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


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Thursday, 16 June 2022

STOP PRESS! BEE-EATERS ATTEMPTING TO BREED FOR FIRST TIME IN NORFOLK!!!

BEE-EATERS x 7 at nest in sand quarry

from new RSPB View Point (for 12th day)

SE of Trimingham

Park ONLY in designated field south of Gimingham Road/Mundesley Road junction

Strictly NO access to quarry

View Point Open on Friday 17th June
7am-7pm daily, until the birds depart

£5 charge with money going to the landowner and to the RSPB

TG.284.383  NR11 8DZ  What3words forklift.shuts.gravel)

There are RSPB signs for directions to car park

PLEASE FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS ON SITE

 
I was told about this exciting news only a couple of days ago from a very kind person, who said they wanted to let me know, as they knew how much I loved Bee-eaters – thank you! I obviously kept this news to myself as requested, as the Bee-eaters are attempting to breed and lots of work had to put into place before the news went public today. Apparently, many local birders have already been to see them. I haven't and can't, as too painful to drive any distance currently and Trimingham is fifty odd miles away from me. Hopefully I will get there before they depart!

This is such exciting news! Hopefully the Bee-eaters will breed successfully and will remain undisturbed by people and animals. The RSPB have a 24 hour watch set up. Huge thanks to the landowner, the RSPB and all those involved in protecting these birds and for the work carried out, to enable others to enjoy watching these wonderful Bee-eaters. Just imagine if there were bundles of colourful baby Bee-eaters?!!!

Enjoy your visit and please ensure you watch them from the viewpoint and always at a distance. These birds need to be given space to feel secure and happy in their environment. It would be dreadful if breeding failed, because of disturbance by someone getting too close! Plus you will be breaking the law if you disturb them!

Featured on BBC Springwatch this evening!

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/bee-eaters-birds-colony-north-norfolk-coast-9041938

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Norfolk_quarry_hosts_breeding_Bee_eaters.aspx?s_id=361762733 

https://twitter.com/RSPBEngland/status/1537513653162893314 

https://twitter.com/Natures_Voice/status/1537513601321287680

https://www.birdguides.com/news/bee-eaters-nest-in-norfolk-for-first-time/

Previous breeding attempts in the UK:
https://twitter.com/ukrbbp/status/1537522414292291586 

The last time I saw Bee-eaters, were the nine at Great Yarmouth on 21st June 2021 – they were on land owned by Leon Docwra, who very kindly allowed birders to watch them – I won't ever forget that day!

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, Spoonbills x 9, Spotted Redshank at Hickling Broad NWT
Great Reed Warbler, Spoonbills x 9 at Ken Hill Marsh, Turtle Doves x 4 at Snettisham Coastal Park
Wood Sandpiper, Cattle Egret, Spoonbills x 2, Little Stints x 2 at Cley NWT
Red-throated Diver at Ormesby Little Broad
Honey Buzzard flew over Thornham
Spoonbills x 3 flew over Holme
Honey Buzzard flew over Titchwell
Quails x 2 (for 2nd day) SW of Sedgeford
BEE-EATERS x 7 at nest in sand quarry from RSPB view point (for 12th day). Park ONLY in designated field south of Gimingham Road/Mundesley Road junction 7am-7pm  £5 charge. NO access to quarry – SE of Trimingham TG.284.383 NR11 8DZ
Bee-eaters x 2 flew over Sidestrand
 
MEGA NEWS
None

Mid-Week Update

Still off work, pain still much the same. Saw my favourite GP on Monday, who seemed surprised that no one had prescribed me medication for nerve pain – so he prescribed me some Amitriptyline – one tablet for first three nights and then increase to two. After examination, he said that the problem was in C7/C8 and T1 (neck area). He also recommended I book to see a chiropractor, which I later booked for Wednesday.

On Tuesday I saw the staff physio again, who asked me to purchase a "Traction Collar" and to use this once a day for 10 minutes, so ordered this from Amazon. He also told me to do the following exercises on Youtube for my neck. He advised me not to see a chiropractor yet, as if there was a bulge in C7/C8/T1, then any manipulation could make things worse – I presume that's why he didn't do any massage either.  He said "you need at least another week off work, if not two and I may have to refer you for an MRi scan" – I sighed. Next appointment booked with physio on Tuesday 21st June. Cancelled chiropractor appointment! Ordered Traction Collar.

The Traction Collar arrived on Wednesday and I used it straight away – felt quite good, it certainly gives your neck a good stretch! I'm still on pain relief daily, as too painful not to be. Night times often worse eg, last night too painful to sleep, had to come downstairs to take some Oramorph, which I'm trying not to take every day now. Pain still radiating to shoulder, arm and down to wrist. Hopefully the daily use of the traction collar and exercises will help. Gutted I can't go and see the Bee-eaters, see next post!

Wednesday, 15 June 2022

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 

Bee-eater flew over Binham Priory
Turtle Dove at Snettisham RSPB
Spoonbills x 12 at Stiffkey Fen
Spoonbills x 10 at Brendan's Marsh, Spotted Redshank at Hickling Broad NWT
Ring Ouzel ad. male at Burnham Overy Dunes
Marsh Warbler singing at Beeston Common, Sheringham
Little Gull flew past Sheringham
Little Gull at Cley NWT
Spoonbill flew past Mundesley
Spoonbills x 4 at Titchwell RSPB
 
MEGA NEWS
None

Tuesday, 14 June 2022

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Glossy Ibis, Spoonbills x 8 at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT
Bee-eaters x 2 flew west over promenade at Cromer
Great Reed Warbler, Spoonbills x 8 at Ken Hill Marsh, Turtle Doves x 3 at Snettisham Coastal Park
Little Gulls x 4, Spoonbills x 4 at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbill at Welney WWT
Bee-eater flew over garden at Sheringham
Dartford Warbler, Quail SE of Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
Little Gull flew past Weybourne Camp
Spoonbill flew over Thornham Harbour
Spotted Redshank, Spoonbills x 4 at Cley NWT
 
MEGA NEWS
LEAST TERN ad.male
North of Portrane, Dublin, Ireland

RBA Weekly Round-Up 7th to 13th June!

By Jon Dunn

Monday, 13 June 2022

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 Reed Warbler, Spoonbills x 9 at Ken Hill Marsh, Turtle Doves x 3 at Snettisham Coastal Park
Glossy Ibis, Spoonbills x 2 at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT
Little Gulls x 6, Spoonbills x 4 at Titchwell RSPB
Quail singing, Little Gull at Cley NWT
Osprey flew over Upton Fen
Red-backed Shrike ad. male, Turtle Doves x 2 at Kelling Heath
 
MEGA NEWS
LEAST TERN ad.male
North of Portrane, Dublin, Ireland
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire

Sunday, 12 June 2022

Weekend Update!

My neck, shoulder and arm pain remains the same, in fact on Saturday it got worse, as I had to stop taking some of the pain relief, as I had more stomach cramps and other symptoms. After advice from a doctor on Friday, I was told to stop taking the Diclofenac. I also had to cancel my dentist appointment last week and this is re-booked for this week.

I'm heartbroken, the Spotted Sandpiper has departed Titchwell RSPB either overnight or early this morning, as no sign of it today via RBA. Maybe I will get lucky and it will be re-found somewhere in Norfolk and my pain disappears enough to me to drive again, fingers crossed.

This afternoon, I decided to go for a walk from my house. I have been putting off doing this, as there is nowhere in King's Lynn I enjoy walking or where I feel safe to do so. Took my spare cheap binoculars and phone only in pocket and walked along the cycle path and then branched off right along a path, which I noted has been widened considerably. This path borders a large area of marsh and reeds, which is adjacent to the QEH. A short way along the path, I was alarmed to see a small smouldering area of dead cut grass, which I managed to put out with my shoe – presumably someone had dropped a cigarette. A little further along, I could see smoke billowing and as I got nearer, there was another fire that was at the beginning stages of getting very serious indeed and far too much for me to do anything about, so had to call 999!

This was in an area where a fire engine can't get to, so retraced my steps to meet three firemen at the beginning of the cycle path and then walked back with them to show them where it was. They said they could probably put out it with their boots – I left them to it and walked to where there is a bridge crossing a river. It was very sad to see two tiny little Mallard ducklings swimming in disgusting brown water with their mother – no clear water here and very little bird life. I only heard a Chiffchaff and saw a Robin, nothing else at all. As I walked back, the fireman appeared from the path, saw me in the distance and put their hands up to me, so I guess they had been able to put the fire out with their boots – it must have taken them a while. Its a good job I arrived when I did as if this fire had got out of hand, it would have affected a lot of houses, killed a lot of wildlife and would have been very close to the QEH! All of this spoilt my little walk and in any case it didn't do me any good at all, as even though my legs were fine, my shoulder and neck were in far worse pain and I was close to being sick when I returned home.

Tomorrow I have a review at the GP surgery, with my favourite doctor and have a Physio appointment early on Tuesday morning. I'm really hoping that the physio will be able to somehow get rid of this awful pain! Sick to death of typing with one hand and its takes forever!

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 Reed Warbler, Spoonbills x 11 at Ken Hill Marsh, Turtle Doves x 3 at Snettisham Coastal Park
Turtle Dove, Spoonbills x 7, Little Gulls x 13 at Titchwell RSPB 
Glossy Ibis at Hickling Broad NWT
Cattle Egret at Burnham Norton
White Stork at Hockwold Washes
Little Stint at Cley NWT
Garganey x 2 at Brancaster
Spoonbills x 7 at Stiffkey Fen
Spoonbill flew past Sheringham
 
MEGA NEWS
LEAST TERN ad.male
North of Portrane, Dublin, Ireland
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire

Saturday, 11 June 2022

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 

SPOTTED SANDPIPER, Turtle Dove, Spoonbills x 3, Little Gulls x 11 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart (probable) in Norwich
Bee-eater over ridge (heard only) at Sheringham
Great Reed Warbler, Spoonbills x 13 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park
Turtle Doves x 2 at Hardingham Hall Farms
Glossy Ibis at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT
Cattle Egrets x 4, Spoonbills x 3 at Welney WWT
Common Cranes x 2 flew over Methwold
Caspian Gull at Cromer
 
MEGA NEWS
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire

Friday, 10 June 2022

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 

Bee-eaters x 2 flew north over Sea Palling
SPOTTED SANDPIPER, Spoonbills x 2, Little Gulls x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Great Reed Warbler, Spoonbills x 6 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park
Bee-eater flew NW past church at Winterton
Little Gullls x 3 flew past Weybourne Camp
Garganey at Welney WWT
Glossy Ibis, Garganey x 2 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Montagu's Harrier fem. flew over Great Bircham
Grey-headed Wagtail (possible) flew south over South Beach, Heacham
Spoonbills x 7 at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT
 
MEGA NEWS
LEAST TERN ad.male
North of Portrane, Dublin, Ireland
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire

Thursday, 9 June 2022

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 

SPOTTED SANDPIPER, Spoonbills x 6, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB
Cattle Egrets x 7 flew over Titchwell towards Thornham
Cattle Egret, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Little Gull at Salthouse
Great Reed Warbler at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park
Spoonbill at Snettisham RSPB
Garganey, Spoonbills x 2 at Welney WWT
Turtle Dove flew over Sidestrand
Honey Buzzard male flew over Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Black Kite (possible) flew over Garboldisham
Spoonbill at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT
 
MEGA NEWS
LEAST TERN ad.male
North of Portrane, Dublin, Ireland
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire

Wednesday, 8 June 2022

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 

SPOTTED SANDPIPER, Spoonbills x 6, Little Gulls x 10, Cattle Egret at Titchwell RSPB
Marsh Warblers x 2 at Kelling Water Meadows
Pied Flycatcher at The Plantation, Blakeney Point
Turtle Doves x 4 at Gore Point, Spoonbill at Holme
Great Reed Warbler at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park
Cattle Egrets x 4 at Cley NWT
Pallid Harrier male, unconfirmed report, south of Brancaster
Cattle Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh
Caspian Gull on beach at Cromer
Golden Oriole flew east (at 8.18pm) over Burnham Overy Staithe
 
MEGA NEWS
LEAST TERN ad.male
North of Portrane, Dublin, Ireland
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire
SHORT-TOED EAGLE
ENE of Lairg, Highland and Caithness

A Long Night & A Long Day!

The pain was severe last night, on another level, I couldn't even think about sleeping, so came downstairs. I just wanted to cry it was that bad, but had to calm myself down, as getting upset made the pain even worse. There was no way I was going back to A&E to sit in a waiting room for hours on end. Phoned 111 for advice – waste of time. Phoned A&E at 3.30am (they had a full waiting room and were very busy I was told) and asked advice – I simply wanted to know if I could take Oramorph (of which I have a bottle of, from being prescribed in February) alongside my other prescribed pain relief and I was told I could. Took some straight away, but this has only taken the edge off the pain, still not enough to allow me to sleep. 111 nurse phoned me back at 4.50am and asked all the same questions at the last person earlier and then said a GP would call me within the hour. You probably wonder why I'm typing this up at this unearthly hour, I might as well, can't sleep and it passes the time! I'm bored of watching TV and can't concentrate to read a book 😒

Need to phone the dentist later too! Its obvious I have an abscess next to the dodgy root-filled tooth – there is no pain whatsoever, but this needs sorting out more urgently than I thought, when I googled! Plus tooth needs to be extracted! I'm now laughing as I write this, it all sounds so hilarious, not – maybe its the Oramorph making me laugh!!! 😭😂😠😢😅 This week can do one, I've had enough now!

UPDATE 9pm
A 111 GP called me at 6am, from the out of hours team at QEH – he kindly put through a prescription for some more Dicofenic tablets to my chemist for me to collect this morning and then sent a support letter to my surgery to request that I'm seen urgently this morning, because of ongoing and severity of pain. He said I probably need an MRi for my spine.

Sent request form to surgery at 8am (when they opened) to request to be seen today, doctor called back and made appointment for 10.31am. Felt a little better after taking Oramorph (out of date bottle).
 
Locum Doctor at my surgery at 10.31 appointment, did a much better assessment (I felt) and diagnosis than they did in A&E to be honest! Very interesting to see what little tests etc he did, including turning my neck into two different positions and pushing down on the top of my head! "Ouch" I said, as did this, he instantly told me I have a trapped nerve in my neck, which "should resolve itself in a few weeks time". He told me to use my left arm as little as possible, keep mobile, but to continue with my physios advice of hot and cold compress on shoulder and neck. Continue with Diclofenac 75mg tablets, Co-codamol 30/500mg tablets and only take the Oramorph when required (required!). He prescribed me a new bottle of Oramorph, as my bottle at home was out of date!
 
BOOTS the chemist next door to my surgery didn't have any Oramorph! SO frustrating, as just wanted to get home. So, had to drive into town and this BOOTS had a massive queue of people, too much pain to wait, so left and went to Gayton Road Health practice, short queue of only four people, got Oramorph and returned home. Driving was very painful and I shouldn't have been, but there we go, didn't have much choice.

Took Oramorph and new supply of tablets straight away, had small lunch and collapsed on sofa. I had a surprise visit from Lucy and Vivien, which made me quite emotional – they had to make their own hot drinks etc as I couldn't fuss around them as I normally would do. We spent about two hours chatting about our aches and pains etc, then they left. Vivien kindly offered help, but I had done a recent food shop, so ok. I fell asleep almost seconds after they left, as completely wrecked after being up for almost 48 hours.

A Spotted Sandpiper had been found at Titchwell RSPB today and was still "showing well" this evening – utterly heartbreaking, I have been waiting to see one of these for so long and it would have been a new bird for me! The last record in Norfolk was at Welney WWT in September 1994 (stayed for 132 days!), and the last Spring record was at Cley on 11th-13th June 1986 (stayed 3 days) and previously to this at Holme on 7th October 1985 (stayed one day). I will keep my fingers crossed that the Spotted Sandpiper falls in love with Titchwell and decides to take an extended vacation!!! 🤞

The car is now redundant in the drive, unless essential eg food/surgery. I also had to book an urgent dentist appointment for tomorrow at 3.40pm, to sort out the presumed abscess and plan for tooth extraction! So excited, not! If I feel up to it, I may walk, as this will be far less painful than driving and it isn't that far from where I live. I hope this is all going to resolve soon, as not good at being at home on my own, especially when I can't escape King's Lynn in my car! Hopefully will be back to work next week.

Tuesday, 7 June 2022

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 Reed Warbler still, Turtle Doves x 2, Spoonbills x 6 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park
Red-backed Shrike fem., Spoonbills x 2, Little Gulls x 7 at Titchwell RSPB
Red-throated Diver at Ormesby Little Broad
Turtle Dove at Holme
 
MEGA NEWS
LEAST TERN ad.male
North of Portrane, Dublin, Ireland
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire
SHORT-TOED EAGLE
ENE of Lairg, Highland and Caithness

RBA Weekly Round-Up 31st May to 6th June!

By Jon Dunn