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Thursday 31 May 2018

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   
MARSH SANDPIPER reported yesterday at Cley NWT
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 3 at Cley NWT
Short-eared Owl, Wood Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 4 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Tern at Winterton
Red-backed Shrike male west of Stiffkey Fen
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Spoonbills x 2, Arctic Tern at Brancaster Staithe
Black Tern at Welney WWT
Spoonbill at Holme
Great White Egrets x 5 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Red-backed Shrike fem at Kelling Hard
Short-toed Lark at Blakeney Point

MEGA NEWS
None

Wednesday 30 May 2018

Internet Now At Holme!

At last, we are now on the Internet at Holme! The BT Engineer was here for over three hours, putting in a new BT socket, new wires outside the house and after several trips to the exchange on the main road at Holme, discovered that the new router was faulty too!!! With new Router installed, we now have Broadband!

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

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2018-22.aspx?s_id=826798812

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, Little Gulls x 6 at Titchwell RSPB
Short-toed Lark, Marsh Warbler at Blakeney Point
Turtle Dove at Holme NOA
Temminck's Stints x 2, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Wood Sandpiper at Postwick Park & Ride, Norwich
Garganey x 3 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Bluethroat male at Kelling Water Meadows
Spoonbills x 2 flew over Snettisham Coastal Park
Great White Egrets x 2 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Savi's Warbler (probable) at Hickling Broad NWT
Caspian Gulls x 2 at Burrell Way, Thetford

MEGA NEWS
MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER
probable, at Duncanspy Head, Highland, Scotland
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Skellig Island, County Kerry, Ireland
FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland

Tuesday 29 May 2018

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, Little Gulls x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart in Norwich
Turtle Dove in Seething
Curlew Sandpiper, Grey Plover at Potter Heigham Marshes
Garganey at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Turtle Dove at Holme
Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Whinchats x 2 at Blakeney Point
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes Nature Reserve, Thetford
Temminck's Stints x 2 at Cley NWT

MEGA NEWS
MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER
probable, at Duncanspy Head, Highland, Scotland

Link To My Snowy Owl Footage on Springwatch!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0b57s68/springwatch-2018-episode-1 
On iplayer for 30 days – scroll along to 54.4 minutes to see my video clips or watch the full video and others here on Sunday 11th March!

Monday 28 May 2018

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   
Wood Sandpipers x 2, Great White Egrets x 3 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Black Terns x 3, Great White Egrets x 4, Spoonbill, Garganey x 3 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Temminck's Stints x 2, Spoonbills x 6, Wood Sandpiper at Cley NWT
Wood Sandpiper at Salthouse
Honey Buzzard flew over Great Bircham
Spoonbill at Breydon Water
Grey-headed Wagtail, Little Gulls x 7 at Titchwell RSPB
Turtle Doves x 2 at Holme Dunes NWT

MEGA NEWS
MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER
probable, at Duncanspy Head, Highland, Scotland

Sunday 27 May 2018

My Snowy Owl Footage on Spring Watch!

My Snowy Owl footage at Snettisham RSPB is being shown tomorrow on Bank Holiday Monday in a special feature on ‘Beast from the East’ in the first episode of Springwatch at 8pm to 9.30pm on BBC2!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0b57s68/springwatch-2018-episode-1

BT Broad Band - Utterley Rubbish!

‘Titan’ a BT technical advisor told me on the 25th May that there was a technical fault on the line and that was why we could not log into our new internet account. It would take 48 hours to complete he told me and instructed me to turn the Router off for 30 seconds and then back on again after 7pm on Sunday, which I did this evening and guess what? Still not working and no one to contact until Tuesday!!!! Very pissed off is an understatement! This is the third evening I have had drive a few miles along the coast road to find 4G and type up the blog, one fingered on iphone - not happy!

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   
Short-toed Lark still, Osprey at Blakeney Point
Rose-coloured Starling adult flew south over Holkham
Black Terns x 2, Garganey x 5, Little Stint at Potter Heigham Marshes
Garganey x 2 between Burnham Deepdale and Burnham Norton
Black Redstart in Norwich
Turtle Doves x 3 at Seething
BEE-EATERS x 5+ flew south over Burnham Norton
Temminck’s Stints x 4, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Honey Buzzard (possible) flew over Snetterton
Honey Buzzard (possible) flew over Norwich
Turtle Dove near Sea Palling
Little Gull, Turtle Dove at Holme
Ruddy Shelduck at Holkham Freshmarsh
Spoonbills x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 3 at Blakeney Harbour

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland
SPECTACLED WARBLER
Possible at Spurn Point, Yorkshire

Saturday 26 May 2018

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-winged Black Tern still east of junction of paths at Burnham Overy Dunes
Red-backed Shrike, Turtle Dove, Garganey, Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl at Holme Dunes NWT
Short-eared Owl yesterday at Holme Dunes NWT
BEE-EATER early morning only at Limpenhoe
Short-toed LarkIcterine Warblers x 2, Blyth’s Reed Warbler at Blakeney Point
Serin yesterday, flew over South Beach, Heacham
Great White Egret flew over Stiffkey
Little Gulls x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
Garganey, Wood Sandpiper at Burnham Deepdale
Black Terns x 2, Little Stint, Garganey x 3 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Serin male singing at Beeston Bump, Sheringham
Great White Egrets x 2 at Hickling Broad NWT
Icterine Warbler yesterday and Arctic Redpoll, Common Rosefinch last week at Scolt Head Island
Turtle Dove is Snettisham Coastal Park

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland

Friday 25 May 2018

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   
GREENISH WARBLER singing at Titchwell RSPB
White-winged Black Tern still east of junction of paths, Pied Flycatcher, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Burnham Overy Dunes
Turtle Dove at Seething
Marsh Warbler east of South Beach at Hunstanton
Serin in garden at Hunstanton
Red-backed Shrike, Turtle Dove at Holme Dunes NWT
Short-toed Lark, Icterine Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Black Redstart, Redstarts x 4 at Blakeney Point
Spoonbill at Stiffkey
Icterine Warbler yesterday at Stiffkey
Black Redstart in Norwich
Whinchat at Cley
Black Tern at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park
Great White Egrets x 2 at Hickling Broad NWT
BEE-EATER at Limpenhoe

MEGA NEWS
None

Thursday 24 May 2018

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   
GREENISH WARBLER singing, Garganey, Little Gulls x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
White-winged Black Tern still east of junction of paths, Great White Egret at Burnham Overy Dunes
Turtle Dove at Seething
Great White Egret flew past Weybourne Camp
Black Redstart in Norwich
Grey Headed Wagtail on golfcourse then flew east at Cromer
Turtle Doves x 3 at Waxham
Spoonbills x 3 at Holme
BLYTH’S REED WARBLER probable (heard) east of Lady Anne’s Drive, Holkham
Black Redstart at Blakeney Point
Great White Egret east of Stiffkey
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh

MEGA NEWS
None

Wednesday 23 May 2018

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, Little Gulls x 4, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
Wood Sandpiper on Quaries Marsh, Wells
White-winged Black Tern, Great White Egrets x 2, Spoonbill, Montagu's Harrier at Burnham Overy Dunes
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Black Redstart in Norwich
Spoonbill at Cley NWT
ALBATROSS sp flew past (1.45pm) Holme Dunes NWT

MEGA NEWS
ALBATROSS sp
Holme Dunes NWT, Norfolk
FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

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

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2018-21.aspx?s_id=661890088

Tuesday 22 May 2018

Family Update!

Things have been extremely difficult since mother left hospital and that's putting it mildly. Vivien and I don't have a clue what we are doing or supposed to be doing and it feels like everything is spiralling out of control. Our mother is getting weaker daily and hardly eating at all and is asleep more than she is awake – her pain is increasing and we have to administer Oramorph to relieve her symptoms on top of her 'pain patch'. It is tearing me apart to see her like this, as she has always been such a tough cookie. We have have had an OT out to support us and other health professionals. I have been caring for her since she came out of hospital on Friday until Sunday – this period included phoning 111 and doctor visits and my complete breakdown in the early hours of Sunday morning. Vivien joined me on Sunday and we have both been with mother since then.

