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Thursday 28 February 2019

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  
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpolls x 3 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Black-throated Divers x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Hen Harriers x 3, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Spoonbills x 2 flew past Sidestrand
Spoonbill flew over, Snow Buntings x 23, Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Cley NWT
Raven flew over Wells Woods
Mealy Redpolls x 2 at Beeston Common, Sheringham
Shorelarks x 15 east of Holkham Gap
Purple Sandpiper at Hunstanton
Red-necked Grebes x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Black-throated Diver, Black-necked Grebes x 3 (probable), Hen Harrier, Bittern at Holme
Russian White-fronted Goose at Foulden
Great White Egrets x 2 at Hickling Broad NWT
Great White Egret at Ten Mile Bank

MEGA NEWS
TENGMALM'S OWL
In garden SE of Bixter, Shetland

Wednesday 27 February 2019

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-throated Divers x 2, Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Twite x 15 at Titchwell RSPB
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Mealy Redpolls x 4 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Greenland Redpoll, probable on Sunday at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Great White Egret, Snow Buntings x 20, Hen Harrier, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Cley NWT
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens
Shorelarks x 18 east of Holkham Gap
Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 10, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier at Holme
Cattle Egret flew over 3 miles south of Swaffham
Hen Harrier at North Dunes, Winterton
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum
Scaup at Welney WWT
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford

MEGA NEWS
TENGMALM'S OWL
In garden SE of Bixter, Shetland
FORSTER'S TERN
Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland

RBA Round-Up 20th to 26th February!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyRoundup2019_09.aspx?s_id=822340604

Tuesday 26 February 2019

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  
Whooper Swans x 3 at Salthouse
Black-throated Divers x 3, Great Northern Divers x 5, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Black-necked Grebe, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common NNR
Slavonian Grebes x 4, Red-necked Grebes x 4, Great Northern Divers x 4, Black-throated Divers x 2, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Ducks x 21 at Holme
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Russian White-fronted Goose at Holkham Freshmarsh
Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter, Snow Bunting at Cley NWT
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens
Great White Egret at Burnham Overy Staithe

MEGA NEWS
TENGMALM'S OWL
In garden SE of Bixter, Shetland

Monday 25 February 2019

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  
Common Cranes x 4 flew over Acle
Grey-bellied Brant (yesterday), was a Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Snettisham Coastal Park
Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Mealy Redpolls x 2 at Beeston Common, Sheringham
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpolls x 3 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Jack Snipe at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Black-throated Divers x 2, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Black-necked Grebes x 3, Red-necked Grebes x 4, Great Northern Divers x 8, Long-tailed Ducks x 22, Velvet Scoter at Holme
Snow Buntings x 20, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Cley NWT
Scaup at Welney WWT
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Horsey
Hooded Crow north of Burnley Hall at Winterton
Shorelark, Lapand Bunting at Holkham Bay
Great White Egret, Spoonbill at Holkham Freshmarsh
Hawfinches x 12 at Lynford Aboretum

MEGA NEWS
TENGMALM'S OWL
In garden NE of Bixter, Shetland

Sunday 24 February 2019

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  
Lapland Bunting, Bewick's Swans x 10 flew over North Beach, Heacham
LITTLE BUNTING still at Weybourne Camp
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLLS x 2, Mealy Redpolls x 2, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hen Harrier at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Black-throated Divers x 3, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Glaucous Gull at Cley NWT
Velvet Scoters x 4 offshore at Cley
Hooded Crow at Winterton
Shorelarks x 2, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebes x 2 off Holkham Gap
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Upton Marshes NWT
Hawfinches x 40 at Lynford Aboretum
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, Scaup at Welney WWT
Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Great Northern Divers x 3, Long-tailed Ducks x 4 at Holme
Grey-bellied Brant (possible) at Snettisham Coastal Park
Great White Egrets x 2 at Berney Marshes RSPB
Water Pipit, Hen Harrier, Russian White-fronted Geese x 60 at Halvergate Marshes
Hen Harriers x 2, Short-eared Owls x 4 at Haddiscoe Island
Lapland Bunting SW of Ongar Hill at Terrington St Clement
Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 500 at Potter Heigham Marshes

MEGA NEWS
None

Saturday 23 February 2019

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  
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpolls x 6, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Willow Tit, Otters x 3 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 28 at Cley NWT
Velvet Scoter off Coastguards, Cley
Hawfinches x 28 at Lynford Aboretum
Great White Egrets x 4, Spoonbills x 8 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, Grey-bellied Brant (possible) at Snettisham RSPB
LITTLE BUNTING still at Weybourne Camp
Black-necked Grebes x 3, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 15, Black-throated Divers x 2, Great Northern Divers x 5 at Holme
Shorelarks x 13 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey
Black-throated Diver, Hen Harriers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Scaup, Short-eared Owl, Common Crane at Welney WWT
Caspian Gull in pig fields at Edgefield

MEGA NEWS
TENGMALM'S OWL
Again, in garden NE of Bixter, Shetland

In Memory Of My Dearest Father

PETER CLARKE

2nd November 1926 — 23rd February 2017


Two years ago, you left this earth, but you are always with me, every minute, every hour and every day. Time passes, but my love and memory of you never fades. I miss you so much, but know that you are reunited with the love of your life, our dearest mother. You made me so strong, but now without you both, I feel completely vulnerable and lost. We played The Lark Ascending at your funeral, which is so incredibly beautiful to listen to, but I rarely do as it reduces me to tears. I see your smile, feel your soul and hear your voice – you are always with me.

