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Saturday 30 June 2018

Dedication & Unveiling of Plaque at HBO!

My mother, Lucy, Vivien and I arrived at Holme Bird Observatory and parked in the disabled parking space. I  knew that I wouldn't be able to use the wheelchair, as the ground was too soft, so my hope was that mother could just about walk to the observatory from the bottom of the steps – she had to catch her breath a few times, but did make it. It was a boiling hot day, even by 9.45am and there was little shade to be had.

There was a small gathering of members and NOA staff for the ceremony. It was nice to see Richard Porritt from the history books! Aside from NOA staff, I didn't know anyone else, but huge thanks to those that had travelled long distances to join us today, it was much appreciated. Sophie had chalked up a brilliantly drawn curtain on a blackboard and this covered the plaque! Chairman Dr Steve Newman and mother drew back the 'curtain' to reveal the plaque and Steve then did a short speech about the new windows and the money raised and thanked those that had assisted with this and then dedicated HBO to 'Peter Clarke'.

Mother said she was pleased that she had been able to make it for this little ceremony. A Spoonbill flew over the marsh and landed on the Broadwater. We spent about an hour here reminiscing and then slowly walked back to the car with mother. It was stifling hot now and the air conditioning was very welcoming!

Back at the house, we all enjoyed fish 'n' chips and fruit salad dessert. Vivien and Lucy then headed home and I stayed to care for mother, which I will be doing for the rest of the weekend. Spent over an hour filling up the new bird feeders, cleaning out the drinking pools and watering the new plants. We spent the evening watching the Portugal and Uruguay match. After the football match I went to Tescos and on route I saw big numbers of Silver Y moths around the plants by the arch next to the lighthouse at Hunstanton and then watched the cerise sun set over the cliffs.

PICTURES TO BE ADDED TOMORROW

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 12, Spotted Redshank, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart at Norwich
Honey Buzzards x 2 at the Raptor Watch Point, Swanton Novers
Garganey at Welney WWT
Great White Egrets x 5, Hooded Crow at Hickling Broad NWT
Osprey flew over Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Great White Egrets x 2, Spoonbill at Holme
Great White Egret, Spoonbill at Potter Heigham Marshes
Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Cley NWT

MEGA NEWS
None

Friday 29 June 2018

HBO – In Memory Of Peter Clarke


Here is the plaque that I have spent a long time sorting. This will be unveiled at 10am tomorrow at Holme Bird Observatory. It was difficult to find a company that I was happy with and someone who made quality signs – after much googling I discovered The Anglia Sign Casting Company based at Horsford near Norwich – see their manufacturing video here. It was nice to use a local family firm and 'Robbie' has been incredibly patient with my request for attention for detail and the many proofs back and forth via email!!! Being a Typesetter for over 20 years with attention for detail and spacing, will always make me a difficult customer! Huge thanks to Robbie and the entire company for producing such a stunning plaque – its made from bronze and is not cheap, but the quality and finish is beautiful! I didn't want it to look morbid, as this isn't what its about and deciding on colours took me a while – even though father's favourite colour was green, I realised it had to match the new dark grey window frames of the observatory and the gold (bronze polished letters) represents hot sunny days, which my father loved so much!

I am very pleased with the finished plaque and can't wait to see it tomorrow when it will be unveiled. The Anglia Sign Casting Company is certainly the place to contact for any plaques or signs you require. Hope to see some of you at 10am. See my post earlier this week.

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 14, Spotted Redshanks x 8 at Titchwell RSPB
FIN WHALE dead in King's Lynn
Black-winged Stilt, Spoonbill at Potter Heigham Marshes
Spoonbill on Thornham Marsh
Spoonbill flew over Holme

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Thursday 28 June 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 11, Spotted Redshanks x 7 at Titchwell RSPB
FIN WHALE in River Great Ouse, King's Lynn
Spoonbill flew over Wells
Caspian Gull, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT
Black Redstart at Norwich

MEGA NEWS
None

Wednesday 27 June 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 10, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 7, Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Black-winged Stilt, Spoonbill, Great White Egret at Potter Heigham Marshes

MEGA NEWS
None

RBA Weekly Round-Up 20th to 26th June!

