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Wednesday 30 November 2016

Hot News!

So far, I have lost 6lbs in my new slimming venture – hoping to be considerably slimmer again by Spring – that's the plan anyway! Only been following the SW diet for two weeks, so pretty pleased. Cooked a wonderful Vegetarian Paella this evening – took ages to make, but it was worth it.

My Mother and I visited Father on Sunday, who looked pretty well – helped him with his tea, he seems to have a much better appetite at teatime than when he was at home, which is good. It was toasty warm in the care home, good job he is where he is, as it isn't exactly hot in Mother's house – its always been a cool house, which is an advantageous in the summer months, but rubbish for the rest of the year!

My sister Lucy played 2nd Violin in her first concert of the season at the Corn Exchange in King's Lynn on Sunday – so pleased she is continuing with this.

It's Andy Wilkinson's 50th birthday this Saturday! Another one to join the fifty's club! I havn't got my party invite yet Andy – it must have got lost in the post?!!!

I really enjoyed watching the first part of the documentary on Fair Isle this week, just makes me want to be there again even more.

I see the Isabelline Wheatear has returned to Burnham Overy Dunes again – I am guessing its been chilling out on Scolt Head Island over the last few weeks, hence no news maybe?!

I don't know where the year has disappeared to, but it will soon be Christmas! We have our work team's Christmas Party next Friday – my once a year social event!!! Well, actually I have three events this year, another party and a Christmas lunch – lucky me!!!

I have been feeling pretty down in the dumps over the last few weeks, hence no personal bird news or pictures posted – mostly due to sad family goings on and other stuff. Things seem to be settling again re family stuff to a degree and kind of like normal again, whatever normal is! 2016 has not been an easy year at all for my family – the best thing that happened, was Father reaching his 90th birthday!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Scaup x 4, Long-tailed Ducks x 33, Velvet Scoters x 16, Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipits x 2, Jack Snipes x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Snow Buntings x 20 on beach, Tundra Bean Geese x 3 south of Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Hawfinches x 7 at Santon Warren.
Shorelarks x 32 at east end of saltmarsh, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Velvet Scoters x 11 at Holkham Bay.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) still, 2 miles SE of Docking.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR still on beach north of Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes.
Waxwings x 38 on Jermingham Road, Costessey.
Short-eared Owl, Bewick's Swans x 20 at St Benet's Abbey, Ludham.
Green-winged Teal (probable hybrid), Caspian Gulls x 4, Water Pipit on Simmonds' Scrape at Cley NWT.
Rough-legged Buzzard juv. near Choseley Drying Barns.
Snow Buntings x 17 on North Beach at Winterton.
Swallow this afternoon at Horsey Gap.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! KILLDEER again, mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.

MEGA! AMERICAN COOT yesterday still, mainland at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER still, North Ronaldsay, Orkney.
FIRST FOR BRITAIN! MASKED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba personata) – again at Croft Villas, 2.5mls NNW of Haverfordwest at Camrose, Pembrokeshire.

Birdwatchers in Camrose for Britain's first Masked Wagtail!

"More than 40 birdwatchers turned up in a Pembrokeshire village for the first recorded visit of a masked wagtail in Britain. The bird, usually found in Kazakhstan, Iran and Afghanistan, was spotted in Camrose, near Haverfordwest on Tuesday......."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-38163357?SThisFB

RBA Weekly Round-Up 23rd to 29th November!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2016-48.aspx?s_id=893801574

Birders' Choice Awards 2016!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAL_Xr9N7NVeS5Kgz5qLmu1WNYIkECVx-NAP-zvFpgo-NvKw/viewform

Tuesday 29 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Velvet Scoters x 8, Scaup x 3, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 22, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Taiga Bean Geese x 17, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 7, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Greenland White-fronted Goose on Pope's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Common Cranes x 2 flew over Horsey Gap.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR still on beach NNW of Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes.
Shorelarks x 34, Lapland Bunting at east end of saltmarsh at Holkham Bay.
Scaup x 4 at Tottenhill Gravel Pits.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) still, near Docking.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Waxwings x 3 on Jermingham Road, Costessey.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Snow Buntings x 15 at Winterton.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
Lapland Bunting, Hen Harriers x 4 at Stiffkey.
Short-eared Owls x 4 at Halvergate Marshes.
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! KILLDEER again, mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.
MASKED WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba personata) – 1st for Britain, on roof at Croft Villas, 2.5mls NNW of Haverfordwest at Camrose, Pembrokeshire.

Fair Isle – Living On The Edge, Episode 1

Episode 1 – shown on BBC1 Scotland last night at 9pm.

Two-part documentary revealing life on Fair Isle, Britain's most remote inhabited island. Following the arrival of a new couple as they settle in and adapt to island life.

Episode 2 – next Monday at 9pm
 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b083xzhb/fair-isle-living-on-the-edge-episode-1

Monday 28 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Pomarine Skua, Snow Buntings x 27 from beach car park at Cley.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 on Watling Water, viewed from Babcock Hide, Water Pipits x 2 from Bishop's Hide, Jack Snipe on Snipe's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Velvet Scoters x 3, Great Northern Diver from Halfway House at Blakeney Point.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Red-necked Grebe at Blakeney Harbour.
Velvet Scoters x 12, Scaup x 3, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 26, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Water Pipit, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzard in hedge, 400yds south of Choseley Drying Barns, Titchwell.
Snow Buntings x 50, Lapland Buntings x 5 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Jack Snipe at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior), Tundra Bean Geese x 5, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 3, Barnacle Geese x 9 in field SW of B1454, Docking.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Slavonian Grebe at Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret.
Velvet Scoters x 20, Long-tailed Ducks x 15, Sandwich Tern 1w at Holkham Bay.
Caspian Gull 1w (yellow ringed as chick at Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) on beach at Sidestrand.
Caspian Gull 1w (yellow ringed as chick at Grabendorfer, Brandenberg, Germany) on Friday at Sheringham.
Waxwings x 7 at Norwich Research Park.
Jack Snipe x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Snow Buntings x 15 at North Beach, Winterton.
Waxwings x 18 on Jermingham Road, Costessey.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN again, reported on Tuesday SE of Devoran at Restronguet Creek, Cornwall.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Sunday 27th November
Waxwings x 52 on Jermingham Road, Costessey.
Waxwings x 52 between Bowthorpe Road and Earlham Road, Waxwings x 19 on Bessemer Road, Norwich.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Water Pipit on scrape by Iron Road, Velvet Scoter on sea at Salthouse.
Velvet Scoters x 2, Snow Buntings x 4 at Winterton.
Smew x 2 reported offshore, Velvet Scoters x 2, Great Northern Divers x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebes x 2, Water Pipits x 2 on Thornham Pool, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Lesser Whitethroat (possibly of an eastern form) at head of Gypsy Lane, Titchwell.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 viewable from A149 layby at Repps.
Slavonian Grebe at Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret.
Great White Egret at Earlham Marsh.
Tundra Bean Geese x 14, north of Ringstead Road, 1/2 mile west of Burnham Market.
Shorelarks x 3 west of Little Eye at Salthouse.
Snow Buntings x 50 at Weybourne.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 6, Slavonian Grebe, Short-eared Owl at Holme NWT.
Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Island.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) in field by B1454, SE of Docking.
Velvet Scoters x 2 at Sheringham.
Caspian Gulls x 2 on Simmond's Scrape at Cley NWT.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Hawfinches x 10 at Lynford Aboretum.
Shorelarks x 5 west of beach huts at Wells.
Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 3, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Scaup x 3 at Brancaster.
Twite x 2 at Thornham Harbour.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! KILLDEER again, mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland.

Saturday 26 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwings x 31 on Jermingham Road, Costessey.
Snow Buntings x 30 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Coues's Arctic Redpoll, Lapland Buntings x 6, Snow Buntings x 40, Shorelarks x 4, Twite x 15 west of Little Eye at Salthouse.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose opposite Dun Cow at Salthouse.
Velvet Scoters x 2 at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Long-tailed Ducks x 23, Velvet Scoters x 20, Great Northern Divers x 3, Scaup, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell RSPB.
Hawfinches x 7 at Santon Warren.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Red-necked Grebe, Scaup x 5, Great Northern Divers x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 28, Velvet Scoters x 9, Shorelarks x 2 at west end of beach at Brancaster.
Shorelarks x 6 in beach car park, Snow Buntings x 21, Scaup, Velvet Scoters x 5 at Winterton.
Taiga Bean Geese x 6 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 20 off Gun Hill at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Caspian Gull at Hockwold Washes.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Water Pipit on Watling Water from Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoters x 7 at Sheringham.
Waxwings x 7 between Bowthorpe Road and Earlham Road, Norwich.
Slavonian Grebe at Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret.
Eurasian White-fronted Goose just north of Docking.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior), Tundra Bean Geese x 6 along Ringstead Road, just west of Burnham Market.
Hen Harrier, Spoonbill at Stiffkey.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Stubb Mill Roost, Water Pipits x 2 at Hickling Broad NWT.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Snow Buntings x 7 at Horsey.
Hawfinches x 2 at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! KILLDEER again, mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at east end of Princes Parade, Folkstone, Kent.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland.

Friday 25 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Ducks x 16, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 5, Scaup x 2, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit, Snow Bunting at Titchwell RSPB.
Coues's Arctic Redpoll, Linnets x 30 west of Little Eye, Shorelarks x 3 at Salthouse.
Snow Buntings x 30 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Purple Sandpiper at Overstrand.
Hen Harrier yesterday at Claxton Marshes.
Water Pipit, Hen Harriers x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose north of Docking.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Taiga Bean Geese x 4, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 10 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Hen Harrier at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Little Auks x 3, Pomarine Skua, Scaup x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Hemsby.
Snow Buntings x 16 at North Beach, Winterton.
Waxwings x 50 on Jermingham Road, Costessey.
Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Short-eared Owl at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Ows x 3, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Haddiscoe Island.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! KILLDEER again, mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.

Thursday 24 November 2016

Girly Night Out With Mother!

"Norfolk Through the Lens of a Naturalist"

Moss Taylor shared his experiences of the birds, dragonflies and wild flowers of the county at Hunstanton Methodist Church Hall this evening, which was a NWT event. I rarely go to these events, as usually too tired after work, but made a special effort this evening as my Mother wanted to listen to Moss Taylor's talk – I can't remember the last time she went to any kind of social event in the evening, she really enjoyed herself.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 on Watling Water viewed from Babcock Hide, Spoonbill on Arnold's Marsh, Red-necked Grebe at Cley NWT.
Velvet Scoters x 20, Scaup x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 30, Great Northern Divers x 3, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell RSPB.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Black Redstart on buildings of community centre at Sheringham.
Velvet Scoter at Gorlston-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Haddiscoe Island.
Arctic Redpoll possible, with Linnets, Shorelarks x 3 just west of Little Eye, Snow Buntings x 50 on east side of Gramborough Hill at Salthouse.
Scaup at Snettisham RSPB.
Bean Goose x 2 (possible), Pale-bellied Brent Goose, White-fronted Geese x 2 on north side of Bircham Road, just east of Snettisham.
Scaup on Little Broad at Ormesby St Margaret.
Long-tailed Ducks x 21, Velvet Scoters x 7, Great Northern Divers x 3 at Brancaster.
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Leach's Petrel, Pomarine Skua, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoters x 6 at Hemsby.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Waxwings x 15 on Jermingham Road, Costessey.
Shorelarks x 9 at Holkham Bay, east of Holkham Gap.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! KILLDEER again, mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.

MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 16th to 22nd November!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2016-47.aspx?s_id=779010000

Wednesday 23 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) in field by A149 with Pink-footed Geese, Long-tailed Ducks x 30 on sea, Spotted Redshank on tital pool, Great Northern Divers x 2, Velvet Scoters x 8, Red-necked Grebes x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Pomarine Skua, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 8, Ring Ouzel in gardens opposite Beach Road briefly at Cley.
Scaup at Welney WWT.
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 30 at Salthouse.
DUSKY WARBLER trapped and ringed at Holme NOA.
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Waxwings x 7, Hawfinch, Crossbills x 3 at Santon Warren.
Waxwings x 15 on Jermingham Road, Costessey.
Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gulls x 3, Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 40 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens.
Slavonian Grebe on Little Broad at Ormesby St Margaret.
Pomarine Skuas x 4, Red-necked Grebe, Little Gulls x 12, Velvet Scoter at Sheringham.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! KILLDEER again, mainland at Sandwick, Shetland.

Dodo Skeleton Sells For £280,000 At Auction!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-38068828

Tuesday 22 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 on Watling Water from Babcock Hide, Snow Buntings x 6 between Little Eye and beach at Cley NWT.
Spoonbill between Cley and Salthouse.
Shorelarks x 10 east of Little Eye and Spoonbill yesterday at Salthouse.
Shorelarks x 2 yesterday on saltmarsh east of Holkham Gap, Holkham Bay.
Slavonian Grebe on Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3, 1.5 miles NE of Syderstone.
Tundra Bean Goose NE of Docking.
Velvet Scoters x 2, Snow Bunting at Winterton.
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) flew south at 10.15am with Pink-footed Geese, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 30, Velvet Scoters x 10, Scaup, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Snow Buntings x 12, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 70 at Chapel Break Road, Bowthorpe.
Taiga Bean Geese x 15 (probable), Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 30 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Waxwings x 4 in garden at Tasburgh.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Gapton Marshes.
Little Auks x 3, Velvet Scoters x 9, Great Northern Diver, Scaup x 2 at Hemsby.
Ferruginous x Pochard fem. hybrid at Whitlingham Country Park.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN 1w by quay at Port of Felixstowe, Suffolk.
MEGA! NORTHERN HARRIER Adult Male yesterday still, North Ronaldsay, Orkney.

