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Friday 29 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Great Northern Divers x 2, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipits x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Pomarine Skua at Titchwell RSPB
Common Cranes x 27 at Billockby
White-fronted Geese x 5, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 250, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Black-throated Diver, Little Gulls x 3 off beach car park at Cley
Short-eared Owl at Snettisham RSPB
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Black-necked Grebe a Filby Broad
Waxwing flew over West Runton Heath
Great White Egret at Gapton Marshes
Long-tailed Duck at Ormesby Broad
Black-throated Divers x 2, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Hooded Crow, Raven, Tundra Bean Goose at Horsey
Long-tailed Duck offshore and Waxwing in village at Holme
Twite x 7 at Thornham Harbour
Waxwing by A149, Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Pomarine Skua, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 3, Great Northern Diver at Sheringham
Eagle Owl at Old Rectory, Winterton
Little Auk, Little Gulls x 4, Great Northern Divers x 4 at Cromer
Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Holkham Bay
Great Northern Diver, Pomarine Skua at Mundesley

MEGA NEWS 
HERMIT THRUSH 
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney

Thursday 28 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Waxwing, Snow Bunting, Water Pipit, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB  
Rough-legged Buzzard, Water Pipit NW of Wells
Russian White-fronted Geese x 5, Snow Buntings x 40, Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Little Gulls x 8 flew past Cley
Snow Buntings x 60 at North Beach, Winterton
Cattle Egrets x 7 at Burnham Overy Staithe
Snow Buntings x 135, Water Pipit at Holkham Gap
Russian White-fronted Geese x 30, Water Pipit at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
Great White Egret at Earlham Marsh
Russian White-fronted Geese x 2, Twite x 3 at Thornham Harbour
Eagle Owl in tree at Old Rectory/Hales Lodge Care Home at Winterton
Red-necked Grebe, Little Gulls x 29 at Mundesley
Cattle Egret at Welney WWT
Little Auk, Pomarine Skuas x 12, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 28 at Sheringham

MEGA NEWS 
DUSKY THRUSH
On Saturday in garden at North Ferriby, Yorkshire
HERMIT THRUSH
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney

Wednesday 27 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Taiga Bean Geese x 6, Russian White-fronted Geese x 13 at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Great White Egret at Colney, Norwich
Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 2 at Horsey
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Winterton
Russian White-fronted Geese x 3 by A149 at Holme
Glossy Ibis, Russian White-fronted Geese x 3 at Thornham Harbour
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Tundra Bean Goose east of Choseley Cottages at Titchwell
Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshank, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell RSPB 
Cattle Egrets x 8, Great White Egrets x 4 at Burnham Overy Staithe
Eagle Owl in tree near playing field at Winterton
Black Redstart at The Leas, Sheringham
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS 
HERMIT THRUSH
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney

RBA Weekly Round-Up 20th to 26th November!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2019_48.aspx?s_id=918918620

Tuesday 26 November 2019

Tropic Party at Keri's!

Two of my work colleagues Bev, Hilary and I drove to Reepham this evening, to attend Keri's Tropic Party. Tropic is a range of skin and beauty range of products, which are freshly made, cruelty free (not tested on animals) and ingredients are sustainably sourced. It was great to catch up with Lily, Sarah A. and meet Keri's mother! Keri had made Terry's Orange chocolate brownies and mince pies – 10/10 baking! Also mulled wine for those that were not driving. There was a Christmas quiz, which I didn't do very well at, but then didn't expect to as I'm generally rubbish at quizzes. I succumbed and purchased the Body Smooth Refreshing Polish as it made my hands feel about 30 years younger and Illuma Light-diffusing Concealer – brûlée. We had a really lovely evening, but left later than intended – took an hour to drive each way. When I dropped Hilary off at her house, her wonderful cat Charlie was sitting outside her house waiting for her – I picked him for a hug – he was so lovely and soft, such a lovely cat – he soon wriggled to escape though, as he wanted his tea!

A Surprise Present!


