NEW YEAR'S EVE!

No excitement here! Been at work all day and feel very tired. Nothing exciting on TV this evening and going to bed shortly! Good night!

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 Egret at Two Furlong Hill, Wells

Hawfinches x 23 at Lynford Aboretum

Iceland Gull, Great Northern Diver, Snow Buntings x 34 at Cley NWT

Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT

Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 140 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 50 at Holkham Gap

Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret

Cattle Egrets x 4 north of Martham

Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits

Siberian Chiffchaff, Great Northern Diver, Scaup at Titchwell RSPB

Bewick's Swan x 8 at Waxham

Bewick's Swan x 10, Spoonbill at Breydon Water

Shag opposite Burnham Water Mill, Burnham Overy Staithe

Siberian Chiffchaff at Marriott's Way, Norwich

Snow Buntings x 53 at Eccles-on-Sea

Todd's Canada Goose, Tundra Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Goose south of Barrow Common, Brancaster Staithe

Lesser Whitethroat at Sheringham

Iceland Gull at East Wretham Heath

Iceland Gull at South Beach, Great Yarmouth

Bewick's Swans x 10 flew over Whitlingham Country Park

 

MEGA NEWS 

EGYPTIAN VULTURE

c.12km NW of Athlone, County Roscommon, Ireland

WHITE-TAILED LAPWING

South of East Halton Skitter, Lincolnshire

NORTHERN HARRIER

Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 14 at Cley NWT

Cattle Egret at Two Furlong Hill, Wells

Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 78, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham Gap

Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 264 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits

Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum

Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB

Hen Harrier male, Cattle Egrets x 5 north of Martham

Hen Harriers x 2 (1 male) at Stiffkey

Lesser White-fronted Goose at Ranworth Broad NWT

Common Cranes x 14, Cattle Egret, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT

Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham

Bewick's Swans x 8 north of Whirligig at Warham Greens

Long-eared Owl at Ormesby St Margaret

Common Cranes x 65, Hen Harriers x 3, Water Pipit, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT

Water Pipit at Cantley Marshes RSPB

Bewick's Swans x 5, Water Pipit at Haddiscoe Marshes

Bewick's Swans x 24 east of Ingham

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER 

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

AMERICAN COOT

Cromane, County Kerry, Ireland

NORTHERN HARRIER

Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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WEDNESDAY 29th DECEMBER

Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits

Bewick's Swans x 21 east of Ingham

Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 9 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Snow Buntings x 53, Little Stint at Snettisham RSPB 

Snow Buntings x 18 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum

Siberian Chiffchaff at Titchwell RSPB

Snow Buntings x 16, Iceland Gull at Cley NWT

Hen Harriers x 3 (1 ad. male) at Roydon Common NNR

Rough-legged Buzzard reported at Ludham Bridge

Short-eared Owl from St Benet's Abbey at Ludham

Cattle Egret at Two Furlong Hill, Wells

Snow Buntings x 51, Water Pipit at Holkham Bay

Russian White-fronted Geese x 13 at Holkham Freshmarsh

Bewick's Swans x 148 at Sedge Fen, Southery

Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owl, Common Cranes x 2 at Welney WWT

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER 

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 

Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

Rain, Rain Go Away!

I can not remember the last time I saw the sun! It is the most dismal and dull Christmas period, that I can ever recall. It hasn't stopped raining since I left off work on Christmas Eve! According to the weather forecast, we will next see the sun here on Saturday 1st January 2022! Roll on next year for loads of reasons!

I had a lovely afternoon with Vivien and Ray on their narrowboat today. Lucy was invited too, but she didn't feel up to it. Ray made us some scrumptious Potato and Leek soup and teamed up with my Granary bread, made a lovely lunch. The resident Muscovy Ducks looked happy – unphased by the relentless rain.

Back to work tomorrow.

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 3 at Welney WWT

Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 2 at Cley NWT

Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum

Snow Buntings x 50 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park

Snow Buntings x 25 at Snettisham RSPB

Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits

Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Water Pipit, Russian White-fronted Geese x 70 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Short-eared Owls x 2 at Winterton Dunes

Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 45 at Holkham Bay

Russian White-fronted Geese x 15 at Holkham Freshmarsh

Siberian Chiffchaff, Water Pipits x 2, Scaup x 2 at Titchwell RSPB

Siberian Chiffchaff at Marriott's Way, Norwich

Hawfinch west of Great Ellingham

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER 

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 

Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

NORTHERN HARRIER

Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland

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 

Iceland Gull, Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Snow Buntings x 15 at Cley NWT

Cattle Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh

Snow Buntings x 93, Manx Shearwater, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Great Northern Divers x 3, Scaup at Holkham Bay

Ruddy Shelduck at Little Barningham

Great White Egret on lake at Kimberly Park, Wymondham

Hen Harrier at Horsey

Great White Egrets x 15 flew past, Snow Buntings x 70, Hen Harrier at Snettisham RSPB

Siberian Chiffchaff, Great White Egrets x 15 flew past, Jack Snipe, Velvet Scoter, Great Northern Divers x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Purple Sandpiper, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Bewick's Swans x 3 at Titchwell RSPB

Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum

Taiga Bean Geese x 4, Russian White-fronted Geese x 20 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Cattle Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT

Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham

Black-necked Grebe east of golf club at Brancaster

Great Northern Divers x 3 at Holme

Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits

Cattle Egrets x 8 at Pensthorpe Water Fowl Park

Slavonian Grebe offshore at Stiffkey

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER 

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 

Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

BOXING DAY!

I didn't feel too good today. I felt exhausted and the weather was dismal again with rain all day and grey skies. Such a pity there has been no sunshine for a few days, it makes a huge difference to how you feel.

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 

Iceland Gull, Velvet Scoters x 2 flew past beach car park at Cley

Black Brant at Salthouse

Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 50 at Holkham Bay

Cattle Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 52 at Holkham Freshmarsh

Cattle Egrets x 6 north of Martham

Cattle Egret at West Somerton

Snow Buntings x 5, Russian White-fronted Goose at Great Yarmouth

Hawfinches x 4, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Lynford Aboretum

Lesser Whitethroat at Sheringham

Snow Buntings x 15 at Caister-on-Sea

Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB

Iceland Gull at Weybourne

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER 

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 

Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

AMERICAN COOT

Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland

NORTHERN HARRIER

Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland

CHRISTMAS DAY!

It was almost like a normal Saturday. Woke up at 9am to dull and dreary skies. Went straight downstairs and topped up the bird feeders with some special treats of organic apple, sultanas, mealworms and some of my granary bread on the bird table for my Blackbirds. Lots of birds in the garden this morning and at one point, I had at least 30+ Starlings squabbling over the mealworms! Lots of House Sparrows, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Hedge Sparrow, Collared Doves and Wood Pigeons.

Made the Victoria Sandwich and a Banana & Pecan Loaf. Had scrambled eggs on toast for mid morning breakfast. Took forever to wash everything up and tidy up. Phoned both my sisters to wish them Merry Christmas. Didn't bother with Christmas lunch. Had a shower, washed hair and got glammed up just in time for the the Queen's 3pm speech. Drove to Lucy's and picked her up to come back to mine for Christmas tea.

Spent late afternoon and evening with Lucy, eating Christmas goodies, including the Victoria Sandwich, Banana & Pecan Loaf and the usual treats..... dips, humous, vege sticks, crisps, vege sausages rolls, Sherry Trifle etc etc. Did a WhatsApp video call to Vivien and Ray. Watched TV and in particular enjoyed watching the Berlin Philharmonic performing on BBC4. Took Lucy home at just before 11pm.

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 

Iceland Gull at Cley

Snow Buntings x 12 at Cley

Snow Buntings x 25 at South Beach, Heacham

Snow Buntings x 29 at Snettisham RSPB

Siberian Chiffchaff, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB

Black Redstart near Blakeney Hotel

Snow Buntings x 80 at Holkham Bay

Hen Harrier male at Stiffkey

Taiga Bean Geese x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Lesser Whitethroat at Sheringham

Hen Harrier at Brancaster Staithe

Rough-legged Buzzard (possible) for several days at Mannington Hall, SE of Little Barningham

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER 

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 

Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

BROWN BOOBY

Flamborough Head, Yorkshire

FORSTER'S TERN

Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland

CHRISTMAS EVE!

I was at work all day and we all tried to be as festive as possible for our patients and each other. It is an extremely difficult time for patients to be in hospital and just as much for their relatives who are not allowed to visit either. Roll on 2022!