By Andy Stoddart
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2018-26.aspx?s_id=412608663

Tuesday 26 June 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 8, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 6, Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Titchwell RSPB
Honey Buzzard flew over Nunnery Lakes Nature Reserve, Thetford
Black-winged Stilt, Spoonbill, Great White Egrets x 2 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Great White Egret at Welney WWT

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Monday 25 June 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  
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Black-winged Stilt at Potter Heigham Marshes
Little Gulls x 8, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshanks x 6 at Titchwell RSPB

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Titchwell RSPB!

Sunday 24th June

I took my mother out in her new wheelchair for the first time and we spent a couple of hours at Titchwell RSPB. The chair needed dismantling completely in order to get it in my car, but it was fairly quick to do. Mother seemed to enjoy herself, but felt guilty about me pushing her around, which was very silly as I enjoyed it just as much as she did. We walked around the Fen Trail, to Patsy's Pool and to the furthest end of the East Trail – my mother had never seen this part of the reserve and she loved looking at the rich array of wild flowers. We both remarked about the lack of bird song and also the massive lack of butterflies this year, although we did see our first Painted Lady just outside the garden at Holme this morning. We luckily heard a Cetti's Warbler bursting into song by the Fen Hide – Ray Kimber told us that all the resident Cetti's Warblers perished in the winter and this was the first bird they had heard sing since then. We then went a short way along the main path, but the sun was getting very hot, so we returned to the visitor centre for an early lunch.

The RSPB have a new lunch menu and I choose 'Coronation Quorn' (whole quorn pieces, lightly spiced with apricots, apple, mango chutney, in a light yogurt and mayonnaise dressing) with jacket potato and salad – this was the most exciting veggie meal I have ever had at any nature reserve, it really was scrumptious. I hope very much that they don't take it off the menu! I managed to position mother's wheelchair at the table without her having to get out and it was fairly cool sitting inside the 'Feeding Station'. We purchased some bird food from the shop, then returned home to chill in mother's house, which is always cool in hot weather – one of the best places to be.

Sunday 24 June 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 7, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Cley NWT
Black-winged Stilt at Potter Heigham Marshes
Little Gull at Barton Broad
Little Gulls x 8 at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret at Welney WWT

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Dedication at Holme Bird Observatory - 30th June!

Peter and Margaret Clarke at Holme Bird Observatory

 
On Saturday 30th June at 10am there will be an informal gathering of family, staff and trustees at Holme Bird Observatory to dedicate the building with a plaque in the memory of Peter Clarke, our founding warden. Members are welcome to join us to see the new plaque installed at the NOA centre, so please do come and join us if you can.

http://www.holmebirdobs.co.uk/2018/06/dedication-of-holme-bird-observatory.html

Family Update!

As I'm sure many of you have noticed, there has been a serious lack of 'birding' posts from me personally – its been a very difficult few weeks and that's putting it mildly. I have been off sick for the longest time I have ever had off work with stress, anxiety and depression – mostly due to my mother's failing illness, which can now only be 'managed'. We thought she wasn't going to make it just before she had two stents fitted and she wasn't good afterwards either – without these, she wouldn't be here now. Basically this operation has prolonged her life. Currently she is weak and can't walk far, but overall she has picked up a bit, but this is only temporary and her 'illness' will very sadly win in the end. She is having regular blood transfusions at the QEH to keep her Haemoglobin levels normal and is on various medications. I would have coped a little better, if I had not lost my father so recently – very difficult to get through life at times and our bodies and minds can only take so much, however strong you think you are.

We had a lovely wheelchair delivered last week and I am very much looking forward to taking mother out tomorrow on my last full day with her before I return to work this Monday. I had to take the entire chair apart to get it in the car though! Today we had a lovely lunch at The White Horse pub in Holme and then fell asleep all afternoon! I don't sleep very well at my mother's house, so we have both just had a glass of Sainsbury's Old Mout Cider Passionfruit & Apple to help us sleep – very nice it was too!

I have spent quite a bit of time trying to improve things to cheer mother up (as has Vivien) and I recently bought a big selection of bird feeders and hung them all up from an old iron rose arch. Mother has always thrown tons of bird seed on the ground and this in turn attracts families of rats! So I decided it was time to get the seed off the ground. I also purchased a wonderful bird table from Titchwell RSPB, which was a display model, so I was lucky enough to get it a bit cheaper! The model is called the Country Barn Bird Table and has a larger than normal feeding area and the brilliant part of the design, is the plastic removable tray for cleaning! This new feeding station has attracted even more birds than normally visit the garden, including both male and female Great Spotted Woodpeckers on the nut feeder. There has also been an incredibly annoying squirrel, who has challenged me daily! I had to make a cage of chicken wire around the fat ball feeder which has worked brilliantly and the squirrel is not happy at all! So far, it has managed to destroy a RSPB seed feeder and I had to return to buy a metal one and taken an entire coconut (I now have them wired up). The Jackdaws are also pigging out on everything! We also purchased some lovely colourful potted plants from Ringstead Nurseries, so that mother can view these from her chair in the dining room, whilst watching the birds feeding.

Vivien will be caring for my mother during the week and I will be taking over at weekends which is going to be difficult, but we are not putting her into a care home at any stage. After seeing my father in a care home, we won't ever be going through that again!

Saturday 23 June 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  
Pied Crow on seafront at Cromer
Spoonbills x 5, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Cley NWT
Great White Egret at Welney WWT

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN BITTERN (probable)
Seen in flight at 6.15pm only at Barton Turf Staithe, Barton Broad, Norfolk

Friday 22 June 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  
Pied Crow on seafront at Cromer
Little Gulls x 10 at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret, Spotted Redshank at Potter Heigham Marshes
Scaup at Hopton-on-Sea

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Thursday 21 June 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 14, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
Little Terns x 2, Little Gull at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Spoonbills x 6 at Cley NWT
Black Redstart at Norwich
Pied Crow on seafront at Cromer
Spoonbill at Wells

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN ROYAL TERN 
Weymouth (5.30am only), Dorset

Wednesday 20 June 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  
Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 9 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart at Norwich
Pied Crow near pier at Cromer

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN ROYAL TERN
On Tern Island at Church Norton (early am only), Sussex
AMERICAN ROYAL TERN
Lodmoor RSPB & Ferry Bridge, Dorset

Tuesday 19 June 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  
Firecrest, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 7, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 3 at Cley NWT
Black Redstarts x 2 at Norwich
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Great White Egret at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Pied Crow on sea front at Cromer
Spoonbill at Holme

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN ROYAL TERN
On Tern Island at Church Norton, Sussex

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   
MONDAY 18th JUNE
Caspian Gulls x 2 at Cromer
Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Gulls x 5, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Spoonbills x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
Pied Crow at Winterton
Red-backed Shrike fem at North Dunes, Winterton
Black-winged Stilt, Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 4, Redshank at Potter Heigham Marshes
Black Redstarts x 2 at Norwich
Spoonbill at Holme

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Sunday 17 June 2018

Father’s Day

Sending love to my dearest father, up above in the fluffy white clouds, blue skies and birds on Father’s Day - in my thoughts daily - miss you so much xxx

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   
Pied Crow at race course, Great Yarmouth
Pomerine Skua, Spoonbills x 3, Curlew Sandpiper at Cley NWT
Black Redstart at Norwich
Black-winged Stilt, Spoonbills x 4 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Roseate Tern adult at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egrets x 5, Spotted Redshank at Rush Hill Scrape, Honey Buzzard at Hickling Broad NWT
Spoonbills x 2 at Holme

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Saturday 16 June 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   
Pied Crow at race course, Great Yarmouth
Hybrid Hooded Crow/Carrion Crow at Great Yarmouth
Pied Crow in garden at Caister-on-Sea
Great White Egret, Little Gulls x 9, Spotted Redshanks x 6, Curlew Sandpiper at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 3, Garganey at Potter Heigham Marshes
Spoonbills x 3, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT
Iberian Chiffchaff (possible) at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Spoonbill at Holme NOA

GREAT REED WARBLER still, singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Friday 15 June 2018

BT Broad Band Failed Again!