Today I received a beautiful present, a unique and exquisite piece of art. It was made by a very talented young lady called Lauren, who is the daughter of one of my lovely colleagues. Lauren has never met me before and I was both taken back and quite emotional to receive such a gift this morning – a piece of work that has taken hours of creation and thought. At first I thought the Bee-eater was simply cut out and was shocked to hear from Linda (her mother) that she had drawn this Bee-eater with water soluble coloured pencils! What a brilliant bird artist! She had even found a postage stamp with the year I was born! If you are reading this Lauren, THANK SO MUCH!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, American Wigeon on Arnold's Marsh, Caspian Gull, Water Pipits x 4 at Cley NWT
Long-tailed Ducks x 6, Red-necked Grebe, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Waxwing, Mealy Redpoll, Water Pipits x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Waxwings x 5 at Newtown Surgery Car park at Great Yarmouth
Hooded Crow, Raven, Common Cranes x 2, Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Horsey
Black Redstart at The Leas, Sheringham
Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Holme
Glossy Ibis, Twite at Thornham Harbour
Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Filby Broad
Snow Buntings x 60 on beach at Winterton
Eagle Owl on house roof near cricket pitch at Winterton
Hen Harrier at Morston
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Cattle Egrets x 8, Great White Egrets x 5 at Burnham Overy Staithe
Cattle Egret at Welney WWT
Black Brant east of campsite at Stiffkey
Rough-legged Buzzard reported at Holkham
White-fronted Geese x 2 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham RSPB
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum

MEGA NEWS 
HERMIT THRUSH
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Monday 25 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Ruddy Shelduck north of East Wretham Heath
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Shorelark, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 50, Water Pipits x 3, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
Glossy Ibis still at Thornham Harbour White-fronted Goose at Thornham
Todd's Canada Goose, Tundra Bean Geese x 4 at Weybourne
Russian White-fronted Geese x 17 at Breydon Water
Cattle Egrets x 8, Black-throated Divers x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe
Snow Buntings x 63 at Winterton
Pale-bellied Brent Goose just west of Salthouse
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 42, Velvet Scoters x 9 at Holkham Bay
Water Pipits x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Titchwell RSPB
Cattle Egret, Great White Egrets x 3 at Welney WWT
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum
Scaup, Short-eared Owl, Little Stint at Snettisham RSPB
Long-tailed Duck at Holme
Black Redstart at The Leas, Sheringham

MEGA NEWS 
HERMIT THRUSH
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney

Sunday 24 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Glossy Ibis still, White-fronted Goose, Twite x 6 at Thornham Harbour
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Mealy Redpoll, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 5, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Lapland Bunting, Water Pipits x 2, Snow Buntings x 40 at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 65, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham Bay
Cattle Egrets x 8, Great White Egrets x 3, White-fronted Goose, Russian White-fronted Geese x 20, Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham
Todd's Canada Goose, Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Weybourne
Long-tailed Duck at Ormesby Broad
Waxwings x 2, White-fronted Goose at Snettisham Coastal Park
Short-eared Owl at Snettisham RSPB
Great Skua on beach near Gramborough Hill
Great White Egret on marsh at Warham
Black-throated Diver, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 25 on beach, Cattle Egrets x 6 at Burnham Overy Staithe
Snow Buntings x 40 on beach from golf course at Holme
Hooded Crow at Horsey
Eagle Owl in evening, Snow Buntings x 60 at Winterton
Russian White-fronted Geese x 5 at Cromer
Snow Buntings x 45 at Great Yarmouth

MEGA NEWS 
HERMIT THRUSH
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Vivien's 50th Birthday Celebrations!

SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER
Lucy and I drove to Ely this afternoon and joined Vivien and Ray at The Cutter Inn in Ely, to celebrate (late) Vivien's 50th birthday. We had a three course meal and then Vivien's cake was brought out and we sang Happy Birthday to her. Went to a pub for a short while and then went back to Ray's narrow boat, where Vivien opened all her presents from us. Ate birthday cake, had a coffee and arrived back in King's Lynn at 12.20am.

