Busy Day & Visit to Father!

At work in the morning as usual and then took holiday to leave at 10.45am for an appointment with a Social Services Financial Advisor and Mother for 11.30am - heavy duty meeting! Sigh of relief when that was over. Then returned work for 2pm. After work I flew down town to buy a new nurses's watch (broke mine this week), buy some shoes for father and other bits and pieces.

I then drove straight to Heacham to visit Father. He was asleep in the chair, but soon perked up when he realised I was there. He is currently on no medication at all and tons more alert. But the problem is that he is far too alert!!! As in, he has been shouting all night long and dozing during the day, which is not accetable for his state of mind, other residents or staff! So, the care home are going to ask GP to put him back on to the medication they trialled last week, but try 0.5mg instead of the prescribed 1mg, which completely drugged him up into a deep sleep during the day, so much so that he couldn't even eat. I told him all about my encounters with the Great Knot and standing in the sea with my trousers and shoes on and he seemed really interested and tapped me on my arm (his way of saying well done). I tried his new shoes on, but they were not wide enough and a mistake buy, so will have to take them back tomorrow after work. The staff took him up to bed at about 7.45pm and I said good night to him and left.

Another week is almost over again, the time goes so quickly, looking forward to the weekend!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Glossy Ibis at Nunnery Lakes NR then flew south, Thetford.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again at Gore Point, Holme & on Freshmarsh, Titchwell RSPB.
Little Gull, Spoonbills x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 5 at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbills x 8 at Burnham Deepdale Marsh.
Little Gulls x 4 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Spoonbills x 5 at Brancaster Marsh.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off north end of golf course, Aberdeenshire.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again at Gore Point, Holme & on Freshmarsh, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk. 
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL 1s 4 miles east of Penzance, just SE of Parranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN 2 miles SE of Truro, off Tresemple Pool on Tresillian River, Cornwall.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Caspian Tern at east end of Breydon Water.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again at Gore Point, Holme & on Freshmarsh, Titchwell RSPB.
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Bee-eater flew east (heard only) over Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbills x 5, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT.
Glossy Ibis in area with no general access at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off north end of golf course, Aberdeenshire.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again at Gore Point, Holme & on Freshmarsh, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on Lelant Saltings, Hayle Estuary RSPB, Cornwall.

Ancient Birds' Wings Preserved In Amber!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36651471

RBA Weekly Round-Up 22nd to 28th June!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2016-26.aspx?s_id=448402978
Thanks to the RBA Team for using my Great Knot pictures in their round-up.

Thanks also to Birdguides for using my Great Knot flight shot in their round-up.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at Gore Point, Holme & on Freshmarsh, Titchwell RSPB.
Little Gull, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
Montagu's Harrier ringtail flew north over Titchwell.
Caspian Tern 1/2 mile west of tern platforms at Breydon Water.
Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbills x 5 at Cley NWT.
Arctic Skua pale morph on beach at Holme.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off north end of golf course, Aberdeenshire.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at Gore Point, Holme & on Freshmarsh, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at Gore Point, Holme & on Freshmarsh, Titchwell RSPB.
Caspian Tern in north east corner near tern platforms, Little Gulls x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Breydon Water.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 2 at Kelling Water Meadows.
Red-veined Darter Dragonfly at Beeston Common, Sheringham.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off north end of golf course, Aberdeenshire.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at Gore Point, Holme & on Freshmarsh, Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN flew over Asda at Penryn, Cornwall.

MEGA Photography Day with Great Knot!!!

GREAT KNOT

This evening at Holme

Dawn 'til Dusk!
Its a long time since I got out of the house that early – I managed to get to Holme by 4.30am! Parked by the scrub/buckthorn near the 5-bar gate along the Firs Road. There was only one other car here and I think these might have been the three birders I met last night, who said they were going to kip in the car. It started to rain heavily, so I opted to snooze for a while. Reclined the seat back and closed my eyes. It was lovely being in the car and listening to the rain on the windows. At 5am a Turtle Dove was purring right next to my car – but I couldn't see it and decided not to get out of the car as it would have flown. I snuggled up again under my coat and with my feather pillow! The rain continued, then a short break and then it persistently carried on. The next thing I knew it was 7am!!! Oh dear! I had had more than a snooze! I was cross with myself for falling asleep, got out of the car and had a coffee and marmelade sandwich to wake myself up.

GREAT KNOT

This morning – centre of picture at the back!

Knot flying off east towards Titchwell this morning

Knot flying off east towards Titchwell this morning

Made my way across the beach – several birders were walking back. There were only two people watching the Great Knot when I arrived on the beach. Fabulous views, but still no good for SLR photography. A few more birders turned up. I noticed the channel was filling pretty quickly this morning, which bascially cuts you off if you're not on the ball! Everyone left and relocated to the other side of the channel. I stood here alone. As the tide swept around the Knot flock, they ran towards me, another wave and another mass run and so on. I kept looking behind me and realised I hadn't got long left before I also needed to move. I started to get excited as the flock were getting closer and closer to me and the Great Knot was now less obscured – still a bit too far for my camera though. I looked behind me again and was alarmed to see the water from the channel and sea were now one and I was now on an island of sand!!! It was incredibly frustrating, that I now had to quickly turn and go, when the flock was getting closer and closer to me. But I had to move – I turned round and made my way through the water and ended up with partially wet socks. When I reached a safe area of sand, I turned just in time to see the entire flock get up from their sandy island, which had almost disappeared and managed to get some shots of the entire flock as they headed strongly east towards Titchwell.