Late last night the internet stopped working at Holme again! Engineer will be out next Monday - such a quick, reliable and efficient service!! All other BT users are ok along our road, it’s just us! Typing up blog one fingered on phone is so exciting!!!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services   
Great White Egret, Little Gulls x 10, Spotted Redshanks x 10 at Titchwell RSPB
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Spoonbills x 3, Garganey at Potter Heigham Marshes
Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Black Redstart at Norwich
Great White Egret at Hickling Broad NWT
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 2, Short-eared Owl at Holme Dunes NWT
Pied Crow reported at Winterton
Pied Crow yesterday on race course and this evening at Great Yarmouth

GREAT REED WARBLER singing at Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB, Cambridgeshire

MEGA NEWS
None

Thursday 14 June 2018

Hunstanton Cliffs!

My mother is not well enough to walk more than a few yards and is unable to go to the beach at Holme, as its too far to walk and the uneven ground too difficult to contend with, so this evening I took her on a surprise trip, so that she could be close to the sea without having to walk.

We drove along to the extreme east end of the promenade at Hunstanton and sat in the car watching the scene before us. It was an extremely high tide and huge waves were pounding the promenade wall and the spray cascaded like glitter, only yards away from where we sat in the car. Fulmars glided through blue skies and the majestic cliffs looked stunning on a perfect summer's evening. Rock Doves, Starlings and House Sparrows were also part of this idyllic scene. My mother enjoyed herself so much, that she penned her thoughts on paper:


Rage, Rage Against The Dying Of The Light
(Dylan Thomas)

"Rejoice in rare moments – embrace life for every minute of every day

The warm calm of a June evening mocked the potential destructiveness of a swollen tide beneath Hunstanton's cliffs. Fulmars sailed into the emptiness. Rock Doves sat in their private crevices – feathers, an unequalled turquoise sheen. Magic. Everything was magical.

The spray did its utmost to flood the seawall, but small dogs leapt up to pick a fight with the showers of water, but man's defensive forces prevailed. A young women recalled that she had not visited this watery shrine since 1976 and how she was compelled to return.

As we motored home along the promenade, the cliff face was a mass of Kidney Vetch sprawling the chalkface like curdled eggs. Tufts of Sea Campion, Daisies and an insolent House Sparrow fell easy upon the eye along the fences' edge. Tomorrow presents another chance encounter, before the tide weakens its hold."

By Margaret Rose Clarke

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 7 at Titchwell RSPB
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Spoonbills x 3, Garganey x 3, Curlew Sandpiper at Potter Heigham Marshes
Black Redstart at Norwich
Great White Egret at Hickling Broad NWT

MEGA NEWS
None

Wednesday 13 June 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 at Norwich
Garganey x 2, Little Gulls x 7, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Garganey x 2, Curlew Sandpiper at Potter Heigham Marshes
Short-eared Owl at Thornham
Little Gull flew past Weybourne
Honey Buzzard flew over Burnham Overy Staithe
Spoonbills x 2 at Cley NWT

MEGA NEWS
None

RBA Weekly Round-Up 6th to 12th June!

By Chris Batty
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyRoundup2018-24.aspx?s_id=82825579

Tuesday 12 June 2018

Mick Ramsey, Bill Oddie & Peter Clarke!

Great Yarmouth birder Peter Allard posted this picture up on Twitter of Mick Ramsey (my school teacher at Holme primary school and birder who lived in Hunstanton), Bill Oddie and my father Peter Clarke!!! Never seen this picture before – Wow!
https://twitter.com/Yarmouthbirder/status/1006425812004999168
httpswitter.com/Yarmouthbirder/status/1006425812004
https/twitter.com/Yarmouthbirder/status/1006425812004999168
https://twitter.com/Yarmouthbirder/status/100642581200499

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 at Norwich
Garganey x 2, Little Gulls x 12, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Spotted Redshanks x 2, Honey Buzzard flew over Cley NWT
Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl at Holme Dunes NWT

MEGA NEWS
None

Monday 11 June 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 11, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart at Norwich
Garganey at Welney WWT
Arctic Tern at Blickling Hall Lake

MEGA NEWS
None

Sunday 10 June 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 at Norwich
Great White Egret, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Cley NWT
Great White Egret in flight at Salthouse
Great White Egret flew over Kelling Water Meadows
Red-backed Shrike fem at North Dunes, Osprey flew over Winterton
Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water
Spoonbills x 4 on Thornham Marsh, Little Gulls x 12 at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbill at Holme Dunes NWT
Garganey at Welney WWT

MEGA NEWS
None

NOROLK 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   
SATURDAY 9th JUNE
Osprey flew over Rush Hill Scrape, Great White Egret at Hickling Broad NWT
Little Gulls x 9 at Titchwell RSPB
Garganey at Welney WWT
Spoonbills x 2, Arctic Tern at Morston Harbour
Black Redstart at Norwich
Savi's Warbler still, singing at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Red-backed Shrike fem at Salthouse

MEGA NEWS
None

Friday 8 June 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 Warbler ESE of Surlingham
Savi's Warbler still, singing at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Great White Egrets x 2, Spoonbill, Garganey, Little Gulls x 12 at Titchwell RSPB
Common Crane flew over Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Black Redstart at Norwich
Spoonbill flew over Thornham Harbour
Spoonbills x 4 at Cley NWT
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 3 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Honey Buzzard flew over Sharrington
Garganey at Welney WWT
Spoonbills x 2 at Brancaster Staithe

MEGA NEWS
None

Thursday 7 June 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 Warbler ESE of Surlingham
Garganey, Little Gulls x 12 at Titchwell RSPB
Red-breasted Flycatcher trapped & ringed at Holme NOA
Osprey flew over Hickling Broad NWT
Garganey at Welney WWT
Black Redstart at Norwich
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 6 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Caspian Gulls x 2 at Burrell Way, Thetford

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

Wednesday 6 June 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 10 at Titchwell RSPB
Short-toed Lark at Blakeney Point
Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Caspian Gull at Cromer
Marsh Warbler at Wheatfen Broad, Ted Ellis NR, ESE of Surlingham
RED-FOOTED FALCON fem at Norwich Cathedral
Wood Sandpiper at Potter Heigham Marshes

MEGA NEWS
SHORT-TOED EAGLE 
possible, flew over Shoreham, Kent

RBA Weekly Round-Up 30th May to 5th June!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2018-23.aspx?s_id=991668781

Tuesday 5 June 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 at Norwich
Little Gulls x 6, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB
Red-backed Shrike male at Burnham Overy Dunes
MARMORA'S WARBLER possible, PADDYFIELD WARBLER, Short-toed Lark, Caspian Gull at Blakeney Point
Fieldfare at North Dunes, Winterton
Spoonbill at Holme Dunes NWT

MEGA NEWS
MARMORA'S WARBLER
Possible, east of Halfway House at Blakeney Point, Norfolk

SCOPS OWL
Singing at Portsoy (reported recently), Aberdeen, Scotland

Monday 4 June 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   
Rose-coloured Starling at North Dunes, Winterton
White-spotted Bluethroat male at Kelling Water Meadows
PADDYFIELD WARBLER at Blakeney Point
Great White Egret at Cley NWT
Great White Egret, Garganey at Welney WWT

MEGA NEWS
None

Sunday 3 June 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-spotted Bluethroat (not Red-spotted) male (elusive) at Kelling Water Meadows
Spoonbill at Breydon Water
MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER still in 'The Lupins' at Blakeney Point
Short-toed Lark at Blakeney Point
Honey Buzzard flew over Norwich
Black Redstarts x 2 at Norwich
Spoonbills x 3 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Honey Buzzard flew over Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Spoonbills x 5 at Cley NWT
Common Rosefinch 1s male in garden opposite duck pond at Salthouse
Rose-coloured Starling at North Dunes, Winterton
Spoonbills x 3 flew over Weybourne
Spoonbill, Garganey, Common Cranes x 2, Sanderlings x 2 at Potter Heigham Marshes

MEGA NEWS
MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER
Blakeney Point, Norfolk

RIVER WARBLER
South of John O' Groats at Skirza, Highland, Scotland

FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland

New Swarovski Hide at CleySpy!

Swarovski Hide at CleySpy


This has to be the poshest and most exclusive hide ever! This new hide has been brilliantly built and designed by CleySpy at Glandford – in Swarovski 'green' and natural wood decor, with plug sockets and lighting too! I presume the sockets are for the male staff [#notsuzanne] to hoover out the hide every now and again?!😉

The new hide overlooks their pond and feeders and this area will continue to be re-created to encourage as many species as possible. Currently there are big numbers of House Sparrows, Goldfinches, Greenfinches and Whitethroats.

The hide will be available to everyone during their opening hours (10am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays), including customers who want to trial any new binoculars or scopes in a very unique setting.
Inside the Swarovski Hide
Video of the new Swarovski Hide © CleySpy

Work in progress!


Another view from the hide

The feeders and pond viewed from the hide

© All pictures supplied by CleySpy

Saturday 2 June 2018

Searching for Rares!

Unable to go to Blakeney Point because of leaving my dear mother for too long, I opted to find my own Moltoni's Subalpine Warbler! I walked from Brancaster Staithe along the coastal footpath to Burnham Deepdale and back. It was a beautiful walk with lots of beautiful wild flowers and wild rose scent filled the air, but I hardly saw any common birds, never mind rares! My entire list consisted of lots of Wood Pigeons, Blackbirds, Starlings, House Sparrows, Goldfinches x 2 and a Hedgesparrow.

Luckily, I saw the first mainland Moltoni's Subalpine Warbler, which was also at Blakeney Point in the The Plantation on 11th May 2015 – here is the link. It would be really good if someone is going to find a mega in Norfolk, that it is close to Holme please! Thanks in advance! 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   
Red-spotted Bluethroat male (elusive) at Kelling Water Meadows
Short-eared Owl at Stiffkey
Red-backed Shrike male, Spoonbill at Warham Greens
MEGA – MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER in 'The Lupins' at Blakeney Point
Little Gull west of Wells
Great White Egrets x 4, Spoonbills x 8 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Spoonbills x 2 at Breydon Water
Black Redstart at Norwich

MEGA NEWS
MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER
Blakeney Point, Norfolk

FORSTER'S TERN
Tacumshin,County Wexford, Ireland

Friday 1 June 2018

Bird Party At Kelling Water Meadows!

I had some time out for me this afternoon and managed to see a few good birds. I popped into CleySpy briefly and then headed to Kelling Water Meadows. I parked up along the road by the tea shop – it was packed with cars! The walk down to the Quags was lovely and everything looked extra green – it felt good to be out and I heard a Blackcap and a Whitethroat on route. It took ages to get a nano second glimpse of the Red-spotted Bluethroat! Anyone hoping to get a photograph tomorrow – good luck with that! You'll be lucky to see it, never mind photograph it! Its favoured spot is around the right hand bend, just by the pool and then view the ditch that runs north by the old gate – every now and again it flicks up from the small area of reeds and up to the bank and skulks in the vegetation for ages and vice versa. I saw it maybe three or four times altogether – each view for seconds only. There was also a Reed Warbler in the same patch of reeds and a Reed Bunting close by.

I had wonderful views of both male and female Red-backed Shrikes, the female was catching bees along the fence line that runs east, further along the track and the male was perched on a bramble on the far side of the pool. I don't know if either shrikes knew each other was there or not! A Barn Owl was also seen over the field, just before I walked back along the track – it was a beautiful evening.

I headed west along the A149 to spend the next few days with my mother. I still can't believe I am typing this up at Holme! I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend.

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   
Red-backed Shrike male, Osprey at Stiffkey Fen
Red-spotted Bluethroat male (elusive), Red-backed Shrike male & female at Kelling Water Meadows
Little Gulls x 7 at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egrets x 2 at Hickling Broad NWT
Red-backed Shrike male at Burnham Overy Dunes
Red-backed Shrike female north of Holkham Pines
Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Garganey at Potter Heigham Marshes
Spoonbill, Garganey at Brancaster
Nightjar flew over Beach Road, Salthouse

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