Pictures to follow.......

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
SATURDAY 23rd NOVEMBER
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret NW of Wells
Glossy Ibis still, Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour
White-fronted Goose at Thornham
Waxwings x 2, Firecrest, Short-eared Owl at Snettisham RSPB
Waxwings x 2 near Ken Hill Wood, Snettisham
Yellow-browed Warbler, Mealy Redpoll, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipits x 2, Great White Egret, Spotted Redshank, Snow Buntings x 50, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 40, Water Pipits x 10, Caspian Gull, Pallid Swift (probable) from East Bank then flew west at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 4 , Slavonian Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holkham Bay
Great White Egrets x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Todd's Canada Goose, Tundra Bean Geese x 6, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Binham
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Russian White-fronted Goose at Langham
Great White Egrets x 5 at Ten Mile Bank
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens
Little Gull at Mundesley

MEGA NEWS 
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney

Saturday 23 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
FRIDAY 22nd NOVEMBER
Great White Egret at Thornham Marsh
Glossy Ibis, Twite x 5, Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour
Waxwing, Slavonian Grebe, Snow Bunting, Mealy Redpoll, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Long-tailed Duck at Titchwell RSPB
Hooded Crow at North Dunes, Winterton
Raven, Purple Sandpiper, Bewick's Swans x 8 at Horsey
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 50, Water Pipits x 5, White Fronted Geese x 2, Great Skua at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 4, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Velvet Scoters x 4, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Russian White-fronted Geese x 44 at Holkham Bay
Black-necked Grebe at Filby Broad
LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, Todd's Canada Goose, Tundra Bean Geese x 6, Russian White-fronted Geese x 20 south of Langham
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egrets x 5 at Welney WWT
Black-throated Diver at Burnham Overy Staithe
Waxwings x 2 at Snettisham RSPB
Short-eared Owl, Long-tailed Duck at Holme
Waxwing at Great Yarmouth
Water Pipit, Russian White-fronted Geese x 23, Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Tundra Bean Goose NNE of Docking
Waxwings x 3 in Norwich
Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Roughton
Tundra Bean Geese x 4, Russian White-fronted Goose near Binham

MEGA NEWS 
LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE 
South of Langham, Norfolk
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney

Thursday 21 November 2019

Beavers Set To Return To Norfolk!

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/ken-hill-beaver-release-scheme-1-6385824

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Cattle Egrets x 8, Great White Egrets x 3, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Burnham Overy Marshes
Black-throated Diver in channel near Gun Hill at Burnham Overy Dunes
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Hooded Crow, Snow Bunting, Caspian Gulls x 3 at Cley NWT
Glossy Ibis at Thornham Harbour
Black-necked Grebe at Filby Broad
Mealy Redpoll, Water Pipit, Long-tailed Ducks x 5 at Titchwell RSPB
Russian White-fronted Geese x 23 at Holkham
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 5, Velvet Scoters x 6, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 5, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holkham Bay
Hen Harrier at Potter Heigham Marshes
Black Redstart at The Leas, White-fronted Geese x 12 flew past Sheringham
Raven, Hooded Crow at Horsey
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Snow Buntings x 9 at Outer Harbour, Great Yarmouth
Long-tailed Duck at Gorleston-on-Sea
White-fronted Goose NNW of Shernborne
Tundra Bean Geese x 3 at Ludham
Ravens x 2 at Dersingham Bog
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Greenland White-fronted Goose, Russian White-fronted Geese x 15 at Breydon Water
Snow Bunting, Russian White-fronted Geese x 62, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Hemsby
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford

MEGA NEWS 
HERMIT THRUSH
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Wednesday 20 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 70 at Cley NWT
Yellow-browed Warbler, Great White Egret, Snow Buntings x 40 at Titchwell RSPB
Red-throated Diver at Wells Harbour
Rough-legged Buzzard, Swallow NW of Wells
Rough-legged Buzzard, Waxwings x 18 flew over Hunstanton Cliffs
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Scaup at Welney WWT
Shorelarks x 4, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 6, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Snow Buntings x 68, Hen Harrier at Holkham Bay
Snow Buntings x 50 on beach at Winterton
Black-throated Diver in channel from car park at Burnham Over Staithe
Black-necked Grebe at Ormesby Little Broad
Great White Egret in sheep field at Old Hunstanton
Velvet Scoters x 4, Great Northern Diver at Sheringham
Great White Egret at Holme Dunes
Great White Egret at Ten Mile Bank
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Lugden Hill Farm, NNE of Docking
Velvet Scoters x 4 flew past Weybourne and Mundesley
Waxwings x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Snettisham RSPB

MEGA NEWS 
HERMIT THRUSH
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney

RBA Weekly Round-Up 13th to 19th November!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2019_47.aspx?s_id=645726726

Tuesday 19 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 60, Little Auk, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
Great White Egrets x 3 at Holkham Park Lake
HUME'S WARBLERS x 2 near crosstracks at Holkham
Shorelarks x 6, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 2, Slavonian Grebes x 8, Long-tailed Duck at Holkham Gap
Yellow-browed Warbler, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Great White Egret at Titchwell RSPB
Waxwing at Overstrand
Great White Egrets x 6 at Welney WWT
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Little Auk offshore at Salthouse
Russian White-fronted Goose in field at Glandford
Great White Egret in sheep field at Old Hunstanton
Waxwing at Norwich
Snow Bunting at Gore Point, Holme Dunes NWT
Great White Egret at Thornham Harbour
Snow Buntings x 23, Velvet Scoters x 22 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Goshawk at Snettisham RSPB
Cattle Egrets x 8, Great White Egrets x 6 at Burnham Overy Marshes
Eagle Owl on cricket pitch at dusk (for 2nd day), Snow Buntings x 30 on beach at Winterton

MEGA NEWS 
None

BREACHING HUMPBACK WHALE OFF FETLAR!

WOW! Spectacularly captured by Brydon Thomason!

https://twitter.com/shetlandnature/status/1196713452242374656

Monday 18 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Waxwing flew over, Lapland Bunting, Pomarine Skua, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck, Snow Bunting, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Gannet flew over Cantley Marshes RSPB
HUME'S WARBLERS x 2 near crosstracks, Rough-legged Buzzard in field, Waxwing flew over Holkham
Bewick's Swan near Horsey Corner
Northern Bullfinch south of Shangri-La chalet, Waxham
Snow Buntings x 24, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Winterton
Great Shearwater (probable), Blue Fulmar, Pomarine Skuas x 3, Little Auk at Cley
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 60 at Cley NWT
Snow Buntings x 60 at Gramborough Hill
Waxwings x 3 flew over, Waxwings x 15 near village hides in Holme
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Scaup at Welney WWT
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 7 east of Holkham Gap
Long-eared Owl between Rockland St Mary & Hellington
Cattle Egrets x 8 at Burnham Overy Staithe
Little Auk, Pomarine Skuas x 4, Great Northern Diver, Little Gulls x 4 at Sheringham
Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwaters x 3, Little Gulls x 2 at Mundesley

MEGA NEWS
HERMIT THRUSH
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian, Scotland
BLUE ROCK THRUSH
Lambholm, Orkney

Sunday 17 November 2019

NORFOLK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – Mystery and Magic At The Corn Exchange, King's Lynn!!

NORFOLK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Mystery and Magic — Corn Exchange, King's Lynn

Lucy in 1st Violins – front centre 
Lucy played in her first concert of the season at The Corn Exchange, King's Lynn. It was probably the best NSO concert I have been to – it was especially brilliant listening to the Harry Potter Symphonic Suite. I imagined an owl flying over the orchestral players and I suppose they could have arranged that, although it might have been a bit risky! A few of the orchestral players had witches hats, cloaks and other attire to add to the visual effect. The lead violinist Paula Muldoon played exquisitely. I was sitting in seat K 10 which is fairly close to the front and Lucy spotted me fairly quickly when she first walked onto the stage. Every time I watch Lucy play, I feel so proud – my mother would have enjoyed that concert so much.

Not a cheap afternoon out though: Ticket £17.00, Programme £3.00, ice-cream £2.50, parking £4.95 and dinner later £25.00! There were lots of children in the audience and hopefully they all enjoyed it – but there was one tiny little girl who simply didn't want to be there and hardly sat on her seat – she flapped the fold-up seat backwards and forwards, which irritated the elderly gentleman behind her, crawled under the seats and continually swapped seats with her brothers like a jack in the box, much to the frustration of her brothers and parents – sadly they didn't return for the second half of the concert – she was simply too young to appreciate the concert.

After the concert Lucy and I went to Prezzos for an evening meal, which I had booked yesterday. It was lovely sitting in there and we had some wonderful food and of course Tiramisu for dessert. Lucy was shattered, but she really enjoyed herself here. No wonder she was tired, they rehearse all morning before the concert – a lot of hours of very fast intense playing. A fabulous evening all round.

The Conductor and Lead Violinist

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 55, Water Pipits x 4, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
Yellow-browed Warbler, Mealy Redpoll, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Great White Egret, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Water Pipits x 2, Snow Buntings x 6 at Titchwell RSPB
Twite, Snow Buntings x 28 at Winterton
Rough-legged Buzzard NW of Wells
Long-tailed Duck off beach at Wells
Black-throated Diver off Gun Hill, Cattle Egrets x 7 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Waxwings x 15 flew over Hunstanton
Slavonian Grebes x 3 at Holkham Bay
Shorelarks x 6 east of Holkham Gap
HUME'S WARBLERS x 2, Raven at Holkham
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT at West end of Holkham Pines
Russian White-fronted Geese x 10 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Great White Egret at Nar Valley Fisheries
Scaup, Common Scoters x 13, Cattle Egret, Great White Egrets x 4 at Welney WWT
Great Grey Shrike at cliff top wood at Trimingham
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Snow Buntings x 20 at Gorleston-on-Sea
Black-necked Grebe at Scolt Head Island NNR
Iceland Gull, Grey Phalarope, Little Auks x 2, Pomarine Skua, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoters x 5, Great Northern Divers x 2, Snow Buntings x 29 at Hemsby
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
STELLER'S EIDER juv. 
Papa Westray, Orkney

The NORFOLK BIRD & MAMMAL REPORT 2018 – Now published!

Luckily I managed to get one picture in the report, which meant I received a free complimentary copy! But I'm a member of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society, so I also receive a copy from them. A lot of hard work goes into this report so thanks to all the contributors. Several very interesting articles in the report and lots of fabulous photographs and drawings.

Fabulously designed front cover with a Caspian Gull in flight. But, I'm not a lover of bled pictures, so not in love with the new design. Bled pictures only tend to work I find, when they are half or full page – any smaller tends to look messy, especially when text is wrapped around in a narrow column which has occurred several times throughout the report. Also when the picture bleeds into the spine, you lose part of the beauty of a picture as you turn the pages. I comment as an ex typesetter and Mac Operator and a member of staff for nine years at Lavenham Press (who printed the report). I also think that the picture captions would benefit from having the date and © added eg:

Blyth's Reed Warbler at Blakeney Point – 7th October  ©Penny Clarke

You can purchase the report directly from: http://www.nnns.org.uk/ OR from Cley Visitor Centre NWT and Titchwell RSPB.

Update – John F. has pointed out an unforgivable mistake on the SPINE of the report!!! Oh dear!

Blyth's Reed Warbler at Blakeney Point – 7th October 2018

OTHER PICTURES I SUBMITTED BELOW
Firecrest at Gramborough Hill – 22nd April 2018

Eastern Lesser Whitethroat at Blakeney Point – 7th October 2018
I submitted this to the Norfolk Records Committee

Black Redstart Sheringham – 21st January 2018

Wryneck at Pinewoods Caravan Park, Wells – 23rd September 2018
 
Snowy Owl at Snettisham RSPB – 11th March 2018

Saturday 16 November 2019

Isabelline Wheatear & Otter At Cley – Late Autumn Birding!

ISABELLINE WHEATEAR
East of north end of the East Bank at Cley NWT
A first for Cley – found by Mark Golley on Sunday 10th November


Mark Golley found this fabulous bird last Sunday when I was working, I never thought for one minute that it would still be there today! After six straight days at work, setting the alarm and getting up early was the last thing I wanted to do, but I did! I also managed to bag the last car space in the East Bank car park. It was a chilly morning, but I was wrapped up well with thermals and two coats. Vivien and Ray are still basking in 29ºc today in Cyprus – they will get a shock when they return home this evening!

I passed three birders along the East Bank who had seen the Isabelline Wheatear and eventually reached the area where it had been seen, east of the north end of the East Bank. I joined one other birder, who had not yet seen the bird. I searched hard and could not find the Wheatear anywhere. More people turned up and it could not be relocated for quite a while. Eventually a birder distantly signalled that it was just below him on the shingle ridge. Myself and others walked to the bottom of the slope and there it was, a wonderful Isabelline Wheatear sitting on the highest point of the ridge! A while later it flew across to the south side of a fenced area and that is where it remained for most of the day I believe. It was feeding, but it appeared to be making a massive effort. Later it sat for long periods, closing and opening its eyes. Every so often it would then move and feed for a bit again and then sit again. It was very sad to think that this beautiful bird may not make it, very sad indeed. There was also a 50+ flock of Snow Buntings flying around the shingle bank. While I was here, it was especially nice to bump into Sue Gantlett (along with Steve) as I hadn't seen her for a while – I always enjoy chatting with Sue and we discussed our love of Shetland amongst other things.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR

I was frozen when I started to walk back at around 12.15pm. Along the East Bank I bumped into Eddie and Andy J., who pointed out an Otter to me distantly in the sluice channel west of the path – at last! It wasn't anywhere close enough for a picture, but had some lovely views as it made its way west along the channel. Also saw the Long-tailed Duck on the pool west of the path (where it has been for a few days) and also heard a Cetti's Warbler and saw a couple of Reed Buntings. Several flocks of Starlings flying through and a Turnstone was notable on The Serpentine, along with good numbers of Lapwings, Wigeon, Teal and Mute Swans.

I had missed the 10am NWT VC cheese scone slot, it was lunchtime! Went to The Dun Cow at Salthouse for a change and walked straight out again – it was ram packed full of people and very noisy – I couldn't understand where all these people had come from at this time of year! Headed to Kelling Tea Rooms – wonderfully peaceful and only half full. Had a lovely table for two window seat as well! I had a jacket potato with cheese and coleslaw with salad. A generous pot of tea with *TWO teabags in and a little jug of hot water to top up – I love strong tea, so other venues please *note! Followed by their last piece of Black Forest Gateaux – very pleased I popped in here!
Lunch at Kelling Tea Rooms!

With the long lists of birds I'm typing up daily for Norfolk over the last few days, it feels like it should be October, not November! Anyway, rejuvenated I headed west along the coast road to Garden Drove at Warham. The track was extremely water logged and not really suitable for my little Skoda – a tractor or a 4x4 would have been more appropriate! Within seconds of parking up on the concrete pad a Great Spotted Woodpecker bounded along the hedge line and a Barn Owl sat on a post distantly by the barn. Walking along the very muddy track I saw more birds than expected: Robins x 2, a Song Thrush, Blackbirds x 2 and Pied Wagtails feeding in the pig field along with Rooks and Starlings. The copse at the end held a Great Tit and 3 Chaffinches.

North Point Pools at Wells – the light was fading fast now – nobody else here but me. 100+ Lapwings, 14 Brent Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 2 Egyptian Geese, 5 Curlews, lots of Wigeon and Teal, a few Pied Wagtails and 2 Little Egrets.

Stopped just west of Wells Quay in a pull in area by a farm gate, to join two cars of birders to try and see the Rough-legged Buzzard that has been showing all day. If I hadn't have stopped at North Point Pools I would more than probably have seen it, but I was too late! It had just been mobbed by a Common Buzzard in the very far distance before I turned up and it wasn't seen again. A Short-eared Owl was a nice consolation though. Headed home via Holkham and Burnham Market and saw my second Barn Owl of the day between Bircham and Flitcham.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
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ISABELLINE WHEATEAR east of end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 60, Great Northern Divers x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Caspian Gulls x 2, Water Pipit at Cley NWT
Velvet Scoter, Snow Bunting at Gorleston-on-Sea
Snow Buntings x 35 on beach at Winterton
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl NW of Wells
HUME'S WARBLERS x 2, Siberian Chiffchaff (probable) near crosstracks, Raven at Holkham
Shorelarks x 6, east of Holkham Gap
Snow Buntings x 30, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 5, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Black-throated Diver at Holkham
Tundra Bean Goose at Holkham Freshmarsh
Yellow-browed Warbler, Waxwing flew over, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter, Little Auk, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 43 on beach at Hemsby
Snow Buntings x 6 at Thornham Point
Short-eared Owl at Thornham Harbour
Rose-coloured Starling with Starlings by sea wall, Slavonian Grebe in channel off Gun Hill, Lapland Bunting, Black-throated Diver, Snow Buntings x 20, Velvet Scoters x 4, Cattle Egrets x 8, Great White Egrets x 6, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Dunes
Yellow-browed Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, Black Redstart, Snow Buntings x 5 at Happisburgh
Waxwings x 2 at Holme
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Snettisham RSPB 
Hooded Crow, Snow Buntings x 4, Little Auk at Horsey
Snow Bunting at Breydon Water
Snow Buntings x 11 west of beach car park at Weybourne
Great White Egrets x 2 at Haddiscoe Island
Snow Bunting between Thornage and Hunworth
Snow Buntings x 3 at Caister-on-Sea
Water Pipits x 4 at Cantley Beet Factory
Barred Warbler, wholly unconfirmed report at South Beach, Heacham
Lapland Buntings x 2, Snow Buntings x 9 at Blakeney Point
Lapland Bunting, Water Pipit at Holme NOA
Great Grey Shrike at cliff top wood at Trimingham
Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum
Great White Egret at Nar Valley Fisheries
Great White Egrets x 4, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Puffin, Little Gulls x 7 at Sheringham

MEGA NEWS
WESTERN SANDPIPER
Pennington Marshes, Hampshire
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian, Scotland
BLUE ROCK THRUSH
Lambholm, Orkney
STELLER'S EIDER juv.
Papa Westray, Orkney

Friday 15 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Yellow-browed Warbler, Bittern, Water Pipit, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 NW of Wells
Lapland Buntings x 3 flew over Wells Woods
Great White Egret, Water Pipits x 4 at North Point Pools, Wells
Long-tailed Duck in harbour at Wells
Ravens x 2 near Great Cressingham
Black Redstart at The Leas, Sabine's Gull (probable), Pomarine Skuas x 8, Blue Fulmar, Puffins x 9, Little Auks x 2, Little Gulls x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Sheringham
Puffin on sea, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Great Northern Divers x 2, Little Gulls x 4 off beach car park, Cley
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR 100yds east of end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 20, Caspian Gulls x 2 at Cley NWT
Black Redstart in garden at Cley
Northern Long-tailed Tit in garden at Upton
Pomarine Skuas x 2 flew past Weybourne Camp
Glaucous Gull, Raven at Horsey
Snow Buntings x 20, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Little Gull at Holme Dunes
Shorelarks x 6, east of Holkham Gap
Snow Buntings x 9 at North Denes, Great Yarmouth
Pomarine Skuas x 3 flew past Hunstanton
Snow Buntings x 41, Little Auk at Winterton
Waxwings x 3 at Bradwell
Little Auk at Walcott
HUME'S WARBLER near crosstracks at Holkham
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Happisburgh
Caspian Gull in field south of Buxton
Great White Egrets x 5 at Welney WWT
Cattle Egrets x 8, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 19 at Gun Hill, Black-throated Diver in channel at Burnham Overy Staithe
Great White Egret at Somerton Holmes
Pomarine Skua, Little Auks x 3, Velvet Scoter, Black-throated Diver at Hemsby
Pomarine Skua, Little Auk, Velvet Scoter, Puffins x 3 at Mundesley

MEGA NEWS
PADDYFIELD PIPIT
SE of A30 at Sennen, Cornwall
STELLER'S EIDER juv.
Papa Westray, Orkney
BLUE ROCK THRUSH
Lambholm, Orkney

Thursday 14 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Rough-legged Buzzard at Wells
Shorelarks x 6, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Great White Egrets x 2 at Holkham
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR 100yds east of end of East Bank, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipits x 4, Caspian Gulls x 2 at Cley NWT
Caspian Gull on beach at Horsey
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Snow Bunting, Twite at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret at Holme Dunes
Snow Buntings x 20 on beach at Holme
Black-necked Grebe reported at Walcott
Water Pipits x 4 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

MEGA NEWS
PADDYFIELD PIPIT
SE of A30 at Sennen, Cornwall
STELLER'S EIDER juv.
Papa Westray, Orkney
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian, Scotland
BLUE ROCK THRUSH
Lambholm, Orkney

Wednesday 13 November 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Snow Buntings x 20 on beach at Holme
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR 100yds east of end of East Bank, Purple Sandpiper, Snow Buntings x 35, Long-tailed Duck, Bittern at Cley NWT
Caspian Gull at Buxton
Snow Buntings x 7 at Weybourne Camp
Black Redstart on roof of coastguard cottages at Weybourne
Rough-legged Buzzard flew over Wiveton
Rough-legged Buzzard at Wells
Raven and Purple Sandpiper on beach at Horsey
Shorelarks x 6 east of Holkham Gap
HUME'S WARBLER still near crosstracks at Holkham Pines
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Rough-legged Buzzard flew over Saxlingham
Common Cranes x 14 at Billockby
LITTLE BITTERN again, Yellow-browed Warbler, Rough-legged Buzzard, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit, Velvet Scoter, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB
Waxwings x 2 at Ringstead
Russian White-fronted Geese x 15 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Water Pipits x 2, Short-eared Owl at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Great Northern Diver at Mundesley
Snow Buntings x 22, Velvet Scoter at Hemsby
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR wholly unconfirmed report at South Beach, Heacham

MEGA NEWS
PADDYFIELD PIPIT
SE of A30 at Sennen, Cornwall
STELLER'S EIDER juv.
Papa Westray, Orkney
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian, Scotland
BLUE ROCK THRUSH
Lambholm, Orkney

RBA Weekly Round-Up 6th to 12th November!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2019_46.aspx?s_id=480837080

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
TUESDAY 12th NOVEMBER
Rough-legged Buzzard at Wells
Rough-legged Buzzard flew over Holkham
Shorelarks x 5 east of Holkham Gap
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR 100yds east of end of East Bank, Long-tailed Duck, Snow Buntings x 6, Caspian Gulls x 2, Great Northern Divers x 6, Little Gulls x 2 at Cley NWT
Rough-legged Buzzard flew west over Cley
Shorelark at North Beach, Winterton
LITTLE BITTERN again, Yellow-browed Warbler, Water Pipit, Great White Egret, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell RSPB
HUME'S WARBLER west of crosstracks at Holkham Pines
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common NR
Red-necked Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 22 at Hemsby
Waxwings x 5 flew in off sea at Sheringham
Raven, Hooded Crow at Horsey

MEGA NEWS
PADDYFIELD PIPIT
SE of A30 at Sennen, Cornwall
STELLER'S EIDER juv.
Papa Westray, Orkney
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland