SHETLAND BIRD NEWS, PHOTOS, BIRDING, LIFE AND MORE! MY 16th YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2026!


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Monday, 22 July 2013

Hottest Day for Seven Years!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23408504

I felt sick with the heat today at work,  unbearably hot!!!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Spoonbill at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS x 4 at Lynford Aboretum
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL at Kelling by Pheasant Hotel at 9.10am
Spoonbills x 9, Little Gulls x 9, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks x 14 at Titchwell RSPB
BOOTED EAGLE (probable) Dark Morph just south of Holt over Holt Lowes 11.30-11.35am then drifted south and then again later 1 mile south of Edgefield drifted SE at 12.15pm and then again finally at 1.40pm 1 mile NW of Edgefield over Edgefield Tip and then drifted south and wasn't seen again.
Spoonbills x 6, Little Gulls x 4, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS x 2 reported yesterday at Kelling
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL at Kelling Heath by level crossing at 5.45pm and upto 7.10pm

Other News
Ferruginous Duck at Burwell, Cambridgeshire
MEGA! SWINHOE'S PETROL, Fair Isle at South Haven around Storm Petrol tape for 5 minutes early morning.
MEGA! FEA'S PETROL at Newbiggin by the Sea flew north past Church Point at 9.27am
BONELLI'S EAGLE, Probable at Walderslade, Kent
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN remains on Inner Farne, Northumberland.
MEGA! ROCK THRUSH remains in Aberdeen!!!

Sunday, 21 July 2013

Birding at Cley!

I was woken up at 8.30am by a text. Now, after having 4.5 hours sleep I really should have sat and chilled ready for my afternoon shift. But that would be far too sensible! Flew in the shower and got out of the door pretty quick and headed to Cley. I wasn't going to miss out on any Two-barred Crossbill action that may occur this morning!

I arrived at Cley Deli and bought my usual scrumptious Pear and Ginger Cake and then went to Coastguards, arriving at just before 10.30am. Joined Mark G. and Graham E. who were sea-watching and had seen a Pom Skua and several Arctic Skuas. Lots of jovial banter going on, which was a good start to the morning! I watched 7 Gannets going east and a raft of approx. 15 Common Scoter. There was no sun out today and it was considerably cooler, which was really nice! I walked to the pill box and gazed at the fence posts, where the stunning male Two-barred Crossbill was found by Steve G. yesterday. I plodded through the shingle and yellow-horned poppies and walked almost up to North Hide and back to the carpark. A family of Avocets were dozing on the edge of the Eye Pool, but no other birds of note really.

Had a look round Walsey Hills NOA, but no Crossbills were found or anything else really. None of the feeders had seed in or on the bird table, so few birds around here.

Relocated to Salthouse, Gramborough Hill for the 1pm influx!!! One Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, 2 Goldfinches and several Sand Martins. I also had a juv. Little Gull flying east along the shoreline. A Grayling was posing on a large stone at the bottom of Gramborough Hill. Walked back to the car and felt absolutely wrecked. I just didn't know how I was going to drive home, never mind work a 6 hour shift.

I arrived home with 20 minutes to turn myself around for work. Powered through a crazy, crazy shift – tough 'ol Norfolk gal me!!!

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Spoonbills x 7, Arctic Skuas x 31, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Little Gulls x 5 at Titchwell RSPB
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS Fem./Juv. x 3 with 30 Crossbills at Lynford Aboretum
Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skuas x 11 at Cley Coastguards
Spoonbills x 9 at Stiffkey

Other News
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN remains on Inner Farne, Northumberland.
MEGA! ROCK THRUSH remains in Aberdeen!!!

THREE, TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS at Lynford Aboretum!!!

Two-barred Crossbill fem./juvs x 3. at Lynford Aboretum in Larch Trees in the main carpark!

Saturday, 20 July 2013

Holkham Pines and Cara's 30th Birthday Party!

Today was a complete and utter disaster for me. But what an exciting day for others. I just knew something good would be found this afternoon. I rarely go out socialising, the last time I went out was our Christmas Party at work. Today was Cara's 30th Birthday Party and Cilla and Sarah were picking me up at 7.30pm. I got up very late today, exhausted from work and the heat. I had to go into town to the hairdressers and to get bits and bobs for the party tonight. I was still at home when Eddie phoned me whilst running, puffing and panting about John Furse finding a juv. Two-barred Crossbill at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse – Eddie didn't get there quick enough sadly. The pictures were on John's camera and they were brilliant. Why was I in King's Lynn? I spend so much time at Cley, why hadn't I been there this morning!!! Anyway the bird had flown off and John Furse was the only observer. I drove into town and on route I heard there was now another TBC, a male at Holme that Connor had found!!! As I was having my fringe cut in the hairdressers, there was now a voicemail message about a male Two-barred Crossbill showing brilliantly at Cley Coastguards sitting on the fence wire, posing and showing down to 10ft! I could have cried! S*d it, I needed to get over there. BUT as I left town, the traffic was grid locked and I mean at a complete standstill. I crawled, painstakingly in first gear all the way home, it must have taken half an hour at least. Threw birding gear in car and made my way along the A148. I then heard that the Cley bird had flown off and there was no more news on the Holme ones either. My heart sank. Plan B: find my own. If there were 4 Two-barred Crossbills at Holme and Cley there just had to be some at Holkham surely? So with the day disappearing fast and the fact that I had to be showered, hair washed and straightened and blinged up for a party by 7.30pm, I was getting stressed me big time. I decided to give Holkham a speedy search. I even broke my rules and paid Lord Coke £3.00 to park right at the top of Lady Anne's Drive.

I walked all through the pines, both along the main path and the seawards side of the pines. I searched hard and just couldn't believe I couldn't find any crossbills at all. The only birds I found were a single female blackbird, 1 marsh harrier and a family party of blackcaps. I was horrified by the disappearance of three Holm Oaks by the Salt Hole that hung over the water – it has visually opened up the pool, but I would have preferred the trees to have stayed. I looked at Burnham Overy Dunes and realised there were no time left to search here aswell. I speed walked back to my car and left.

I arrived home at 7.07pm. Cilla was picking me up at 7.30pm. It was the quickest I had ever got ready. There would be no straightened hair for the party. Sarah phoned me at 7.25pm to say they were here – arghhhh..... I only made them wait 10 minutes. With half wet, curly hair and no make-up, I flew out of the house. Cilla and Sarah were highly amused at me doing make-up and nails in the car on route to the party! I finished in time, just as we pulled into the carpark.

I drank vodka to blank out the rest of the day and tried to forgot about birds and how frustrating they can be. I boogied round the dance floor and had a fabulous time with work colleagues who all looked wonderful. It's great seeing everyone all dressed up and out of boring work attire. I took videos and lots of pretty pictures. The DJ played some hot tunes which kept everyone on the dance floor until the end. We left at 12.50am and got home around 1.30pm I think.

HOT 'BIRD' PICTURES TO BE ADDED!

STOP PRESS! Two-barred Crossbills at Holme in Norfolk!!!

Another 'possible' Two-barred Crossbill, juv. at Holme Dunes NWT found by Keiran Nixon in pines by the Firs House

Then a second Two-barred Crossbill, Male found by Connor Rand in the tall pine by the NOA Staff Carpark.

STOP PRESS! Two-barred Crossbills at Salthouse and Cley, Norfolk!!!

Two-barred Crossbill fem./juv. at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse AND Another Male at Cley Coastguards, Norfolk!!!

Just found by John Furse at 1pm and seen just enough to photograph it before it flew off west!!! BUT not re-located yet as of 1.32pm. Eddie, John and Pete S. looking for it now.

Then another male found by Steve Gantlett. at Cley Coastguards – see pictures from John Miller HERE and Steve Gantlett HERE and Julian Bhalerao HERE

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Crossbill, Spoonbills x 8, Little Stint, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB
BLACK SCOTER or atypical Common Scoter remains at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 5, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Wood Sandpiper, Arctic Terns x 9, Continental Black-tailed Godwits x 2 at Cley NWT
Little Gull at Breydon Water
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL fem/juv at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse at 1pm and then flew off, found by J.F.
Three Common Cranes, Welney WWT
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL 'possible' at Holme Dunes NWT
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL, Male at Cley Beach Carpark at 2.19pm-3.01pm
BALTIC GULL, probable at Cley NWT on North Scrape, then flew south
TWO-BARRED CROSSBILL, Male and fem/juv. flew over East Bank, Holme NOA at 3pm

Other News
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN remains on Inner Farne, Northumberland.
MEGA! ROCK THRUSH remains in Aberdeen!!!


TWO-BARRED CROSSBILLS – one found at Spurn Point, Yorkshire and also two at Havergate Island, Suffolk

Friday, 19 July 2013

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Spoonbills x 14, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Spotted Redshank, Continental Black-tailed Godwits x 7, Little Gulls x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 2, Arctic Terns x 2 at Cley NWT
Spoonbills x 11, Little Stint, Little Gulls x 4 at Titchwell RSPB
RED-FOOTED FALCON Fem. probable, flew east over campsite, Stiffkey at 2.55pm
Arctic Skuas x 3 at Hopton-on-Sea
MEGA – BLACK SCOTER or atypical Common Scoter 1s drake remains at Titchwell RSPB

Other News
MEGA! MONGOLIAN SAND PLOVER, Male on Tuesday at Lossiemouth on East Beach – Moray – but no sign since.
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN remains on Inner Farne, Northumberland.
MEGA! ROCK THRUSH remains in Aberdeen!!!

MEGA! ELEONORA'S FALCON unconfirmed report of Eleonora's Falcon at Abberton Reservoir from Layer Breton Causeway at 8.45am but no further sign

High Tides for Saturday: King's Lynn Docks 4.35 and in the afternoon 17.09

MEGA!! MONGOLIAN SAND PLOVER!!!

Mongolian Sand Plover, Male on Tuesday
at Lossiemouth on East Beach – Moray – but no sign since.


Picture HERE and discussion HERE and entry on the "Birds in Moray and Nairn" website HERE

Holme Bird Observatory Moth Day!

SATURDAY 20th July – 10am Start
and the Firs Road has been re-furbished!!!!!


See information HERE

Thursday, 18 July 2013

MEGA!!! ROCK THRUSH in Aberdeen!!!

ROCK THRUSH in Aberdeen, female, 1 mile east of St Fergus at Scotston, in field 275 yards south of carpark then flew to bushes at 9.25pm. Found by Margaret Cowie who also found/saw the Frigatebird at Peterhead!!!

Information and pictures HERE

MEGA!!! BLACK SCOTER at Titchwell RSPB!!!

MEGA – BLACK SCOTER or atypical Common Scoter 1s drake at Titchwell RSPB

At work I had three text messages from birders saying there was a BLACK SCOTER at Titchwell. The girls at work were amused by my frustration of having to wait until the end of the day to go and see this first for Norfolk! I was out of work dead on time! Flew home on cycle. After working in intense heat all day, I was on fire - jumped in shower before going to Titchwell. Because of this I didn't leave the house as quickly as I had intended and also received messages from friends saying that the ID of this bird was not definate and I was advised not to break my neck to get there!

When I arrived at Titchwell there was nobody there but Paul W. standing on the beach. I was shocked, as I had expected tons of people here. But they had already been and gone I heard. Saw bird through my scope distantly. Dick Filby and Will Soar arrived shortly after me and we walked to the sea to get closer views which we did, but bird still very distant. Every so often it would dive and then jump quite high out of the water flapping its wings before settling down again. Through my scope I could see yellow on the bill when it faced you, but none when it was side on. Bird needs to be loads closer – maybe it will be tomorrow whilst I am at work! Dick and Will left about 8pm when it was making its way west. I stayed until 8.30pm watching it make its way back east and was directly in front of me, but again very distant where I left it at 8.30pm. I was the only person here when I left.

Walking back a Spoonbill flew west over the main path, another one distantly on fresh marsh along with 2 little egrets, tons of avocets and the usual birds – very tired, so no energy to list them all.

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Spotted Redshanks x 14, Spoonbills x 8, Arctic Skua, Continental Black-tailed Godwits x 5 at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 4, Continental Black-tailed Godwits x 3, Woodsandpiper x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 3, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Arctic Tern at Cley NWT
Spoonbills x 3 at Blakeney
Spoonbills x 2 at Stiffkey
MEGA – BLACK SCOTER or atypical Common Scoter 1s drake at Titchwell RSPB

Other News
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN remains on Inner Farne, Northumberland.
MEGA! ROCK THRUSH in Aberdeen!!! 

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

How to sleep in Hot Weather!

Some very useful tips here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19319499

Norfolk Bird News!

Main Highlights – RBA
Spoonbills x 16, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Little Gulls x 5, Arctic Skua, Crossbills x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 9 at Stiffkey
Spoonbills x 3, Little Gulls x 4, Woodsandpipers x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 5, Continental Black-tailed Godwits x 3, Garganey, Yellow-legged Gulls x 4, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT
Clouded Yellow Butterfly at Blakeney Point NT
Crossbills x 2 at Thornham

Other News
MEGA! BRIDLED TERN remains on Inner Farne, Northumberland.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 10th-16th July

http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2013no29.aspx?s_id=815002304

MAG mentions: "Britain’s first-ever Semipalmated Sandpiper was found on Arnold’s Marsh, at Cley, by long-time Holme warden Peter Clarke 60 years ago to the day, on July 19th 1953 (a further 267 ~ to the end of 2011 ~ have followed, tho’ Norfolk has managed just three more). "

Video: Report from Bawsey Pits following double death tragedy - News - Eastern Daily Press

Video: Report from Bawsey Pits following double death tragedy - News - Eastern Daily Press

Heart breakingly two people have died in separate incidents at Bawsey Pits last night and STILL people are swimming there today – unbelievable!!! What don't they understand!!!

I just watched the report on the news and I had no idea that this place was being used by party goers all weekend!!! It was a nature reserve the last time I visited!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-23338340

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/uk_national_news/10553527.Warning_as_two_drown_at_beauty_spot/?ref=rss

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

A very sick, cruel man!

Be warned before you open this, it will turn your stomach.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-23327740

This makes me feel sick – there are some people who are just simply not human – I just don't understand how on earth someone could do this to a living creature! Only banned for five years - are they serious?