Crashed and burned on the sofa when I arrived home and didn't even have the energy to cook anything. I was also supposed to make a Victoria Sandwich for Lucy's tea tomorrow, didn't do that either! So, I will be up early in the morning baking and probably not birding now. I will definitely be out birding on Boxing Day though – desperate to get out as not been out for ages, due to trying to cope with an ongoing health issue over the last few weeks.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Sending best wishes to you all – wishing you peace and joy, be it with your family and friends or spending it alone

🎄 🎉 🔔 🎁 🎅 ⭐ 🐦

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 

Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Divers x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Purple Sandpiper, Water Pipits x 2 at Holme

Iceland Gull at Cley

Slavonian Grebes x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB

Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham

Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 80, Velvet Scoter, Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Great Northern Divers x 3, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holkham Bay

Cattle Egret by Lady Anne's Drive at Holkham

Bewick's Swans x 6 just north of West Somerton

Bewick's Swans x 30 east of Ingham

Cattle Egrets x 4, Short-eared Owls x 4 at Welney WWT

Hen Harrier at Weybourne

Bewick's Swans x 6 at Waxham

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER 

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 

Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thank you all for your continued support throughout the year & especially for all the lovely comments & emails I receive – It's very much appreciated.

 

I currently only have two subscribers, If you are one of the 4,000+ who enjoy seeing the daily bird news for Norfolk and would like to contribute, please click on the SUBSCRIBE button on the right hand side of my blog, thank you very much.

 

Hoping you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

 

Wishing you all good health,, peace and happiness

 

H A P P Y  B I R D I N G  I N  2 0 2 2 !

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 

Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB

Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 3 at Cley NWT

Bewick's Swans x 2 east of Ingham

Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Water Pipits x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Divers x 5, Red-necked Grebes x 3 at Holme

Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 50, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holkham Bay

Short-eared Owls x 3, Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT

Iceland Gull at East Wretham Heath

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

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 

Iceland Gull at Weybourne

Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 3 at Holme

Shorelarks x 5, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoters x 3, Black-throated Diver, Snow Buntings x 125 at Holkham Bay

Russian White-fronted Geese x 100 at Cantley Marshes RSPB

Iceland Gull at Cley NWT

Short-eared Owls x 2, Cattle Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT

Cattle Egrets x 2 at West Somerton

Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 25, Water Pipits x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 north of Martham

Snow Buntings x 20 at Snettisham RSPB

Common Cranes x 2 at Somerton Holmes

Bewick's Swans x 4 east of Ingham

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

RBA Weekly Round-Up 14th to 20th December!

By Jon Dunn

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyRoundup2021_51.aspx?s_id=187950425

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 21st DECEMBER

Great Northern Divers x 12, Puffin, Snow Buntings x 23 at Holme

Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 15 at Cley NWT

Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver flew past Cley

Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Water Pipits x 3 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 125, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoters x 5, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Holkham Bay

Russian White-fronted Geese x 80 at Holkham Freshmarsh

Siberian Chiffchaff, Water Pipit, Slavonian Grebe, Puffin at Titchwell RSPB

Purple Sandpiper at Waxham

Short-eared Owls x 2, Cattle Egret, Bewick's Swans x 2 at Welney WWT

Iceland Gull, Caspian Gull at East Wretham Heath

Cattle Egret at Hickling Broad NWT

Iceland Gull at Salthouse

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

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 

Hawfinches x 22 at Lynford Aboretum

Siberian Chiffchaff, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB

Iceland Gull off beach car park, Snow Buntings x 30, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Cley

Cattle Egret at Felbrigg Hall NT

Cattle Egrets x 7, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Martham

Iceland Gull at Salthouse

Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Whooper Swans x 5 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

Great Shearwater flew past, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Sheringham

Black Redstart, Little Stint at Snettisham RSPB

Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Welney WWT

Great White Egret at Breydon Water

Black Redstart at Morston

Hen Harrier male at Roydon Common NNR

Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 3 at Holme

Russian White-fronted Geese x 71 at Holkham Freshmarsh

Russian White-fronted Geese x 81 at Cantley Marshes RSPB

Red-necked Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Snow Buntings x 75 at Holkham Bay

 

MEGA NEWS 

BELTED KINGFISHER

SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside