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Tuesday 30 April 2019

Common Cuckoo at Gramborough Hill This Evening!

Common Cuckoo
Gramborough Hill, Salthouse


Most birders wouldn't have travelled that far after work, when there had been no news of the Great Spotted Cuckoo, since John's first sighting first thing this morning – but, I didn't want to be sitting at home this evening, when an 'GSC again and showing well' message came up on RBA. I have only seen one Great Spotted Cuckoo in the UK and that was the last one John found in 2009 and although it was incredible to see, my views was distant as were my photos. Therefore, I would obviously be very keen to see another one and especially in Norfolk! So there was no question about me not going to Gramborough Hill after work! Ok, so some birds are only seen for seconds, never to be seen again (like Connor Rand's Alpine Accentor), but sometimes they are refound at the same spot later on that day and sometimes the following day. As John Furse said when I rang him as I left work, there was a possibility, that it could return to Gramborough Hill to roost?! You never know!

Whizzed home to get birding gear, changed, did a flask and made cheese on toast (eaten on route) and headed to Salthouse. I was not a happy bunny to find that my normal route through Glandford had roadworks and was completely closed, so had to detour along Garden Lane/Wall's Lane, which is a very narrow and long winding road, that comes out at Glandford Ford, then followed the road, driving past the Waterworks in Cley, past the church and then down Old Woman's Lane and east to Gramborough Hill. Parked up the car in Beach Road and took a leisurely stroll to the 'hill'.
Chiffchaff at Gramborough Hill


A Little Ringed Plover took off from the pool just west of Gramborough Hill and a Wheatear perched on a post for a few moments. At the scrub on the hill, I saw Meadow Pipits, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. As I peered into the bushes, a bird made a clumsy exit from the back of the bushes and flew off west across the marsh, towards a caravan just left of Cley church – I didn't see it until it had gone over the nearest large bramble and I was looking into the sun, it was a black silhouette of a Cuckoo sp.!!! I decided to re-position myself on top of the hill, so I had a good view of all the scrub and anything that might land in to roost! I love sitting here, the views are incredible of sea, marshes and Kelling, Salthouse and Cley.
Common Cuckoo
Gramborough Hill, Salthouse

 
A short while later, another visiting birder turned up and said he had seen my Cuckoo heading south towards Cley and confirmed that it was a Common Cuckoo – he had seen it clearly with the sun behind him! He left at short while later and I had the rest of the evening here by myself. Suddenly I noticed the branches were moving vigorously just below where I was sitting and to my surprise the Common Cuckoo had returned! It had sneaked in without me seeing it arrive! It seemed unfazed by my presence and proceeded to gobble as many Brown-Tail Moth Caterpillars as it could! It was fascinating to watch and must be the best and closest views of a Cuckoo I have ever had! It was worth travelling for an hour just to see this Cuckoo. I took so many photos (552 to be precise!), most of which had branches concealing the Cuckoo – typical!

Saw Pete S. sitting on Muckleburgh Hill – he was a tiny dot in the distance! I know it was him as I rang him to talk about the GSC and he was searching the hill in hope of finding it there. I sat on Gramborough Hill until 8.20pm, still watching the Cuckoo along with an unhappy Meadow Pipit, who constantly harrassed the Cuckoo whilst I was here. It was very cold now as I ambled back to my car. Left and parked the car up at the beginning of Beach Road, Cley to check the cattle for wagtails or Cattle Egret (seen earlier at Kelling Water Meadows), but nothing seen and it was late anyway. After a coffee fix, I made my way home. Driving along I fell something crawling on my forehead – as I brushed it off, it felt like a caterpillar! When I arrived at the garage shop in King's Lynn, I discovered two caterpillars on my coat and my right hand was itching like crazy! They were Brown-Tail Moth Caterpillars! How on earth they ended up on me, I really don't know! I didn't brush against any branches at all! Full tank of petrel ready for megas tomorrow! Sandwiches done for my evening meal tomorrow! 1st May, here we go!!!

More Cuckoo pictures to be added!

John Furse Finds His SECOND Great Spotted Cuckoo in Salthouse!!!

I phoned John up in my lunch break to ask if it was he who had found this morning's Great Spotted Cuckoo at Gramborough Hill – and it WAS!!! How incredible is that!!! He must have set a world record?! Has anyone else found TWO Great Spotted Cuckoos AND in the same village?!

MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS TO JOHN!!!

The last record for Norfolk was at Salthouse and found by John Furse on 23rd July and stayed until 5th August 2009. Here is a link to my picture of this bird.