It has been extremely time consuming, attempting to update my blog with the RBA bird news via my iphone, which just has enough signal upstairs in my mother's house to get the internet. Many of you may think this is completely unimportant right now, but my blog is important to me and this helps me to have a tiny bit of normality in my life – not giving up the blog after eight years hard work! I have changed my mother's BT package to a Broadband package (which works out cheaper than her current package anyway) and from Wednesday we will have the internet in the family home, which will be useful for obvious reasons, including doing the on-line food shop!

I have not been in my house much, but returned today after an appointment with a health professional at 3pm to discuss the current situation and then arrived back home at 5.30pm. My baby Blackbirds are now teenagers and were being fed by parents on the top of my fence, which was sweet to watch and the garden is now a jungle! I managed to change the bird ponds and top up the bird table for the Blackbirds, which they seemed very pleased about and after that fell asleep on the sofa. I have no food in the fridge aside from margerine and a few eggs, so all I had when I woke up was jam on toast, before doing the on-line food shop for mother and Vivien. Good night!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services   
Temminck's Stint, Spoonbills x 2 at Cley NWT
Black Redstart in Norwich
Spoonbills x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe
Garganey x 3, Little Stint, Common Crane at Potter Heigham Marshes
Spoonbills x 4 at Holkham
Garganey x 4 at Hockwold Washes, Lakenheath Fen RSPB
BEE-EATER flew west past Trimingham
Turtle Dove flew past Horsey
Great White Egret at Hickling Broad NWT
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 780 at Stiffkey
Little Gulls x 4 at Titchwell RSPB

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Monday 21 May 2018

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   
Little Gulls x 5, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
Wood Sandpiper, Knot at Potter Heigham Marshes
Black Terns x 9 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Great White Egrets x 2, Grey Plover at Hickling Broad NWT
Red-backed Shrike Male at South Dunes, Winterton
Black Redstart in Norwich
Curlew Sandpiper, Spoonbills x 4 at Breydon Water
Turtle Dove at Snettisham Coastal Park
Black Tern at Rockland Broad
Turtle Dove, Spoonbills x 2 at Holme
Savi’s Warbler at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

MEGA NEWS
None

Sunday 20 May 2018

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   
Turtle Doves x 2 at Snettisham Coastal Park
Little Stint, Sanderling at Potter Heigham Marshes
Red-backed Shrike Male at South Dunes, Winterton
Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 7 at Titchwell RSPB
Turtle Dove near golf course at Holme
Black-necked Grebe on pit near Wissington Beet Factory
Grey-headed Wagtail, Temminck’s Stints x 2, Spoonbills x 2 at Cley NWT
Spoonbills x 4 at Breydon Water
Glaucous Gull flew past Kelling Quags
Osprey at Acle
Great Whit Egret on flood east of Stiffkey

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Saturday 19 May 2018

Life After Hospital!

Mother returned home from her operation on Friday afternoon after one night’s stay. She was understandably exhausted and in my opinion should have stayed in hospital longer. We had a rough night between us for various reasons and today only got worse.

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  
Spoonbills x 2 at Breydon Water
Turtle Dove at Snettisham Coastal Park
Temminck’s Stints x 2, Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper at Cley NWT
Short-eared Owl at Thornham Marsh
Little Gulls x 8 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart in Norwich
Common Cranes x 7 at St Olaves
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland

Friday 18 May 2018

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  
Little Gulls x 6 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart in Norwich
Savi's Warbler singing at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Common Cranes x 3 at Welney WWT
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Temminck’s Stints x 2 at Cley NWT
Spoonbills x 2 at Holme

MEGA NEWS
SONG SPARROW
Fair Isle, Shetland

Thursday 17 May 2018

Operation Today & Crisis Point!

With a 'Major Incident' going on of 'no beds' in the QEH (I was told yesterday) I needed to pray all night, that my mother's potentially life saving operation did not get cancelled this morning. She is so weak, so ill and has waited far too long for this 'urgent' op requested two weeks ago. She had a pre-assessment yesterday, which resulted in her requiring a blood transfusion today.

I took my mother to the QEH this morning at 7.30am for a blood transfusion and then potentially life saving operation, which she had at 2.20pm and returned to the ward at 4.20pm – Vivien and I have been there all day between us until 8.30pm. She is in a lot of pain, even with maximum pain relief and is staying in overnight. I hated leaving her this evening, just wanted to stay holding her hand all night. Vivien is on cat/house sitting duties at Holme!

A very difficult, sad, exhausting and stressful time for my sisters and I – the Clarke family are having a utterly crap time over the last couple of years. Vivien and I need to have a 'crisis' meeting this weekend, as our Mother can not be left at all now. We are struggling ourselves, trying to come to terms with her failing illness and rapid deterioration.

Dentist for me tomorrow morning – great! Then back to the hospital to see if my mother is being discharged home or not and how we are going to cope over the next few days.

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  
Temminck's Stint, Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Spoonbills x 4 at Cley NWT
Turtle Doves x 2 at Weeting Heath NWT
Black-winged Stilt, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Turtle Dove at Seething
Black Redstart in Norwich
Little Gull at Holme
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Common Rosefinch on garden feeder at Beeston Regis, Sheringham
Savi's Warbler at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Little Gulls x 2 at Titchwell RSPB

MEGA NEWS
SONG SPARROW
Fair Isle, Shetland

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

By Andy Stoddart
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2018-20a.aspx?s_id=497040249

Wednesday 16 May 2018

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  
Black Redstart in Norwich
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Temminck's Stint, Wood Sandpipers x 2, Little Gull, Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 5 at Cley NWT
Garganey at Titchwell RSPB
Common Crane at Potter Heigham Marshes

MEGA NEWS
SONG SPARROW
Fair Isle, Shetland
CRAG MARTIN
Fair Isle, Shetland
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk

Tuesday 15 May 2018

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  
Little Gulls x 5, Spoonbills x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart in Norwich
Savi's Warbler at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Great White Egret at Cley NWT
Turtle Dove at Seething
Red-breasted Flycatcher fem. at Blakeney Point
Turtle Dove at East Ruston
Curlew Sandpipers x 6, Garganey at Potter Heigham Marshes
Spoonbill at Thornham Marsh
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

MEGA NEWS
SONG SPARROW
Fair Isle, Shetland
CRAG MARTIN
Fair Isle, Shetland
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk

Norfolk Salt Marshes Could Be Declared Off-Limits

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/proposals-could-see-public-banned-from-north-norfolk-salt-marshes-1-5515677

Monday 14 May 2018

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  
Spoonbill at Breydon Water
Garganey flew over Burnham Overy Staithe
Garganey at Cley NWT
Curlew Sandpipers x 6, Wood Sandpiper, Garganey x 2, Spotted Redshank at Potter Heigham Marshes
Black Redstart in Norwich
Savi's Warbler at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Turtle Dove at New Buckenham Common
Spoonbill, Little Gulls x 4 at Titchwell RSPB

MEGA NEWS
MARMORA'S WARBLER, possibly BALEARIC WARBLER
Baliasta, Unst, Shetland
BLACK-FACED BUNTING 
Valyie, Unst, Shetland
CRAG MARTIN
Fair Isle, Shetland
BAIKAL TEAL
possible, flew past Flamborough Head, Yorkshire
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk
NORTHERN HARRIER
St Martin's, Isles of Scilly

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 13th MAY
Spoonbill, Little Stint at Breydon Water
Arctic Tern at Whitlingham Country Park
Black Redstart at Norwich
Little Gulls x 3, Little Stint at Titchwell RSPB
Black-winged Stilt, Garganey x 7, Spotted Redshank, Arctic Tern, Common Cranes x 2 at Welney WWT
Great White Egrets x 2 flew over Ken Hill Marshes Snettisham
Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Wood Sandpiper, Garganey x 3, Spotted Redshank at Potter Heigham Marshes
Temminck's Stint, Spoonbill, Little Gull at Cley NWT
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Black Tern at Colney Gravel Pits
Great White Egrets x 3 flew over Wells
Great White Egrets x 3, Spoonbills x 4 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Spoonbill at Burnham Norton
Savi's Warbler at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

MEGA NEWS
NORTHERN HARRIER
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk

Sunday 13 May 2018

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

White Wagtail at Cley NWT – 24th April 2018


HAPPY BIRTHDAY 
JOHN FURSE!

Hope you find some 'waggies'

Have a lovely birthday

Best Wishes
Penny x

Saturday 12 May 2018

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  
Little Gulls x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Turtle Dove flew over, Curlew Sandpiper at Holme Dunes NWT
Garganey x 2 at east end of Holkham Pines
Nightjars x 2 flew over Beach Road, Temminck's Stint, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Turtle Doves x 3, Nightingales x 2 at Snettisham Coastal Park
Turtle Dove at Seething
Black-winged Stilt at Welney WWT
Turtle Dove at Brancaster
Osprey, Spoonbill at Sheringham
Black-headed Wagtail near Church Farm at Happisburgh
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Savi's Warbler at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

MEGA NEWS
NORTHERN HARRIER
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Friday 11 May 2018

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  
Black Redstart in Norwich
Garganey x 2 at Kelling Water Meadows
Honey Buzzard at Titchwell RSPB
Garganey x 3, Little Gull at Potter Heigham Marshes
Temminck's Stint, Garganey x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Garaganey x 2 at Lakenheath Fen RSPB
Turtle Dove at Stiffkey Fen
Great White Egret near Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT
Spoonbill, Little Gull at Cley NWT

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk
AZURE TITS x 2
Escaped, Gibraltar Point NNR,
Lincolnshire 

FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland

Thursday 10 May 2018

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  
Spoonbills x 4, Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Breydon Water
Montagu's Harrier flew east, Wood Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 2, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
Common Cranes x 2 at Welney WWT
Black Redstart near Parmenter Gate Court Flats, Norwich
Wryneck at Beeston Bump, Sheringham
Great White Egret at Filby Broad
Ring Ouzel at Waxham
Arctic Terns x 8 at Ormesby Broad
Great White Egret by River Thurne, Martham
Temminck's Stint, Garganey x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Wood Sandpiper at Burnham Norton
Great White Egret at Hickling Broad NWT
Turtle Dove in garden at Langham

SNOWY OWL 1w female at Freiston Shore RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk

Wednesday 9 May 2018

Hospital Update!

Its been an horrendous night to say the least. Found my mother on the bedroom floor and unable to get up and with her painful right hip, I couldn't get her to turn to get up either. She didn't really know how she fell, but thought she had slipped on the floor. She was extremely distressed and it was a very stressful situation. The Careline Team had called an ambulance, but had warned me that they were extremely busy and that they could be two or three hours! I went downstairs and phoned Careline to ask them to send out Swift Response – whilst in the middle of this phone call the ambulance crew of three turned up, far earlier than I had expected.

They did loads of checks, including an ECG and found something not quite right with this, but I can't remember what and also my mother's temperature was raised and she was very hot. They thought she may have an infection and combined with her main diagnosis (illness) they decided she needed to go to hospital. After doing a blood test as well, I think the ambulance left around 4am. I stayed behind to sort the house out, pack a hospital bag for mother, feed the cat etc etc and then headed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It was nice hearing the dawn chorus as I made my way to King's Lynn!

Mother was on a trolley in a cubicle in A&E ALL day, as there were no beds! She was given Oramorph to reduce her painful hip. It was both mentally and physically exhausting – having to explain the entire history of the last few weeks and then both falls yesterday and this morning, to various members of staff as each one carried out their assessments. Mother was sent for an X-Ray, but nothing was broken or fractured, which was not what we expected.

We drifted in and out of sleep throughout the day – both of us felt so desperately tired. Vivien arrived in the afternoon and sat with us for the rest of the day. After another ECG, more blood tests, a stair assessment and mobility assessment, it was decided that mother could go home if someone was staying with her. She was also issued a commode and requested to sleep downstairs. We eventually left at 6.10pm – well, mother and I left and Vivien stayed to wait for the medication and followed us home to Holme later. On the way out we bumped into a lady who also lives in Holme who we know really well – she had also fallen over last night!

Mother was so tired, she couldn't get out of the car, so I left her there whilst I got the commode out and in place in the house and the hospital bag etc. She was still in the same nightdress she had fallen in and looked very bedraggled as did I! Got mother into the house and she immediately fell asleep on the sofa – the cat jumped up and also went to sleep on her lap. Vivien arrived with the medication, but they didn't give her a discharge letter!

Vivien and I worked hard to sort everything out. Mother would now be sleeping in what was father's bed in the living room, but we needed to rig up a light, so she could get out safely and use the commode in the night – this took longer than expected to do. After all the chores, we managed to get mother into bed. I left and returned to King's Lynn and Vivien stayed the night to keep an eye on mother. I don't know how I managed to drive home, but I got there safely.

Vivien had a very difficult night with mother and didn't sleep a wink – very difficult times for us all.

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  
American Wigeon, Little Gulls x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Spoonbills x 6 at Breydon Water
Black Redstart in Norwich
Iberian Chiffchaff reported was an atypical Chiffchaff at Ringstead Downs NWT
Wood Sandpiper, Little Gull, Garganey x 3 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Montagu's Harrier near Foulsham
Wood Sandpiper at Salthouse
Honey Buzzard flew over Burnham Overy Staithe
Red-footed Falcon flew over North Dunes, Winterton
White Stork, Osprey flew near Sparham
Wood Sandpiper at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Wryneck at Beeston Bump, Sheringham

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Spiralling Out of Control!

TUESDAY 8th MAY
Mother fell outside yesterday afternoon on concrete in the garden and lay there for approximately two hours calling out (she didn't have her Careline pendant on!) and couldn't get up, until very luckily a BOOTS prescription delivery man and two very kind neighbours came to her rescue and lifted her up. She called me at 4pm to tell me this. She wasn't hurt that much, but her opposite hip is so painful with her 'illness' that I had to call an emergency doctor out to her this evening. He recommended to double her pain patch that she has normally, but couldn't issue her anything else because of her illness.

Massive thanks to the neighbours and the BOOTS delivery man who assisted my mother – I don't know who they were, but thank you so much.

Mother couldn't wash herself and could hardly walk because of the pain, so I got her into bed before I left. I have just got home at 12.40pm - just had a call from Careline at 1.11am to say that she has fallen out of bed. Back I go to Holme and the ambulance has been called. Its going to be a long night.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
TUESDAY 8th MAY
Great White Egrets x 3 at Kelling Water Meadows
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Thornham
Ring Ouzel, Whinchats x 2, Nightingales x 2, Harrier sp flew east at Burnham Overy Dunes
Iberian Chiffchaff at Ringstead Downs NWT
Great White Egret flew over Muckleburgh Hill
Spoonbills x 6 at Holkham
Great White Egrets x 3 flew over Overstrand
Dotterel x 2 at Docking
Golden Oriole singing at 6am at Titchwell RSPB
Arctic Terns x 2 at Beetley
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Osprey flew over King's Lynn
Turtle Doves x 2 at New Buckenham Common
Great White Egrets x 3, Ring Ouzel flew over Weybourne
Garganey, Short-eared Owl at Horsey
Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Garganey x 5 at Hickling Broad NWT

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Tuesday 8 May 2018

BANK HOLIDAY NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
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MONDAY 6th MAY
Turtle Dove, Little Gulls x 2, Spoonbills x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Dotterel x 2 west of Choseley Farm, north of Docking
Purple Heron viewed from West Bank, Great White Egret, Black Terns x 2, Little Gull at Cley NWT
Wood Warbler at Mousehold Heath, Norwich
Short-toed Lark at Great Sandy Low at Blakeney Point
Great White Egret east of Acle
Garganey x 3, Little Gulls x 2 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Turtle Dove at Seeting
Great White Egret, Hooded Crow at North Dunes, Winterton
Common Cranes x 2 flew over Thorpe St Andrew & Cringleford
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Beacon Hill, Burnham Market
Wrynecks x 3 reported at Dersingham Bog
Firecrest at Gramborough Hill
Honey Buzzard (possible) flew over Salthouse Heath
Turtle Doves x 2, Spoonbills x 2 at Holme
Wood Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Iberian Chiffchaff at Ringstead Downs NWT
Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp
Red-throated Pipit flew over Sheringham

MEGA NEWS 
GREEN HERON
Llan-mill ESE of Narberth, Pembrokeshire
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Monday 7 May 2018

A Very Hot Day At Holme!

SUNDAY 6th May
I spent the entire day with my mother, Lucy, Vivien and Ray in the garden at Holme. It was far too hot to be doing anything much, but I managed to do a few jobs around the house, like giving the bathroom a Spring clean etc and sorting out some clothing items that need to go to charity shops. I love our family garden so much – it is the most beautiful and peaceful place to sit and relax – we sat chilling in deckchairs on the lawn watching butterflies and bees dancing around mother's wildflower patch in the glorious sunshine. Blackcaps and Cuckoos were singing from across the meadow and the cat took a fancy to one of my new deckchairs!

Vivien's partner Ray has a just purchased a Ukulele and Vivien was trying to strum some tunes, which Lucy and I were very impressed with – looks like we have a second musician in the making. Lucy should have brought her violin over today too! Mother didn't really spend any time outside and preferred to sit indoors – she looks so fragile and her skin is very pale. It was rather an odd lunch gathering, with two of us having fish 'n' chips from Eric's at Thornham and three of us having dressed crab, shrimps, granary bread and salad – not me I hasten to add! The cat didn't know which way to sniff first! Victoria Sandwich (extremely yummy from the Farm Shop at Thornham) and other delights were enjoyed later for tea.

Vivien and Ray went off for a walk and returned later to casually mention they had watched a Great White Egret on their travels. I lept off my deckchair and went to see for myself and there was indeed, a magnificent Great White Egret fishing in the evening sunshine – made my day! Returning to Holme, Vivien and Ray had left to return to Ely and me being clever (I was so not) decided to leave just after 9pm to avoid all the going home from the beach traffic. Lucy and I drove through Ringstead to avoid Hunstanton and came out near the Heacham Lavender field junction to a gridlock of cars – I was shocked to see this at this time. It took forever to get back to King's Lynn! I knew it wasn't going to be good when Lucy and I travelled along the clifftop road in Hunstanton at 9.05am this morning to see the entire clifftop road, almost full with cars, which I have never seen at this time of the morning. Can you imagine what Bank Holiday Monday is going to be like?!!!

Back in my house, I fell asleep on the sofa which is why the bird news and this post ended up on Monday's date!!! Good night, or should I say good morning!

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 6th MAY
Purple Heron viewed from West Bank, Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 3 at Cley NWT
Dotterel x 3 west of Choseley Farm, Docking
Short-toed Lark at Great Sandy Low, Harrier sp. ringtail at Blakeney Point
Great White Egret, Little Gulls x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret on flood east of Stiffkey
Garganey x 5, Little Gull at Potter Heigham Marshes
Savi's Warbler, Sandwich Terns x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Garganey on flood east of Wells
Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl at North Dunes, Winterton
Garganey, Bar-tailed Godwits x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Great White Egret at Rollesby Broad
Wood Warbler at Mousehold Heath, Norwich
Spoonbill at Burnham Overy Staithe
Great White Egret at Filby Broad
Turtle Doves x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp
Ring Ouzel at Holme

SNOWY OWL 1w female reported in area with no general access at Freiston Shore RSPB, Lincolnshire

MEGA NEWS 
GREEN HERON
Llan-mill ESE of Narberth, Pembrokeshire
AMERICAN BITTERN 
Singing at Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland