which Mother made and I helped him with. Then he fell asleep poor man, he was exhausted.
The rest of the morning consisted of helping Mother to tidy up from all that went on. Dealing with the electrician who was brilliant (Lighthouse Contract Ltd from Hunstanton). Then we got a phone call from the fire service (who I had contacted earlier this week) who then came out to fit two smoke alarms. Mother wrote the shopping list and I went to Hunstanton to do her shopping (didn't see any point in doing on-line shopping whilst I was there!). Then went into Hughes Electrical to order a Dimplex heater for her. Returned home to find the Community Matron attending, who didn't really help that much to be honest, apart from advising to leave off the Clopidogrel for a few days and then continue with it again, then stop again if today's side effects returned. I spoke to Father's GP on the phone afterwards about the situation.
Next job – rang the Incontinence Team in Norwich to order more pads for Father, as Mother was almost out and had failed to tell me this until today. I did give her the number to ring ages ago, but she has lost it, as she does with most things in her non-organised filing system. I then had a phone call from an Admiralty nurse from Chatterton House (don't ask me what an Admiralty nurse is, I have no idea). They came out to see my parents a few weeks back and Mother had obviously given them my number and wanted to chat with me, to see how things were. The lady was quite taken back when I told her Father had had a stroke a couple of weeks ago and all of this morning's shenanigans. 'What are you doing tomorrow Penny?' she said. "Having a day off" I replied. Think she wanted to meet up to chat with me – it wouldn't have made any difference to the situation at all and I couldn't take any more. She is coming out later in the week to chat with Mother about the whole situation.
At 3pm I left the house for a short walk before I went crazy. Why had a Pallas's Warbler turned up at Burnham Overy Staithe and when I go out, I find nothing – I give up. A single bl**dy blackbird was all I kicked up, along the whole length of Gypsy Lane at Titchwell! Went up to Choseley Drying Barns, nothing. Went back to parents. Father still asleep. I crashed out on his bed and also had a snooze. Assisted Father with personal stuff and then washed his bottom half, soaked feet in bowl and shaved him and dressed bottom half in night attire ready for later. Helped him with his tea. I heated up some soup for me and 2 slices of bread. Lucy rang and then Vivien rang later to get updates.
Watched a bit of Autumn Watch, but got very bored watching bl**dy stags and deer's, so switched off. Mother went to put the stray cat in the shed (where it sleeps at night) and it decided to bolt off up the road. Just to explain about the cat – another crazy thing that goes on in the Clarke household – Mother adores this cat and makes hot water bottles for its bed in the shed every night and won't go to bed herself until the cat is in her house, at which point she carries the cat to the shed where it stays all night until she lets it out until the morning (no I'm not joking). She doesn't let it stay in the house as is worried it will make a mess etc. I knew Mother wouldn't go to bed tonight until she had got the cat, so I wasn't having it playing us up. I slipped out of the front door with torch in hand to catch the cat. It could see me coming after it and decided to play games - under a hedge, in someone's garden, ran a bit further into another garden, along a public path between houses – I kept with it, determined not be beaten. It stopped momentarily and was unexpectedly grabbed and hugged tightly just in case it had any bright ideas of escaping, whilst I walked all the way back to the shed with it and plonked it crossly in its spoilt rug/bottle bed!!!! There was I, thinking Mother would be pleased and I got told off - UNBELIEVABLE!!! Why you ask? 'Has the cat been for a wee she said'? 'Yes' I lied!! So Mother was then happy that I had got the cat!
Back in the house, I got Father into bed at about 8.45pm and into a comfortable position. I don't know how my Mother gets him into bed herself – he's a sturdy, heavy man to move into side lying by yourself, even for me. I gave him a lecture about not getting out of bed until 7.30am tomorrow and then reassured him, said good night and left. This situation at home is only going to get worse, something needs sorting soon!!! Mother agrees he will have to into a home if she can't transfer him any longer with the sturn, but its heartbreaking as none of us want him in a residential home. I would look after him myself if I could, but its not possible. Difficult times indeed.
I was woken at 2am by my Mother who was hysterical – Father wasn't well and she was having a job to get him back into bed – I don't know how or why he got out, but he was. I felt I just couldn't go out – I felt incapable of leaving the house at that time. It may sound mean, but I just couldn't. It wasn't a life and death situation after all, otherwise I would have gone without question. Mother had the option of calling an emergency team, but chose not to after getting him back into bed and into a fairly reasonable position. I won't go into the gory details of why he wasn't well, but the drug he is newly on called Clopidogrel, had made him bleed.
I lay there feeling guilty about not going out and basically didn't really sleep, so might as well have gone anyway. I phoned my Mother at 6.20am who had just rung the emergency team because this was the THIRD time he had got out of bed, but this time she couldn't get him back. He was sitting on the floor next to the bed. The falls team she normally rings were not able to come out and she was asked to ring the paramedics, who came out pretty quickly.
I jumped in the shower, chucked some gear in a bag and flew over to Holme. Three paramedics were still there when I arrived. An electrician rang me to say he was coming out to look at the dodgy double socket. I could tell from this moment on, it was going to be a full on, stressful and rubbish day. The paramedics were nicely lecturing my Mother about how it was time she looked after herself and how could she possibly continue to care for Father etc etc. All his obs were fine and I think the paramedics also thought the bleeding could have been due to the drug which is a side effect in some cases, but obviously they couldn't be sure. They also told us the hospital was in black alert and that there only two beds available earlier this morning in the entire hospital – what a crazy situation! They asked us to phone Father's GP to get someone to come out, which Mother did. The paramedics got a few home truths from me, which made Mother furious.
Anyway, long story short, after they left we then attended to Father. He was exhausted and looked really pale, which is hardly surprising after a night of no sleep, Mother didn't look much better either. I made him eat a banana first of all, to give him some energy. He was cold – washed his top half and put on my new thermal birthday vest, shirt and thick jumper. Then he had breakfast which Mother made and I helped him with. Then he fell asleep poor man, he was exhausted.
The rest of the morning consisted of helping Mother to tidy up from all that went on. Dealing with the electrician who was brilliant (Lighthouse Contract Ltd from Hunstanton). Then we got a phone call from the fire service (who I had contacted earlier this week) who then came out to fit two smoke alarms. Mother wrote the shopping list and I went to Hunstanton to do her shopping (didn't see any point in doing on-line shopping whilst I was there!). Then went into Hughes Electrical to order a Dimplex heater for her. Returned home to find the Community Matron attending, who didn't really help that much to be honest, apart from advising to leave off the Clopidogrel for a few days and then continue with it again, then stop again if today's side effects returned. I spoke to Father's GP on the phone afterwards about the situation.
Next job – rang the Incontinence Team in Norwich to order more pads for Father, as Mother was almost out and had failed to tell me this until today. I did give her the number to ring ages ago, but she has lost it, as she does with most things in her non-organised filing system. I then had a phone call from an Admiralty nurse from Chatterton House (don't ask me what an Admiralty nurse is, I have no idea). They came out to see my parents a few weeks back and Mother had obviously given them my number and wanted to chat with me, to see how things were. The lady was quite taken back when I told her Father had had a stroke a couple of weeks ago and all of this morning's shenanigans. 'What are you doing tomorrow Penny?' she said. "Having a day off" I replied. Think she wanted to meet up to chat with me – it wouldn't have made any difference to the situation at all and I couldn't take any more. She is coming out later in the week to chat with Mother about the whole situation.
At 3pm I left the house for a short walk before I went crazy. Why had a Pallas's Warbler turned up at Burnham Overy Staithe and when I go out, I find nothing – I give up. A single bl**dy blackbird was all I kicked up, along the whole length of Gypsy Lane at Titchwell! Went up to Choseley Drying Barns, nothing. Went back to parents. Father still asleep. I crashed out on his bed and also had a snooze. Assisted Father with personal stuff and then washed his bottom half, soaked feet in bowl and shaved him and dressed bottom half in night attire ready for later. Helped him with his tea. I heated up some soup for me and 2 slices of bread. Lucy rang and then Vivien rang later to get updates.
Watched a bit of Autumn Watch, but got very bored watching bl**dy stags and deer's, so switched off. Mother went to put the stray cat in the shed (where it sleeps at night) and it decided to bolt off up the road. Just to explain about the cat – another crazy thing that goes on in the Clarke household – Mother adores this cat and makes hot water bottles for its bed in the shed every night and won't go to bed herself until the cat is in her house, at which point she carries the cat to the shed where it stays all night until she lets it out until the morning (no I'm not joking). She doesn't let it stay in the house as is worried it will make a mess etc. I knew Mother wouldn't go to bed tonight until she had got the cat, so I wasn't having it playing us up. I slipped out of the front door with torch in hand to catch the cat. It could see me coming after it and decided to play games - under a hedge, in someone's garden, ran a bit further into another garden, along a public path between houses – I kept with it, determined not be beaten. It stopped momentarily and was unexpectedly grabbed and hugged tightly just in case it had any bright ideas of escaping, whilst I walked all the way back to the shed with it and plonked it crossly in its spoilt rug/bottle bed!!!! There was I, thinking Mother would be pleased and I got told off - UNBELIEVABLE!!! Why you ask? 'Has the cat been for a wee she said'? 'Yes' I lied!! So Mother was then happy that I had got the cat!
Back in the house, I got Father into bed at about 8.45pm and into a comfortable position. I don't know how my Mother gets him into bed herself – he's a sturdy, heavy man to move into side lying by yourself, even for me. I gave him a lecture about not getting out of bed until 7.30am tomorrow and then reassured him, said good night and left. This situation at home is only going to get worse, something needs sorting soon!!! Mother agrees he will have to into a home if she can't transfer him any longer with the sturn, but its heartbreaking as none of us want him in a residential home. I would look after him myself if I could, but its not possible. Difficult times indeed.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Yellow-browed Warbler reported yesterday at Wells Woods.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS again at east end on North Flats, Spotted Redshanks x 5, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Breydon Water.
Snow Buntings x 10, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Long-tailed Duck at Titchwell RSPB.
Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier at Old Hunstanton.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Thornham Marsh.
Snow Buntings x 10, Little Stint at Salthouse.
PALLAS'S WARBLER on sea wall in sueda by sluice at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Holme NOA.
Crossbills x 15 at Lynford Aboretum.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Horsey.
Great Grey Shrike, Hen Harrier at North Dunes, Winterton.
SIBERIAN STONECHAT possible at Happisburgh.
Suffolk Highlights
• PIED WHEATEAR Male at Languard Nature Reserve
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, Little London, Cornwall.
Yellow-browed Warbler reported yesterday at Wells Woods.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS again at east end on North Flats, Spotted Redshanks x 5, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Breydon Water.
Snow Buntings x 10, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Long-tailed Duck at Titchwell RSPB.
Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier at Old Hunstanton.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Thornham Marsh.
Snow Buntings x 10, Little Stint at Salthouse.
PALLAS'S WARBLER on sea wall in sueda by sluice at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Holme NOA.
Crossbills x 15 at Lynford Aboretum.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Horsey.
Great Grey Shrike, Hen Harrier at North Dunes, Winterton.
SIBERIAN STONECHAT possible at Happisburgh.
Suffolk Highlights
• PIED WHEATEAR Male at Languard Nature Reserve
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, Little London, Cornwall.
Monday, 2 November 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Snow Buntings x 5 east of East Bank, Water Pipits x 4 from Babcock Hide, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS again at east end, Spotted Redshanks x 7, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Breydon Water.
Common Cranes x 2, Snow Buntings x 2 at Horsey.
Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Thornham Marsh.
Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank over grazing marsh, Holme NOA.
Firecrest at Holkham.
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Dunes.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, then flew east to Trenow Cove, Cornwall.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Newtownlynch Pier, County Galway, Ireland.
Snow Buntings x 5 east of East Bank, Water Pipits x 4 from Babcock Hide, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS again at east end, Spotted Redshanks x 7, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Breydon Water.
Common Cranes x 2, Snow Buntings x 2 at Horsey.
Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Thornham Marsh.
Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank over grazing marsh, Holme NOA.
Firecrest at Holkham.
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Dunes.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL again at Marazion, then flew east to Trenow Cove, Cornwall.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Newtownlynch Pier, County Galway, Ireland.
Happy 89th Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday to my dear Father. I didn't think he would make it to be honest, but he has – so very pleased he has. I spent a long time last night, making him a big birthday card, made of my Red-spotted Bluethroat picture which I took in May of this year.
Picked Lucy up and headed to Holme. Vivien is working today and had spent time with Father yesterday. We had chores to do on the way, including picking some goods up for someone from Heacham Lavender shop. I am almost ashamed to say as a local person, that I have never stepped foot in this shop until today! Lucy and I were like kids in a sweet shop – this shop is incredibly exciting – you name it, they sold it! Aside from the obvious lavender gifts, there was all sorts of things to entice you, from elaborate chocolates and cakes, unusual greeting cards, Christmas decorations, fluffy toys, candles, jewellery and the list goes on. What really caught my eye was the very beautiful teddy collection – I fell in love immediately with two bears. I used to collect bears you see, I just adore a bear that has character. As soon as I picked one of the bears up, it felt heavy and screamed quality – I just knew it was going to be expensive..... £64.99. If I had been minted, I would have bought both, sighed and tore myself away!
Next stop Sainsburys to get a few things for Mother, then to Hughes Electrical shop to enquire about some things for parents, then to Holme. Fish 'n' chip birthday lunch from the posh chippie at the farm shop complex at Thornham which was very nice. Helped Father to open his presents after lunch, then he had a long nap, whilst we all sat in the dining room.
At tea time we sang Happy Birthday and lit three three candles on his coffee cake, which he managed to blow out – just! Vivien had bought a very cool card where you record your own message and we listened to Vivien singing Happy Birthday! Really weird that both my Mother and Lucy had bought a card for Father with a Humming Bird on – totally different designs but both the same humming bird and both facing left – Lucy thought it was spooky! Father started to get really tired. Both parents are still operating on the old time. We left around 7pm which to them was 8pm! Very foggy as Lucy and I drove back to King's Lynn.
Picked Lucy up and headed to Holme. Vivien is working today and had spent time with Father yesterday. We had chores to do on the way, including picking some goods up for someone from Heacham Lavender shop. I am almost ashamed to say as a local person, that I have never stepped foot in this shop until today! Lucy and I were like kids in a sweet shop – this shop is incredibly exciting – you name it, they sold it! Aside from the obvious lavender gifts, there was all sorts of things to entice you, from elaborate chocolates and cakes, unusual greeting cards, Christmas decorations, fluffy toys, candles, jewellery and the list goes on. What really caught my eye was the very beautiful teddy collection – I fell in love immediately with two bears. I used to collect bears you see, I just adore a bear that has character. As soon as I picked one of the bears up, it felt heavy and screamed quality – I just knew it was going to be expensive..... £64.99. If I had been minted, I would have bought both, sighed and tore myself away!
Next stop Sainsburys to get a few things for Mother, then to Hughes Electrical shop to enquire about some things for parents, then to Holme. Fish 'n' chip birthday lunch from the posh chippie at the farm shop complex at Thornham which was very nice. Helped Father to open his presents after lunch, then he had a long nap, whilst we all sat in the dining room.
At tea time we sang Happy Birthday and lit three three candles on his coffee cake, which he managed to blow out – just! Vivien had bought a very cool card where you record your own message and we listened to Vivien singing Happy Birthday! Really weird that both my Mother and Lucy had bought a card for Father with a Humming Bird on – totally different designs but both the same humming bird and both facing left – Lucy thought it was spooky! Father started to get really tired. Both parents are still operating on the old time. We left around 7pm which to them was 8pm! Very foggy as Lucy and I drove back to King's Lynn.
Rare Dolphin Spotted Off Norfolk’s Coast For The First Time In Two Decades!
Pity we didn't all get to hear about this at the time!!!
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/pictures_rare_dolphin_spotted_off_norfolk_s_coast_for_the_first_time_in_two_decades_1_4293870
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/pictures_rare_dolphin_spotted_off_norfolk_s_coast_for_the_first_time_in_two_decades_1_4293870
Sunday, 1 November 2015
Burnham Overy Dunes!
It was dense fog when I peeped out of the curtains first thing this morning, so I returned to snooze and then woke up ridiculously late – I obviously needed the sleep. With the sun now blazing and a stunning day to be enjoyed, I headed east to Burnham Overy Dunes.
Fog was looming as I headed out to the dunes. A Blackbird was in the big sallow just past the hedge-lined track. A massive flock of at least fifty Redwings flew west over my head. I had just climbed over the stile and was scanning the marsh, when a fabulous Short-eared Owl came into view – sitting at the bottom of the hedge that runs east of the 5-bar farm gate. For a moment I was thinking Long-eared, but shape and yellow eyes confirmed Short-eared Owl.
I continued along the sea wall to the bushes at the end and found only a Hedge Sparrow. One hundred and fifty Cormorants flew over east – not in all one go I hasten to add! Nothing skulking in the apple tree sadly. I headed east, following the path along the fence and found a lovely female Stonechat perched on a bramble bush. I walked down the dune slope to the hollow with bushes, but no birds here at all. I headed back and spent the rest of the time trying to find something in the good bushes/apple tree. I managed to see a good little selection of birds in here by the time I left: a Male and a female Blackcap creeping in and out of the brambles, 3 Hedgesparrows, Chaffinches x 2, Blackbird, Wren, Blue Tit and also at the last second a Goldcrest appeared briefly in the apple tree! Funny how I didn't see any of these when I searched the first time – it does make you wonder what else was in the depths of the brambles – maybe something bright yellow and garish or then again maybe not!
The fog was dense now and with the pink streaks of the sunset, it looked very atmospheric. I saw a Short-eared Owl hunting in the midst of the foggy marsh and skeins of Pink-footed Geese flew over as I walked back in the icy cold air. Two Bats (smallish) were flying around my car just before I left – don't know what they were – not very good on bat ID!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Fog was looming as I headed out to the dunes. A Blackbird was in the big sallow just past the hedge-lined track. A massive flock of at least fifty Redwings flew west over my head. I had just climbed over the stile and was scanning the marsh, when a fabulous Short-eared Owl came into view – sitting at the bottom of the hedge that runs east of the 5-bar farm gate. For a moment I was thinking Long-eared, but shape and yellow eyes confirmed Short-eared Owl.
I continued along the sea wall to the bushes at the end and found only a Hedge Sparrow. One hundred and fifty Cormorants flew over east – not in all one go I hasten to add! Nothing skulking in the apple tree sadly. I headed east, following the path along the fence and found a lovely female Stonechat perched on a bramble bush. I walked down the dune slope to the hollow with bushes, but no birds here at all. I headed back and spent the rest of the time trying to find something in the good bushes/apple tree. I managed to see a good little selection of birds in here by the time I left: a Male and a female Blackcap creeping in and out of the brambles, 3 Hedgesparrows, Chaffinches x 2, Blackbird, Wren, Blue Tit and also at the last second a Goldcrest appeared briefly in the apple tree! Funny how I didn't see any of these when I searched the first time – it does make you wonder what else was in the depths of the brambles – maybe something bright yellow and garish or then again maybe not!
The fog was dense now and with the pink streaks of the sunset, it looked very atmospheric. I saw a Short-eared Owl hunting in the midst of the foggy marsh and skeins of Pink-footed Geese flew over as I walked back in the icy cold air. Two Bats (smallish) were flying around my car just before I left – don't know what they were – not very good on bat ID!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Whooper Swans x 18, Bewick's Swans x 17, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, Hen Harriers x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Black Redstart at Choseley Drying Barns.
BASKING SHARK at 9.15am, east past Sheringham.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS again at NE end north of hide at Breydon Water.
Shorelark on clifftop at Sidestrand.
Great White Egret, Firecrest at Holkham.
Water Pipits x 2 yesterday at Happisburgh.
Great Grey Shrike, Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Long-eared Owl briefly by Beach Road, Winterton.
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Over Dunes (PAC).
PURPLE HERON reported, flying over Pope's Marsh at 4pm, Hen Harrier ringtail, Water Pipits x 2 east of Arnold's Marsh, Black Brant east of Beach Road with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Cley NWT.
Hen Harrier at Thornham Marsh.
Short-eared Owls x 5, Hen Harriers x 3 at Lodge Marsh, Wells – viewed from Warham Greens.
Black Redstart at Waxham Sands Holiday Park.
Black Redstart in compound, Horsey.
Black Redstart yesterday at Hemsby.
Black Redstart, Short-eared Owls x 3, Hen Harrier at Blakeney Point.
Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT.
Twite x 6, Bewick's Swans x 2 at Holme Dunes.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
Whooper Swans x 18, Bewick's Swans x 17, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, Hen Harriers x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Black Redstart at Choseley Drying Barns.
BASKING SHARK at 9.15am, east past Sheringham.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS again at NE end north of hide at Breydon Water.
Shorelark on clifftop at Sidestrand.
Great White Egret, Firecrest at Holkham.
Water Pipits x 2 yesterday at Happisburgh.
Great Grey Shrike, Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Long-eared Owl briefly by Beach Road, Winterton.
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Over Dunes (PAC).
PURPLE HERON reported, flying over Pope's Marsh at 4pm, Hen Harrier ringtail, Water Pipits x 2 east of Arnold's Marsh, Black Brant east of Beach Road with Dark-bellied Brent Geese at Cley NWT.
Hen Harrier at Thornham Marsh.
Short-eared Owls x 5, Hen Harriers x 3 at Lodge Marsh, Wells – viewed from Warham Greens.
Black Redstart at Waxham Sands Holiday Park.
Black Redstart in compound, Horsey.
Black Redstart yesterday at Hemsby.
Black Redstart, Short-eared Owls x 3, Hen Harrier at Blakeney Point.
Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT.
Twite x 6, Bewick's Swans x 2 at Holme Dunes.
MEGA NEWS!
None.
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