💔

The Lark Ascending
(Romance for Violin and Orchestra)
Ralph Vaughan Williams

Friday 22 February 2019

WILD JUSTICE!

"Wild Justice has been set up to fight for wildlife. Threatened species can’t take legal cases in their own names but, with your help, we will stand up for wildlife using the legal system and seeking changes to existing laws.

Wild Justice is new – we launched in February 2019 – but we have a long list of projects which we will take forward – we will be launching the first one very soon.  Sign up to our newsletter, below, so that we can keep you informed.  

We will be taking court cases to benefit threatened wildlife.  Our first legal challenge is already in progress and we’ll soon be able to tell you all about it."

Directors: Dr Mark Avery, Chris Packham and Dr Ruth Tingay.
 
https://wildjustice.org.uk/

Friday Update!

Its going to be a very difficult weekend all round. Tomorrow is the second anniversary of my father's death and I can't even get there to spend time where his ashes lay, unless I catch a bus. I am going to phone DVLA at 8am in the morning to see where I stand with my sprained/fractured wrist – I phoned my insurance company this evening, but they were very unhelpful and said that I needed to check with my GP and with the DVLA and if they said I couldn't drive, then I would not be insured. I have a fracture appointment and second X-Ray this Monday to see if my right wrist is fractured – I don't know what will happen after that. I feel that it is a better than it was, but I wouldn't be able to turn a difficult door handle left or right if you know what I mean.

Its going to be incredibly frustrating, not being able to get out in the sunshine – I may well have to resort to the awful stomach churning bus!!! I don't travel well at all on buses. If not I will be birdwatching in the garden from the sofa! I also have to phone Keys Auctioneers first thing tomorrow, as just noticed that two of my father's antique clocks are going in the general antiques sale on Monday, when they should have been going into the specialist clock sale in March – why can't anyone get anything right nowadays! Wish I was looking at a Tengmalm's Owl in Shetland – what a incredible bird – I see Steve Gantlett got up there to see it – well done to him!

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  
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpolls x 5, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Cley NWT
Glossy Ibis NE of Halvergate
Lapland Bunting, Woodlark at West Runton
Shorelarks x 12 east of Holkham Bay
Short-eared Owls x 2, Scaup, Cattle Egret, Common Cranes x 27 at Welney WWT
Black-necked Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 4 at Thornham Point
Purple Sandpiper at Hunstanton
Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 17, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver at Holme
Common Cranes x 2 flew over Brancaster Staithe
Common Cranes x 2 flew over, Water Pipit, Red-necked Grebe at Titchwell RSPB
Caspian Gulls x 2 at Burrell Way, Thetford
Great Northern Diver at Sheringham
Spoonbills x 9 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Great White Egret, Spoonbill at Burnham Overy Staithe

MEGA NEWS
None

Plummeting insect numbers 'threaten collapse of nature'

Exclusive: Insects could vanish within a century at current rate of decline, says global review
 
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/feb/10/plummeting-insect-numbers-threaten-collapse-of-nature

'If the insects go, then we go'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/47293667/insects-decline-what-do-insects-actually-do#

How you can help to turn this around? Firstly don't use any pesticides in your garden – you are killing life! It doesn't matter if your drive or patio has a few weeds and doesn't look as neat as your neighbours, but if you are bothered, dig them out with a trowl. Neat and tidy, concrete, decking, gravel and lack of plants in gardens is killing off our insects and in turn will kill us off as a species – watch the video above to understand why. Add some plants to your garden to encourage butterflies and insects to visit your garden – recommended plants here. Build a pond in your garden to attract wildlife including dragonflies, butterflies, water boatman, tadpoles, frogs, toads, birds – the list goes on. Getting your children involved is extremely important – currently we have a nation of children who are not (generally) taught or shown anything in the natural world. Smart phones, computer games and TV's are not good for the soul. It doesn't matter if you live in a town or the countryside, nature is everywhere – get out there!

Thursday 21 February 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Glossy Ibis at Breydon Water
Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 15, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpolls x 5 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Glossy Ibis at Halvergate Marshes
Mealy Redpoll at Beeston Common, Sheringham
Snow Buntings x 30, Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Cley NWT
Cattle Egrets x 2, Scaup at Welney WWT
Great White Egret, Water Pipit, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Hen Harrier at Grimston Warren
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 8 east of Holkham Gap
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Upton Marshes NWT
Long-tailed Duck at Barton Broad
LITTLE BUNTING – fishermen's gate open between 8.30-8.45am on Sunday (donations to 'Love to Leo') west of car park at Weybourne
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford

MEGA NEWS
TENGMALM'S OWL
Again, in garden NE of Bixter, Shetland

Wednesday 20 February 2019

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-throated Divers x 2, Great Northern Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 5, Hen Harriers x 3, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB
Rough-legged Buzzard, Common Cranes x 17 at Clippesby
Glaucous Gull at Cley NWT
Hen Harrier at Grimston Warren
Great White Egret, Scaup, Common Cranes x 17 at Welney WWT
Purple Sandpiper at Hunstanton
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpoll at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 6 at Holme
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 25 east of Holkham Gap
LITTLE BUNTING still at Weybourne Camp
Glossy Ibis flew over Hickling Broad NWT
Hooded Crow at Winterton
Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum
Glaucous Gull, Little Gulls x 2 at Hemsby
Hen Harriers x 6 at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
None

RBA Weekly Round-up 13th to 19th February!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyRoundup2019_08.aspx?s_id=657520789

Our Family Home Now On The Market With Sowerbys!

https://www.sowerbys.com/property/100439029003/pe36/norfolk/aslack-way/house/2-bedrooms: A semi-detached house which occupies an excellent location, well away from the main coast road. Offering potential for improvement and extension (STPP),...

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-79542182.html

Pictures that I took before we cleared the house
Dining room looking towards hall and front door

View from Dining Room
The willow tree (in the background) held a male Golden Oriole, who was singing his heart out one Spring, when I was around aged 10 – I will never forget that!
Dining Room looking towards kitchen

Living Room

It would be awesome if a naturalist or birder/ornithologist purchased our family home – will keep my fingers crossed! It went on the market at around midday and there are viewings booked already!

MEGA! TENGMALM'S OWL!

WOW!!!

Tengmalm's Owl in garden NE of Bixter, Shetland

 https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/The_Tengmalms_Owl_in_Shetland.aspx?s_id=480549116

https://twitter.com/RareBirdAlertUK/status/1097831400110096384

https://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=373310 

https://twitter.com/AllanConlin/status/1097929242564796418 

https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2019/02/19/bird-watchers-head-out-west-after-rare-owl-is-found-in-tumblin-garden/

https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2019/02/19/owl-species-spotted-in-isles-for-first-time-since-1912

The last record in Shetland was on Unst in 1912!
hhttps://twitter.com/RareBirdAlertUK/status/1097831400110096384
https://twitter.com/RareBirdAlertUK/status/1097831400110096384 https://twitter.com/RareBirdAlertUK/status/1097831400110096384

Tuesday 19 February 2019

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Long-tailed Ducks x 6, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 4, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Hawfinches x 19 at Lynford Aboretum
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Scaup at Welney WWT
Glossy Ibis flew over Cockley Cley
Great Northern Diver at Holme
House Martin, Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 43, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Cley NWT
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Water Pipit, Great White Egrets x 3, Russian White-fronted Geese x 68, Hen Harrier at Potter Heigham Marshes
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Haddiscoe Island
Short-eared Owls x 3, Spoonbill at Snettisham RSPB

MEGA NEWS
TENGMALM'S OWL
In garden NE of Bixter, Shetland

Monday 18 February 2019

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-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Mealy Redpolls x 2 at Beeston Common, Sheringham
Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 40 at Cley NWT
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpolls x 5 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Hen Harrier at Thornham Point
Hooded Crow reported at Winterton
Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Dartford Warbler, Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 25, Long-tailed Duck, Spoonbills x 6 east of Holkham Gap
Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holme
Rough-legged Buzzard between Oxborough & Foulden
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby
Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT

MEGA NEWS
None

Sunday 17 February 2019

HOUSE FOR SALE THIS WEEK!

The family home at Holme-next-the-Sea will be up for sale this week with Sowerbys Estate Agents. I will link it on the blog when its added to their website. All very sad – it almost feels like another death is imminent. It will break my heart to see it sold. I can only pray that it will be purchased by a naturalist and not by someone who will destroy an established wildlife garden that has been organic for the last 51 years and loved very much by our family. Sadly I fear that a new purchaser may sell off the larger part of the garden to other neighbours whose gardens back onto it – it will then be lost forever. I will never be able to return once its sold. It will be the end of an era

Weekend Update

Its been a miserable end to my holiday. It feels so unfair that I worked so hard with sorting stuff in the family home to then be imprisoned in my house and unable to drive for the last three days. I was so looking forward to going out and enjoying the sunshine. Vivien very kindly came over yesterday and did my shopping for me, so that was a huge help.

Its been incredibly difficult to cope with only my left hand in use – I'm a rubbish patient! All my posts since my accident are taking twice as long to type. I have no idea when I will be able to drive again, meanwhile a very kind colleague is taking me to work tomorrow. I can't see me being able to do too much at work – I certainly can't work with patients as I am and can't even put my hair into a ponytail which is required for work. I can walk almost normally since I sprained my ankle which has surprised me – I hadn't expected my dodgy (was before) left ankle to heal so quickly. My forehead is still very sore to touch. Oh dear!

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  
Water Pipit, Hen Harrier, Slavonian Grebe, Caspian Gull at Titchwell RSPB
Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter at Weybourne
Hawfinches x 37 at Lynford Aboretum
Shorelarks x 25, Snow Buntings x 20, Common Cranes x 2 (flew over) east of Holkham Gap
Russian White-fronted Geese x 157, Great White Egrets x 5, Spoonbills x 5, Black Brant at Holkham Freshmarsh
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Willow Tit, Mealy Redpolls x 5 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 40, Long-tailed Duck at Cley NWT
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Lynn Point, King's Lynn
Hen Harrier at Winterton
Twite x 20 at Thornham Harbour
Rough-legged Buzzard at Egmere
Hen Harriers x 6, Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl at Warham Greens
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 5, Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Island

MEGA NEWS
None

Saturday 16 February 2019

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  
Glaucous Gulls x 2, Snow Buntings x 60, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Velvet Scoter, Common Scoters x 500 at Coastguards, Cley
Mealy Redpolls x 3 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Water Pipit, Hen Harriers x 2, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB
Mealy Redpoll at Whitlingham Country Park
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
LITTLE BUNTING still at Weybourne Camp
Great White Egret ESE of Wells
Rough-legged Buzzard at Brancaster
Dartford Warbler, Shorelarks x 25, Snow Buntings x 25 east of Holkham Gap
Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 60 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Twite x 12 at Thornham Harbour
Hawfinches x 28 at Lynford Aboretum
Russian White-fronted Geese x 40, Hen Harrier at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 11 at Welney WWT
Hen Harrier at Holme
Snow Buntings x 23 at North Denes, Great Yarmouth
Scaup x 2 at Barton Broad
Hen Harrier at Burnham Overy Staithe
Lesser Whitethroat (possibly of eastern form) still at Salthouse
Hen Harriers x 3 at Stiffkey
Water Pipits x 6, Russian White-fronted Geese x 10, Common Cranes x 4 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Blakeney Quay

MEGA NEWS
BOOTED EAGLE
possible, NW of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Friday 15 February 2019

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  
Dartford Warbler, Shorelarks x 8, Snow Buntings x 25 east of Holkham Gap
Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 10 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Hawfinches x 20 at Lynford Aboretum
Jack Snipes x 2 at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Willow Tits x 2, Mealy Redpoll at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Water Pipits x 6, Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 2, Russian White-fronted Geese x 74 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 46, Black-throated Diver,  at Cley NWT
Mealy Redpoll at Beeston Commom, Sheringham
Rough-legged Buzzard (possible), Hen Harrier at Haddisce Island
Common Cranes x 3 at Somerton Holmes
Great White Egret at Burnham Norton
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holme
Great White Egret flew towards Lyng
Great White Egret at Breydon Water
Russian White-fronted Geese x 63 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Short-eared Owls x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x2 at Halvergate/Berney Marshes

MEGA NEWS
None

A&E Update!

Good job I went to A&E to have X-Rays as have a possible scaphoid fracture (right wrist) which I was given a splint for and have to go back for a second x-ray and appt at fracture clinic in 10 days time. Sprained left ankle and they dressed my knee and assessed my forehead. I was very lucky as the wait time was very short. Arrived back home at about 12.30am.

Today (Friday) is incredibly frustrating trying to do everything with one hand. Wrist remains very painful, but ankle is better than I thought it would be. As a fast touch typist, typing with one hand is testing my patience to the limit! Now TalkTalk emails (send and receive) have gone down since mid morning, which doesn't help with final amendments to house brochure etc!

Very, very fed-up – all this beautiful weather and I'm stuck indoors – miserable. I suppose it could have been far worse had my forehead taken the biggest impact rather than my wrist – if I had knocked myself unconscious I would have been there all night and carted off to the undertakers this morning!!! My pain in my wrist is worse today even on pain relief.

Thursday 14 February 2019

Valentine's Day!

Hope all you couples had a lovely day, mine was pants!!!

Sprained My Left Ankle, Right Wrist, Gashed Left Knee & Grazed My Forehead!

Can't type much as typing with left hand only. Sorted more things at family home. Took some natural history books to Holme Bird Observatory to sell this afternoon. Lovely walk and saw a pair of Stonechat along Thornham Bank and two Barn Owls.

Returned to house. Ripped up old carpets and mats in living room and dragged outside. The last mat I took outside tripped me up and I went smack down onto concrete, hitting my head on a big stone by front gate. It was a massive shock and it took a while to recover from before I moved.

This is the worst fall I can ever recall! Sprained my dodgy left ankle, sprained right wrist, gashed left knee, bump and graze on forehead! Was crying whilst driving home with pain and shouldn't have driven, but no one to help me. Got home and had to carry out first aid myself. Cleaned knee, bandaged and cleaned up forehead. Foot and wrist on ice – very pissed off – ruined my holiday!!!!! Was so looking forward to going out birding ALL day tomorrow.

Pain in ankle and wrist now severe, no crepe bandages in house. No way I could drive now. Now calling a taxi to take me to A&E. 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  
Twite x 6 at Thornham Harbour
Common Cranes x 13 at Clippesby
Rough-legged Buzzard at Choseley Barns
Mealy Redpolls x 3 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Dartford Warblers x 2, Firecrest, Snow Buntings x 30 at North Dunes, Winterton
Shorelarks x 8, Snow Buntings x 30 east of Holkham Gap
Hawfinches x 16 at Lynford Aboretum
Slavonian Grebes x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 7, Hen Harriers x 2 at Holme
Short-eared Owls x 3, Great White Egret at Snettisham RSPB
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harriers x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Jack Snipes x 2 at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
Glaucous Gull, Snow Buntings x 70, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT
Hooded Crow at Upton Marshes NWT
Long-tailed Duck, Scaup x 2 at Barton Broad
Hen Harrier, Tundra Bean Goose at Horsey
Lesser Whitethroat on feeder for 51st day at Salthouse
Iceland Gull, Glaucous Gull at Hemsby
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 6, Hen Harrier, Russian White-fronted Geese x 9 at Haddiscoe Marshes

MEGA NEWS
None

Insects are dying off at record rates — an ominous sign we're in the middle of a 6th mass extinction!

https://www.businessinsider.com/insects-dying-off-sign-of-6th-mass-extinction-2019-2?r=US&IR=T?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=topbar&utm_term=desktop

Wednesday 13 February 2019

Mid-Week Update!

