NORFOLK BIRD NEWS AND UK MEGA'S POSTED DAILY, PHOTOS, BIRDING AND MORE! MY 13th YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2023!


Ring RARE BIRD ALERT with your sightings to: 01603 456789 or Hotline: 0207 0382820 or Text: 07520 634324
Norfolk Bird News & Megas via The Rare Bird Alert Website – Subscribe To RBA For Detailed News & Much More!

OVER NINE MILLION VIEWS! If you would like to advertise here, please contact me at [pennyclarke@talktalk.net]

Friday, 31 March 2023

LAST DAY AT WORK!!!

Today was my last day at work, although I'm not officially finished yet, as on annual leave next week. It took me all day running around, back and forth and half the evening, to tie up all the loose ends and ensure everything was completed on my long list, before I left the office for the last time. You can't just walk out when you've in have been in the same job for 14 years. There were emails I needed to send, people to ring, sorting my folders out, patient errands, other jobs and so on. Typed up a new updated jobs list and a thank you piece to my colleagues and naturally I finished with the laminator (my colleagues know how much I love laminating everything!) Some of them seemed surprised a while back, when I said I had a laminator at home – they couldn't understand why! Why not?! Alison and Hilary both very thoughtfully and kindly bought some scrumptious cakes in, which went down well with all of us.

My last trip to work, will be on Wednesday for my leaving lunch party – that will be a very difficult day indeed. I will try and find a corner spot to hide away in! Note to self: bring tissues. I have worked with some fabulous colleagues over the years, both permanent and rotational staff and I will miss all the banter and laughter in our team, in particular from Hilary and Rhiannon, who are both exceptional in making you cry with laughter! You need that in our jobs, otherwise at times, you would lose you sanity. I have loved my job very much indeed and have achieved many things over the 14 years in post, but the magnetism of Shetland is far bigger!

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 

Ring Ouzel flew in off sea at Eccles-on-Sea
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Water Pipit at Cley NWT
Hume's Warbler east of golf course at Overstrand
Garganey at Welney WWT
Alpine Swift over sea at Sheringham
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Water Pipits x 2, Rock Pipit (probable) at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT

MEGA NEWS
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
Doon Lough, County Leitrim, Ireland

Thursday, 30 March 2023

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 

Swift sp. over Snettisham Coastal Park
Garganey x 2 at Ken Hill Marshes, Snettisham Coastal Park
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Bittern, Water Pipit, Continental Black-tailed Godwit, Water Pipits x 2, Snow Bunting at Cley NWT
Alpine Swift briefly at 1pm near Burnham Norton
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Ring Ouzel male at Dersingham Bog NNR
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Black Redstart in garden at Blakeney
Bittern at Whitlingham Country Park
Woodlark at Sidestrand

MEGA NEWS
None

Wednesday, 29 March 2023

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 

White Stork flew over Colney
Osprey flew over Cley
Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Ferruginous Duck, Smew ad.drk at Filby Broad
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (presumed) flew over Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Hen Harrier flew past Horsey Gap
Garganey x 5, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Welney WWT
Black Redstart between West Runton & Beeston Regis

MEGA NEWS
None

Tuesday, 28 March 2023

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-billed Dowitcher 1w, Common Cranes x 2, Sedge Warbler at Cley NWT
Iceland Gull at Blakeney Point
Black Redstart at Winterton
Black Redstart at West Runton
Great Northern Diver at Weybourne
Garganey, Cattle Egret at Welney WWT
Common Cranes x 2 at Holkham
Swift sp. over Mere, Diss
Little Gull at Whitlingham Country Park

MEGA NEWS
None

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

By Jon Dunn

Monday, 27 March 2023

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 

Garganey x 4, Short-eared Owls x 3, Little Gull at Welney WWT
Alpine Swift briefly at Cromer
Long-eared Owl at Swanton Novers Raptor Watchpoint
Garganey, Spoonbill at Holme Dunes NWT
Hen Harrier flew over Acle Bridge
Garganey x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Iceland Gull, Water Pipit, Snow Buntings x 10 at Cley NWT
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
FORSTER'S TERN
Galway, County Galway, 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 

SUNDAY 26th MARCH

Alpine Swift at Cromer
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Sedge Warbler, Water Pipit, Snow Buntings x 14 at Cley NWT
Velvet Scoters x 2 at Winterton
Shorelarks x 9 at Holkham Bay
Garganey x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Garganey x 2, Cattle Egrets x 5 at Welney WWT
FERRUGINOUS DUCK, Smew at Filby Broad & Ormesby Little Broad
Garganey, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holme Dunes NWT
Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
Doon Lough, County Leitrim, Ireland

Saturday, 25 March 2023

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 

Firecrest singing at Becktswell, Wymondham
Lapland Buntings x 3 at Weybourne
Alpine Swifts x 2, Caspian Gull at Cromer
Black Redstart on beach at California
Black Redstart at Happisburgh
Hen Harrier at Potter Heigham Marshes
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Snow Buntings x 16, Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Long-eared Owl at Swanton Novers Raptor Watchpoint
Garganey x 3, Water Pipits x 6 at Hockwold Washes
Shorelarks x 9 at Holkham Bay 
Alpine Swifts x 2 at Sheringham
Alpine Swift at Overstrand
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
FORSTER'S TERN
Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, 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

FRIDAY 24th MARCH
 
Alpine Swifts x 2, House Martin at Cromer
Alpine Swifts x 2 at Sheringham
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Short-eared Owls x 4 at Winterton
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Alpine Swift at Overstrand
Shorelarks x 5 at Holkham Bay 
Snow Bunting at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 2 at Salthouse
Long-eared Owl at Swanton Novers Raptor Watchpoint
Alpine Swifts x 4 unconfirmed report, flew in off sea at beach car park, Cley
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Water Pipits x 2, Snow Buntings x 12 at Cley NWT
Garganey x 4 at Welney WWT
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Caspian Gull at Nar Valley Fisheries
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Weybourne
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Thursday, 23 March 2023

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

Alpine Swifts x 2, House Martin at Cromer
White Stork (Dutch black-ringed) east of Halvergate
Garganey x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
White Stork (Dutch black-ringed) flew over Thorpe St Andrew's Broad
White Stork (Dutch black-ringed) flew over Norwich
Alpine Swift at Gorleston-on-Sea
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Weybourne
Garganey, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Avocet at Welney WWT
White Stork (Dutch black-ringed) flew over Eaton
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Common Cranes x 2 flew over Cley NWT
Garganey x 3, Water Pipits x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Alpine Swifts x 2 at Sheringham
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens
Gyr (presumed escape) white morph, reported at Morston
Firecrest at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
Russian White-fronted Geese x 27 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Shorelarks x 10 at Holkham Bay
Snow Bunting at Titchwell RSPB

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Aurora Showing Brilliantly NOW on Shetland Webcams!!!

Look now on the Shetland webcams, especially "Cliff Cam" and "Cliff Cam 3"!
 

Wednesday, 22 March 2023

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

Alpine Swift, Black Redstart, Hawfinch at Overstrand
Alpine Swifts x 2, Woodlark over Beeston Bump at Sheringham
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Sedge Warbler, Snow Buntings x 16 at Cley NWT
Garganey x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Shorelarks x 6 at Holkham Bay
Hawfinch in garden at Gorleston-on-Sea
White Stork (Dutch, black ringed) NE of Halvergate near Acle Straight, Acle
Alpine Swift, Woodlark at Sidestrand
Smew drk at Rollesby Broad
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Alpine Swift flew south between Honing & East Ruston
Ferruginous Duck at Filby Broad
Alpine Swift at Kelling Heath
White Stork flew over Wattlefield, Wymondham
Hawfinches x 5 at Lynford Aboretum
Alpine Swift at Mundesley
Alpine Swifts x 2 at Cromer
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
None

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

CRAZY DAY & HOUSE VIEWINGS!

  Hunstanton Cliffs this afternoon  

 ðŸŒž

Its been a crazy few days to say the least! Last night and this morning I had to put the house in some kind of sorting order and tidiness for my first house viewings today. More trips to the tip and charity shops yesterday and last night I was out in the garden until dark, tidying etc. Scheduled the bread maker to produce a loaf of bread at 10am this morning, to make the house smell homely! Had to move loads of my parent's heavy book boxes around in living room for the Norfolk Hospice furniture removal team (their second trip to mine) who came this morning, to take away two armchairs and matching pouffe to sell in their shop – I won't have room for these in my new accommodation, so just bringing the two seater sofa with me, until I treat myself and buy new (for the first time in tons of years!) when I buy a new house in Shetland.

I was asked to vacate my house by the estate agents, as it "usually works better", so I escaped to the coast. I was exhausted and I would have been better off having a snooze in the car. First stop was dropping off a book called "Shetland (The island Series) by James R. Nicolson", which had been signed by RAR and very kindly lent to me by Paul Rooney (ex Titchwell RSPB warden) a long time ago, so glad I have returned it, before I escaped the county – another box ticked! Made some important phone calls and then went for a short walk at Holme NWT, but I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I then went to Hunstanton for fish 'n' chip lunch and tea at around 4pm and the above picture was my view from the car! A beautiful warm day and so lovely to watch the Fulmar's cruising around the cliffs and several pairs were sitting on the ledges.

This evening I fell asleep completely and woke up at 8.30pm. Did some essential emails, including resigning another job contract, as now can't start until 8th May. Ian Reid removals couldn't move me on the date I requested, as they are extremely busy in April – all good now. My ferry and everything is booked etc! Just need to book a half sleep stop on route to Aberdeen.

I was extremely pleased to have eight booked house viewings today (one cancelled at the last minute) in 15 minute appointments! Also another four so far, booked for Saturday! Had three offers today..... won't discuss these yet! Back to work tomorrow.

UPDATE – WEDNESDAY 22nd MARCH

I accepted an offer on my house! 😃

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

Alpine Swifts x 2 , Caspian Gull at Sheringham
Black Redstart, Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Alpine Swift, Woodlarks x 2 at Winterton
Garganey at Welney WWT
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Long-eared Owls x 3 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Mealy Redpoll (probable) at Whitlingham Country Park
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Snow Buntings x 15 at Cley NWT
Alpine Swift, Woodlark at Sidestrand
Shorelarks x 3 at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 45 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Pallid Harrier juv. fem., Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens
Alpine Swift at Overstrand
Garganey x 4, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank at Welney WWT
Alpine Swift at Cromer
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum
Lapland Bunting at Weybourne
Garganey x 2 at Kelling Water Meadows

MEGA NEWS
SHORT-TOED EAGLE
Over River Little Ouse at 10.04am then flew south, Santon Downham, Suffolk

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

By Jon Dunn

Monday, 20 March 2023

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

Alpine Swift at Sidestrand, Cromer, Cley, Sheringham, Beeston Regis, East Runton
Alpine Swifts x 2, Black Redstart, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Sheringham
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Black Redstart, Sedge Warbler, Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Garganey x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Short-eared Owls x 3, Spoonbill at Welney WWT
Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Grebe at Titchwell RSPB
Caspian Gull at Stiffkey Fen
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens
Black Redstart along cliffs at Gorleston
Black Redstart at Winterton
Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum
Hen Harrier at Potter Heigham Marshes

MEGA NEWS
None

Wild Isles – Series 1: 2. Woodland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0f21jy9/wild-isles-series-1-2-woodland?seriesId=p0f0t893

Wild Isles – Series 1: 2. Our Precious Isles

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0f0tcfq/wild-isles-series-1-1-our-precious-isles

Sunday, 19 March 2023

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

Shorelarks x 2 at Holkham Bay
Garganey x 4 at Welney WWT
Iceland Gull at Sidestrand
Lapland Bunting at Weybourne
Garganey x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Sedge Warbler, Black Redstart, Snow Buntings x 14, Water Pipit at Cley NWT
Garganey x 2 at Holme Dunes NWT
Black Redstart male in cemetery at Sheringham
Russian White-fronted Geese x 320, Water Pipit at Potter Heigham Marshes
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad
Hen Harrier at Berney Marshes RSPB
Short-eared Owl at Winterton
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 2 at Stiffkey Fen
Arctic Redpoll (probable) with Lesser Redpolls in car park at QEH, King's Lynn
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Kinvarra, County Galway, Ireland