NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Long-tailed Ducks x 17, Velvet Scoters x 62, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe at Titchwell RSPB
Tundra Bean Geese x 20, Russian White-fronted Geese x 10, Common Cranes x 6 at Clippesby
Glaucous Gull at Snettisham RSPB
Snow Buntings x 42 on dam wall at Snettisham Coastal Park
Black Redstart still at East Quay, Wells
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burgh Castle
Hooded Crow, Iceland Gull in pig field south of Mautby Lodge
White-fronted Geese x 3 between Heacham & Ringstead

Snow Buntings x 15 on beach, Common Cranes x 2 in fields at Winterton

Bittern at Billingford near Dereham

Scaup at South Broad, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 188 from approach track at Martham

Iceland Gull circled west at Sheringham

Siberian Chiffchaff still in reed litter along East Bank, Smew redhead on The Serpentine, Great Northern Diver east at Cley

Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Scaup x 4, Hen Harrier at Blakeney Harbour

Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh

Long-tailed Ducks x 65, Great Northern Divers x 17, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Holme

Lapland Buntings x 5 south of Kelling Quags

Tundra Bean Geese x 9, Russian White-fronted Geese x 4, east of windmill at Weybourne

Hen Harriers x 3, Spotted Redshank, Russian White-fronted Geese x 60 at Stiffkey

Tundra Bean Geese x 30, Pink-footed Geese x 700, Common Cranes x 11 north of Billockby
Scaup near Cockey Cley
Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Haddiscoe Island
Slavonian Grebe at Thorpe Marshes, Water Pipit at Station Marsh, Haddiscoe
Bittern, Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Twite x 25, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier at Thornham Harbour

MEGA NEWS
DUSKY THRUSH
Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire
PINE BUNTING Male
Saxon Shore Way, E of Milton Creek, NE of Sittingbourne, Kent
PINE BUNTING Male
N of Intake Lane, N of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire
AMERICAN COOT
Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles
BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male
In garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire

Elaine Saves The Day!

Late this afternoon I went for a short walk at Holme beach to lift my spirits. I tried in vain to see the Lesser Whitethroat that has been seen in the scrub at the end of the path through the golf course. The gloomy afternoon didn't really lift my spirits at all! Saw a few Linnets perched in a elder amongst the sea buckthorn and a couple of Blackbirds and a Robin and that was it.

I headed back to my car and was mystified as to why only the driver's door would open?! I had to use the unlock button in the car to get the boot open. My Skoda is keyless entry – I attempted to start the car as normal, but a horrible message flashed up on the dashboard that said 'key fob not working, see user manual'. My heart sank, the battery in the key fob had died. This is totally my own fault....... I have had a message flashing up for a while, saying the battery needed changing in the key fob and I didn't take any notice! I should have read up in the manual about this – I didn't bother, because I didn't believe the message. I have looked at the key fob several times to see where the opening is for a battery and found nothing and tried to lever all sections, so gave up!

So, there I was stranded and unable to drive the car anywhere. I sighed and got the manual out and found how and where to prise open the section on the key fob to access the battery – it was very hard to do, but got it open in the end. Then I used my first aid kit scissors to get the battery out! I was just about to call Skoda Assistance, which I didn't really want to do, when all I needed was a CV 2025 battery (one of those small, round silver flat batteries). I considered my options: walk to Hunstanton supermarkets to buy a battery, call a friend (couldn't think of anyone to ask or wanted to trouble) and got really annoyed at this silly situation. I was talking to Mother on the phone about my predicament, when a very kind lady approached my car and came to my rescue! This lovely lady (Elaine) who only lived a short distance away, had a Skoda with a spare key and removed the battery (just as difficult to undue as mine was!) and lent it to me! How lucky was that! The car immediately started!!!

Went to Sainsbury's in Hunstanton to buy batteries, which came in packs of two – bought two packs and returned to Holme to replace the battery that Elaine had lent me and gave her the whole pack as a thank you, which was the least I could do. Note to self: take messages on dashboard seriously!!! Massive thanks to Elaine for coming to my rescue.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Ducks x 7, Velvet Scoters x 2, Water Pipit, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell RSPB.
Shorelarks x 30 west of Holkham Gap, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe at Holkham Bay.
Lapland Bunting on beach at end of Beach Road at Holme.
Great Northern Diver west of Rush Hill Scrape, Hen Harriers x 2, Scaup x 6 at Hickling Broad NWT.
Siberian Chiffchaff still in reed litter along East Bank at Cley NWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 19, Russian White-fronted Geese x 5, east of windmill, Velvet Scoters x 2 n sea at Weybourne.
Black Redstart still at East Quay, Wells.
Shorelarks x 6, Slavonian Grebe, Scaup x 5 at Blakeney Point.
Rough-legged Buzzard flew east of Gayton.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Burgh Castle.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6, Tundra Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 350 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Black-throated Diver offshore at West Runton.
White-fronted Geese x 2 between Heacham and Ringstead.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 8, Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Island.
Glaucous Gull at Blakeney Harbour.
Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 334, Water Pipits x 2 at Potter Heigham Marsh.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 9, Scaup x 2 at Martham Broad.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 at West Somerton.
Tundra Bean Geese x 9 in field at Clippesby.
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK reported yesterday at Thornham.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 20 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, again at Saxon Shore Way, east of Milton Creek, NE of Sittingbourne, Kent.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, north of Intake Lane, north of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! KILLDEER still, Mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.

Birding – At Last! Plus Surprises!

It's been very difficult to even leave my house of late, but I managed to escape today. I headed to Cley to collect a very kind present that had been left for me at the Cley NWT Visitor Centre – it had been there since before Christmas, but because of family stuff going on, I have not been able to collect it. I have not been to Cley for a very long time. Huge thank you to a lovely birder who left me such a lovely present. Also saw John Furse who also gave me a very kind belated (my fault) Christmas present - thank you!

I had my lunch in the visitor centre and whilst queueing to order, I suddenly realised that Julian and Sarah Bhalerao with children and friends were sitting by the window overlooking the marshes! I couldn't believe it! Sarah said it was Julian's first time out since his hospital admission last May. It was so lovely to see them and Julian looked really well I thought. Obviously he has been and remains hugely affected by what has happened, especially physically, but he looked really good – seeing them all out together, really lifted my spirits. I treated him to a piece of scrumptious orange and chocolate cake to take home, but I noticed he tucked into it straight away! Shortly after this (unbeknown to me) a piece of cake with a candle was bought out and everyone sang Happy Birthday (big birthday tomorrow)! I don't know if he managed to down this piece of cake too, as I left a few moments after that!

My first proper birding for ages! Parked by the East Bank and only needed to walk a couple of hundred yards to see the Siberian Chiffchaff, feeding amongst the reed debris from the recent storm surge, along with a Chiffchaff and a Robin and very obliging it was too. I used my SLR camera for the first time in what seemed like months and either I'm out of practice or it was because the light was poor, but I didn't obtain any pleasing or sharp enough shots – I'll put it down to poor light! There was a nice little social gathering here, including John F., the UEA crew and a very nice couple who annoyingly I can't remember their names right now, sorry! I also saw the Smew on The Serpentine, which was nice. It was cold and raining now and the light was rubbish. Everyone departed and I headed off to Coastguards to see the state of the car park after the storm surge.