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  
PURPLE HERON east of sea wall, Ring Ouzels x 2, Velvet Scoter on sea at Burnham Overy Dunes
Garganey x 2, Wood Sandpiper on scrape just east of Wells
Great White Egret flew over, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO 1s at 8.58am (J.F.) then flew to Meadow Lane, (not seen again), Gramborough Hill
Cattle Egret flew over, Common Crane, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE flew east over Egmere
Spoonbill, Bar-tailed Godwits x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Osprey flew over Pentney Gravel Pits
Turtle Dove, Nightingale, Whinchat at Snettisham Coastal Park
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE probable, flew over Gapton Marshes, SW of Great Yarmouth
Ring Ouzel at Horsey
Cattle Egrets x 2, Spoonbill, Ring Ouzel at Holkham Freshmarsh
Common Crane flew over Beeston Common, Sheringham
Common Crane flew over Northrepps
Montagu's Harrier, Ring Ouzels x 3 at North Dunes, Winterton
Cattle Egret at Kelling Water Meadows
Spotted Redshank at Thornham Harbour
Firecrest at Holme NOA
Osprey at Rockland Broad
Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Monday 29 April 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  
PURPLE HERON east of sea wall, Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 2, Great Northern Diver, Little Stint, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB
Whooper Swans x 3 flew over Weybourne
Purple Sandpiper at Hunstanton
Spoonbill, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT
Wood Sandpipers x 3, Garganey x 2, Spoonbill on scrape just east of Wells
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Waxham Sands Holiday Park
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egrets x 2, Spoonbills x 6 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Osprey flew over Waxham
BLACK-WINGED STILT at Potter Heigham Marshes
Rough-legged Buzzard flew over Martham

MEGA NEWS
MOURNING DOVE 
North Ronaldsay, Orkney
BOOTED EAGLE
Probable, flew over Coleford, Gloucestershire
BAIKAL TEAL
Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Scott and Annie Run Their First London Marathon!!!

My work colleagues Scott Ablett and Annie Giles
ran the London Marathon yesterday!

Huge thanks to any of my readers who kindly donated to their charities, much appreciated


Scott ran for the Stroke Association – link here:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/scott-ablett-london-marathon-2019?utm_campaign=pfp-tweet&utm_content=Scott-Ablett-London-Marathon-2019&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Twitter&utm_term=jzv4rxv9x&fbclid=IwAR0AvHMOSb8CTzaeKJsBSfYE442o2mdExmoCotBWm6yehadTB4XCibqNF40

Annie ran for Pancreatic Cancer – link here:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=AnnieRunsTheLondonMarathon&pageUrl=1&fbclid=IwAR0Gj1HPzv4_M5y43NYYWhtouM2gTFUPKelVxREX-nBK-DJicB_rcQhltaQ
See Annie running on BBC iPlayer see Annie at 46.25 mins in, on the link above and here is a screenshot I took!

Congratulations Scott and Annie!

Scott's race time was: 4:23 👏 Annie's race time was: 4:56 👏

Incredible to run this under five hours – Wow!!!

All your incredible hard work and dedication has paid off,
what an achievement!

Sunday 28 April 2019

Lunch at Castle Rising, Birding at Wells, Warham, Titchwell & Holme!

Castle Rising Tea Rooms
I had lunch with my sisters Lucy and Vivien at the Castle Rising Tea Rooms and very nice it was too! Had a veggie roast, followed by bread & butter pudding with ice-cream, washed down with organic ginger beer!

Re-parked our cars just past the church and walked to 'Onion Corner' as it is known locally – Wild Garlic grows here on mass and we could smell it long before we reached the corner! Lots of Bluebells in the wood, a beautiful little spot. This area is used by lots of dog walkers, some of whom do not clear up, so you have to watch where you step. A mature oak tree looked especially beautiful with its new bright green leaves set against the blue sky and this tree held a nice little selection of birds – a Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit with green caterpillar, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were flitting around in the sunshine. Red-legged Partridges, Pheasants, Blackbirds and Jackdaws were in the surrounding fields and 2 Common Buzzards were seen, along with a Robin and Hedgesparrow. We were not here long as Lucy will only walk so far, which at times can be extremely frustrating, but Vivien and I are used to it after all these years. Vivien took Lucy back to King's Lynn and I headed to Wells.

North Point, Wells
Wood Sandpiper, Greenshank, Garganey x 2, Spoonbills x 2, Snipe, 5 Swallows west, Little Egrets, Mute Swans, Lapwings with cute fluffy chicks, Mallards with young, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Shelducks, Avocets, Greylag Geese, Brent Geese, Redshanks, Oystercatchers, Black-headed Gulls. Cetti's Warbler singing and Pied Wagtails were seen. Met two ladies who read my blog and thanked me for highlighting this new and exciting area – nice to meet you both.

Garden Drove, Warham
Walked along the hedge-lined drove to the copse and back – nice amble, but very little seen. The track was quite overgrown – only birds seen were a Robin, Blue Tit and Goldfinches. In the fields with the squealing pigs were Pied Wagtails, Grey Partridges and Wood Pigeons.

Titchwell RSPB
Very lazy birding! From the car, I saw a Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit and a Hedgesparrow in the coach parking area. From the last car park I heard the Turtle Dove purring again (as last night) at 7.45pm – two lots of loud purring and then nothing. Other birds heard here were Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler, Blackbird. The usual Robins and Wood Pigeons were in the car parks.

Holme
Watered all the plants in pots, had a sweep round the front of the house and changed and cleaned all the bird baths out. Cuckoo calling across the meadow adjacent to the garden and a Blackbird was singing on the top of the telegraph pole. Took the ice-plant (sedum) back to my house. I will be bringing all the potted plants back to my house eventually, but want to leave most of them for viewings – adds a bit of colour to the front garden when prospective buyers are looking round. It was 9pm by the time I had finished my little jobs around the garden. I think I will need to buy a strimmer to maintain the garden until the house is sold – I don't fancy using shears again as I did last year!

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  
Velvet Scoters x 4 flew past beach car park at Cley
Spoonbills x 3, Little Stint (probable) at Cley NWT
Arctic Terns x 2 at Whitlingham Country Park
PURPLE HERON west of sea wall at Burnham Overy Dunes
Ring Ouzels x 7, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbills x 2 at Winterton
Osprey, Arctic Tern at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Arctic Tern flew past Weybourne Camp
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 3 at
Welney WWT
Osprey at Ormesby Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret
Arctic Terns x 20 at Filby Broad
Ring Ouzel at Grimston Warren
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham RSPB
Spoonbill flew over Heacham
Ring Ouzel at North Creake
Ring Ouzel at Waxham Sands Holiday Park
Garganey x 2 at Nar Valley Fisheries, Narborough
BLACK-WINGED STILT at Potter Heigham Marshes
Garganey x 2, Wood Sandpipers x 2 at North Point, Wells
Osprey at Rockland Broad
Turtle Dove singing, Red-necked Grebe at Titchwell RSPB
Short-eared Owl at Upton Marshes NWT
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Cawston Heath

MEGA NEWS
MOLTONI'S SUBALPINE WARBLER
Sands of Forvie NNR, Aberdeenshire
BAIKAL TEAL
Ouse Washes RSPB, Cambridgeshire
SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER
Possible, NW of Fritham, Hampshire
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Saturday 27 April 2019

Burnham Overy Dunes and Titchwell RSPB!

Strong winds and rain as I headed to the coast. Met up with buyers at the family home at Holme, to sell the last armchair first thing this morning. Still need to sell the Hayter lawnmower and then only small items left for a Boot Sale, if I ever get round to doing one. Every time I visit our home, there are more flowers appearing – today the Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) plant is out and in flower – mother loved this plant. A Sparrowhawk landed on the telegraph pole outside the house.

The wind was incredibly strong and when I stopped in Hunstanton briefly to buy something, I could hardly hold the car door open! Visited "Moulham & Horn" at Heacham to top up my bird food supplies and chatted to the owner, who used to deliver bird food by the sack to my mother – he recalled how fit my mother had been, when he regularly saw her cycling to Hunstanton and back to Holme – we reminisced for a good while about my mother and father.

Sat and had lunch at the top of the road next to the reservoir, that runs south just after the Farm shop at Thornham – a wonderful view of Holme Reserves from here. Headed to Titchwell RSPB car park to look for the Turtle Dove, but no luck – hardly surprising really in these strong winds! Met a couple of birders who said that the Alpine Swift had been sighted at Sheringham yesterday a long time (as in several hours) before it came out on the pager in the evening and that it was known where it had roosted that evening. I don't understand why news is not shared promptly?! Also rare bird news coming out several days after they have been seen – don't understand this either! I get and understand that when a rarity is found on a private site, that no one else can see it, that's fine, but getting the news out at the time gives people (especially those that are working) an idea of what is around and helps us to decide if its worth going out birding after work or not – putting news out days later is no use to anyone!

Walked to Burnham Overy Dunes – a very difficult walk as the wind was so strong, it was a job to stay upright! No sign of the Purple Heron or anything else much to be honest in these conditions! Saw a few House Martins over the pool east of the main track and geese on the marshes, but that was about it.

Returned to Titchwell RSPB – there wasn't a single car in the car park! I sat patiently in my car hoping to hear or see the reported Turtle Dove – I got lucky! At 7.05pm I clearly heard the wonderful purring of a Turtle Dove!!! It didn't put in an appearance though. Lots of Woodpigeons, Blackbirds and Robins feeding around the car parks. I could also hear a Willow Warbler and a Blackcap singing, just before I drove home.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
ALPINE SWIFT flew over Sheringham, Overstrand, Trimingham, Winterton, Eccles-on-Sea, Caister-on-Sea
Garganey x 2 east of Wells
Hen Harrier, Arctic Tern at Sheringham
Bluethroat recently at Dead Man's Wood, Sheringham
BLACK-WINGED STILT, Spoonbill at Potter Heigham Marshes
Short-eared Owl, Woodlark at Winterton
Great White Egrets x 2, Little Gull, Common Cranes x 5 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Spoonbills x 2 flew over Weybourne Camp
PURPLE HERON west of sea wall at Burnham Overy Dunes
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Turtle Dove, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Garganey at Pentney Gravel Pits
Hen Harrier at Mundesley
Little Stint at Breydon Water

MEGA NEWS
SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO
In garden at Westward Ho!, Devon
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Friday 26 April 2019

Snettisham Coastal Park!

Snettisham Coastal park


I searched in vain for the Wryneck reported this evening and not only did I not see another birder, I didn't see another person at all! Very unusual indeed! It was a particularly crazy day at work and I was shattered when I returned home – I nearly didn't go out, but felt I couldn't miss out on seeing a Wryneck, when it was only 10 miles away!

I walked near as far as Heacham to search for the Wryneck. Very little seen, but heard Cuckoo, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat and saw several Blackbirds. Beautiful sunset, very windy and light rain. Gales of 50mph+ 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  
Great White Egret at Sidestrand
Blue-headed Wagtail, Ring Ouzels x 2, Hooded Crow (hybrid), Great White Egret at West Runton
Hooded Crow at Blakeney Point
Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Aylmerton
Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water
PURPLE HERON west of sea wall, Cattle Egret east of sea wall at Burnham Overy Dunes
Ring Ouzels x 2 near golf course at Heacham
Hoopoe at Low Road, Winterton
Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Great White Egrets x 5, Common Cranes x 2 at Welney WWT
Turtle Dove, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
BLACK-WINGED STILT at Potter Heigham Marshes
Garganey x 2, Wood Sandpipers x 2 east of Wells
Short-eared Owl west of Horsey Gap
Stone Curlew 1/2 mile west of Horsey
Osprey flew in off sea at Trimingham
ALPINE SWIFT at Walsey Hills NOA
ALPINE SWIFT at The Leas, Sheringham
Turtle Dove, Hooded Crow at Weybourne Camp
Ring Ouzel on cliff at Mundesley
Wryneck 1/2 mile east of beach car park at Snettisham Coastal Park
Osprey at Rockland Broad
Turtle Dove on driveway in Langham
Great White Egret flew over Kelling Quags

MEGA NEWS
SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO
In garden at Westward Ho!, Devon
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Thursday 25 April 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  
Ring Ouzel at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Yellow-browed Warbler singing at Northrepps
PURPLE HERON east of sea wall at Burnham Overy Dunes
Ring Ouzel, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB
Garganey flew past, Short-eared Owl at Winterton
Common Crane, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stints x 2, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT
Great White Egret, Spoonbill at Welney WWT
Velvet Scoter, Ring Ouzels x 2 west of Sheringham
Citrine Wagtail fem. on Tuesday near Dead Man's Wood, Sheringham
BLACK-WINGED STILT, Spoonbill at Potter Heigham Marshes
Great White Egret at Hickling Broad NWT
Blue-headed Wagtails x 3 in cattle field at West Runton
Garganey x 2, Wood Sandpipers x 4 east of Wells
Pied Flycatcher at East Hills, Wells
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park
Great White Egret, Wood Lark at Holme NOA
Ring Ouzels x 3 at Cawston Heath
Ring Ouzel at Horsey
Glossy Ibis at Upton Marshes NWT
Black Terns x 2, Osprey at Ranworth Broad NWT
Osprey at Sculthorpe Moor NR
Wood Warbler reported on Tuesday at Kelling
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Spoonbill at Holkham Freshmarsh
Velvet Scoter flew past Holkham
Osprey at Rockland Broad

MEGA NEWS
SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO
In garden at Westward Ho!, Devon
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS
Between Marazion and Perranuthnoe, Cornwall
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Wednesday 24 April 2019

Natural England Forced To Revoke General Licences

https://www.birdguides.com/news/natural-england-forced-to-revoke-general-licences/

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Wild_Justice_wins_legal_challenge_to_Natural_Englands_General_Licenses.aspx?s_id=1060384935 

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/24/woodpigeons-and-crows-can-no-longer-be-freely-killed-in-england?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR2NL9kgWG5fZpYk2LlGPWbi-xFp2gkBuF02sRVLRXqdwJs0x0qYV0Bdr3U

The RSPB - Let Nature Sing

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  
WOODCHAT SHRIKE, Osprey, Spotted Redshank, Wryneck at South Dunes, Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harriers x 2 at North Dunes, Winterton
Ring Ouzels x 2, Spoonbill at Titchwell RSPB
BLACK-WINGED STILT, Common Cranes x 2 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2, Little Tern, Spoonbill at Holme Dunes NWT
Hen Harrier at Seething
Great White Egret at Hickling Broad NWT
Spotted Redshank flew over Salthouse
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Reegis, Redstart at Beeston Common, Sheringham
Spoonbill at Burnham Norton
Osprey flew over, Black Redstart at Norwich
Osprey flew over Whitlingham Country Park
Hoopoe at The Plantation, Blakeney Point
Common Cranes x 9 flew over Denver
Garganey at Kelling Water Meadows
Ring Ouzels x 3 at golf course, Heacham
Great White Egret, Bar-tailed Godwits x 2, Common Cranes x 9 at Welney WWT
Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp
PURPLE HERON east of sea wall, Ring Ouzels x 4, Whinchat, Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 4 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Ring Ouzel at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
Osprey flew over Pulham Market
Ring Ouzel at Cockley Cley

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

RBA Weekly Round-Up 17th to 23rd April!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyRoundup2019_17.aspx?s_id=1060381127

Tuesday 23 April 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  
PURPLE HERON east of sea wall, Hooded Crow flew over Gun Hill, Ring Ouzels x 7, Hen Harrier at Burnham Overy Dunes
BLACK-WINGED STILT, Garganey x 2, Common Cranes x 2 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Ring Ouzels x 2, Spoonbill, Great White Egret flew over at Titchwell RSPB
Ring Ouzel, Whinchat at Muckleburgh Hill
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Regis, Sheringham
Ring Ouzel on golf course, Black Redstart, Redstart, Whinchat by chalets at Heacham
Long-tailed Duck at Barton Broad
Great White Egret, Spotted Redshank at Welney WWT
Great White Egrets x 3, Common Crane at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT
Hoopoe at The Plantation, Blakeney Point
Little Gull at Stiffkey Fen
Ring Ouzel at Horsey
Great White Egrets x 2 at Burnham Norton
Scaup at Filby Broad
Garganey at Kelling Water Meadows
Spotted Redshanks x 3, Garganey at North Point, Wells
Wood Sandpiper at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
WOODCHAT SHRIKE, Ring Ouzel at Winterton
Osprey flew over Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Ring Ouzels x 3, Whinchat at Holme Dunes NWT
Ring Ouzel in horse paddock at Morston
Ring Ouzel in garden at Cockley Cley
Common Cranes x 2 flew over, Wood Sandpiper at Snettisham Coastal Park
Shorelarks x 7 east of Holkham Gap
Spotted Redshanks x 2, stint sp. at Cley NWT

MEGA NEWS
BAIKAL TEAL
Doxey Marshes SWT, north of Stafford, Staffordshire
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Monday 22 April 2019

Bank Holiday Monday Birding!

Started off at Burnham Norton – a long hot walk and no sign of the Purple Heron. Of note, a Peregrine was seen and a Cetti's Warbler was singing.

I returned to 'North Point' just east of Wells and watched 2 Garganey, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harriers and 1 Chiffchaff, along with loads of other birds (same as yesterday). My recently sprained ankle gave way again and I just managed to save it from spraining again, but was now in considerable pain – because of this I decided to stay where I was for most of the day and I also felt exhausted. Had lunch in my deckchair by the car and rested as much as I could. Met Mike B. + wife and saw Mike S. Later on Eddie M. and John F. joined me and also saw Marcus Nash and tour group late afternoon.

Headed west at about 5.30pm and decided to make a last effort before heading home. Spent the rest of the time at Titchwell RSPB. Chiffchaff in the far end of the car park. Walked the East Trail and then along the main bank as far as Island Hide. Common Whitethroat heard, Marsh Harriers, Reed Bunting, usual selection of birds on the freshmarsh but nothing of particular note. Very tired, so short post! Didn't take a single picture on my SLR camera today, nothing was close enough!

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 Flycatcher, Wood Sandpiper, Great White Egrets x 2 flew over Kelling Water Meadows
Ring Ouzel, Spoonbill flew over, Shorelarks x 15 east of Holkham Gap
Ring Ouzels x 27 flew over Salthouse Heath
Ring Ouzels x 2 at top of Cross Street, Salthouse
Ring Ouzel at North Dunes, Winterton
Pied Flycatcher, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel at Titchwell RSPB
BLACK-WINGED STILT, Garganey x 2, Great White Egrets x 2, Spoonbill, Hen Harrier at Potter Heigham Marshes
Short-eared Owl, Spoonbills x 4 at Warham Greens
Garganey, Wood Sandpipers x 2, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Ring Ouzel, Little Gull at Stiffkey Fen
Spoonbill at Stiffkey
Scaup, Long-tailed Duck, Little Gulls x 14 at Barton Broad
Ring Ouzel in car park at golf course at Holme
Ring Ouzels x 2, Whinchat at Holmes Dunes NWT
Ring Ouzel in sports field at Beeston Regis, Sheringham
Pied Flycatcher at Pretty Corner, Puffin and Great White Egrets x 2 flew past, Sheringham
Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Whinchats x 2 in cattle fields at West Runton
Great White Egrets x 2 at Burnham Norton
Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks x 2 east of Wells
Little Gulls x 22, Wood Sandpiper at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Black Terns x 4, Little Gulls x 2, Great White Egrets x 6, Sandwich Terns x 2, Spotted Redshank at Welney WWT
Great White Egret at South Beach, Ring Ouzel at Heacham
Whinchats x 2 at Weybourne Camp
Great White Egret at Hickling Broad NWT
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham RSPB
Ring Ouzel in horse paddock at Morston
Spoonbills x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Ring Ouzel at Cockley Cley

MEGA NEWS
SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO
In garden at Ventnor, (yesterday), then flew off and no sign since, Isle of Wight
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Sunday 21 April 2019

Salthouse, Kelling, Cley & Beyond!

I didn't get home until 10pm, so will be brief, and maybe update this post tomorrow and maybe not, depending on time!!! I want to be out at dawn tomorrow, so pictures will also be added later on tomorrow.

Salthouse
No Ring Ouzels at the top of Cross Street, when I arrived, but then found 5!!! Lovely views in the sunshine and half decent pictures obtained. Met two more blog readers, nice to meet you both.
Ring Ouzels at Salthouse


Gramborough Hill
Wonderful sighting of Sand Martins, but nothing in the scrub at all. 2 Wheatears, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks in the field south of the hill, also 2 Swallows flew over. A Redshank was in the pool just west of the hill.

Kelling Water Meadows
It was very hot, can't believe I am saying this in April! Parked my car on the road in the usual place, opposite the track and sat and had my lunch on the bench in the shade, listening to the water trickling in the stream – very relaxing indeed, especially when it included my homemade courgette cake! Pete S. turned up and we walked down to Kelling Water Meadows together and also met up with Eddie M. Eddie had seen some Yellow Wagtails amongst the cattle, but none were on show whilst we were here – all the cattle were sat down in the long grass opposite the 5-bar gate, three quarters the way down the track, so any wagtails would have been hidden from view. Lots of birds on the pool though, including Ruff, Green Sandpipers x 3, Black-tailed Godwits x 2, Shelducks, Teal, Spotted Redshank – lots of Sand Martins skimming over the water, which was a joy to watch. Wheatears x 2 also seen in the field to the north by the shingle bank. We also watched two Weasel Cubs fighting and then one broke loose and ran towards us!
Weasel Cubs fighting at Kelling Water Meadows

 Weasel Cub airborne at Kelling Water Meadows!


Cley NWT
Purchased a take away tea in my bamboo cup! Parked up in the car park at East Bank and walked along the Attenborough Way trail to Babcock Hide, to try and see the Little Gull seen earlier by a NWT volunteer – not here now! Nobody else in the hide, so wonderfully peaceful. Birds seen here: Heron, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Shelducks, Teal, Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets, Gadwall, Oystercatchers, Marsh Harriers, Redshanks and a Little Egret. Walked back to the East Bank car park via Walsey Hills.

Walsey Hills NOA
Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, little else. It was nice to see a Small Copper butterfly on the bank next to the reception centre. I was not impressed with the overgrown path at the eastern most end on the hill. I love to walk along this path, which follows around the small belt of pine trees. Someone needs to get the strimmer out!

Back at the East Bank car park, two ladies were walking back along the bank and one of them was seriously struggling to walk and looked completely exhausted and ill. By the time the lady started to descend the steps to the car park, she stopped part way down and looked awful. I called out 'do you need any help?'. The lady who was ok, said they were fine, but a short while later she came up to my car and thanked me for being so thoughtful and then explained that the lady struggling had ME and had wanted to walk to the sea from the East Bank and had been so pleased that she had achieved this – I had tears in my eyes when she told me this! Its a long walk normally, I don't know how she did it! She looked exhausted sitting in the car, obviously a strong and determined lady – I'm glad she reached her goal, well done to her.

Morston
Horse paddock opposite the church held 2 Song Thrushes, nothing else, but noted on the pager that 2 Ring Ouzels appeared later on!

North Point, Wells
Bumped into local birder 'Gem' here. Garganey x 2, Spoonbills x 3 (one feeding and two flew over east) in beautiful evening light. Lots of other birds here including Cuckoo calling, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks, Snipe, Cormorants, Shelducks, Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Pied Wagtail's, Heron, Avocets, Brent Geese and Little Egrets x 3.
Spoonbill at North Point, Wells


Holkham – Lady Anne's Drive
Common Buzzard, 6 Spoonbill flew east, Egyptian Geese x 8. Cattle east of the drive, but no sign of any Yellow Wagtails.

Burnham Norton
Late evening and too late to be looking for the Purple Heron! Cuckoo calling and Sedge Warbler singing. Two massive motor homes parked up (presumably) for the night and taking up a good third of the parking area between them.

Holme
Watered plants in the garden and changed the bird water baths in the dark.

King's Lynn
Watered plants in my garden and changed the bird water baths in the dark at 10pm! Phew! Burnt two eggs again – VERY hard boiled and now in the bin! 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  
BLACK-WINGED STILT, Garganey x 3, Great White Egrets x 3, Common Crane at Potter Heigham Marshes
Great Grey Shrike between Potter Heigham and Catfield
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham RSPB
Blue-headed Wagtail hybrid at Snettisham Coastal Park
Little Gull at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Ring Ouzels x 2, Water Pipit, Great White Egret, Arctic Terns x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
Velvet Scoters x 6 off beach car park at Cley
Whinchat, Spoonbill, Little Gull, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT
Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Breydon Water
Hooded Crow, Whinchat, Ring Ouzel at West Runton
Ring Ouzels x 8 at top of Cross Street, Salthouse
Scaup at Barton Broad
Garganey x 2 at North Point near Wells
PURPLE HERON 1s at Burnham Norton
Osprey at Ormesby Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret
Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, Temminck's Stints x 2 at Welney WWT
Ring Ouzels x 4, Redstarts x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Ring Ouzels x 2, Redstart in horse paddock opposite church at Morston
Firecrest, Ring Ouzels x 3, Short-eared Owl at Holme Dunes NWT
Short-eared Owls, Spoonbills x 2 at Brancaster
Ring Ouzel at Lynn Point, King's Lynn
Ring Ouzel at North Dunes, Winterton
Ring Ouzel at Cockley Cley
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad
Cattle Egret, Great White Egrets x 3 at Holkham Freshmarsh

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Saturday 20 April 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  
Spoonbill flew over, Ring Ouzels x 3, Great White Egret at South Beach, Heacham
Redstarts x 2 in Wells Woods
Black Redstart in paddock by farm machinery at Titchwell
BLACK-WINGED STILT Male, LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE esc., Garganey x 3, Great White Egrets x 2, Spotted Redshank, Common Cranes x 8 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Bump, Sheringham
Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzels x 4 at Holme Dunes NWT
Ring Ouzel in horse paddock, Great White Egret flew west at Morston
Ring Ouzel, Redstart at Snettisham Coastal Park
Short-eared Owl, Little Gulls x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Breydon Water
Siberian Chiffchaff (probable) west of pines, Firecrest, Whinchat, Ring Ouzels x 4, Spoonbill at Burnham Overy Dunes
Great White Egret at Belton Marshes
Rough-legged Buzzard at Winterton
Little Gulls x 2, Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Goshawk at Sculthorpe Moor NR
Arctic Terns x 30, Scaup at Filby Broad
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Shorelarks x 12 east of Holkham Gap
Garganey x 2, Great White Egret at Castle Marshes, Aldeby
Garganey at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Whinchats x 2 at Cley NWT
Pied Flycatcher at Beach Road, Salthouse

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian, Scotland

Friday 19 April 2019

Dawn 'til Dusk Hot Birding at Holme NOA & NWT!

BLACK REDSTART
Golf course at Holme

S U N R I S E


A cracking day, with several finds and a very lucky finish!!!

I cruised to Holme Reserves as a cerise sun was rising – a stunning start to a wonderful day. I drove to Holme via the cliff top road at Hunstanton, to see if there were any Ring Ouzels or anything else exciting – found Starlings, Blackbirds and Gulls – Wood Pigeons were feeding on the Pitch & Putt at Old Hunstanton.
House Sparrow
Beach Road, Holme


Checked out a horse meadow for Ring Ouzels along Beach Road at Holme, none found but Blackcap singing. Photographed House Sparrows at the Firs Road junction from my car. Sat watching the bushes in the village car park for a while and saw several Robins, a Chiffchaff, 2 Hedge Sparrows and 2 Great Tits. In the first paddock along the Firs Road, I found my first Ring Ouzel fem. feeding, along with a Mistle Thrush collecting nesting material. Just past the 5-bar gate I saw my first Whitethroat this Spring, a female Blackcap, Stonechat and a second Ring Ouzel in the field adjacent to the NWT wader pools, just west of the NOA car park. Parked the car up and walked straight across to the beach.
Holme Beach


Pied Flycatcher
Holme Bird Observatory


Whimbrel
One of two flying over Holme Bird Observatory

Stonechat
Alongside the Broadwater at Holme Bird Observatory


High tide – a very high tide, the waves were crashing close to the wooden breakers, the beach looked beautiful and was devoid of people or dogs, just me! What a treat, nobody else there but me. A Fulmar flew past, nothing else of note. Walked back and through the pines to Holme Bird Observatory. Black Redstart with Wheatears, Pied Wagtails x 2, Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches, Linnets and a Stonechat on the grassy slope. Female Pied Flycatcher again in the sycamore stump by the pond in front of observatory, but no sign of the male Pied Flycatcher that I saw last night – wasn't seen at all today. 2 Whimbrel flew over west calling and a Swallow flew east. Assistant Warden Gary Elton flushed a Common Redstart along the bottom Broadwater path, but I didn't see it when I meandered along the path. Met some lovely people here and later on, who follow my blog – great to meet you all.
Ring Ouzel
In the field adjacent to the path to the Wader Pools at Holme NWT


Whilst talking to Gary Hibberd NWT Warden at The Firs House, two Sparrowhawks flew over. Had a coffee and a cheese scone by my car and then walked to the NWT Wader Pools to search for yesterday's Garganey. No luck with that at all, however a Reed Warbler was singing near to the last hide. A Common Buzzard, 4 Redshanks and Black-headed Gulls were seen and on the way back a male Ring Ouzel was feeding in the field opposite the first hide. In the NOA car park, Gary H. told me he had just found a cracking male Black Redstart that was particularly striking, by the gate that goes across the road to the golf course by the toilet block. This sounded exciting, so off I went!
Cuckoo
Near the beginning of the Firs Road at Holme

Mallard with young
Dyke near the golf course at Holme


Knowing that all the free car parking spots would be full by the toilet block, I left my car half way along the Firs Road near the pay hut and walked along the path round the back of the houses – this path comes out in the far corner of the village car park next to the toilet block and golf course. Nothing of note seen from this path. Searched in vain for the Black Redstart, which was disappointing, but hardly surprising with the amount of dog walkers and golfers here now. My disappointment switched to excitement, as I heard my first Cuckoo calling! I tracked it down a bit later. Before I left, I checked out the bushes that run along the edge of the golf course in case the Black Redstart had relocated to escape the holidaymakers, but no luck. However, I did see a lovely pair of Bullfinches, a Chiffchaff and a Mallard with loads of newly hatched fluffy ducklings, swimming in the dyke that runs alongside the hedge. Also saw Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and Brimstone butterflies.
Ring Ouzel
Horse paddocks alongside the River Hun at Holme


Public footpath alongside the River Hun at Holme

Walked along the road towards the Hun Bridge. In a horse paddock on the left handside I saw a Stock Dove and a Song Thrush. The Cuckoo was closer now, but couldn't see it yet. Walked east along the public footpath by the Hun Bridge and followed this to NOA Redwell Marsh Hide. Alongside this little path is a huge area of horse paddocks, which held horses and a couple of donkeys. I found some cracking birds here: 3+ male Ring Ouzels, 4 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings, lots of Blackbirds, Robins and a Cetti's Warbler burst into song in a bush at the edge of the path. I was just about to sit down to enjoy watching all these thrushes, when an annoying Wood Pigeon erupted from a bush and flushed every bird in the paddock! Found the Cuckoo in the very tall Willow tree and managed to obtain a distant record shot on the camera. Continued to Redwell Marsh and sat in the hide for a while. Male Marsh Harrier, Redshanks x 4, Several Teal here, also Shelduck, Shovelers, Gadwall (1 pair) and Avocets, but the highlight was a Green Sandpiper, which dropped in at the front edge of the pool. Light poor here at midday though, so no good for photography until late afternoon, when sun is behind the hide. Continued along the footpath east of the hide, which comes out just before the pay hut. Saw a Chiffchaff in the tall trees by the standing caravan (as it used to be called). Walked back to my car.

Headed back towards the NOA car park to sit and have a late lunch. Pulled off the road to look into the horse paddocks, just past the 5-bar gate, when a car pulled up behind me and had nice surprise of seeing Ashley and Claudia Banwell and their not so little daughter anymore, Alice! I can't believe how much Alice has grown! Ashley wanted to see Ring Ouzels and luckily, they later saw my Ring Ouzels I had just seen, but they had 4 Ring Ouzels, which confirmed my 3+. Headed to the NOA car park and sat in my deckchair to enjoy my lunch. Nice to bump into Ann and Rob Gordon and also Pat and Geoff Douglas – Geoff had seen a Lesser Whitethroat in the NWT Forestry. A Swallow flew over as I was sitting here. Went to the observatory again and saw the Black Redstart on the grassy slope again. Spent a while chatting to a lovely couple I bump into fairly regularly, called Cindy and Bill (from Bircham). I didn't see the female Pied Flycatcher again, apparently it had relocated to the bushes/tree off the main bank between 2 hides.
Yellow Wagtail
Horse paddocks along the Firs Road at Holme

Short-eared Owl
Hunting along the horse paddocks, Firs Road at Holme


Drove back along the Firs Road and got very lucky indeed! I was driving the slowest I possibly could, so I could look into the paddocks before the 5-bar gate and found a lovely Yellow Wagtail, which I managed to get a record shot of and as I was doing this a Short-eared Owl flew across too and also managed to get on the camera! Parked up by the 5-bar gate and walked to search the NWT Forestry before the 5pm closure. Apart from a large flock of Linnets, I only saw a female Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaffs here. I suddenly felt extremely tired and decided to have a little nap! It was just after 5pm – found a lovely little warm grassy bank, only yards away from nipping back onto the Firs Road – had a lovely little snooze here. No one would see me here, as nobody should be in here after 5pm! I didn't really sleep, just rested my eyes for a while – watched a Hare lollop past me, who obviously had no idea how close I was to him! Anyway, as I sat up from my 'snooze' I glanced to my left and noticed two people walking towards me, which I hadn't expected at all. They were visiting birders, who had no idea they were not allowed to be here at this time – we had a lovely chat when they realised they read my blog! We got back onto the Firs Road and looked for the Yellow Wagtail, but didn't see it anymore, but still several Wheatears here. Suddenly the couple highlighted that a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling close by in a large bramble – I was very worried as I adore this reeling sound so much and at first I couldn't hear it at all – eventually I could just about hear one little burst of reeling. OMG, now my ears have gone! I felt very sad that I could not hear the Grasshopper Warbler in full as I normally would do. Will have to get my ears checked out now! Walked back to my car and was then going to head home.
BLACK REDSTART
Holme Golf Course


I decided to have one last attempt to find Gary's Black Redstart by the gate to the beach and golf course. The majority of people and golfers had now left and instantly I spotted an almost black head peeping over a mound of grass just left of the track before the gate that goes across the road – there it was! An extremely striking male Black Redstart – Wow! I spent a long time here photographing this stunning bird. The Black Redstart also flew up to sit on the top of the wire of the protection fence (for golf balls) and against the blue sky, this bird was jaw dropping to say the least. What an unexpected surprise! Saw the couple I had been talking to earlier and let them know and showed them this cracking little bird – they were very happy indeed to see this and they managed to get some pictures too. There were also 6 Wheatears on the west side of the golf course.

Headed to Hunstanton for fish 'n' chips. I was shocked and saddened to see that the trees by the church have been cut down to stumps – why? These have been here since I was a little girl – its looks awful! The queues at each fish 'n' chip shop were quite shocking! There was no way I was going to queue for ages, so went back to King's Lynn and walked into my favourite Fish 'n' Chip shop with only had two people in the queue – result!

Fell asleep at home – completely exhausted. I can't see me getting up at dawn tomorrow, mind wants to, body doesn't. I won't be going through pictures tonight either, sorry, will have to sort through them and add tomorrow.