I have been extremely busy for the last two days. Yesterday I signed the contract to sell the house even though the estate agent has not finished the brochure – lots of amendments and additions to be made and pictures to be taken, so house obviously won't be going on the market until they have finished this – the ball is in their court as they say. Had to fill in a ten page house questionnaire booklet whilst there too. I then visited Ringstead Nurseries to buy some plants and had a nice catch up with Adrian Needham who works there – I went to school with Adrian (Holme Primary school that was) and his family have lived in Holme for longer than I have been on this earth! Adrian asked how our mother was – he had no idea that she had died, so that was a difficult conversation.

I spent the rest of the day at the family home, checking through the rest of mother's massive book collection, which I was going to do a boot sale with eventually – decided to be more ruthless and took three huge boxes to the Norfolk Hospice Shop in Hunstanton. Swept the porch, gateway and all round the patio and steps and had a general tidy up. Cleaned the front door and the living room window. I needed a break and I was hungry. Went to the White Horse pub in the village and discovered it was closed at 4pm! I then headed to Thornham and discovered that The Lifeboat Inn was open and serving food – I have not been here for years. I ordered a Superfood Salad and a portion of chips with a J2O drink and sat in the beautiful conservatory. It brought back many memories – I used to work here as a waitress when I was aged 17, which was a summer job in between my two years at art college. I recall having to carry five big earthenware pots of mussels on a tray and how heavy they were – I remember a waitress dropping a whole tray once – I don't think she lasted long!
Superfood Salad at The Life Boat Inn, Thornham

Anyway, within 10 minutes of sitting here my order arrived and it looked divine – it was the best salad I have ever had! I can not begin to describe how tasty it was – presented in a beautiful blue dish, it was an array of colours and the chips were to die for. I couldn't work out how they had put that together in such as short space of time! There were so many different ingredients, I don't think I can even remember them all..... warm falafels, feta cheese, broccoli, mange tout, lettuce, several different types of beans, nuts including cashews, beetroot, sweet potato, red onions and lentils. Ok, so it wasn't exactly cheap, but worth every penny and I will definitely be going back again. 10/10 rating, excellent service, smiling staff and highly recommended.

I returned to the family home and continued sorting through books. Two more boxes to take to the charity shop another day. We are still left with more books after that and bric-a-brac stuff for a boot sale – but I can see it all going to a charity shop soon! I left Holme at 8.45pm and returned home shattered. Took me a while to unload the car of more books and a big plant from mother's garden.

Today, I woke up later than I had intended and had to scrap round to get out of the house for my bereavement appointment at 10am at Tapping House Hospice in Hillington. The lady who I see is one very special lady, she is so kind, so caring, so tuned in and listens – she is in fact the only person who is listening to anything I'm saying right now. No wonder so many people donate money to this amazing charity. I can't speak highly enough of all the staff I have met here over the last year.

Next mission for the day! Picked Lucy up at 11.20am and took her back to my house so that she could sit at my Mac and mark down all the 'bowings' on her music for the next concert – just to explain for those of you that don't know – bowings are marks inserted above the music notes which indicate to the player which way the bow should be played: up or down – these are marked up by the lead violinist and submitted onto the orchestra's website for all players to copy the marks down on their own music sheets. Whilst she was doing this I made us lunch, which was cheese on toast and home-made chips! Very healthy! Lucy brought a tear to my eye, when she said it was the best lunch she has ever had! Dropped Lucy back home and parked up in the town centre for my emergency dentist appointment. I have to have a very old filling replaced – appointment booked for this in mid March – something exciting to look forward to! Went to pay a parking fine in the post office (long story, best to forget about it), pay some money in the bank and some other odd errands and then returned home around 4pm. Fell asleep for a short while, still tired from yesterday. Tomorrow I'm having a day entirely for me and am going birding in the sunshine ALL day.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Twite x 14 at Thornham Harbour
Snow Buntings x 20 at beach car park, Cley
Glaucous Gull at North Hide, Cley NWT
Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Hunstanton
Jack Snipe x 2 at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
White-fronted Goose on grazing marsh, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Holme
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham
Hawfinches x 20 at Lynford Aboretum
Russian White-fronted Goose at Burnham Overy Staithe
Dartford Warbler, Shorelarks x 25, Snow Buntings x 40 east of Holkham Gap
Russian White-fronted Geese x 30, Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh
Short-eared Owl at Snettisham RSPB
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 7, Tundra Bean Geese x 3, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Twite x 14, Spoonbill, Hen Harrier at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Snow Buntings x 38 at North Dunes, Winterton
LITTLE BUNTING still at Weybourne Camp
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
Russian White-fronted Geese x 12 at Haddiscoe Island
Hen Harriers x 6 at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
None

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

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2019_07.aspx?s_id=492629698

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 12th FEBRUARY
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Hen Harriers x 3, Velvet Scoters x 2, Great Northern Diver, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB
Glaucous Gull east of north end of East Bank at Cley NWT
Common Cranes x 5 at Thurne
Common Cranes x 3 at Clippesby
Twite x 13, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harriers x 3 at Thornham Harbour
Jack Snipe x 2 at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Hen Harrier at Burnham Norton
Shorelarks x 15 east of Holkham Gap
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Holkham Freshmarsh
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Snettisham RSPB
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 2, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham
Great White Egret between Wormegay & Middleton
Firecrest in North Dunes, Winterton
Dartford Warbler on Sunday at Hemsby
Long-tailed Duck at Holme
Hawfinches x 14 at Lynford Aboretum
Mealy Redpoll at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve

MEGA NEWS
None

Monday 11 February 2019

House Sorting & Birding At Warham Greens!

I'm on holiday this week, but I won't be doing anything very exciting, as far too busy. I was up early this morning and collected two big boxes of children's books from the family home, along with a box of paper maps: East Anglia maps, various maps from father's trips abroad etc and arrived at Crabpot Books in the high street at Wells to sell them. I had to leave them to be looked at and was asked to return in a couple of hours, so had to kill some time somewhere.

Parked up on the concrete pad at Garden Drove, Warham. As expected, the track was more puddles/floods than track! I had a brown Skoda when I left! It was a beautiful sunny day and it felt like Spring. I imagined seeing a Sand Martin or a Swallow gracing the skies, but a tad too early I think! It felt so good to be out on such a lovely day. Two Blackbirds, a Great Tit and a Robin were seen along the track, along with four Grey Partridges sunning themselves in the corner of the field by the far copse. Lots of squealing pigs, playing and having fun in the field west of the track. I walked east to the 'pit' and saw a pair of Reed Buntings amongst the sueda bushes, a Marsh Harrier made its way east along the marsh, saw six Little Egrets, Shelducks, Brent Geese, a Redshank and several Skylarks. Returned to the car and watched a large flock of Goldfinches in the cow field, whilst I had a coffee and the last cheese scone from Lucy's birthday tea. Returned to Wells and agreed on a price at Crabpot books, although not as much as I had hoped for, it was still far better than what I have got in a boot sale, so was a reasonable result for my sisters and I.

Headed back west to the family home at Holme. Re-arranged some of the plant pots outside the front of the property and had a quick sweep up of leaves, in preparation for photos with local estate agents. The house is going on the market very soon. Loaded my car up with some potted plants that I purchased for mother in her last few weeks, which included lavender, thyme, mint and a yellow daisy plant (can't remember the name) and squeezed them into the car. It killed me to carry the big lavender pot – never a man around when you need one! The garden was adorned with so many clumps of Snowdrops – I dug up two little clumps and potted up to take home with me – another childhood memory saved. Chatted with Liz (next door) and with the NOA committee who were about to go in the office for a meeting. I gave the NOA a display cabinet titled 'Rare Visitors Photographed at Holme" that belonged to my father – it contained photographs he had taken of: the Hale-Bopp comet in April 1997, Little Auk 'storm blown inland to Ringstead' in November 1995, Black-winged Stilt 1987 and a Convolvulus Hawk-moth 4th September 1995.

We havn't got that much left to get rid of in the house really – we still have two excellent condition armchairs (only purchased new a couple of years ago), can't seem to shift them, I don't know why, a very good Hayter electric lawnmower, a tall bookcase and some stuff for boot sales or charity shops including bric-a-brac stuff, but still have loads of books!!!

Left and went to Hunstanton to pay the 'book' cheque into our account, stopped at estate agents to arrange appointment for me to sign my part of the contract tomorrow morning. Returned to King's Lynn and emptied the car of all plants and then arranged them on my patio. Changed bird ponds and topped up feeders. Shattered – fell asleep!

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  
Iceland Gull at Trimingham
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Great Northern Diver at Thornham Point
Tundra Bean Goose between Wiveton & Langham
Glaucous Gull near North Hide at Cley NWT
Short-eared Owl at Grimston Warren
Taiga Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Goose at Winterton
Dartford Warbler east of Holkham Gap, Shorelarks x 20, Snow Buntings x 60 at Holkham Bay
Pale-bellied Brent Goose near Lady Anne's Drive, Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 12 at Holkham
Twite x 16, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Hen Harrier at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Snow Buntings x 8 at Blakeney Point
Common Cranes x 7, Short-eared Owl at Clippesby
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owls x 2, Tundra Bean Geese x 3 at Welney WWT
Black Brant on football pitch at Wells
Water Pipits x 5, Common Cranes x 2, Russian White-fronted Geese x 17 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Great Grey Shrike at Gooderstone
Hawfinches x 10 at Lynford Aboretum

MEGA NEWS
None

Sunday 10 February 2019

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  
Hawfinches x 20 at Lynford Aboretum
Glaucous Gull near North Hide at Cley NWT
Rough-legged Buzzard north of Choseley Drying Barns
Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Tundra Bean Goose between Wiveton & Langham
Great Grey Shrike at Gooderstone
Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
Hen Harriers x 6 at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN ROBIN
Wholly unconfirmed report, possible, at Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin, Ireland

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCY!

It poured with rain ALL day on Lucy's birthday! We had lunch at Pizza Express in King's Lynn and then spent the afternoon at my house. I made Lucy a Victoria Sandwich, some personally iced ginger-bread men and some cheese scones for us!

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  
SATURDAY 9th FEBRUARY
Red-necked Grebe, Spotted Redshank, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Tundra Bean Geese x 4, Russian White-fronted Geese x 3 between Wiveton & Langham
Red-crested Pochards x 3 at Colney Gravel Pits
Shorelarks x 25, Snow Buntings x 28 at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 10, Great White Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh
Spotted Redshank, Twite x 8 at Thornham Harbour
Glaucous Gull near North Hide, Snow Buntings x 60 at Cley NWT
Long-tailed Duck at Ormesby Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret
Raven, Hawfinches x 8 at Lynford Aboretum
Common Cranes x 6, Whooper Swans x 27, Bewick's Swans x 27 east of Horning
Hen Harriers x 6 at Warham Greens
Snow Buntings x 3 at North Dunes, Winterton
Short-eared Owl at Grimston Warren
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey
Russian White-fronted Geese x 50 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

MEGA NEWS
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Flew past Lizard Point, The Lizard, Cornwall

Saturday 9 February 2019

Birthday Thoughts Today of My Dearest Mother


To My Dearest Mother.
Today you would have been 79 – the first birthday without you.
Hope you enjoy your favourite Black Magic chocolates up there.

You are in my thoughts daily – my love for you will never fade.
My best friend, my soul, my rock, my everything.
I miss you so much, so much more than I could have possibly imagined
Love Penny xxx
Snowdrops in your garden today



Margaret, Penny and Peter at "The Firs" Holme

Friday 8 February 2019

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  
Glaucous Gull near North Hide at Cley NWT
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 between Wiveton & Langham
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Water Pipit, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Russian White-fronted Geese x 20 at St Benet's Abbey, Ludham
Twite x 20 at Thornham Harbour
Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 south of Thornham
Shorelarks x 25, Snow Buntings x 45 at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 60, Great White Egrets x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
Bewick's Swans x 30 near Horning
Bewick's Swans x 30 at St Benet's Abbey, Ludham
Black Brant at Wells
Mealy Redpolls x 3 at Sculthorpe Moore Nature Reserve
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Flew past Lizard Point, The Lizard, Cornwall

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  
THURSDAY 7th FEBRUARY
Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Hen Harrier, Water Pipits x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Taiga Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at North Dunes, Winterton
Tundra Bean Goose between Wiveton & Langham
Russian White-fronted Goose, Great White Egrets x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 south of Thornham
Mealy Redpoll at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Glaucous Gull, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Cley NWT
Great White Egrets x 4 at Welney WWT
Shorelarks x 28, Snow Buntings x 60 at Holkham Bay
Scaup x 2 at Barton Broad
Russian White-fronted Geese x 45 at St Benet's Abbey, Ludham
Hawfinches x 5 at Lynford Aboretum
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham

MEGA NEWS
None

Wednesday 6 February 2019

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  
Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 4, Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Water Pipit, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 5, Velvet Scoter, Spoonbill flew over at Holme
Shorelarks x 27, Dartford Warbler, Snow Buntings x 80, Russian White-fronted Geese x 100 at Holkham Bay
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham Freshmarsh
Russian White-fronted Geese x 38 NE of Halvergate
Bewick's Swans x 56 at Breydon Water
Tundra Bean Goose, Barnacle Goose with Pink-footed Geese between Wiveton & Langham
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Snettisham RSPB
Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 at West Raynham
Hen Harrier at Upton Marshes NWT
Russian White-fronted Geese x 80, Hen Harrier at Potter Heigham Marshes
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose + hybrid Black Brant x Dark-bellied Brent Goose at pitch + putt at Wells
Short-eared Owl, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Burnham Norton
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
Hawfinches x 22 at Lynford Aboretum
Mealy Redpoll at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve

MEGA NEWS
None

RBA Weekly Round-Up 30th January to 5th February!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyRoundup2019_06.aspx?s_id=327743335

Tuesday 5 February 2019

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 Grey Shrike north of Santon Downham at Santon Warren
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common NNR
Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Brancaster
Hen Harrier at Brancaster Staithe
Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier, Long-tailed Ducks x 11, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Rough-legged Buzzard at Snettisham RSPB
Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 17, Hen Harrier at Holme
Mealy Redpolls x 2 at Wells Woods
Short-eared Owl at Wells
Glaucous Gull at north end of East Bank, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 27, Dartford Warbler, Snow Buntings x 65, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 26 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Tundra Bean Goose, Pink-footed Geese x 3,000, Hen Harrier between Wiveton & Langham
Twite x 11 at Thornham Harbour
Russian White-fronted Geese x 14 NE of Halvergate
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Bittern at Haddiscoe Island
Common Cranes x 22 at Clippesby
Taiga Bean Geese x 2, Russian White-fronted Geese x 12 at North Dunes, Winterton
Mealy Redpoll at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Twite x 16, Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 2 at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Short-eared Owl at Burgh Castle

MEGA NEWS
None

Monday 4 February 2019

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  
Glaucous Gull at Waxham
Glaucous Gull at north end of East Bank, Snow Buntings x 50 at Cley NWT
Common Cranes x 9 at Clippesby
Russian White-fronted Geese x 10 at Bayfield Hall Lake
Shorelarks x 20, Snow Buntings x 30 at Holkham Bay
Great White Egrets x 3, Russian White-fronted Geese x 200 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 20 at North Dunes, Winterton
Hen Harrier at Walsey Hills NOA
Short-eared Owl at Upton Marshes RSPB
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Snettisham RSPB
LITTLE BUNTING at undisclosed site, Breckland, Norfolk/Suffolk

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland

Sunday 3 February 2019

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 Grey Shrike north of Santon Downham at Santon Warren
Glaucous Gull at north end of East Bank at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 22, Dartford Warbler, Snow Buntings x 50, Long-tailed Duck, Russian White-fronted Geese x 20 at Holkham Bay
Pale-bellied Brent Goose, hybrid Black Brant at north end of Lady Anne's Drive, Holkham
Mealy Redpolls x 3 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Short-eared Owl at Snettisham RSPB
Hawfinches x 14 at Lynford Aboretum
Long-eared Owl reported at Clenchwarton
Russian White-fronted Geese x 200 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Winterton
Black-throated Diver at Weybourne
Russian White-fronted Geese x 35, Short-eared Owl at Halvergate
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egrets x 3, Tundra Bean Goose, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Mealy Redpolls x 2 at Wells Woods
Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham
Long-tailed Duck, Scaup at Barton Broad
Caspian Gull, Hen Harriers x 2, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Bunting at Happisburgh
Jack Snipe at Buxton Heath
Hen Harriers x 4, Spoonbill at Stiffkey
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common NNR
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Thurlton Marshes
Russian White-fronted Geese x 11 at Bayfield Hall
Short-eared Owls x 6, Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Island

MEGA NEWS
None

Saturday 2 February 2019

Birding From My Sofa!

I feel no better than yesterday, in fact my symptoms have worsened. A continuous cough has now developed and every time I cough, my chest is agony – maybe I have a chest infection. My whole body aches, my eyes ache and I can't keep awake. It was a very good job I ordered shopping in as even putting my delivery away was hard work – there is no way I would have been able to go to the supermarket today. The only enjoyable thing today was sipping freshly squeezed lemon with hot water and manuka honey – lovely! Oh and watching my birds in the garden, which included Blackbirds, Starlings, Collared Doves, Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits and Dunnocks. This is a particularly nasty virus, I can't recall feeling this bad for years.

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 Grey Shrike north of Santon Downham at Santon Warren
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
LITTLE BUNTING still at Weybourne Camp
Mealy Redpoll at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Glaucous Gull, Spoonbill at Salthouse
Twite x 13, Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour
Shorelarks x 16 at Holkham Bay
Great White Egret at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Glaucous Gull at Cley NWT
Pale-bellied Brent Goose east of Iron Road, Cley
Great White Egret at Pentney Gravel Pits
Common Cranes x 3 flew over Horsey Mill
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egret, Water Pipit at Welney WWT
Common Cranes x 3, Russian White-fronted Geese x 90 at St Benet's Abbey, Ludham
Hen Harrier at Glandford
Scaup x 5 at Barton Broad
Smew redhead, Scaup, Little Stint at Snettisham RSPB
Water Pipit, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Twite x 20 at Ongar Hill
Great White Egret at Nar Valley Fisheries
Water Pipits x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland

Friday 1 February 2019

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  
Rough-legged Buzzard, Smew redhead at Snettisham RSPB
Mealy Redpolls x 2 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Twite x 14, Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour
Great Grey Shrike north of Santon Downham at Santon Warren
Long-tailed Duck, Scaup x 5 at Barton Broad
Tundra Bean Geese x 6 near Waxham Barn
Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 flew past Horsey Mill
Glaucous Gull flew over East Bank, Snow Buntings x 50, Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Cley NWT
Water Pipits x 2 at Upton Marshes NWT
Caspian Gull at Burrell Way, Thetford
Long-tailed Duck, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey
Russian White-fronted Geese x 108, Common Cranes x 13 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier at Choseley Drying Barns
Shorelarks x 28, Snow Buntings x 50, Velvet Scoter at Holkham Gap
Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 at Holkham Freshmarsh
LITTLE BUNTING for 3rd day (access tomorrow 9am-9.10 only, west of beach car park at fisherman's gate – donations accepted) on mound at Weybourne Camp
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Welney WWT
Hawfinches x 4, Crossbills x 4, Firecrest at Lynford Aboretum

MEGA NEWS
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Cold Virus!

That will teach me to say I never get colds and haven’t had one for years! Feel like I haven’t taken any paracetamol, but I have – not good at being ill. Started with tickly cough earlier in the week which was tolerable, then temperature at night which still enabled me to go to work and felt okish in the day time. Last night I felt considerably worse than previous nights and woke up with one of those horrible and continuous drippy nose colds and my head feels like it’s going to explode!

I had no choice but to get out of bed, as lying down made my head worse, so have spent all day on the sofa with hot water bottles and paracetamol. Shivery back and pins & needles in both cold hands, even though hugging hot water bottle – weird! I urgently need a shopping delivery and want to buy some Manuka Honey which I swear by for colds, but nobody to shop for me that I could possibly ask. So, did a Sainsbury's on-line shop to be delivered tomorrow! Can't taste any of my food, which will help my weight loss even more! My temperature this evening was 38.2.