Monday 21 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Hawfinch at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Waxwings x 17 at Jenny Lind Park, Waxwings x 15 flew SW over Benedict's Street, Norwich.
Tundra Bean Geese x 5 with Pink-footed Geese x 2920, 3/4 mile NE of Syderstone.
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 52 at Chapel Break Road, Bowthorpe.
Waxwing in garden, Snow Buntings x 4 at Winterton.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) with Pink-footed Geese x 4890 in harvested beet field by Lugden Hill Farm, 2 miles north of Docking.
White Stork, presumed escape, behind windpump at Horsey.
Purple Sandpipers x 5, 1/2 mile south of Shangri-La at Waxham.
Common Cranes x 19 at Welney WWT.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.

MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN 1w on saltings by River Deben, 1/3 mile north of Felixstowe Ferry, Suffolk.

Weekend Update!

My weekend did not go to plan at all. I spent Saturday doing errands for Mother in Hunstanton and then over to Fakenham, along with my sister Vivien. Argos in Fakenham had the only Dimplex heater model that my Mother wanted, but after delivering it to Holme, I discovered that the 3kw model is not the only model! There are two models at 3kw and I had bought the wrong one! Argos does not sell the other model at all, so on Sunday I returned the heater to Argos in King's Lynn and then drove all the way over to Hughes at Cromer to buy the correct model. Unpacked it at Mother's, only to discover a plastic section where the plug is stored when not is use was broken!!!

Rung the Cromer store on Monday, who will organise the Hunstanton branch to exchange one! What a tedious and frustating weekend!!!

Our newly refurbished ward was opened today by local MP Henry Bellingham with the local press and ribbon being cut etc! It has not stopped raining today and it was looked like dusk all afternoon! I have not had the time to go and look yet, but one of my colleagues has informed me there is a large Pied Wagtail roost in one of the courtyard gardens at the QEH, which is really good news, as this used to occur years ago, but I have not seen or heard them for a good few years.

I am extremely behind with replying to emails due to family issues – huge apologies, I will sort through them all soon.

Sunday 20 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Redstart at Wymondham Abbey.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) north of Lugden Hill Farm, NNE of Docking.
Great Northern Divers x 2, Velvet Scoters x 10, Black-necked Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Grey Phalarope, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck at Cley.
Waxwings x 15 at Chapel Break Road, Waxwings x 50 at bottom of Toyle Road, Bowthorpe.
Great White Egret at Bowthorpe Marsh.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Waxwings x 30 at Jenny Lind Park, at Norwich.
Short-eared Owl at Barnham Broom Golf Course.
Hen Harrier at Weybourne.
Velvet Scoters x 10, Scaup, Common Crane at Hemsby.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN 1w at Mistley Quay, Essex.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

Saturday 19 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwings x 28 still off Barnard Road on Charles Watling Way, Bowthorpe.
Snow Buntings x 10 on mound at Great Yarmouth Harbour, viewed from Gorleston Pier.
Shorelarks x 11, Snow Buntings x 20, Twite x 15 at Little Eye, Lapland Buntings x 32 in fields south of Gramborough Hill at Salthouse.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
Long-tailed Duck on Watling Water from Babcock Hide, Spoonbill at north end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 19 on shingle east of Arnold's Marsh, Caspian Gull 1w on Simmond's Scrape at Cley NWT.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior), Bean Geese x 4, east of Choseley Road, 1 mile north of Docking.
Velvet Scoters x 5 at Hopton-on-Sea.
WHITE-BILLED DIVER flew west at 10.33am, Scaup, Long-tailed Ducks x 12, Velvet Scoters x 8, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Dartford Warbler along main east path then flew north at Beeston Common, Sheringham.
Waxwings x 40 at Jenny Lind Park, at Norwich.
Shorelarks x 20, Snow Buntings x 70 by wooden hut at Blakeney Point.
Little Auk, Velvet Scoters x 8 at Hemsby.
Purple Sandpiper near pier amusements at Hunstanton.
Hawfinches x 4 in lime at Field Barn, Santon Warren.
Velvet Scoters x 12, Long-tailed Ducks x 6 at Brancaster.
Common Cranes x 9, Hen Harriers x 2 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Roydon Common.
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl x 3 at Haddiscoe Island.
Velvet Scoter at Sidestrand.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Ken Hill grazing marsh, Snettisham.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN 1w at Mistley Quay, Essex.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

Friday 18 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Hen Harrier at Welney WWT.
Shorelarks x 20 at Little Eye, Salthouse.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) in field south of crossroads, 2/3mls north of Sunderland Farm, 2 mls SSE of Brancaster.
Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 19, Velvet Scoters x 12, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell RSPB.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior), Tundra Bean Goose, Greenland White-fronted Goose, south of Choseley crossroads in sugar beet field east of B1153 Mill Road, south of Titchwell.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior), in stubble field this afternoon, between Burnham Market and Docking.
Waxwings x 2 in garden at Lamsey Lane, Heacham.
Siberian Chiffchaff in area with no general access at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford.
Waxwing flew south past church at Wiveton.
Velvet Scoters x 4 at Hemsby.
Waxwings x 16 on Chapel Break Road, Bowthorpe.
Waxwings x 30 at Jenny Lind Park, at Norwich.
Shorelark, Lapland Bunting, Red-necked Grebe at Sheringham.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Snow Buntings x 40 at Cley.
Shorelarks x 34 at Holkham Bay still on saltmarsh east of Holkham Gap.
Waxwings x 6 flew south over Hunstanton Cliffs.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN RUBYTHROAT Male (latest ever record for Britain) Fair Isle, Shetland.

MEGA! SNOWY OWL reported at Bay of Brough, Westray, Orkney.
MEGA! KILLDEER at Wart Junction, Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
THURSDAY 17th NOVEMBER
Cattle Egret in cattle field at Harper's Lane, Gapton Marshes.
Siberian Chiffchaff in area with no general access at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford.
Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Waxwings x 34 at Jenny Lind Park, Waxwings x 10+ by Institute of Food Research, Waxwings x 25 flew over Portland Street at Norwich.
Shorelarks x 20 at Little Eye, Salthouse.
Long-tailed Duck on Watling Water from Babcock Hide at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 40 at Cley.
Slavonian Grebe at Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) in field south of crossroads, 2/3mls north of Sunderland Farm, 2 mls SSE of Brancaster.
Scaup at Foster's End Gravel Pit at King's Lynn.
Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Island.
Velvet Scoters x 2 at Winterton.
Caspian Gull on seafront at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Velvet Scoters x 7 at Hopton-on-Sea.
Waxwings x 40 on Chapel Break Road, Bowthorpe.
Velvet Scoters x 10, Hen Harriers x 2, Water Pipit, Scaup, Long-tailed Ducks x 10 at Titchwell RSPB.
Velvet Scoters x 10 offshore at Hemsby.
Hooded Crow still, 1/2 mile west of Alymerton.
Twite x 10 at Thornham Harbour.
Lapland Buntings x 9, Vevet Scoters x 2, Little Gulls x 7 at Sheringham.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! KILLDEER at Wart Junction, Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.

MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Kinvarra Bay, County Galway, Ireland.

Thursday 17 November 2016

Slimming World!

A G A I N ! ! !

For the one millionth time of trying! I re-joined again this evening. Hopefully I will stick to it this time and create a new me!

Wednesday 16 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 6, Long-tailed Ducks x 18, Snow Buntings x 5, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Velvet Scoters x 5, Scaup x 4, Hen Harriers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 5 at Earlham Road, Waxwings x 34 at Jenny Lind Park, Norwich.
Long-tailed Duck on Watling Water from Babcock Hide, Snow Buntings x 22 on shingle between Sea Pool and Iron Road at Cley NWT.
Shorelarks x 6 on shingle bank at Salthouse.
Waxwings x 40 on Chapel Break Road, Bowthorpe.
Cattle Egrets x 3 in cattle field at Harper's Lane, Gapton Marshes.
Velvet Scoters x 10 off South Dunes, Winterton.
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Velvet Scoters x 5, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver at Holme.
Slavonian Grebe at Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret.
Cattle Egrets x 2, Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water.
Firecrest, 200yds west of Joe Jordon Hide, Great White Egret on Freshmarsh at Holkham.
Little Bunting, Siberian Chiffchaff in area with no general access at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford.
Water Pipit, Jack Snipe at Haddiscoe Marshes.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! KILLDEER at Wart Junction, Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.

MEGA! AMERICAN COOT still at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 9th to 15th November!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2016-46.aspx?s_id=569881824

Tuesday 15 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Ducks x 11, Velvet Scoters x 3, Water Pipit, Tundra Bean Geese x 5 (by road) at Titchwell RSPB.
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Breydon Water.
Waxwings x 20 at Jenny Lind Park, Norwich.
Hooded Crow still 1/2 mile west of Alymerton.
Shorelarks x 53 at Holkham Bay on saltmarsh east of Holkham Gap.
Waxwings x 40 on Chapel Break Road at Bowthorpe.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Greenland White-fronted Goose, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Fleggburgh, SSW of Rollesby.
Slavonian Grebe, Scaup at Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret.
Waxwing flew west over A12 at Hopton-on-Sea.
Bean Geese x 2 on mud, Black-necked Grebe on south pit at Snettisham RSPB.
Waxwings x 22 flew north over Norwich.
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney Freshmarsh.
Water Pipits x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! HARLEQUIN DUCK fem/1w near Sherkin Island, viewed from Cape Clear Ferry, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! KILLDEER at Wart Junction, Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

Monday 14 November 2016

'Supermoon' Views From Around The World!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37972024

Unfortunately the cloud here in Norfolk, made the supermoon supernothing!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Bottlenose Dolphin east past Walcott.
Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 5 at Sheringham.
Richard's Pipit, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, Scaup, Pomarine Skua, yesterday at Sheringham.
Tundra Bean Geese x 6, Pink-footed Geese x 10,000, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 2 in harvested sugar beet field, NE of Syderstone.
Slavonian Grebe at Ormesby St Margaret.
Hawfinches x 4, Waxwings x 4 at Field Barn at Santon Downham.
Cattle Egrets x 3, Snow Buntings x 2 at Breydon Water.
Waxwings x 29 at Jenny Lind Park, Norwich.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) with Pink-footed Geese in stubble field between Docking and Choseley.
White-fronted Geese x 5, Water Pipit, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Scaup at Titchwell RSPB.
Short-eared Owl at Thurlton Marshes.
Shorelarks x 50 at Holkham Bay, Holkham Gap.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! KILLDEER at Wart Junction, Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

Sunday 13 November 2016

Skywatchers Prepare For 'Supermoon'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37969538

Weekend Update!

I have worked two Sundays in a row and was very much looking forward to getting out birding on Saturday, but as many of you know, it poured with rain from dawn 'til dusk – a miserable day and not worth getting soaked for! I visited Father in the afternoon, who was very sleepy when I arrived. The staff said that he had refused tea and his usual cup of coffee. He had slipped in the chair and was in a poor position. I soon woke him up and got a member of staff to help me sit him up in the chair properly. With my assistance, he ate all four small triangles of cheese sandwich (spoon fed to him in tiny pieces), a few crisps, fruit cake and a yoghurt and also two birthday chocolates and a whole beaker of coffee!!! Obviously the support of family members makes all the difference, but we can't all be there every day.

Father looked quite well and had a good colour in his face. I tried the new birthday slippers on him (the pair Mother bought him were too small and I exchanged them for a bigger size) and they fitted well, so left them on him. Father seems to be using my new green hand muff I made him, which is good – I still havn't finished the second one yet though! Just before I left, I helped Father to sign a 'Daughter' birthday card for Vivien, which will be a bit late, but never mind, it will be an unexpected surprise for her!

I visited Mother for the rest of the evening who was tired but ok – we watched 'Strictly' together with the cat, who decided to snuggle between us both on the sofa, which was sweet!

Today of course, was gloriously sunny weather, whilst I was working on a very long day – helping to get things in order for our move back to our newly refurbished ward. It was quite amazing how much Debbie and I achieved later this afternoon at work – we make an excellent team. Our new ward looks amazing, really excited at returning to our 'home', with new lighting, colour coded bays, new paintwork, new bathrooms, new meeting rooms, new reception area, new floors etc etc!

I'm also looking forward to an entire weekend off at the end of the week!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Water Pipits x 2, Yellow-legged Gull, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Velvet Scoter at Whitlingham Country Park.
Waxwings x 2 at Martham.
Hooded Crow by A148 west of Alymerton.
Cattle Egrets x 3, Snow Buntings x 4 at Breydon Water.
Black Brant just west of Langham.
Yellow-browed Warbler still, on south side of Ken Hill Wood at Snettisham.
Slavonian Grebe on Little Broad at Ormesby St Margaret.
Shorelarks x 35 at Holkham Bay, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 on sea, east of Holkham Gap.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 5 at Haddiscoe Island.
Short-eared Owls x 4 at Haddiscoe Marshes.
Great Grey Shrike, Hawfinches x 10 at Grime's Graves.
Waxwings x 26 at Jenny Lind Park, Waxwings x 10 between Mill Hill Road & Park Lane, Waxwings x 3 flew over Unthank Road in Norwich.
Waxwing at North Dunes, Winterton.
Shorelark, Twite x 2, Water Pipits x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Water Pipit on Whitwell Scrape at Cley NWT.
Little Auks x 2, Black-throated Diver, Snow Buntings x 8 at Cley.
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior), Bean Goose with 3,500 Pink-footed Geese in field north of Friar's Thorne Farm between Burnham Market and Docking.
Velvet Scoter flew west past Sidestrand.
Snow Buntings x 86, Purple Sandpiper at Blakeney Point.
Ring Ouzel along hedge, north of Thorpe Marriott.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Short-eared Owl at Holme NWT.
Black Redstart on rocks below The Crown at Sheringham.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! KILLDEER at Wart Junction, Sandwick, Shetland.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 12th for UK! Black Isle at Avoch, Highland, Scotland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.

Saturday 12 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwings x 2 at Martham.
Velvet Scoter at Whitlingham Country Park.
Water Pipits x 3, Jack Snipes x 2, White-fronted Goose, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3 between Salthouse and Kelling.
Velvet Scoters x 2, Great Northern Diver, Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham.
Olive-backed Pipit or Tree Pipit flew west, Lapland Bunting at Sheringham.
Waxwings x 10 at Broadgate, Thorpe Marriott.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR on beach NNE of Gun Hill, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Hooded Crow by A148 west of Alymerton.
Ring Ouzel by A149 just east of Morston.
Short-eared Owl at Castle Acre.
Caspian Gull on Simmond's Scrape at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
Waxwing at entrance to Redwell Marsh NOA, Long-tailed Duck on Broadwater at Holme.
Snow Bunting at Hickling Broad NWT.
Shorelarks x 70 at Holkham Bay, on saltmarsh east of Holkham Gap.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 12th for UK! Black Isle at Avoch, Highland, Scotland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
FRIDAY 11TH NOVEMBER
Snow Buntings x 60 on shingle west of Halfway House, Blakeney Point.
Velvet Scoter at Whitlingham Country Park.
Little Gulls x 3, Short-eared Owl at Sheringham.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoters x 3, Shorelarks x 62, Jack Snipe at Holkham Bay, on saltmarsh east of Holkham Gap.
Great White Egret by A149 at Holkham.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR just west of Gun Hill, Long-tailed Duck at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Waxwings x 3 in park and ride car park at Thickthorn, Norwich.
Waxwings x 6 flew over UEA, Norwich.
Firecrest north of pipe dump at Waxham.
Waxwings x 8 opposite Budgens entrance at Holt.
Waxwings x 12 in gardens at Costessey.
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Northern Treecreeper trapped and ringed this morning, Common Cranes x 3 flew west this afternoon at Burnham Deepdale.
White-fronted Geese x 7, Water Pipits x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Waxwings x 3, Common Cranes x 7 flew west over Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egret at Haddiscoe Island.
Hen Harrier at Fritton Marsh.
Lapland Bunting, Black-throated Diver at Winterton.
Tundra Bean Geese x 6 reported at Salthouse.
Twite x 23 at Thornham Harbour.
Twite reported in garden at Sculthorpe.
Waxwing at Martham.
Waxwings x 2 near car park at Holme NOA.
Waxwings x 11 in car park at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 12th for UK! Black Isle at Avoch, Highland, Scotland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

Thursday 10 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwings x 38 flew west, Little Auks x 2, Snow Buntings x 12, Water Pipits x 2, Scaup, Velvet Scoters x 3, White-fronted Geese x 7 on freshmarsh at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 3 at school entrance, Martham.
Snow Buntings x 13 at Horsey Gap.
Velvet Scoter at Whitlingham Country Park.
Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter, Lapland Bunting, Black Redstart at Funky Mackerel Cafe, Sheringham.
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits.
Black Redstart yesterday on White House on Rectory Road, Tivetshall St Mary.
Short-eared Owls x 2 just west of coastguards at Cley.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose in Eye Field, Cley NWT.
Waxwings x 8 opposite Budgens entrance at Holt.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR near Gun Hill, Lapland Bunting at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Waxwings x 6 flew over Snettisham Coastal Park.
Black-necked Grebes x on south pit at Snettisham RSPB.
Yellow-browed Warbler on south side of Ken Hill Wood.
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney Freshmarsh.
Waxwings x 3 near Flegg School at Martham.
Shorelarks x 75, Lapland Buntings x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 7 still at Holkham Bay, east of Holkham Gap.
Great White Egret, Red-crested Pochard at north end of lake at Holkham.
Great White Egret at Welney WWT.
Lapland Bunting flew south over Hunstanton Cliffs.
Waxwings x 15 near paddocks at South Beach, Hunstanton.
Snow Buntings x 6 west of Gore Point at Holme.
Hen Harriers x 4, Short-eared Owl, Bewick's Swans x 2 at Warham Greens.
Great White Egret at south east side of Haddiscoe Island.
Waxwings x 8 in car park at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park.
Common Cranes x 11 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
Snow Bunting at Sidestrand.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 12th for UK! Black Isle at Avoch, Highland, Scotland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

Wednesday 9 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Great White Egrets x 2 at Colney Gravel Pits.
Velvet Scoter at Whitlingham Country Park.
Waxwings x 9 by A1082 Holway Road near Copper Road junction, Great White Egret flew west, Velvet Scoters x 4, Little Auk, Long-tailed Ducks x 5, Velvet Scoters x 5, Red-necked Grebe at Sheringham.
Waxwings x 3 flew over Hemsby.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Waxwings x 100 in car park, Richard's Pipit at Snettisham RSPB.
Shorelarks x 2, Snow Buntings x 12 at Winterton.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR just south of Gun Hill at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Waxwings x 5 at Budgens entrance at Holt.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 12th for UK! Black Isle at Avoch, Highland, Scotland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN SE of Devoran, still at Restronguet Creek from Point Quay, Cornwall.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 2nd to 8th November!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2016-45.aspx?s_id=437135404

Tuesday 8 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Velvet Scoters x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Scaup x 2, Black-throated Diver, Arctic Tern at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 40 just south of A149 near In Focus by road to Choseley, Titchwell.
Black Guillemot, Glaucous Gull, Purple Sandpiper, Shag, Little Auk, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Snow Buntings x 3 at Sheringham.
Firecrest at Beeston Common, Sheringham.
Waxwings x 8 at A148/Valley Lane junction at Holt.
Waxwing in garden at Limpenhoe.
Jack Snipe in North Dunes, Winterton.
Waxwings x 6 on Blackfriars Road, Great Yarmouth.
Waxwings x 92 flew south over cliffs at Hunstanton.
Waxwings x 40 by Beach Road at Holme.
Shorelarks x 100, Crossbill, Waxwing, Long-tailed Ducks x 5, Scaup x 3, Velvet Scoter, Twite x 20, Linnets x 50 at Holkham Bay.
Black-throated Diver flew east early morning over Lady Anne's Drive, Holkham.
Waxwings x 10 at Wells Woods.
Black-throated Diver at Wells Harbour.
Water Pipits x 3 at Cantley Beet Factory.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR just west of Gun Hill, Great White Egret on west side of boardwalk towards Gun Hill, Snow Bunting in scrub at righthand bend of seawall before end of boardwalk at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Black Redstart still on White House at Tivetshall St Mary.
Ring-necked Parakeet flew NE over Dussindale Drive, Thorpe St Andrew.
Little Auks x 4 at Cley.
Waxwings x 30 along Broadwater Road at Holme.
Velvet Scoter at Whitlingham Country Park.
Waxwings x 6 along Wells Road at Hindringham.
Bewick's Swans x 13 at Welney WWT.
Waxwings x 6 at junction of Gas House Hill at Alysham.
Water Pipits x 3 at Surlingham Marshes.
Glaucous Gull, Shorelarks x 2, Snow Buntings x 20 at Blakeney Point.
Waxwings x 12 on Broom Gardens, Belton.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 12th for UK! Black Isle at Avoch, Highland, Scotland.

MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Rock Off Porthilly, Camel Estuary, Cornwall.

Monday 7 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Glaucous Gull, Little Auks x 3, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Little Gulls x 10 at Cley.
Waxwings x 10 at A148/Valley Lane junction at Holt.
Pomarine Skua, Little Auks x 3 at Trimingham.
Velvet Scoter at Ranworth Broad.
Little Auks x 13, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Little Gulls x 10, Sooty Shearwater, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Waxwing at Sheringham.
Little Auk, Pomarine Skua, Scaup at Overstrand.
Little Auks x 4 at Scratby.
Waxwings x 3, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 4, Little Auk, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR by ruin at Gun Hill at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Shorelarks x 70 at east end, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 5, Great Skuas x 6, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Mealy Redpolls x 2, Waxwing at Holkham Gap.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Little Auks x 2, Sooty Shearwaters x 2, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Waxwings x 9 at top of Hill Road, Ingoldisthorpe.
Little Auk at Casiter-on-Sea.
Waxwings x 5 opposite flats in Blackfriars Road, Great Yarmouth.
Little Auks x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Scaup at harbour entrance, Great Yarmouth.
Waxwings x 8 along Firs Road at Holme.
Little Auk, Pomarine Skua, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Velvet Scoter, Waxwing at Holme.
Purple Sandpipers x 4, Snow Buntings x 10 at Waxham.
Little Auks x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Weybourne.
Little Auks x 4, Long-tailed Duck, Little Gulls x 3, Pomarine Skua, Scaup at Sidestrand.
Short-eared Owl at Fersfield Airfield.
Little Auks x 6 at Cromer.
Waxwing at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Waxwings x 18 flew over Attleborough.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! WESTERN RUFOUS TURTLE DOVE Mainland, in garden at North Roe, Shetland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 12th for UK! Black Isle at Avoch, Highland, Scotland.

The Weekend!

I have not had a 'hot birding' weekend at all, in fact it was non-existent, aside from a fabulous surprise as I walked up the hill into work on Sunday, of 18 Waxwings flying over my head east at 8.20am!!! Lots of Blackbirds were feeding around the hospital grounds. A wickedly cold day, with sunshine Sunday morning and then torrential rain and winds for the rest of the day.

After work on Sunday evening, I headed to Heacham to deliver Father his finished birthday present, see previous post today. He seemed very pleased with his new hand warming muff – it took forever to make, as the layers were so thick, I had to hand sew most of it, but worth it when finished. I then popped in to see Mother to make sure she was ok – she was, apart from having to sit on her second favourite chair, as the cat has now taking a liking to the best seat in the house!

Sunday 6 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Kumlien's Gull ad. probable north of pier, Long-tailed Duck flew north past Gorleston-on-Sea.
Smew redhead, Scaup, Black-necked Grebes x 2 at Snettisham RSPB.
Shorelarks x 80 still on saltmarsh, Water Pipits x 2, Sabine's Gulls x 5, Glaucous Gull, Pomarine Skuas x 3, Sooty Shearwaters x 4, Little Auk, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Velvet Scoters x 3, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Holkham Bay.
Great White Egret on freshmarsh, Holkham.
Glaucous Gull, Little Auks x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoter at Cromer.
Rose-coloured Starling juv. again at south end of Well Road in garden at Limpenhoe.
Little Auk, Long-tailed Duck, Shag, Purple Sandpiper at Overstrand.
Glaucous Gull, Little Auks x 8, Black-throated Diver, Short-eared Owl, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 3, Red-necked Grebe (probable) at Sheringham.
Glaucous Gulls x 2, Little Auks x 2, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Sooty Shearwaters x 2, Velvet Scoters x 3, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 10, Great Skuas x 30 at Cley.
Glaucous Gull, Sooty Shearwaters x 2, Little Gulls x 4, Little Auks x 20, Velvet Scoter, Pomarine Skua at Winterton.
Firecrest by path to Parrinder Hide, Little Auk, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Arctic Tern, Velvet Scoters x 4 at Titchwell RSPB.
Black Redstart at Owls Barn, Tivetshall St Mary.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 flew past harbour mouth at Great Yarmouth.
Waxwings x 19 at A148/Valley Lane junction, Waxwings x 25 still on Pearson's Road opposite entrance to Gresham's School at Holt.
Waxwings x 50 west of level crossing at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham.
Waxwings x 20 along Firs Road, Little Auks x 7, Velvet Scoters x 2, Great Skuas x 41, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Holme.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR SE of Gun Hill at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Waxwings x 18 flew east at 8.20am over Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn.
Glaucous Gull flew north just west of Melton Constable.
Waxwings x 2 by village green at North Creake.
Jack Snipe, Purple Sandpiper at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Velvet Scoters x 2, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Long-tailed Duck at Salthouse.
Twite x 21 at Thornham Harbour.
Black-throated Diver at Sea Palling.
Pomarine Skuas x 2 at Blakeney Point.
Common Cranes x 12 one mile north of mill at Horsey.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! CLIFF SWALLOW again at Stone Curlew field at 7.15am then flew south, plus no further sign all day at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk.

MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 12th for UK! Black Isle at Avoch, trapped and ringed at 9.30am.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland.

Father's Present Finished!

The finished Hand Muff I made for Father's 90th Birthday!

Saturday 5 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Rough-legged Buzzard, probable flushed from roadside between Docking and Choseley.
Sooty Shearwater, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Arctic Tern, Snow Buntings x 4 on beach at Holme.
Waxwings x 100 by toilet block, Waxwings x 50 by entrance to Redwell Marsh at Holme.
Rose-coloured Starling juv. again at south end of Well Road in garden at Limpenhoe.
Glaucous Gull, Little Auks x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 3 flew east, Caspian Gull on Pat's Pool at Cley.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR just south of Gun Hill, Lapland Buntings x 2, Black Brant at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Waxwings x 23 in Budgens car park at Holt.
Waxwings x 4 on Pearson's Road opposite entrance to Gresham's School at Holt. 
Waxwings x 10 along A149 at south end of Thornham.
Purple Sandpiper, Shag, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Arctic Terns x 3, Little Gulls x 4, Velvet Scoters x 2, Pomarine Skuas x 3 at Sheringham.
Firecrest in car park, Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Great Northern Diver flew west, Great Skuas x 13, Arctic Skua, Arctic Terns x 3, Velvet Scoters x 2, Little Gulls x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh.
Shorelarks x 68 at east end of saltmarsh, Holkham Bay at Holkham Gap.
Little Auks x 3, Sooty Shearwaters, Great Skuas x 34, Arctic Tern, Long-tailed Duck, Scaup x 4 at Hunstanton Cliffs.
Black Redstart at Owls Barn, Tivetshall St Mary.
Hen Harrier at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! CLIFF SWALLOW again, over Visitor Centre at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Rock Off Porthilly, Camel Estuary, Cornwall.

Friday 4 November 2016

MEGA! EYEBROWED THRUSH at Bolam Lake Country Park, Northumberland!

EYEBROWED THRUSH 7.5mls WSW of Morpeth at Bolam Lake Country Park on north side in hawthorn at Pheasant Meadow, late afternoon, Northumberland. Found by Ross Moore.

Discussion on Birdforum HERE. Pictures HERE.

MEGA! CLIFF SWALLOW at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk!

CLIFF SWALLOW over Visitor Centre at 3.52pm until dusk, then flew to reeds by Bittern Hide.

Discussion here on Birdforum. Pictures HERE

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwings x 8 flew west, Eurasion White-fronted Geese x 4 in field by access road, Water Pipits, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Little Auk flew west, Scaup x 3, Long-tailed Duck at Titchwell RSPB.
Long-tailed Duck on sea at Weybourne.
Waxwings x 3 at Warham Greens.
Waxwings x 75 flew south at 8.25am, 40 flew over Princess Drive at Hunstanton.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR still, at Gun Hill, Waxwings x 2, Lapland Bunting, Black Brant, Great White Egret (on grazing marsh), Arctic Tern, Snow Buntings x 9 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Waxwings x 15 in hedge by A149 1 mile east, Waxwings x 6 in bushes east of south end of sea wall, Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Waxwings x 4 in garden at St Mary's, Langham.
Scaup x 3 flew north past,  Waxwings x 40 at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Black-necked Grebes x 2 on southern pit at Snettisham RSPB.
Waxwings x 3, Crossbill at Wells Woods.
Great Grey Shrike at near church at Swanton Novers.
Waxwings x 10 on Oasis Way, Hunstanton.
Waxwings x 20 at Valley Lane junction A148, 10 on Pearson's Road at Holt.
Waxwings x 30 on Pearson's Road, opposite entrance to Gresham's  prep school at Holt.
 Waxwings x 96 behind chalets at South Beach, Heacham.
Waxwings x 20 on Church Lane at Cley.
Short-eared Owl flew on off sea, Snow Buntings x 30 on shingle between Cley and Salthouse.
Waxwing in Stafford Street, Norwich.
Shorelarks x 65 still, Long-tailed Ducks x 5, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham Bay, 1 mile east of Holkham Gap.
Great White Egret still on freshmarsh at Holkham.
Waxwings x 120 along Firs Road, Little Auk, Arctic Tern, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe at Holme.
Rose-coloured Starling juv. at south end of Well Road in garden at Limpenhoe.
Black Redstart at Owls Barn, Tivetshall St Mary.
Waxwings x 2 on Child's Way, Little Auk on sea at Sheringham.
Waxwings x 8 flew over Wells Road, Fakenham.
Waxwings x 3 along Wells Road at B1355 junction, North Creake.
Little Auk on sea at Weybourne.
Long-tailed Duck north of Horsey Gap.
SAKER probable, this morning at Stiffkey.
Waxwings x 76 & Richard's Pipit flew south over Hunstanton Cliffs.

MEGA NEWS 
MEGA! CLIFF SWALLOW over Visitor Centre at Minsmere RSPB, Suffolk.
MEGA! EYEBROWED THRUSH 7.5mls WSW of Morpeth at Bolam Lake Country Park on north side in hawthorn at Pheasant Meadow, late afternoon, Northumberland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Rock Off Porthilly, Camel Estuary, Cornwall.
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.

Thursday 3 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Waxwings x 22 west, Little Auks x 5 flew west past, Short-eared Owl flew in off sea at Sheringham.
Waxwing on Garden Road, Waxwing by The Splash, Waxwings x 2 flew over Beach Road at Sheringham.
Waxwings x 12 flew south over Framingham Earl, Norwich.
Little Auk flew west past Overstrand.
Waxwing in garden at Bradenham.
Shorelarks x 2, Snow Buntings x 4, Little Auks x 3 at Sidestrand.
Waxwings x 8 in trees 300yds north of sluice, Little Auks x 23 flew past, Snow Buntings x 2 in beach car park, Snow Buntings x 20 at north end of East Bank, Caspian Gull on North Scrape at Cley.
Black Redstart in Roughton Road at Cromer.
Waxwing, Snow Buntings x 2, Little Auk on sea at Weybourne.
Waxwings x 60 on Beach Road, 37 in hawthorns NE of car park at Snettisham.
Waxwings x 25 flew over Snettisham Coastal Park.
Hooded Crow by A148 in trees by St Andrew's School, Alymerton.
Little Auks x 7 flew north past Horsey.
Waxwings x 10 flew over and 70 in car park, Little Auk flew west, Purple Sandpiper on freshmarsh, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Waxwings x 14 flew SW over Heacham.
Waxwings x 12 at Wiveton.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR still, at Gun Hill, Waxwings x 29 flew over Burnham Overy Dunes.
Waxwing in allotments, Waxwings x 15 at A148/Station Road junction at Holt.
Little Auk north past Great Yarmouth.
Lapland Buntings x 6 at Blakeney Harbour and Snow Buntings x 22 at Blakeney Freshes.
Waxwing by Ranworth Broad Visitor Centre NWT.
Black Redstart at Tivetshall St Mary.
Little Auks x 2 flew north with Starlings at Breydon Water.
Waxwings x 39 in poplars along Firs Road at Holme.
Shorelarks x 51 still at Holkham Bay, 1 mile east of Holkham Gap.
Little Auk on sea at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Waxwings x 223 flew south over cliffs (between 6.30am & 9am), Shorelark flew south, Lapland Buntings x 3 flew south at Hunstanton.
Waxwings x 40 flew over golf course at Hunstanton.
Little Auks x 12 flew west, Snow Bunting at Kelling.
Waxwing flew over Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.

MEGA NEWS
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN still at Rock Off Porthilly, Camel Estuary, Cornwall.

Wednesday 2 November 2016

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Iceland Gull juv., Little Gull, Little Auks x 20, Pomarine Skuas x 4, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Great Northern Diver, Scaup x 4, Sooty Shearwater, Shorelark at Cley.
Little Auk, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Snow Bunting, Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Little Auks x 16, Pomarine Skuas x 12, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Great Northern Diver, Snow Buntings x 4, Grey Phalaropes x 2, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoter at Sheringham.
Little Auks x 4 at Cromer.
Little Auks x 2, Scaup, Snow Buntings x 8 at Winterton.
Pale-bellied Brent Goose just west of Docking.
Tundra Bean Geese x 7 between Burnham Market and Docking.
Little Auks x 2, Velvet Scoter at Trimingham.
Waxwings x 3 yesterday at New Costessey.
Great White Egret at Hockwold Washes.
Little Auks x 4, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Velvet Scoter at Overstrand.
ISABELLINE WHEATEAR still, at Gun Hill, Burnham Overy Dunes.
Sabine's Gull, Little Auks x 2, Long-tailed Duck at Weybourne.
Scaup at Holkham Park Lake.
Great White Egret at Freshmarsh, Shorelarks x 35, 1/2 mile east of Holkham Gap and Lapland Bunting at Holkham.
Black Redstart at Tivetshall St Mary.
Little Auks x 9, Grey Phalarope, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Snow Buntings x 4 at Salthouse.
Hooded Crow on north side of A148 at Alymerton.
Waxwings x 15 at Redwell Marsh, Snow Buntings x 2, Arctic Tern, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Velvet Scoter, Little Auks x 5, Pomarine Skuas x 33, Great Skuas x 75 at Holme.
Shorelark, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Waxham.
Little Auks x 12 at Horsey.
Little Auks x 5, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Scaup, Velvet Scoter, Snow Bunting at Sidestrand.
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.

MEGA NEWS
None.

RBA Weekly Round-Up 26th October to 1st November!

By Andy Stoddart
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2016-44.aspx

Father's 90th Birthday Celebrations!

 Aged 90 Today!


I spent several hours using the sewing machine at work last night, making Father a hand warming muff with neck strap in his favourite colour, bright green. Even though the care home is hot, his hands are always cold. I had purchased some luxury dense fleece type green fabric and a special chocolate brown lining fabric that had wadding within, from the Fent Shop in King's Lynn. But to my horror, certain sections were too thick for the machine to cope with, so I'm having to do a lot of hand sewing, and it sadly it wasn't quite ready for the big day! I will post a picture of the finished item, when complete. I'm in the middle of making two, one to wear, one for the wash!

Father looked really well today and was in top form – well, top form for someone that has reached 90! I visited him twice, firstly at lunchtime and brought him a '90' helium balloon and a '90' badge to wear – he was pleased with the badge. Several birthday cards had arrived by post and I was excited to see who they were from, but waited until later on, when Mother visited too. Any cards opened and left on the table, might have gone walk about. There are a few residents, one springs to mind in particular who loves cards and loves collecting them up!
Father with me!

I had to go to a haberdashery shop in Hunstanton to buy some more bits and pieces for the hand muff and picked up some requested bread for Mother and then headed to Holme. I have lost count of how many beds the spoilt cat now has all around the house! Also Mother had placed grated cheese (I kid you not) on a tea plate which was placed on newspaper on the landing for the cat to eat!!! "Why can't the cat walk down the kitchen to eat that?" I asked..... Mother replied "its warmer upstairs with the radiator on – too cold for her to walk downstairs to eat"!!!!!! You couldn't make it up!

Mother and I arrived at Summerville House Care Home in Heacham, a few minutes after Lucy and Vivien. It was a job to sit with Father as he sits in a row with other residents, alongside a wall/window, but we managed to squeeze in! We assisted Father to open all his presents: lots of chocolates including a Thorntons chocolate champagne bottle, 2 shirts and socks from Lucy, a green zipped fleece and a framed picture of my card (which I printed out, as well as the card) from me, a new soft knee blanket, neck purse/bag to keep sweets and tissues in from Vivien and slippers and chocolates from Mother. There was a lovely card from Malcolm and Eileen, our very close friends (might as well say family as known them since year dot!) and some cards that were very unexpected and a lovely surprise – not from anyone we thought they might be from, but from birders that read my blog! I am so touched by that and I can't thank you enough. The cards were from Alan Paine, Christine and Patrick Riley, K & E Hill & Tony – so very kind to take the time to send cards, huge thanks to you all immensely.

Blowing out the candles!

Blowing out the last candle took a lot of puffs this year!

Father and Mother!


The next big surprise was Malcolm and Eileen arriving at the care home! This made my day, especially when Eileen is so ill. Father looked thrilled to see them both – well I say 'see', he can't really, but he instantly recognised their voices and looked so chuffed. He made me laugh when he demanded that someone get Eileen a chair – she was already sitting down, in a wheelchair. It was pretty crowded here now and it started to get a bit too much for Father, although he managed to eat a fried egg sandwich with assistance from me. One of the staff brought out a chocolate birthday cake with candles and we all sang Happy Birthday and pictures were taken by the staff and us and cake distributed – very nice it was too, thanks to Stephanie Middleton who kindly made it.

Malcolm took some 'proper' photos of us all with wide angle lens (he probably needed a wide angle he joked to me - ha ha ha!) Helped Eileen outside in the wheelchair and into her car when they left, so nice to see them on this very special occasion. I took all Father's cards and presents upstairs to his room and we left just as the staff were assisting him to the wheelchair to take him to bed, he was worn out and so were we! Vivien took Lucy home and I took Mother home. I had to do the on-line shop for Mother when I returned home, which I didn't feel like doing, but hey ho!

Thanks to everyone, including all the staff and residents at Summerville House Care Home, who made my Father's 90th Birthday Celebrations so special. I'm so glad he reached his 90th, I hope I make it that far!

CARD COLLECTION












 CARD COLLECTION


One of Lucy's presents
Framed another picture of my card to hang in Father's room

The finished Hand Muff I made for Father!