I continued to walk along the beach east – it was beautiful now and the sun was out. I could only see one dog with owner on the beach, which is rare at this time of the year. I could see a couple of Ringed Plovers on the beach and Little Terns were flying past. I headed south over the dunes to Post 10 – this was the tenth section of my father's nature trail, that doesn't exist now and is by the big area of bushes/scrub by the coastal path, that overlooks the broad water – there is a new seat here now. I then walked west along the footpath and down to Holme Bird Observatory. As I descended down the wire covered ramp, I went flying – literally! I landed in an awkward position and on my right knee. You know when you fall and you daren't move for a moment! Sophie (warden) rushed out to my aid and I started to laugh. I don't know why I did – you feel silly don't you! I knew I had scraped my knee, but I was more concerned about my very dodgy left ankle (had no end of accidents with this) – but I soon realised I had saved the ankle, but when I inspected my knee, it was deeply grazed and bleeding, but I could walk, so wasn't too bad. Sat in the observatory to recover and had a good catch up with Sophie.

Andy Brown turned up and we all went to look at the moth traps. There was a fabulous Privet Hawk Moth in the trap, but I wasn't much help to them, as I'm very rusty with my moth ID nowadays – I used to be pretty good as a youngster, as I helped father with two moth traps every morning. From the NOA website: "In the moth traps a good catch of 58 species included Willow and Mottled Beauty, Shoulder-striped Wainscot, Shore Wainscot, Campion, Common Emerald, a female Ghost Swift, and a Privet Hawk Moth." The flowers and grasses on the short turf in front of the observatory were fabulous, with Viper's Bugloss adorned with Small Skippers, Common Blues and bees etc. I walked back via The Firs House and popped in the shop for a nose, but wasn't tempted by anything. There were children playing football on the short turf by the big sycamore tree – this would never have been allowed years ago – this area of turf is excellent feeding ground for many birds – how things have changed.

Walked back to my car via the NWT Forestry and bumped into Mat S. who kindly pointed out where a Turtle Dove was. I stalked it carefully and did see it, but only obtained a rubbish picture, as it was distant and half hidden in a bush. Mat had also seen an Arctic Skua close in shore this morning – very nice. Lovely orchids in the long grasses, which were a delight to see. Back at my car, I got rid of some layers and cleaned up my knee properly with sterile wipes from my first aid kit. I then headed to my Mother's house – I tried to persuade her to go to Titchwell with me, but she didn't feel up to it – in fact, neither did I to be honest – I was shattered. Ate a ploughman's roll and then went for another snooze on father's bed with the cat again (as yesterday!). I planned to to return to Gore Point for another round with the Great Knot later this afternoon.

After my snooze I headed back to Gore Point again. There were lots of cars already parked by the 5-bar gate by the time I got there, so obviously people hoped the Great Knot would return again, as it did last night. The lady in the NWT pay hut told me that someone leaving, had seen the Great Knot on the beach again. Nothing on my pager yet. Headed out to the beach to find a good number of birders out there scanning the mussel beds and rock pools and were watching the Great Knot, but no one had put news out, so I did. There was a heat haze and viewing was not ideal from where I was standing. Several birders had walked west and closer to the water's edge with the sun behind them for clearer viewing. I decided to stay put in hope that the Great Knot flew towards me!

Birders watching the Great Knot at Holme

Later on, people started to leave and then the Knot flock dispersed and headed a long way east. Apart from a couple of bait diggers, I was the only one left! I headed east to search for the Great Knot – this was an ideal opportunity – it had to be here somewhere. As I scanned with the scope, I could see several small flocks and one massive flock of Knot distantly, just past the line of groynes which is nearly opposite the Firs House. I kept walking and continued to check and re-check all the smaller flocks, before heading to the large flock feeding amongst the seaweed covered rocks. I felt excited as I got closer and closer – I just knew it was here. Suddenly, I found it! I was so pleased my efforts had paid off. I looked round and one couple were on the beach and heading my way. The tide was coming in fast now. It was quite windy and my phone-scoped video I took was very shakey. The couple I had seen earlier, joined me and were readers of my blog – lovely to meet you both. The rock pools were disappearing and the knot were being pushed off quite quickly. The Great Knot was not far away from me at all now, it was so exciting. I quickly walked away to put my scope and camera bag higher up on the beach and returned with only my camera and bins.

GREAT KNOT

This evening at Holme

What happened next was just incredible. Having been moved off from the tide, the Great Knot along with Knot flew towards me and landed on a small sea weed covered area to continue feeding – it was now only approximately 50 yards away! As I stood here, reeling off picture after picture, I could feel the sea had surrounded me, but I didn't care. I remained here, photographing this awesome bird until the tide covered its feeding area and then flew off – I continued shooting as it took off and flew west along the shore. I just knew I had just got my dream shots and I felt elated to say the least. I was in water up to my knees and I had to walk extremely carefully back to the shore – with camera in hand, it could have gone badly wrong, had I slipped for the second time today, but I was lucky! Very lucky! I almost wanted to have a little dance once I reached the sand, on realising what I had just witnessed! I chatted excitedly with the couple I had just met and we walked west a little way to join a handful of birders that had suddenly appeared. The Great Knot had not flown away, but was still walking along the water's edge, along with other Knot, much to the joy of the birders watching. Shortly after this, the entire flock headed west a long way along the beach, beyond where they were earlier this evening.

GREAT KNOT

This evening at Holme

It started to rain as I headed back to my car, but then I was already dripping wet from knees downwards, so it didn't really make much difference! Went back to my mother's, to show her my pictures and then headed home. Spent a long time washing my walking boots – it will take a long time to dry them out I think. What a day!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at Gore Point at Holme & Scolt Head Island NNR.
Caspian Tern at east end from hide, Spoonbills x 2, Little Gull, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Breydon Water.
Little Gulls x 3, Spotted Redshanks x 6 at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbills x 2, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT.
TURTLE DOVE on telegraph pole at Downsland Park at Great Moulton.
TURTLE DOVE singing by NWT pay hut at Holme.
Quails x 2 at Welney WWT.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER again, 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen just south of Blackdog off north end of golf course, Aberdeenshire. 
MEGA! GREAT KNOT still at Scolt Head Island NNR and Gore Point at Holme, Norfolk.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Restronguet Creek, Cornwall. 

Visit to Father & A Second Incredible Evening With the Mega Great Knot at Holme!

KNOT

Gore Point, Holme

I overslept this morning, but just made it in time to pick my Mother up and take her to the hairdressers in Hunstanton for 9am! Whilst we were there, I got a call from Summerville House Care Home, which worried me initially – they phoned to let me know that they had called a doctor out to Father, as he was extremely lethargic this morning and has been since they changed his old tablet Quetiapine over to Risperidone. Mother and I were going to visit him after her hair appointment anyway – on the way, the care home phoned again to say the doctor had arrived and wanted to speak to us – I said we could speak to him in person, as we were only 2 minutes away.

At the care home, we chatted with the emergency on-call doctor who said his new medication had been prescribed as 1mg and that it could have been the lowest dose at 0.5mg – he recommended for Father to come off the Risperidone for the next three days and would ask his normal GP to review after that and to start up again with the lowest dose available. Mother and I then went to see Father who was extremely lethargic and could hardly speak to us. He did liven up a little and we took him outside in the wheelchair in the very hot sunshine, but he was not happy at all and insisted on going back inside as he said he was cold. We took him to the dining room to join others for lunch, but he just couldn't eat anything he was so sleepy. But to our delight he did manage some chocolate mousse dessert. We took him back to the conservatory in his wheelchair and he was sick, poor man. The staff took him to the bathroom to clean him up and he was sick again we were told. Obviously Risperidone does not suit him at all. So distressing to see him like this and Mother was very upset. We kissed him goodbye when they brought him back and transferred him to his comfy chair in the conservatory and we left to go to Hunstanton.

Went to Sainsbury's to get some shopping for Mother and then picked up some fish 'n' chips for our very late lunch at 2.30pm. There were tons of people soaking up the sun on The Green at Hunstanton. Arrived back at Holme to enjoy our fish 'n' chips. I had taken a Clarityn (hayfever) tablet earlier this morning as my hayfever is extra bad this year and I think this had made me feel extremely tired for some reason. I just couldn't keep my eyes open and went for a siesta on Father's old bed and the cat joined me! I must have been out for the count for ages, as when I woke up it was 4.50pm. I looked at the pager and it said that the Great Knot was back at Gore Point, Holme again! Mother had also been asleep in the dining room – I asked her if she wanted to see the Great Knot, but she said she was too tired, so off I went again for the second night running.

Great Knot with Knot

Its in there somewhere, honest!

Knot at Gore Point, Holme.

There were considerably more cars by the 5-bar gate along the Firs Road at Holme than last night, but I managed to get one space, which was very lucky. Headed out to the beach and joined other birders to watch the Great Knot again. The views were more hazy than last night, but still good none the less. As the evening dwindled away, the spectacular Knot flock and Great Knot moved closer, although still not close enough for SLR photography. I got some cracking video though, improvement on last night's attempts. There were around eight of us standing and looking east, towards the end of the evening and as the tide crept in to our feet, the person standing closest to the water had to move around the back of the others and re-position our tripod, we all did this about four times, shuffling around just as the Knot were with the incoming tide. As the seaweed covered rock pools were covered with tide, the entire flock went up and flew across and in front of us – it was breathtaking and I had never stood next to so many thousand of Knot as such a close range – it was awesome! The Great Knot favoured the back of the flock though, which again was too far for SLR photography. We all watched in fascination as the Knot ran back and forth with the tide, preened, slept and jostled for positions. At around 8.20pm (a couple minutes later than last night), most of the flock headed east, leaving only a few hundred Knot by the water's edge and the Great Knot was not amongst them.

 

You can just hear Danny Porter singing 'Dirty Water' by Status Quo!

We all headed back across the wet sands, leaving one birder behind. Visited Mother for a short while before returning home and spent the rest of the evening watching Adele headline on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury – she was incredible, what a voice!

One birder remains, watching the Great Knot!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at Gore Point at Holme & Scolt Head Island NNR.
Caspian Tern opposite tern platforms, viewed from South Wall at Breydon Water.
Spoonbill, Little Gulls x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 8 at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egret flew west over Smallburgh.
Great White Egret flew south over King Fen at East Ruston.
Spoonbills x 7 flew west over Burnham Overy Dunes.
Quails x 2 at Welney WWT.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 4 miles NNE of Aberdeen at Blackdog off golf course, Aberdeenshire.  
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at Scolt Head Island NNR and Gore Point at Holme, Norfolk.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN at Restronguet Creek, Cornwall. 

GREAT KNOT AT HOLME THIS EVENING!

Birders watching the Great Knot at Gore Point, Holme

Shortly after I arrived home from work, the pager bleeped up with Great Knot on the beach at 4.50pm at Gore Point, Holme! Obviously I had to go! I had only seen views of this bird in thunder and rain at Titchwell RSPB and hoped to see it again at the weekend anyway. So off I went, looking and feeling bedraggled after six days at work! I phoned a taxi for my sister Lucy on route and then phoned Lucy to say I couldn't take her to her rehearsal, but I had booked a taxi for her, but I would pick her up when she finished later on this evening. I don't think she was too impressed!

Great Knot (towards right hand side and back of flock)

Knot and Oystercatcher

Holme Beach

Great Knot and Knot

Knot

Knot flying off west at Gore Point

It was one of the most beautiful evenings I've had birding for a very long time. Parked the car by the five-bar gate and walked along the coastal footpath and then made my way to the beach at Gore Point. There were no more than around 15 or so birders and nobody got too close. In fact we were much too far away! I had stupendous views of the Great Knot amongst thousands of Knot – the light was perfect and I will never forget that bird running along the shore amongst green seaweed and around the rock pools. To watch this bird at Holme was an added bonus! I shared this spectacle with Phil, Andy, Robert S., Dave Holman, Sophie and Jenny B and others. The views were amazing through my scope, but no good at all for SLR photography, unless you had a 800mm lens! However, phone-scoping wasn't too bad at all, thank goodness. There were also a few Turnstones in the mix and a Ringed Plover on the beach.

Knot flying off west from Gore Point

Sunsets and beach at Holme

Sunset over Old Hunstanton

The Knot flock and Great Knot worked their way west past Gore Point on the incoming tide and I stayed with a few others until dusk. The sunset was just stunning and dramatic clouds set the scene. Unbelievably, I could hear Natterjack toads croaking from the beach and also heard a Cuckoo. The Knot flock was a joy to watch, as they constantly ran from the tide, jostling for new positions and gathering to roost. At 8.16pm the entire flock dispersed – approximately a third flew east towards Thornham Harbour/Titchwell and the remainder flew east towards Old Hunstanton. Frustratingly, none of us saw which way the Great Knot headed! I just can't get over how beautiful the light was this evening, if only I had been close to that Great Knot - the pictures would have been mint!

There was a Little Egret in the lagoon at the way back to my car and  I could hear two Turtle Doves purring behind the bungalows/pay hut. A rainbow emerged from the black clouds over Holme marsh. What a fantastic evening! Picked Lucy up from her rehearsal in time and when I told her where I had been and what I had seen, she declared 'you made me get a taxi for a Great Knot!!!' 'yes Lucy I did'.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Caspian Tern, Spoonbills x 2 at Breydon Water.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again on beach at Titchwell RSPB, Scolt Head Island NNR and Gore Point at Holme.
Spoonbill, Little Gulls x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Honey Buzzard flew over Nunnery Drive at Thetford.
*Red-veined Darter Dragonfly, north of main pond at Kelling Water Meadows.
Quails x 2 at Welney WWT.
Little Gull at Cley NWT.
TURTLE DOVE near pay hut at Holme.

Lincolnshire Highlights
• CASPIAN TERN opposite beach car park at Tennyson's Sands at Gibraltar Point NNR.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT on beach at Titchwell RSPB and at Scolt Head Island NNR, Norfolk.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN at Restronguet Creek, Cornwall. 

UK Votes To Leave EU And Cameron Quits!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-36570120

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Gargeney x 2 fem. on North Scrape, Spoonbills x 3 on Simmond's Scrape at Cley NWT.
Spotted Redshanks x 9, Little Gulls x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again on beach at Titchwell RSPB & Scolt Head Island NNR.
Savi's Warbler singing, east of Gun Hill near end of boardwalk, Spoonbills x 5 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Spoonbills x 3 flew west over road near beach at Brancaster.

Lincolnshire Highlights
• CASPIAN TERN opposite beach car park at Tennyson's Sands at Gibraltar Point NNR.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT on beach at Titchwell RSPB and at Scolt Head Island NNR, Norfolk.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN at Hayle Estuary, Cornwall. 

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again on beach at Titchwell RSPB & Scolt Head Island NNR.
Spotted Redshanks x 7, Little Gulls x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbills x 3 at Breydon Water.
Honey Buzzard flew SE over Trimingham.
Savi's Warbler singing, 500 yds east of Gun Hill (no sign of in afternoon) at Burnham Overy Dunes.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT on beach at Titchwell RSPB and at Scolt Head Island NNR, Norfolk.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 15th to 21st June!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2016-25.aspx?s_id=239289168
Thanks to the RBA Team for including my Pacific Golden Plover picture and video.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT, on beach, freshmarsh at Titchwell RSPB and Scolt Head Island.
Knot x 2,500, Spotted Redshanks x 9, Little Gulls x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
CASPIAN TERN early morning only at east end of Breydon Water.
TURTLE DOVE at Holme Dunes NWT.
Spoonbill, Little Gulls x 2 at Blakeney Harbour.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT on beach and freshmarsh at Titchwell RSPB, Norfolk.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
CASPIAN TERN, WHITE STORK esc., Quail (probable escape) at east end of Breydon Water.
Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks x 9, Spoonbills x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT (walk east from Brancaster Beach car park for 1/2 mile) at south west end though distant at Scolt Head Island
WHITE STORK esc in field by A47, 1 mile west of Great Yarmouth.
Spoonbills x 3, Spotted Redshank at Cley NT.
Pomarine Skua reported on pools at Salthouse.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at south west end of Scolt Head Island, Norfolk.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Restronquet Creek, Cornwall.

IMPORTANT! NORFOLK BIRDERS & BEYOND, PLEASE SIGN NOW!

http://www.waspinfo.co.uk/

The information below taken from the above link. Please email, tweet, facebook etc this info on to all your friends, thank you very much.

WASP is an action group opposed to NCC’s listing of the beautiful and economically vital Snettisham site as a preferred location for Silica mining.

NCC is currently offering up over 1400 hectares of OUR beautiful county (much of it within 250m to 1000m of historic woodland, villages, designated SSI’s, Commons, National Monuments and nature reserves) as ‘preferred sites’ for exploration for open pit mining when it has a national requirement to find merely 20 hectares.

We believe this a disproportionate and unnecessary approach which seriously puts at risk OUR environment and wildlife, OUR health, OUR safety, OUR jobs (Tourism) and OUR heritage.

Which areas will be effected? Where is 'AOS A'?
As you can see from the map below ‘AOS A’ is in immediate proximity to Snettisham, Ingoldisthorpe and Dersingham. Hopefully you will agree this is just too near our homes, the woods, common, lakes, the world famous RSPB reserve and beach we all enjoy. The red road (A149) is already busy and dangerous and this will be used for lorries should the plans go ahead. We all need to get concerned and take action TODAY. Think about the health implications, tourism, job and property implications and impact on our glorious plant and wildlife.

How Can I Take Action?
WE NEED YOU TO OBJECT TO THE PLANS – DEADLINE 5PM 27TH JUNE
Norfolk CC have given a short window for formal objections. All must be received by this date. You can do this via by their website preferred route:
https://norfolk.jdi-consult.net/localplan/
Alternatively you can object by post, fax (01603 223219 – marked for the attention of Planning Services) and email (LDF@norfolk.gov.uk) will also be accepted.

SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION
Please visit change.org to sign our online petition. We need 500 signatures before 27th June.
Click here to sign the online petition

Father's Day!

10 minutes that Great Knot showed for yesterday and today whilst I was at work, it was watched ALL bl**dy day long!!!

Finished work at 4.30pm. Flew home, picked Lucy up and whizzed over to visit Father in Heacham – he looked tired, but at least he wasn't shouting this time and was fairly calm. Lucy and I adorned him with chocolates and cards and then I told him all about the Great Knot and the Pacific Golden Plover at Titchwell RSPB, which he seemed interested in – he appeared to be interested, anyway! Just after 7pm, he said he wanted to go to bed, so Lucy and I took him upstairs in his wheelchair (via the lift) and I got him changed into pyjamas and stern transferred him into bed, into a perfect and comfortable position. He looked so cosy and relaxed and thanked me for helping him. Lucy and I kissed him good night and left. Lucy got upset and then so did I – its heartbreaking to know he won't ever be back at home with Mother again – so upsetting for us all.

Lucy and I visited Mother for a short while – she's still not sleeping properly and looks extremely tired. Lucy and I then returned home to King's Lynn. Shattered after a heavy weekend!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again from 6.05am on beach and freshmarsh all day until 9.15pm, Spotted Redshanks x 7, Little Gulls x 4, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
RED-FOOTED FALCON male, probable flew east over Thornham Harbour.
Spoonbill at Thornham Harbour.
Spoonbills x 8 at Cley NWT.
Spoonbill at Salthouse.
Spoonbills x 3 flew over Halvergate Marshes.
CASPIAN TERN at east end of Breydon Water.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again on beach & freshmarsh from 6.05am to 9.15pm at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Restronquet Creek, Cornwall.

'Knot' There When I Was!!! But found a PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER!

PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER

Canon 7D & 300 f4 lens – Brackish Marsh, Titchwell RSPB

I was up very early this morning and arrived in the car park at Titchwell RSPB at 6am. It was raining and it was very cold with north west winds. I headed along the main footpath towards the beach. Bumped into Dave A. who said the beach was birdless and there were no sign of any Knot, never mind a Great Knot! I dived into Island Hide to take shelter as the rain got heavier. As I type, this morning seems so long ago – I can't really remember everything that happened today! Parrinder hide was full with birders. Watched two cracking Little Gulls, Little Ringed Plover, Common Terns, Little Terns, Med Gull, cute Avocet Chicks, lots of Black-tailed Godwits, juv Pied Wagtails, Spotted Redshank, Knot and some stunning Red Knots, Shelducks, Marsh Harriers over the reed beds, Little Egrets, Grey Heron, Reed Buntings, Linnets, Teal, Swifts, Swallows, heard Cetti's Warbler etc. Bumped into and met the finder of the Great Knot, Chris Booth! Took his picture to add to my initial Great Knot post, thanks Chris!

The pager bleeped up with news of the Great Knot being on the beach, but sadly several others and myself didn't make it in time, before it departed. Spent the entire day, as did many others, searching for the Great Knot, between both Parrinder, Island Hides and the beach. I was so cold by late morning, I returned to the car park and changed into thermals! The car park was full and cars were queueing to get in. Had a lovely lunch in the 'feeding station' with Eddie M. – potato skins with cheese and onion, coleslaw and salad, followed by rhubarb crumble and custard – lovely! Met a blog reader – nice to meet you. With batteries recharged, I continued with my search for the Great Knot. Also bumped into a very sweet lady call Fiona who lives in London and was very complimentary of my blog – nice to meet you – also Fiona had seen three Cuckoos at Thornham Point and saw the recent Leucistic Starling amidst a large Starling flock.

Headed to the beach again – no birds on the shore, but the sun was now out and the light was glorious. I felt really tired – walked west and had a wonderful snooze in the dunes! Took some scenery pictures as I walked back along the beach. Gannets passing by distantly and a few terns. Still no Knot on the beach, nor any other birds. Headed back along the main footpath. A couple of birders who were heading out to the beach asked me if there were any birds out there – 'none' I replied.

Bumped into Rob H. who was photographing an obliging Little Tern alongside the path. As I walked over the rise (by the wooden seat) to walk past the brackish marsh, a bird caught my eye – standing tall and upright on one of the grassy islands, fairly distantly. It looked different – on first views with naked eye, I had no idea what it was. Quickly looked through my bins – it looked striking and stood out with white over eye and continuing down head, neck and breast and was dark under belly and tail with heavily brown/golden pattern on wings, back and tail. It was long legged – I started to panic for a moment, but it had to be a golden plover I thought, but somehow it didn't seem right. I didn't even allow myself to think that it could have been anything else, but a golden plover. I wish now that I had thought about this more – I mean, I have several birding apps on my phone! The correct ID of this bird was on my phone, but at this moment I carelessly ID'd this as a Golden Plover – I was extremely tired and that's my excuse!!! Its incredibly frustrating, as I should know that Golden Plover do not have legs this long and its stance was different – more upright. After taking a few SLR record shots at 5.13pm, I set up the scope and phone-scoped a single picture and also took a short video, but the quality is pretty dire, because of the distance.

Phone-scoped – Brackish Marsh, Titchwell RSPB

Anyway, as I stood here watching my 'Golden Plover', the two birders I had spoken to earlier about there being no birds on the beach, approached me and said 'you were right, there were no birds on the beach' and I replied in jest 'see, you should have listened to me'. I then said 'I have a Golden Plover in my scope if you want to look?'. Both birders (and they came across as very competent birders) looked in my scope at the Golden Plover, thanked me and carried on along the path. I then continued along the path and went into Parrinder Hide to join Eddie M. and many others who were looking at the Knot flock and hoping that the Great Knot would reveal itself. Whilst sitting here, the pager bleeps up with 'Pacific Golden Plover, Titchwell RSPB on brackish marsh, briefly 5.50pm then flew west to Thornham Marsh' – I can't remember my exact words now in front of a entire hide full of people, but I think I said something like 'NO!!!!!! As soon soon as the message came up, I realised that was the bird I had been watching and along with several far more experienced birders than myself, several birders agreed, that the pictures I had, were indeed of a Pacific Golden Plover!!! Special thanks to a group of Essex birders who helped me with this. I was gutted to say the least – lazy ID skills, when I knew it was different and I didn't bother taking it any further, so tough! A lesson learn't Penelope!!! Congratulations to Mike Buckland who found and put the news out of this bird and obviously unbeknown to him, I had seen it approximately 25 minutes earlier. I have been cursing myself for the rest of the evening. If only I had put more effort in and put out news that my bird was a possible Pacific Golden Plover – it would have been the best rare bird I have found to date, but the 'rules' are, I didn't ID it correctly at the time, so can't claim it as mine – oh well!!! Thank god it wasn't a first for Britain! On another note, I wonder how long that bird had been sitting on the brackish marsh and how many birders walked past it today!

I spent the last of the evening at Thornham Harbour, looking for the Pacific Golden Plover, but no joy. Went to visit Mother for a while and was ranting on about MY Pacific Golden Plover!!! Fell asleep when I got home. Work all day tomorrow.

More pictures and several videos to be added.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again from 7.10am to 7.20am only, Little Gulls x 2, Spoonbill,  at Titchwell RSPB.
PACIFIC GOLDEN PLOVER, 5.13pm until 5.50pm on brackish marsh at Titchwell RSPB, then flew west to Thornham Marsh.
Arctic Skuas x 2 at Sheringham.
Great White Egret flew over Lady Ann's Drive, Spoonbills x 2 flew west over Holkham.

Lincolnshire Highlights
• CASPIAN TERNS x 2 opposite beach car park at Tennyson's Sands at Gibraltar Point NNR.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again on beach from 7.10am to 7.20am only at Titchwell RSPB. 
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN yesterday still at Restronquet Creek, Cornwall.
MEGA! MOURNING DOVE unconfirmed report, mainland, Kirkwall, Orkney.
MEGA! GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO again, at Reap Lane, Portland Bill, Dorset.

The Composer Who Took A Cue From Birdsong

Meet Olivier Messiaen – the bird-mad composer who used birdsong to create some of the most startlingly original music of all time.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3gJFSH6W6wXVgybrqqNtFGq/the-composer-who-took-a-cue-from-birdsong?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_radio_3&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=radio_and_music

Visit to Father!

Its been a very trying and tiring week and I feel torn between so many things right now – difficult to prioritise anything in life at the moment. I normally take Lucy to her rehearsal early evening, but asked her to get a lift, as I felt that I should go and visit my father, as I haven't seen him for a few days. So when I finished work, I had a quick microwave tea and arrived at Summerville House Care Home at around 6.15pm. As I rung the bell to be let in the door, I could hear some really loud shouting going on and sadly discovered that it was my father who was shouting so loudly. I was told by staff that he had been shouting since teatime and it was because he wanted to get out of there. I tried to reason with him and thought I would be able to calm him down, but it was impossible, it was the worst I have seen him – he was making a really strange noise and he must have had a sore throat. Understandably, some of the other residents were shouting at him to be quiet – I don't blame them at all, it must have been driving them all crazy. I tried to explain to him that he was upsetting everyone else who lived here too, but I don't think he took any of this in.

He did quieten down for a bit, but then started up again. He was rattling on about how he wasn't going to bed at all, while he was being caged in (he was referring to the bed rails which he has to have up, as he would fall out of bed) and he was talking about platforms and trains and when he was being picked up. When I asked him what he didn't like about being here, he replied 'everything', but was not able to pinpoint one thing. I sat in the armchair in despair – what could I do? Nothing at all – he can't return home, there is no alternative. Someone very kindly made me a lovely cup of coffee, which gave me an energy boost. A senior member of staff attempted to give father his tablets, but he refused and continuously spat them out and swept the drink over both of us! He refused to go to bed and anything else I suggested also got an angry reply! After a while he started to fall asleep – he had worn himself out. I watched a Blackbird and a Robin feeding in the garden as the light faded, which was nice. The two night staff arrived and after having a brief chat with them, I left at 9.30pm.

Just got back to King's Lynn in time to pick Lucy up from her rehearsal at 10pm – dropped Lucy home and then had to nip in Tesco's for a mini shop! No rest for the wicked!!! I only have Saturday to go birding as I am working all day on Sunday. I hope everyone has a Great Knot Mega weekend!!! Good Night!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again at 5.55am, 400yds east of end of boardwalk on beach until 12.15pm and then flew towards Scolt Head Island NNR with Knot. Seen again at 8.44pm at the SW end of Scolt Head Island – walk east from Brancaster Beach car park for 1/2 mile. No further sign by 9.50pm, but Knot flock flew west towards Titchwell RSPB.
Spotted Redshank, Little Gulls x 3, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.

Lincolnshire Highlights
• CASPIAN TERNS x 2 opposite beach car park at Tennyson's Sands at Gibraltar Point NNR.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again on beach at Titchwell RSPB & Scolt Head Island NNR.
MEGA! RED-HEADED BUNTING or BLACK-HEADED BUNTING fem. briefly at 8.30am only, at the Observatory, Calf of Man, Isle of Man.

GREAT KNOT for Second Day!

I had full intentions of going to Titchwell RSPB again after work, but with more thunderstorms and rain, I didn't fancy a repeat walk of yesterday to have the same distant views. So annoying to know this amazing bird has been sitting on the freshmarsh for a good part of today and then re-locates to the beach when I finish work!!! Also the weather hasn't been too bad during the day, with some sunshine at lunchtime too. But as the day progressed, the weather deteriated into black skies, rain and thunder. Really hope this bird stays until the weekend!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again on freshmarsh at 5.05am until 6.37am, then on beach at 7.20am, then no further sign again until 9.45am on beach until 11.30am, then on freshmarsh again at 12.32pm until 2pm, then flew to beach until 3.09pm. Seen again on freshmarsh at 4.30pm and then again on beach from 6.28pm until last reported sighting at 7.30pm at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 6, Little Gull, Short-eared Owl at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbill at Thornham Marsh.
Montagu's Harrier at 10am near Choseley Barns.
TURTLE DOVE at Beighton Road, Acle.
Spoonbill at Breydon Water.

Cambridgeshire Highlights
• GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Paxton Pits NR at Little Paxton.

Lincolnshire Highlights
• CASPIAN TERNS x 2 opposite beach car park at Tennyson's Sands at Gibraltar Point NNR.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT again on freshmarsh and beach at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Restronquet Creek, Cornwall.
MEGA! GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still, at Reap Lane, Portland Bill, Dorset.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbills x 3 at Breydon Water.
MEGA! GREAT KNOT on freshmarsh at 12.59pm with Knot until 5.05pm, then flew north towards beach. Re-found east of boardwalk on beach with Knot at 6.13pm until 6.53pm, then flew west towards Holme/Hunstanton at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 5, Wood Sandpiper on Patsy's Reedbed at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper at Cley NWT.
TURTLE DOVE, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank at Holme Dunes NWT.

Lincolnshire Highlights
• CASPIAN TERNS x 2 opposite beach car park at Tennyson's Sands at Gibraltar Point NNR.
• CASPIAN TERN at Middlemarsh Farm, west of Skegness.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! GREAT KNOT at freshmarsh and beach at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Restronquet Creek, Cornwall.
MEGA! GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO still, at Reap Lane, Portland Bill, Dorset.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 8th to 14th June!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2016-24.aspx?s_id=243915092

MEGA! GREAT KNOT AT TITCHWELL RSPB!!!

Found by Chris Booth – Congratulations!

5th for Great Britain and 2nd for Norfolk!

My lunch break finishes at 1pm and I had had a couple of phone calls to make, so didn't even get round to looking at the RBA website on my phone, before I returned to work. Later on I finished work earlier to go to a GP appointment for 4pm. Whilst sitting in the surgery I opened the RBA website on my phone and looked twice, when I could see bold red writing! 'MEGA GREAT KNOT (Summer plumage) on freshmarsh at Titchwell RSPB'!!! WOW! I saw the first Great Knot at Breydon that didn't get accepted and missed the second one at Breydon Water because of work, so really needed to see this bird! As is usual with GP appointments, I didn't get seen at 4pm! Luckily though, it wasn't too much later and I was heading home at 4.32pm precisely!

It was raining when I reached home, chucked my gear in the car ready and then HAD to do Mother's on-line shopping for tomorrow – I should have done it last night, so that will teach me a lesson. I couldn't risk doing it when I got home later as there is a deadline time – I did it speedily in approximately 20 minutes – record! Pager message: '......til 5.05pm on freshmarsh, then flew north to beach'!!! Oh dear! My heart sank.

Headed to Titchwell RSPB via Ringstead. A further pager message later, saying 'still no further sign by 5.45pm' Bother etc etc!!! Kept going. There were rivers of water via the Ringstead back roads and I really regretted my chosen route. I had to slow down to 1st gear several times, to plough through the flooded roads. Reached Titchwell RSPB and didn't even bother bringing the camera with me – it was raining and thundering and I just knew this Great Knot would be too distant for photography, so decided to phonescope it, if it was close enough. Marched along the main path and hoped that someone would find this mega bird again and they did! Up on the pager at '.....6.13pm on beach, 400 yards east of the end of the boardwalk'. I quickened my pace, trying my best not to immerse my shoes completely in the deep puddles that filled the main path to the beach – other birders were close behind me – no one was really talking, it was head down and get there as quick as possible.

Walked east along the beach, over the thousands of razor shells, across a channel of water and onto some dunes to join other birders scoping a distant flock of Knot. Ian Brittain very kindly let me look through his scope to see my first GREAT KNOT at just after 6.30pm - thanks Ian! This was actually my best view. Eddie M. was here, along with Simon R. from Notts, James McC. etc with lots of other local birders and some from afar, to see this rare vagrant. I clambered over the marram grass behind other birders and set up my scope. Pete S. had forgotten his scope, so shared mine. Once you had seen the Great Knot amongst the main flock of Knot it stood out from the rest, with the black markings on chest, rusty red plumage and longer bill, even though it was a good distance away. A Spoonbill flew west towards Thornham Harbour. The rain and light were pretty rubbish, which didn't really help! Far too distant to phonescope, even Eddie didn't bother! I would have liked to have seen it closer, but mustn't grumble, at least I saw it. Sadly though, other birders turning up later dipped, as the entire flock of Knot including the Great Knot, flew high west at 6.53pm and we watched them until they became mere 'dot's' in the sky over Holme/Hunstanton – maybe to Snettisham RSPB to roost? Who knows! A handful of birds appeared to break off from the main flock, heading south and back to the freshmarsh, so we all left and walked back in fairly heavy rain to the freshmarsh, but no knot were seen here.

Eddie and I sat in the Island Hide for a while and watched a pristine Med. Gull preening away on the one of the grassy islands, which I took an iphone video of, but it wasn't very good. My hair was dripping wet and I could feel that my socks were wet too – all part of the twitch! The light was dramatic and beautiful and there were big numbers of waders on the pool, including Avocets, Shelducks, Black-tailed Godwits, Spotted Redshank, Teal, Black-headed Gulls, Pied Wagtails, Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Little Grebe etc. Also Cetti's Warbler singing in the scrub by the hide. Left here and returned to the car park. Gave Eddie a protective finger bandage from my first aid kit, as he had trashed his finger (slight fracture) in an accident and it looked very sore indeed.

Went to my Mother's and excitedly told her all about the Great Knot (I had asked her earlier if she wanted to go, but the thunderstorm put her off). At last, I managed to re-tune her TV., which Mother was very pleased about, as she has not been able to watch BBC1 or ITV1 for a good week or more. Drove home via Tesco's garage shop, where I bought myself a celebration treat, a reduced price 'mixed berry tart' - yummy!

An excellent evening all round! I was very lucky indeed to have seen that bird, even though it was distant and thank goodness someone re-found it. Massive congratulations to the finder, Chris Booth! Thanks for making my day mega exciting!

Best picture I've found so far, by Kayn Forbes:
https://twitter.com/BirdingNorfolk/status/743140225216569345