The 'beach hotel' as its called (the shelter where birders seawatch from) was filled with shingle to half the height and even I couldn't see the sea when I stood in the favoured east section! Someone 6ft wouldn't see a thing, well they would...... shingle! Huge number of Brent Geese by the Eye Puddle along with a few Wigeon.

At Blakeney Harbour there was a good number of approximately 60+ Pied Wagtails gathering to roost, but no sign of the Glaucous Gull or Smew reported on the pager earlier. Stopped at Stiffkey Campsite car park to look for Hen Harriers, but it was too dark, but did bump into Eddie! Had a brief catch up with birds we had seen today and then I headed home via Holkham/Burnham Market.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Hawfinches x 26 at Lynford Aboretum.
Long-tailed Ducks x 50, Velvet Scoters x 50, Black-throated Diver, Snow Buntings x 18, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Black Redstart still at East Quay, Wells.
Glaucous Gull off Hemsby.
Glaucous Gull off seafront at Sheringham.
Glaucous Gull in field east of Beach Road, Glaucous Gull found dead on Pope's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Siberian Chiffchaff in reed litter along East Bank, Smew redhead on The Serpentine at Cley NWT.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Haddiscoe Island.
Shorelarks x 39 west of Holkham Gap, Velvet Scoters x 2, Red-necked Grebe at Holkham Bay.
Great White Egret, Glaucous Gull at Welney WWT.
Glaucous Gull, Smew redhead, Scaup x 5, Twite x 7 at Blakeney Harbour.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 101 at Blakeney Freshmarsh.
Northern Bullfinch possible – just north of end of Lady Anne's Drive in bushes just beyond pines (calling), Great White Egret west of Lady Anne's Drive, Holkham.
Lapland Buntings x 3, Twite x 2 at Kelling Quags.
Tundra Bean Goose east of windmill at Weybourne.
Lesser Whitethroat (possibly of eastern form) again in scrub at end of public footpath to beach by golf course and Snow Buntings x 45 on beach, Long-tailed Ducks x 186, Scaup, Great Northern Diver flew east, Twite x 40 flew over Gore Point at Holme.
Lapland Buntings x 3 in ploughed field south of pines at Walsey Hills NOA.
Waxwings x 3 at Woodlands Drive, Thetford.
Hooded Crow still in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Glaucous Gull off Winterton.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Bewick's Swans x 8 at Halvergate Marshes.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 80 flew north over North Creake.
Glaucous Gull over saltmarsh at Stiffkey.
Common Cranes x 11, Russian White-fronted Geese x 60, Water Pipits x 4 at Hickling Broad NWT.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Burgh Castle.
Hen Harrier at Choseley Drying Barns.
Hen Harrier at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 11 north of pier at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Water Pipit at Breydon Water.
Lapland Bunting at Thornham.
Glaucous Gulls x 2, Caspian Gulls x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, again at Saxon Shore Way, east of Milton Creek, NE of Sittingbourne, Kent.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, north of Intake Lane, north of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. 
MEGA! KILLDEER still, Mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER, still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney. 
 • Red-flanked Bluetail again, in Caerphilly, Glamorgan, Wales.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Shorelarks x 29 west of Holkham Gap, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 28 at Holkham Bay.
Glaucous Gull flew east past Overstrand.
Siberian Chiffchaff in reed litter along East Bank, Smew redhead from East Bank, Glaucous Gull flew east over Arnold's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Long-tailed Ducks x 70, Velvet Scoters x 40, Slavonian Grebe at Thornham Point.
Tundra Bean Geese x 7 east of windmill at Weybourne.
Tundra Bean Geese x 14, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 flew east past Sidestrand.
Black Redstart still, Hen Harriers x 3 at East Quay, Wells.
Glaucous Gull still at outflow, South Beach, Heacham.
Little Auks x 3, Glaucous Gulls x 2 and Red-necked Grebe flew south past Hemsby.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew east, Lapland Buntings x 2 in stubble field at Kelling Quags.
Common Cranes x 3 flew SW over Hardingham.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 5 in field at north end of Snettisham Coastal Park.
Hooded Crow still in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Waxwing still in orchard at Drove Orchard Farm Shop between Holme & Thornham.
Great White Egret, Glaucous Gull at Welney WWT.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6, Russian White-fronted Geese x 347 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Lesser Whitethroat (possibly of eastern form) again in scrub just east of north end of public footpath to beach, Snow Buntings x 50 on beach by golf course, Long-tailed Ducks x 40, Glaucous Gull and Great Northern Diver offshore at Holme.
Glaucous Gull on sea at Beeston Reegis.
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum.
Slavonian Grebe off east end, Hen Harrier at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Burgh Castle.
Hen Harriers x 6 at Warham Greens.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Haddiscoe Island.
Glaucous Gull at Morston Quay.
Waxwing at Blofield Heath.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 21 along Southrepps Road at Gimingham.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, again at Saxon Shore Way, east of Milton Creek, NE of Sittingbourne, Kent.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, north of Intake Lane, north of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER, still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
• Red-flanked Bluetail again, in Caerphilly, Glamorgan, Wales.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Well, its come round again, another year older! It didn't feel like my birthday, whatever birthdays are supposed to feel like when you get to my age! It was a very quiet day, no diamonds, parties, romantic meal or anything grand, but one little moment made my day – I visited Father at 12pm to help him with his lunch and requested a birthday kiss, which he sweetly just about managed on my cheek – he also managed a little beaming smile, when I told him that he was the first person I had seen on my birthday. He looked more alert today, which may be due to the fact that the GP has now requested that he only have one dose of Resperidone at night instead of having this twice daily – this morning was the first time he had not had any and he looked less fatigued. Staff also informed me yesterday that Father now has possible Cellulitis in his left foot (GP visited him) which is being treated with antibiotics – lack of mobility I suppose and old age.

Father had his main course (pureed) fish something or other, which didn't look too exciting and he said he didn't like it very much, but ate it anyway and two yoghurt's which I requested a banana for and mashed it altogether. After this, he was still hungry, so someone kindly made him a bowl of porridge with honey added and he ate the lot! Washed down with a drink, he then started to slip into an afternoon nap – I left shortly after this.

Stopped in Hunstanton to do some banking and then picked Mother up to have lunch in the 'Feeding Station' at Titchwell RSPB. A simple, but lovely lunch, but sadly we were too late to both have our favourite cheese and red onion potato skins and salad – there was only one left, so I let Mother have the last one and I had a broccoli/cheese bake and salad which was nearly as nice. Naturally we both had dessert and enjoyed rhubarb crumble and custard with a coffee. Mother is not well enough to walk too far and initially she only wanted to go into the shop to buy some cards and bird seed, but I managed to persuade her to walk around the Fen Trail. We didn't see too much, but managed to see Robins, Great Tit, Chaffinches, Great Spotted Woodpecker, half a dozen smart Siskins (high up the alders above the cafe) and the Water Rail was showing well in the usual ditch alongside the main path. I tried in vain to persuade Mother to walk along the main path towards Island Hide, but she point blank refused and understandably I could see she was getting tired.

When we were in the shop, I was chatting to a nice lady who was working behind the till (who reads my blog) and I was explaining how careful I have to be with what I write on my blog – and that I don't write a quarter of what I would like to write, rant and rave about!!! I like to write freely and from the heart, but I have to hold back a lot of the time. I often write a big paragraph and then read it back and think no, maybe I can't publish that! Sue B. kindly sang Happy Birthday to me, thanks!

There has been a big clearing of trees around the picnic area and near the visitor centre, not sure if I'm in love with it, but Mother pointed out it would bring more light in and the butterflies would like it more – suppose she's right! But, I do like all the felled moss covered tree stumps and logs, which in my vivid imagination were adorned with Red-flanked bluetails – here's hoping! We headed for home and with the cat, we dozed and watched TV. I returned to King's Lynn at about 8.30pm. I needed to go food shopping really, but felt exhausted and couldn't muster up the energy to go. My sister Lucy is still so ill with her cold/virus that she has had to cancel her rehearsal and the concert she should be playing her violin in at the Corn Exchange on Sunday – poor girl! Good night!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Glaucous Gull, west of Coastguards, Velvet Scoters x 4, Slavonian Grebe flew past Cley.
Siberian Chiffchaff in reed litter along East Bank, Glaucous Gull on Arnold's Marsh, Cley NWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 6 east of windmill, Russian White-fronted Geese x 7 at Weybourne.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 on beach by The Two Lifeboats, Sheringham.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme NOA.
Lesser Whitethroat (possibly of eastern form) again in scrub just east of north end of public footpath to beach, Snow Buntings x 50 on beach by golf course at Holme.
Waxwing in orchard at Drove Orchard Farm Shop between Holme & Thornham.
Shorelarks x 29 west of Holkham Gap at Holkham Bay.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 36 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Mealy Redpolls x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 70, Velvet Scoters x 32, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 3, Lapland Buntings x 3 at Meadow Lane, Kelling Quags.
Great White Egrets x 2 at Dale Hole near B1155/A149 junction at Holkham.
Hooded Crow still in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Rough-legged Buzzard, White-fronted Goose at Burgh Castle.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Chedgrave Marshes.
Glaucous Gull in pig fields at Great Cressingham.
Caspian Gull at Breydon Water.
Scaup x 2 at Martham Broad.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, again at Saxon Shore Way, east of Milton Creek, NE of Sittingbourne, Kent.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, again off path from Kerver Lane, north of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER, still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
MEGA! KILLDEER still, Mainland at Sandwick, Shetland. 
• Red-flanked Bluetail again, in Caerphilly, Glamorgan, Wales.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Tundra Bean Geese x 5 east of windmill, Russian White-fronted Geese x 13 at Weybourne.
Siberian Chiffchaff with Chiffchaffs x 3 in reed litter along East Bank, Glaucous Gulls x 2 on Arnold's Marsh, Cley NWT.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 46 flew south past Hemsby.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme NOA.
Lesser Whitethroat (possibly of eastern form) in scrub just east of north end of public footpath to beach, Snow Buntings x 40 on beach by golf course at Holme.
Waxwing in orchard at Drove Orchard Farm Shop between Holme & Thornham.
Caspian Gull on roof of Manor Hotel at Blakeney.
Great White Egret at Earlham Marsh.
Mealy Redpoll along main track, Water Pipits x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Pink-footed Geese x 2,5000, Russian White-fronted Geese x 10 1.25mls SW of Burnham Market.
Shorelarks x 30 west of Holkham Gap at Holkham Bay.
Hooded Crow still in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 5, Hen Harrier at Langley Marshes, NE of Chedgrave.
Scaup x 2 on relief channel at Saddle Bow, King's Lynn.
Tundra Bean Geese x 5 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 at The Leas, Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 9 at Haddiscoe Island.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 43 in field east of River Burn, north of Wells Road, North Creake.
Glaucous Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Glaucous Gull at Welney WWT.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, at Saxon Shore Way, east of Milton Creek, NE of Sittingbourne, Kent.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER, still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
• Red-flanked Bluetail in Caerphilly, Glamorgan, Wales.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Redstart at East Quay, Wells.
Glaucous Gull on beach at Sidestrand.
Mealy Redpolls x 2, Water Pipits x 2, Short-eared Owl at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 20 in garden at Holt.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme NOA.
Snow Buntings x 40 on beach by golf course at Holme.
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Burgh Castle.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 at The Leas, Sheringham.
Hooded Crow still in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Glaucous Gull flew east along beach at Cromer.
Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Island.
Tundra Bean Goose east of windmill at Weybourne.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male for 2nd day, at Saxon Shore Way, east of Milton Creek, NE of Sittingbourne, Kent.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! KILLDEER still, Mainland at Sandwick, Shetland. 
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER, still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 18th to 24th January!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2017-04.aspx?s_id=1052297420

Lynn Birding & Visit to Parents!

Tuesday 24th January
Late afternoon: Male and female Peregrine on the 'tower' at Fisherfleet, King's Lynn along with 32 Turnstones, 1 Magpie, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Wagtail and tons of gulls, including Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, Common Gulls and a few Great Black-backed Gulls. With much scanning, I couldn't find any Glaucous or Caspian Gulls.

Visited Father, who looked very sleepy and not able to say any words or open his eyes when I first arrived. He did become more alert after I gave him his pureed tea, which consisted of something orange/savoury in a bowl and a yoghurt, which I mashed a banana into. He had two thirds of his coffee and a lemon drink. Staff reported that he is eating well. He remarked 'I wondered where you had got to?' – so he had noticed I have not been for a few days. This surprised me considering how tired he looked, that he would even remember when I had last been! I sat with him for a long time, just holding his hands and watching the comings and goings of the mobile residents, whilst the rest sat in their chairs, watching TV, watching each other, waiting for bedtime.

Quick visit to Mother to get the on-line shopping list and to de-flea the cat with its second monthly course of 'Frontline' which I bought from the vets. In the pack are three pipettes, one to be given every four weeks – the pipette is squeezed into the skin at the neck between the shoulder blades. Last month the cat was very sleepy when I administered the first pipette and it all went smoothly. However, the cat pretended it was sleepy this evening and then turned ferociously into wild cat mode in the middle of me squeezing the pipette onto its skin, which resulted in lots of sticky fur and an angry cat! Luckily I didn't get scratched. Whilst watching 'Winterwatch' with Mother, I got several death glares from the cat! Hopefully it will have forgotten by the third month!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Tuesday 24th January
Long-tailed Ducks x 97, Velvet Scoters x 71, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Glaucous Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Siberian Chiffchaff probable with 3 Chiffchaffs in reed litter, midway along west side of East Bank, Glaucous Gulls x 2 on Simmond's Scrape, Glaucous Gull, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Beach Road at Cley NWT.
Siberian Chiffchaff at Walsey Hills NOA.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Snow Buntings x 35 on beach, Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holme NOA.
Waxwings x 24 in garden at Holt.
Shorelarks x 30, Snow Bunting on beach west of Holkham Gap at Holkham Bay.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 east of boardwalk, Water Pipits x 2 on boardwalk, Snow Buntings x 5 in dunes, Glaucous Gull reported at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 flew west past Cromer.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 150 at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Scaup x 4 on river north of bridge at Saddlebow.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 west of Funky Mackerel Cafe, Glaucous Gulls x 2 between West Runton & Sheringham.
Tundra Bean Geese x 7, Pink-footed Geese x 1,000, Russian White-fronted Goose east of windmill at Weybourne.
Waxwings x 4 at Thorpe Marriott.
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey.
Common Cranes x 2, Bittern at Potter Heigham.
Waxwings x 20+ in garden at Kelling.
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Haddiscoe Island.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, along Intake Lane, north of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE still on Wednesday, Wakering Stairs, Essex.

King’s Lynn Busker 'Juggling Jim' Has Died!

Very sad news – Jim died at home in Nelson Street yesterday.

O O O Rest In Peace O O O

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/much_loved_king_s_lynn_busker_juggling_jim_has_died_1_4860369

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Glaucous Gull on beach at Sidestrand.
Glaucous Gull on beach below lighthouse at Hunstanton.
Black Redstart still, near Sailing Club at Wells.
Snow Buntings x 25 at North Beach, Winterton.
Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 190 at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Shorelarks x 25 on beach west of Holkham Gap, Velvet Scoters x 18 at Holkham Bay.
Scaup x 4, Spotted Redshank at Blakeney Harbour.
Shorelarks x 6 at The Hood, Blakeney Point.
Long-tailed Ducks x 74, Velvet Scoters x 45, Water Pipit, Scaup at Titchwell RSPB.
Snow Buntings x 35 on beach at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 by Beach Road at Cley NWT.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 east of Overstrand.
Black Redstart at east end of prom at Cromer.
Tundra Bean Geese x 8 east of windmill at Weybourne.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme NOA.
Twite x 32 flew over Holme Dunes.
Great White Egret at water meadows just east of Marlingford.
Great White Egrets x 2 on saltmarsh, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl at Lynn Point, King's Lynn.
Great White Egret, Smew fem. at Nar Valley Fisheries, Narborough.
Scaup x 2 at Saddlebow.
Water Pipits x 2, Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey.
Glaucous Gull at duck pond, Salthouse.
Glaucous Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Waxwing at Wymondham.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, along Intake Lane, north of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER still, Mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.

Short Visit to Holme NOA

I have not left the house for a few days – not coping very well right now. I dragged myself out to go and see the Ferruginous Duck on the Broadwater at Holme Bird Observatory. Warden, Sophie very kindly had it lined up in her scope for me! The Fudge Duck is a first for Holme, so its a good job I dragged myself out to get this on my Holme list – better late than never! It was late afternoon and the light wasn't brilliant, but good enough to see a chocolate brown duck amongst the many Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Ducks and several Little Grebes – all in chorus as the bright pink sun set. There was also a Stonechat perched on the bramble bush behind the reeds.

I felt very sad as I stood here, thinking about Father, my family and a whole life time of memories. I walked across the dunes to the beach – the frosty sand crunched beneath my boots. I was hoping for solitude on the beach, but three yapping dogs spoilt the stillness, so changed my route and walked back to the car park through the pines. It was bitterly cold and frost blanketed the ground. Blackbirds and Robins were selecting their roosting spots as I headed back to my car. The Firs Road currently has a million pot holes in and needs to be driven along in first gear!!! Saw the silhouette of a Tawny Owl perched up along the Firs Road.

Went to visit Mother for a while and we both sat watching TV, both feeling down in the dumps and wondering how much longer Father would go on for. He is eating well I was told, but very sleepy and much weaker than he was. Lucy now has the 'Queen's cold' (as people are calling it) too and sounds dreadful. Mother still hasn't recovered fully from her cold virus, but considerably better than she was. I seem to have got away with that one – so far!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Redstart still, near Sailing Club at Wells.
Waxwings x 5 in trees opposite Tesco at Hunstanton.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 east of Overstrand.
Great Grey Shrike at Sparham Pools, Lyng.
Glaucous Gull on beach at Coastguards, Cley.
Glaucous Gull at duck pond, Salthouse.
Siberian Chiffchaff (probable) along East Bank at Cley NWT.
Hooded Crow still in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Tundra Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Goose at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Great White Egrets x 3, Glaucous Gull, Tundra Bean Geese x 4, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Welney WWT.
Long-tailed Ducks x 100, Velvet Scoters x 70, Scaup, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Scaup x 2, Little Gull, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver at Holme NOA.
Black Redstart at east end of prom at Cromer.
Glaucous Gull still at outflow, South Beach, Heacham.
Snow Buntings x 30 at North Beach, Winterton.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 at Sidestrand.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Haddiscoe Island.
Glaucous Gull flew east over saltmarsh, Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham.
Glaucous Gull flew east, Hen Harrier over saltmarsh at Stiffkey.
Hawfinches x 20 at Lynford Aboretum.
Glaucous Gull in pig fields at Great Cressingham.
Tundra Bean Geese x 8 in field by Mill Lane at Weybourne.
Firecrest in tree near visitor centre at Hickling Broad NWT.
Scaup x 2 at Saddlebow.
Great Grey Shrike, Smew fem., Bewick's Swans x 5 at Nar Valley Fisheries, Narborough.
Bittern at Martham Broad.
Hen Harrier at Berney Marshes RSPB.
Shorelark at Happisburgh.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, along Intake Lane, north of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER, still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still, at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Russian White-fronted Geese x 200 in field north of Abbey Farm at Flitcham.
Glaucous Gull in pig fields at Great Cressingham.
Long-tailed Ducks x 161, Velvet Scoters x 40, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebes x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Glaucous Gull flew east over Gypsy Lane, Titchwell.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver at Holme.
Glaucous Gull at The Leas, Waxwings x 5 in garden at Sheringham.
Glaucous Gull on beach at Boat House Cafe, Hunstanton.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6, Russian White-fronted Geese x 140, Hen Harrier at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Great White Egret flew over Washland View Point, Hockwold Washes.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Hooded Crow still in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Burgh Castle.
Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gulls x 3, Iceland Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Glaucous Gull flew west along A149 at Walsey Hills NOA.
Glaucous Gull east of Beach Road at Cley NWT.
Great White Egrets x 3, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull at Welney WWT.
Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Marsh.
Tundra Bean Geese x 4 in beet field east of mill at Weybourne.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 at Sidestrand.
Red-crested Pochards x 14 off Brancaster Golf Course.
Black Redstart at east end of prom at Cromer.
Hen Harriers x 3, Russian White-fronted Geese x 200, Common Cranes x 32 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
Short-eared Owls x 4 at Halvergate Island.
Hen Harriers x 6 at Warham Greens.
Hawfinches x 62 at Lynford Aboretum.
Snow Buntings x 20, Short-eared Owl at Blakeney Freshmarsh.
Lesser Whitethroat at garden feeder at Colby.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, NW of Hagg Farm, NE of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER yesterday, still at North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

FRIDAY 20TH JANUARY
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Glaucous Gull, Iceland Gull, Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Snow Buntings x 49 at Kelling Quags.
Glaucous Gull flew east over beach at Kelling.
Long-tailed Ducks x 154, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Black-throated Divers x 2, Velvet Scoters x 82, Red-crested Pochards x 13, Snow Buntings x 3, Water Pipits x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Hooded Crow still in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Glaucous Gull flew west at Weybourne.
Black Redstart at east end of prom at Cromer.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Great Northern Divers x 3, Black-throated Divers x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Glaucous Gull flew west at Holme.
Twite x 40 at Thornham Harbour.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 at Sheringham.
Waxwings x 21 at Sheringham Golf Course.
Tundra Bean Goose at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Scaup x 3 at Blakeney Harbour.
Twite x 9 at Blakeney Freshmarsh.
Glaucous Gull on beach at Sidestrand.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Glaucous Gull at north end of The Serpentine at Cley NWT.
White-fronted Goose at Tottenhill.
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Burgh Castle.
Glaucous Gull at outflow, South Beach, Heacham.
Hawfinches x 23 at Lynford Aboretum.
Hen Harriers x 5, Short-eared Owl at Roydon Common NWT.
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Shorelarks x 26 still on beach west of Holkham Gap at Holkham Bay.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! PINE BUNTING Male, NW of Hagg Farm, NE of Dunnington, ENE of York, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.

Father Settling In!

Mother and I visited Father in the care home this afternoon. He was sitting in a different chair with a footrest – he looked fairly comfortable, but having lots of experience in positioning patients in beds and chairs, I had to shuffle some cushions about to ensure a mid-line position! He was alert for a few moments only, when we announced our arrival, but then carried on sleeping. As Mother said, he looked very tired, but that was to be expected after what he has been through. He has almost died twice in a matter of weeks and we have grieved for him twice, which understandably has pushed us all mentally to the limit.

My Mother had two hospital appointments today – she is seriously unwell and this is another huge stress in my sisters and my life – difficult times. You cope with things as we all have to and try to carry on with life as normally as possible, but then something sends you over the edge. Each of us can only take so much.

I can't remember the last time I took a photograph or spent a whole day birding – this is something I desperately need to get back to, so that I can regain my sanity and normality!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwing flew NW over Weynor Gardens, Kelling.
Glaucous Gulls x 3, Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham.
Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe at Titchwell RSPB.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 291 in field north of Creake Abbey at North Creake.
Iceland Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Black Redstart still at East Quay, Wells.
Short-eared Owls x 2, Hen Harrier at Berney Marshes RSPB.
Black Redstart at east end of prom at Cromer.
Glaucous Gull at end of Beach Road at Salthouse.
Glaucous Gull at Fisherfleet, King's Lynn.
Tundra Bean Goose at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme.
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle.
Great White Egret, Hawfinches x 35, Crossbills x 3 at Lynford Aboretum.
Iceland Gull at Hemsby.
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Tundra Bean Goose at Breydon Water.
Snow Buntings x 60 on Arnold's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Caspian Gull at Haddiscoe Church.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER still, Mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.

Father Returns to Summerville House Care Home!

Again!!! Father did not look well at all this morning – he looked pale and fatigued. The ambulance crew agreed that he did not look well, when they transferred him from the bed to the ambulance trolley for discharge. But, the doctors and staff nurses said he was fit to go, so he must be!!! I met the ambulance at the care home. Father looked very pale after his journey, but this was expected as he travels very badly. He had a lovely reception from some of the staff at the care home.

Father is now full hoist, rather than the standing hoist, as he has become considerably weaker since his hospital admissions. He was hoisted into his wheelchair ready for lunch. He sat poorly in the wheelchair, this was too much for him and I realised that this chair is not suitable for him now. I phoned the wheelchair clinic at the QEH to request a visit from the OT to assess him for a more comfortable and better fitting wheelchair. I wheeled Father through to the dining room, ready for lunch. His puree lunch looked really good and to my surprise he ate it all and the peaches and neapolitan ice-cream! He also had a whole cup of drink, which now has to be thickened. I took him back into the living room and suggested he go to bed, but he choose to be transferred to the armchair, which was done and he looked tired but more comfortable. I unpacked Father's clothes and put everything away in his room. I had a long chat with the Manager about Father and suggested that maybe he should have an afternoon nap in bed straight after lunch daily, as I don't feel he can tolerate sitting in a chair all day now, this was agreed. I left mid afternoon.

Visited Mother and we both spent several lazy hours just watching TV, eating, drinking coffee, stroking the cat and hugging hot water bottles – the house is cold! I rung the care home later and Father had gone to bed at 8pm. Let's hope I don't get a repeat of the last time he returned, when I got a phone call at 3.26am a few hours later!!! I can't mentally take any more!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spotted Redshank, Long-tailed Ducks x 20, Velvet Scoters x 37, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB.
Shorelarks x 22 west of boardwalk at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Russian White-fronted Geese x 5 at Haddiscoe Marshes.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Waxwing near Dawnson Hide, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Black-throated Divers x 2, Great Northern Divers x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 3 at Holme.
White-fronted Geese x 22 at Bittering Gravel Pits.
Black Redstart still at East Quay, Wells.
Glaucous Gull at Thornham Harbour.
Glaucous Gulls x 4 on beach at Sheringham.
Snow Buntings x 40 at Kelling Water Meadows.
Tundra Bean Goose at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Great White Egret at Narborough Lake.
Snow Buntings x 22 at North Beach, Winterton.
Cattle Egret at Halvergate.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl at Berney Marshes RSPB.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Siberian Chiffchaff in hedge south of Walsey Hills NOA.
Black Redstart east of RNLI Museum at Cromer.
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike NE of New Holkham.
Common Cranes x 2 at Waxham.
Common Cranes x 5 at Clippesby.
Scaup at Blakeney Harbour.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 88 at Blakeney Freshmarsh.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.

'Biking Birder' Breaks European Green Year List Record!

http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=6139

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

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2017-03.aspx?s_id=1030322378

Father is 'Medically Fit'!!!

Well maybe he is on paper, but he doesn't look ready to be discharged to me, but he is going back to the care home tomorrow. They wanted to send him back today, but I pointed out that surely it was sensible and a better use of NHS money to trial how he is with no intravenous fluids or antibiotics etc for at least 24 hours before discharging him!!! It seems black and white/common sense to see how he is with simply food and water for a few days, rather than discharging him straight away, only to have him back in again, which is massively distressing to him and at a higher cost to NHS! Common sense? Not many people seem to have that nowadays!

I also discovered today, that Lactulose had not been given at all, when Father normally has this daily in the care home and this has now caused 'problems' – I will leave you to work out what, without me going into gory details! Let's just say, that Father is not as comfortable as he normally is and hopefully this will be sorted before discharge. I still can't believe he has survived, after everything he has gone through! But he looks so frail now, I really can't see him lasting much longer.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Hooded Crow on Sunday, still in pig field at Mautby Lodge.
Smew redhead at Filby Broad.
Purple Sandpiper on rocks by boat ramp, Glaucous Gull on beach, Iceland Gull on beach at Beeston Bump at Sheringham.
Tundra Bean Geese x 9, Pink-footed Geese x 9,500, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 in field south of B1454, 1.5 miles east of Sedgeford.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter and Russian White-fronted Geese x 11 on grazing marsh at Holme.
Waxwing in garden at Holt.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 827 at Heigham Holmes.
Velvet Scoter at Hemsby.
Cattle Egret at Gapton Marshes.
Shorelarks x 29 on beach 1 mile west of Holkham Gap, Holkham Bay.
Caspian Gull at Fisherfleet, King's Lynn.
Black Redstart still at East Quay, Wells.
Twite x 40, Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour.
Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 10, Velvet Scoters x 10, Great Northern Divers x 2, Black-throated Diver, Water Pipits x 2 on Thornham Pool at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Black-necked Grebe, Scaup x 2 at Blakeney Harbour.
Slavonian Grebe, north of west end, Glaucous Gull at Blakeney Point.
Great White Egret, Glaucous Gull, Russian White-fronted Geese x 4, Bewick's Swans x 2,413, Whooper Swans x 2,385 at Welney WWT.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 50 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham.
Hawfinches x 28, Crossbills x 3 at Lynford Aboretum.
Snow Buntings x 22 at North Beach, Winterton.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.

TLC From Me!

Father needed some TLC when I arrived on the ward this afternoon. He was sitting in a recliner chair in a theatre gown with his arms hugged across his chest – he looked cold and said he was cold and he didn't look very well. I was not happy. He had a blanket over his lap, but his socks and slippers sat on the chair. I put his cardigan and socks on – these two items made all the difference. I shaved him and washed his hair. He may well have declined all of the above (although unlikely), but a person who has suffered a stroke and has cognition problems/dementia does not always give accurate answers. Someone had made him a drink with the thickened fluids, but it was plain water – next to the drink stood a bottle of lemon barley and Ribena – obviously the person who made this up has never tasted thickened water..... its like wall paper paste!

I then took him to sit in the day room to have his supper. He ate everything, the soup, main course, rice pudding and half my banana I mashed up with an ice-cream and nearly all his coffee. He looked a better colour in his face now, warm clothes, warm food, hugs – simple things for a frail 90 year old. I wish I could give up my job to look after him, but alone financially, I can not do this.

I was told this afternoon that he is almost medically fit for discharge – yeah right!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle.
Smew redhead on Billy's Wash, Cley NWT.
Siberian Chiffchaff (possible) in reed debris along main path, Long-tailed Ducks x 30, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Velvet Scoters x 20, Great Northern Divers x 2, Water Pipits x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver at Holme.
Hawfinches x 4 still at Alymerton.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 200 in field north of Creak Abbey at North Creake.
Black Redstart at East Quay, Wells.
Glaucous Gulls x 2 off The Promenade at The Leas, Black Redstart at Sheringham.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Smew redhead at Filby Broad.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 59 on Ken Hill Marshes, Scaup x 23  on The Wash at Snettisham.
Snow Buntings x 50 at Little Eye, Salthouse.
Twite x 42, Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour.
Glaucous Gull flew east at Blakeney Point, Scaup x 11 at Blakeney Harbour.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford.
Great White Egret, Glaucous Gull at Welney WWT.
Todd's Canada Goose, Tundra Bean Geese x 2 in field opposite entrance to Abbey Farm, Flitcham.
Common Cranes x 3 at Heigham Holmes.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 104 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Little Gull, Great Northern Diver at Hemsby.
Glaucous Gull on rocks at West Runton.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Roydon Common NWT.
Hawfinches x 25 at Lynford Aboretum.
Great White Egrets x 2 at Colney Gravel Pits.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, in fields north of Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER remains in stubble field at Sandwick, Shetland.

Family & Wagtail Gathering!

My Mother was finally well enough with her cold/virus to visit Father today. We all met up to be with Father this afternoon – Lucy, Vivien, Mother and I. On route to picking Mother up I stopped at Wolferton and got lucky with fabulous views of the male Golden Pheasant at 3.45pm, strutting across the road and then along the verge, before disappearing underneath the canopy of the Rhododendrons!

My family have not seen Father for a good few days and he was quite poorly the last time they saw him. They all thought he looked quite well, but I didn't feel he did at all. In fact, he looked very poorly in my eyes. He was very quiet, I didn't get a single smile and although more subdued than last night, he still seemed to be hallucinating a bit. The nurse said his blood pressure was a little low, but all obs. were fine otherwise. He didn't really seem aware that Mother was there sadly.

We followed the QEH rules at meal time – Vivien went off to the canteen and Lucy and Mother sat in the Day Room whilst I fed Father. Meals are 'protected time' and no visitors are supposed to be on the ward unless one person is feeding a patient. Pity other families on the ward did not do the same! Father ate quite well and had most of the main course, half of the rice pudding and most of a coffee dessert and most of his coffee! He was very quiet and seemed like he had given up – very sad to see him like this.

I took Mother and Lucy to see the Pied Wagtail Roost along the finance corridor, which they were both fascinated by. We estimated a couple of hundred birds were huddled together in the bushes – so wonderful to watch these fluffy bundles of cuteness!!! We went to the canteen for a short while, returned to say good night to Father and all left. I took Mother home and sat with the cat for a while, before returning to King's Lynn.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gulls x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 2 on roof by Howdens Joinery off Burrell Way, Thetford.
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme.
Glaucous Gull at Winterton.
Firecrest along West Bank Path, Water Pipit, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Water Pipits x 5 at Titchwell RSPB.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 30 at Hemsby.
Smew redhead at Filby Broad.
Taiga Bean Geese x 12, Russian White-fronted Geese x 320 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Water Pipits x 2 at Cantley Beet Factory.
Short-eared Owl at Admiralty Point.
Waxwings x 2 in Barford Road at Sheringham.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 17 on Ken Hill Marshes at Snettisham.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Black Redstart at Sheringham.
Glaucous Gull on north basin at Fisher Fleet, King's Lynn.
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle (PAC).
Hawfinches x 9 opposite Appletree Cottage at Alymerton.
Cattle Egret still at Halvergate.
Glaucous Gull, Black-throated Diver, Scaup at Blakeney Harbour.
Short-eared Owl at Haddiscoe Marshes.
Great White Egrets x 2 at Colney Gravel Pits.
Hawfinches x 29 at Lynford Aboretum.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, in fields north of Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER remains in stubble field at Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE at Priestwood Farm, Foulness Island, Essex.

Visit To Father

In normal circumstances I would have been off along the coast to photograph and witness the storm surge damage, but I was simply exhausted and did not leave the house until early evening.

I phoned Eddie to hear about the state of Cley reserve, which sounded worse than the 2013 storm surge. Sadly with no protection from the sea, this will happen time and time again. All the hides are immersed in sea water up to the hide flaps in the central hides (Daukes's etc), the A149 is still flooded and inaccessible. Beach Road is 'neck high' in water. Eddie walked along the West Bank to get to coastguards to find the 'beach hotel' filled with shingle again as last time. The loss of wildlife will obviously be substantial. Whilst the rest of the coast faired better, Cley has suffered badly again. More information along the coast here.

I left my house to visit Father and to help him with his tea at 6pm. I arrived at the hospital to a 'bloody' scene. When I walked into the bay on the ward, my Father was obviously not himself and was fidgeting, confused and clothes were stained red with blood. Its sounds worse than it was – he had just pulled out his cannula before I turned up I was told. With nurses busy feeding patients, I decided not to wait and managed to change the sheets and Father's pyjamas myself with help from a lovely nursing auxilliary towards the end of my mission. Father had been fine all morning I was told and had eaten all breakfast and lunch and was conversing normally and was relaxed etc. They had noticed a change in him this afternoon and apparently his potassium levels were low and this can sometimes cause confusion in someone. A bag of potassium was being given intravenously, but with cannula out, this was not going in now! He ate all his tea with me, which was something.

I had no intention of staying all evening, but I ended up doing just that. Another cannula was inserted and the potassium was restarted. Father got worse and looked like he was hallucinating – he was tugging at sheets, clothes, me, the bed rails, everything. He would not keep still for a second and was rambling continuously about everything and nothing. I stayed to stop him pulling out the cannula again, which would have happened if I had left, but I had to go in the end, it was obviously going to continue through the night. I asked staff to ring me, if he became any worse.

I sighed as I walked out of the hospital – such difficult times, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. The seven days of antibiotics finishes this coming Tuesday. The question is, how Father's body will react after that? Will it want to go on or not? I diverted to the garage shop for a chocolate fix and collapsed on the sofa at home.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull on roof by Howdens Joinery off Burrell Way, Thetford.
Velvet Scoters x 19, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Scaup at Titchwell RSPB.
Glaucous Gull north of Crossbank at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Waxwings x 2 in Barford Road at Sheringham.
Glaucous Gulls x 4 at Sheringham.
Smew redhead at Filby Broad.
Taiga Bean Geese x 3, Hen Harrier at Buckenham Marshes.
Glaucous Gull flew west at Overstrand.
Hooded Crow still in pig field at Mautby Lodge.
Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 175 at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Cattle Egret at edge of village at Halvergate.
Common Cranes x 2 near Acle Bridge.
Hawfinches x 29, Crossbills x 4 at Lynford Aboretum.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still, Common Scoter on Broadwater, Tunda Bean Goose x 3, Russian White-fronted Geese x 11, Pink-footed Geese x 1,000 on grazing marsh at Holme.
Waxwing in hedge by B1155 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Shorelarks x 34 on beach at Brancaster.
Hen Harriers x 7 at Warham Greens.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 south of Wissington Beet Factory, SE of Downham Market.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Roydon Common NWT.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, in fields north of Pig Lane at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN NW of Kinvarra & East of Cloosh, County Galway, Ireland.

Lucky Friday 13th For Father!

I wasn't looking forward to today. Friday 13th is not a good day for my family, one of the reasons being that Father had his first stroke on Friday 13th. But today was a good day for him – he continues to make progress against all the odds and was taken off the oxygen this morning! He was sitting out in a recliner chair when I arrived and I helped him with his lunch. He was alert and smiley and looked so comfortable in the chair. Its a long time since I have seen him positioned so well, generally he is sitting forwards in a chair with trunk leaning right and unsupported.

I did chuckle when I heard from a couple of people, that a new doctor was assessing my Father this morning and asked him how many fingers he was holding up!!! I bet he felt rather silly, when it was pointed out that Father is blind! That will teach him not to read previous medical history before coming to assess a patient! Also the new patient boards above the beds have symbols, one of which indicates that father has poor vision – I have made it clearer and written 'BLIND' – lets hope people see this!!!

I still felt tired today and went home at about 3.30pm, fell asleep and then returned to visit Father for an hour and a half in the evening. There was a light covering of snow first thing this morning, but it all disappeared later. The strong northerly winds blew down a fence panel in my back garden!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

FRIDAY 13TH JANUARY
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Smew redhead at Filby Broad.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gulls x 2 on roof by Howdens Joinery off Burrell Way, Thetford.
Snow Buntings x 32 on North Beach at Winterton.
Cattle Egrets x 2 east of Halvergate.
Glaucous Gull, Purple Sandpiper at Overstrand.
Waxwings x 2 in Barford Road, Glaucous Gull, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 3, Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham.
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 south of Wissington Beet Factory, SE of Downham Market.
Glaucous Gull flew east at Cley.
Snow Buntings x 30 at Cley NWT.
Glaucous Gull at end of Beach Road at Salthouse.
Great White Egrets x 2 at Colney Gravel Pits.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater at Holme.
Glaucous Gull on mud opposite Rotary Hide at Snettisham RSPB.
Scaup x 2 at Ormesby Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, in orchard at Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.

Storm Surge, Norfolk!!!

The Storm Surge Hits Norfolk tonight, but not to the extent as it did in 2013

Sadly, Cley and Salthouse NWT Reserves are submerged again and the A149 became a raging river between Blakeney and Sheringham.

http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/news/cley_bird_reserve_sunk_as_storm_surge_forces_residents_to_flee_homes_on_the_coast_1_4849173?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it

Steve Gantlett who lives in Cley reported on Twitter "10.00pm The Cley flood is now onto the service road above the A149 in front of my house, so only inches below the 2013 flood level."

Holme Reserves seem to be Ok, looking at Robert Smith's photos of the tide tickling the sea defences this evening.

The tide spills onto Wells Quay, but the sea did not breach the town's defences.
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/wells_escapes_threatened_flood_1_4849149 

Just found a webcam for Sheringham:
http://visitsheringham.co.uk/webcam/ 

Waves breached sea defences at Walcott this evening:
http://www.northnorfolknews.co.uk/news/villagers_take_refuge_in_pub_as_storm_surge_batters_walcott_1_4849198

The full extent of the damage will obviously not be known until daylight.

Another Miracle!

I was so exhausted, I slept until 11.30am! Went to the hospital to help Father with his lunch. My colleagues had hoisted him out into a recliner chair and he looked really well. The Resperidone had obviously kicked in from yesterday and the response I got was fabulous! A big smile and 'I feel alot better today' when I asked how he was. Shortly after arriving, Father had to be moved out of his cosy side room into a main bay as he is not 'poorly' anymore and his room was needed for someone else now – this was a pity as it was a lovely room to be in.

I went up to the canteen for lunch and then later on went to the care home in Heacham to pick up a bag of clothes and slippers etc. I then did a mini shop for Mother in Sainsbury's and went to see how she was. I feel like I havn't seen Mother for ages, but it was only Saturday when I saw her last – she looked ill, but not as bad as I thought she would. Her voice is still very croaky and full of cold, but she has got through the worst of it I think. She is taking the prescribed antibiotics and this is the first time she has ever had antibiotics!!!

No snow here in North West Norfolk yet, but plenty of rain this evening. I returned to the hospital and dropped in a set of clothes for Father to wear tomorrow. He looked so cosy and relaxed in bed and I got another lovely smile. The nursing staff can't believe how much he has improved and neither can I – another miracle!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwings x 15 on Radcliffe Road at Thorpe Marriott.
Hawfinches x 4 at Alymerton.
Waxwings x 7 still near Anglia Square, Norwich.
Snow Buntings x 40 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Cattle Egrets x 2 east of Halvergate.
Tundra Bean Geese x 9, Russian White-fronted Geese x 50 at The Hangs at Cley.
Iceland Gull flew west past north end of East Bank, Spoonbill on Arnold's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Iceland Gull briefly at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Snow Buntings x 28 on North Beach at Winterton.
Glaucous Gull on mud just north  of Crossbank at Snettisham Coastal Park.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still, Scaup on Broadwater, Russian White-fronted Geese x 10, Tundra Bean Geese x 8 on grazing marsh at Holme.
Twite x 30 at Thornham Harbour.
Shorelarks x 29 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay, Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Holkham Gap, Tundra Bean Geese x 8, Great White Egret on Freshmarsh at Holkham.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gulls x 2 on roof by Howdens Joinery off Burrell Way at Thetford.
Black Redstart on lifeboat slipway, Glaucous Gull flew east at Sheringham.
Glaucous Gull on beach east of path, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Smew at Filby Broad.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire.
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.
MEGA! KILLDEER remains in stubble field at Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT remains at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.

Exhausting Day, But With Love & Support From West Raynham Team!

I had a rubbish night's sleep. I tossed and turned and felt worse when I woke up than I did yesterday. I knew I wasn't going to get any more sleep, so got up and slowly got ready. My mind and body was in slow motion. I have not felt like this for a long time...... today I felt like I was trapped in a bubble and everyone else was outside that bubble – its very difficult to explain this feeling, unless of course you are someone who suffers with depression, which I do – I just don't often talk about it publicly. I didn't feel like being amongst lots of people today. I was emotional on and off throughout the day.

I arrived at the hospital, just before midday, in time to help Father with his lunch. He had eaten well at breakfast I was told. He was alert but looked pale, drained and fatigued. The staring eyes and hallucinating continued as yesterday and attempting to remove the sheets etc. The Resperidone (for his dementia) was not given until 4pm, but this did start to take effect later on thank goodness and he settled. I have had some very kind support from all my colleagues and I thank you all so much for this. Thanks to Cara for putting a plate of food goodies together for me this afternoon!

Huge praise to all the staff who work on West Raynham ward, who work so hard and compassionately. In my opinion, there are never enough staff on any of the wards in the QEH or most hospitals come to that. If I could shake it all up, I would get rid of all the unnecessary people at the top on over a £100,000 pa. and have two nursing auxillaries per bay of six people which would give first class attention to patients and time to have conversations with them, to cheer them up and lift their spirits etc. I can't see this ever happening!

After helping Father with his tea, I left about 8.30pm and felt it was slightly easier to leave than last night. He was almost asleep when I left him and he looked frail, but comfortable and peaceful. Hoping I will sleep soundly tonight!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
WHITE-BILLED DIVER possible, flew east at 9.25am, Iceland Gull flew east, beach car park, Cley.
Smew Redhead at north end of East Bank at Cley NWT.
Purple Sandpiper on rocks by museum at Sheringham.
Shorelarks x 30 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Glaucous Gull flew west, Purple Sandpiper at Overstrand.
Tundra Bean Geese x 5, Pink-footed Geese x 2,000 in field near Brograve Farm, Waxham.
Cattle Egrets x 3 east of Halvergate.
Iceland Gull flew east over beach from Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes.
Glaucous Gulls x 2, Snow Buntings x 25 at Salthouse.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 in fields between Clippesby and Billockby.
Taiga Bean Geese x 7 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Glaucous Gull, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Welney WWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 4, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 in field at Abbey Farm, Flitcham.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still at Malthouse Broad, Ranworth.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 15 on sea at Holme.
Twite x 2 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harriers x 7 at Warham Greens.
Hawfinches x 2 at Alymerton.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3, Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Pink-footed Geese between Docking and Sedgeford.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Haddiscoe Island.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire

RBA Weekly Round-Up to 4th to 10th January!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2017-02.aspx?s_id=821180856

Stressful Day!!!

I have stayed with my Father every night since he was admitted and have been dozing in recliner chairs by his bedside, but the novelty of that wore off! Last night I set up a camp bed with four old wheelchair cushions with my thermorest camp mat on top, all wrapped up with a sheet and with pillows, this was a much better bed! I did get some sleep, but my body was now craving for my own bed and undisturbed sleep. I'm a tough cookie (Father like Daughter), but even I can only take so much.

Father was still fairly alert and managed to eat a small amount of pureed breakfast. Whilst the nurses changed my father's mattress to a nimbus air mattress (better than normal one) and washed him, I went off to the shop to buy him some lemonade to add to the thickened drinks. Today was stressful to say the least.

A very much respected and lovely doctor had a long 'family' chat with me and basically (my words) said we had a choice of two paths: 1) just carry on naturally as we are with oxygen and food/drink if Father requests and see if he improves naturally or 2) give a course of 7 days of antibiotics intravenously and active treatment, to see if the sepsis can be combated once and for all. He explained that the dose of antibiotics that were administered in A&E early Saturday morning, were probably now only starting to take affect and that was probably why Father was a little more alert. Two other seniors of the ward thought we should try 2). After much discussion with the rest of the family we initially decided that we would let nature take its course, but none of us could really make our minds up and this was incredibly stressful. My mother asked the question (by telephone to me) 'what would they have done in best interests if there had been no family?' Good point....... so I asked the doctor this question and he replied (more or less word for word) that he wouldn't be 'fixed either way, but would have been inclined to try the 7 day's antibiotics, being as they know what the bug is and is potentially treatable'. He could not give me a prognosis and said that it was a very difficult situation and choice. He explained that someone who had started eating, could go on for days or longer, even if they were not going to make it in the end and that the antibiotics could make things worse or better (worse because of the diarrhoea that happens with heavy doses of antibiotics. So I phoned Mother and Vivien and we decided to go with the the Doctor's chosen path.

So, late afternoon, saw lots of things happening: cannula inserted, antibiotics started, obs being taken, fluids put up etc! Father has not had Resperidone for several days and you could see that he needed this, as he was starting to fidget, pulling sheets off and pulled the cannula out!!! Another had to be inserted. Staring eyes looking around the room, which means he was hallucinating and then later stages he would be shouting etc etc. The liquid form of Resperidone could not be got this late at night, so this would not be able to start until tomorrow when the pharmacy re-opened. The face mask oxygen was removed and replaced with nasal specs, which was much more comfortable for Father. His obs were all good, which surprised me.

I found it torture to leave this evening, but had no choice, my mental state was not good and I was exhausted. I put off leaving and kept faffing about, tidying the room etc. Some people will definately think I was over the top staying every night, but I didn't feel it was at all – on Saturday we were told he wouldn't make it and that it was just a matter of hours, so naturally when he made it to Saturday evening, I didn't want him to die alone, so I stayed. In disbelief that he made it to Sunday, I stayed again and the same on Monday. Anyway, I said goodnight to Father – he looked so frail and vulnerable and the look on his face said he didn't really want me to leave – I walked out of the room and was a real state emotionally as I left the ward.

It felt heaven to get into my bed, but I was overtired.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Glaucous Gull on beach at Brancaster.
Waxwings x 11 on Edward Street, Norwich.
Glaucous Gull on beach, Long-tailed Ducks x 28, Velvet Scoters x 22, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Firecrest on Fen Trail at Titchwell RSPB.
Smew Redhead on The Serpentine, Tundra Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Goose, Water Pipit, Glaucous Gull flew west at Cley NWT.
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Gapton Marshes.
Hawfinches x 7 in garden at Aylmerton.
FERRUGINOUS DUCK still on Broadwater, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 7 on sea at Holme.
Lapland Bunting in rough field, south of coastal footpath to Holme.
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton Triangle.
Glaucous Gull on beach, Snow Buntings x 40 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Red-crested Pochard at Ormesby Broad.
Tundra Bean Geese x 36 in fields between Clippesby and Billockby.
Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Lynn Point, King's Lynn.
Hen Harrier over Thornham Marsh.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Cattle Egret east of Halvergate.
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Halvergate Marshes.
Snow Buntings x 25 on beach, Hen Harrier at Winterton.
Taiga Bean Geese x 21 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Hawfinch yesterday at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Shorelarks x 28 on saltmarsh east of Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Glaucous Gull, Scaup x 20 on The Wash at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Russian White-fronted Geese x 15 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham.
Glaucous Gull flew north at South Beach, Heacham.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 opposite the Crown Pub at Sheringham.
Hooded Crow still, in pig field south of Mautby Lodge.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 near Wissington Beet Factory.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 220 in field north of Creake Abbey, North Creake.
Hawfinches x 42, Crossbills x 5 at Lynford Aboretum.
Waxwings x 20 in garden at Rackheath.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 views from Burgh Castle at Haddiscoe Island.
Tundra Bean Goose x 9 Russian White-fronted Goose x 7 between Ringstead and Choseley.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! BLUE ROCK THRUSH Male in garden at Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire
MEGA! DUSKY THRUSH still, Pig Lane, Beeley, 5mls NNW of Matlock, Derbyshire.