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Friday 31 December 2021

NEW YEAR'S EVE!

No excitement here! Been at work all day and feel very tired. Nothing exciting on TV this evening and going to bed shortly! 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 

Cattle Egret at Two Furlong Hill, Wells
Hawfinches x 23 at Lynford Aboretum
Iceland Gull, Great Northern Diver, Snow Buntings x 34 at Cley NWT
Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 140 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 50 at Holkham Gap
Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Little Broad, Ormesby St Margaret
Cattle Egrets x 4 north of Martham
Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits
Siberian Chiffchaff, Great Northern Diver, Scaup at Titchwell RSPB
Bewick's Swan x 8 at Waxham
Bewick's Swan x 10, Spoonbill at Breydon Water
Shag opposite Burnham Water Mill, Burnham Overy Staithe
Siberian Chiffchaff at Marriott's Way, Norwich
Snow Buntings x 53 at Eccles-on-Sea
Todd's Canada Goose, Tundra Bean Goose, Russian White-fronted Goose south of Barrow Common, Brancaster Staithe
Lesser Whitethroat at Sheringham
Iceland Gull at East Wretham Heath
Iceland Gull at South Beach, Great Yarmouth
Bewick's Swans x 10 flew over Whitlingham Country Park
 
MEGA NEWS 
EGYPTIAN VULTURE
c.12km NW of Athlone, County Roscommon, Ireland
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
South of East Halton Skitter, Lincolnshire
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland

Thursday 30 December 2021

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, Snow Buntings x 14 at Cley NWT
Cattle Egret at Two Furlong Hill, Wells
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 78, Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham Gap
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 264 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits
Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harrier male, Cattle Egrets x 5 north of Martham
Hen Harriers x 2 (1 male) at Stiffkey
Lesser White-fronted Goose at Ranworth Broad NWT
Common Cranes x 14, Cattle Egret, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT
Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Sheringham
Bewick's Swans x 8 north of Whirligig at Warham Greens
Long-eared Owl at Ormesby St Margaret
Common Cranes x 65, Hen Harriers x 3, Water Pipit, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT
Water Pipit at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Bewick's Swans x 5, Water Pipit at Haddiscoe Marshes
Bewick's Swans x 24 east of Ingham
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER 
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside
AMERICAN COOT
Cromane, County Kerry, Ireland
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland

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 

WEDNESDAY 29th DECEMBER
Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits
Bewick's Swans x 21 east of Ingham
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 9 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Snow Buntings x 53, Little Stint at Snettisham RSPB 
Snow Buntings x 18 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum
Siberian Chiffchaff at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 16, Iceland Gull at Cley NWT
Hen Harriers x 3 (1 ad. male) at Roydon Common NNR
Rough-legged Buzzard reported at Ludham Bridge
Short-eared Owl from St Benet's Abbey at Ludham
Cattle Egret at Two Furlong Hill, Wells
Snow Buntings x 51, Water Pipit at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 13 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Bewick's Swans x 148 at Sedge Fen, Southery
Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owl, Common Cranes x 2 at Welney WWT
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER 
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

Tuesday 28 December 2021

Rain, Rain Go Away!

I can not remember the last time I saw the sun! It is the most dismal and dull Christmas period, that I can ever recall. It hasn't stopped raining since I left off work on Christmas Eve! According to the weather forecast, we will next see the sun here on Saturday 1st January 2022! Roll on next year for loads of reasons!

I had a lovely afternoon with Vivien and Ray on their narrowboat today. Lucy was invited too, but she didn't feel up to it. Ray made us some scrumptious Potato and Leek soup and teamed up with my Granary bread, made a lovely lunch. The resident Muscovy Ducks looked happy – unphased by the relentless rain.

Back to work 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 

Cattle Egrets x 3 at Welney WWT
Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 2 at Cley NWT
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum
Snow Buntings x 50 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham Coastal Park
Snow Buntings x 25 at Snettisham RSPB
Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Water Pipit, Russian White-fronted Geese x 70 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Winterton Dunes
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 45 at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 15 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Siberian Chiffchaff, Water Pipits x 2, Scaup x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Siberian Chiffchaff at Marriott's Way, Norwich
Hawfinch west of Great Ellingham
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER 
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland

Monday 27 December 2021

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, Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Snow Buntings x 15 at Cley NWT
Cattle Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh
Snow Buntings x 93, Manx Shearwater, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Great Northern Divers x 3, Scaup at Holkham Bay
Ruddy Shelduck at Little Barningham
Great White Egret on lake at Kimberly Park, Wymondham
Hen Harrier at Horsey
Great White Egrets x 15 flew past, Snow Buntings x 70, Hen Harrier at Snettisham RSPB
Siberian Chiffchaff, Great White Egrets x 15 flew past, Jack Snipe, Velvet Scoter, Great Northern Divers x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Purple Sandpiper, Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Bewick's Swans x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
Hawfinches x 4 at Lynford Aboretum
Taiga Bean Geese x 4, Russian White-fronted Geese x 20 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham
Black-necked Grebe east of golf club at Brancaster
Great Northern Divers x 3 at Holme
Great Northern Diver at Pentney Gravel Pits
Cattle Egrets x 8 at Pensthorpe Water Fowl Park
Slavonian Grebe offshore at Stiffkey
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER 
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

Sunday 26 December 2021

BOXING DAY!

I didn't feel too good today. I felt exhausted and the weather was dismal again with rain all day and grey skies. Such a pity there has been no sunshine for a few days, it makes a huge difference to how you feel.

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, Velvet Scoters x 2 flew past beach car park at Cley
Black Brant at Salthouse
Shorelarks x 4, Snow Buntings x 50 at Holkham Bay
Cattle Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 52 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Cattle Egrets x 6 north of Martham
Cattle Egret at West Somerton
Snow Buntings x 5, Russian White-fronted Goose at Great Yarmouth
Hawfinches x 4, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Lynford Aboretum
Lesser Whitethroat at Sheringham
Snow Buntings x 15 at Caister-on-Sea
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Iceland Gull at Weybourne
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER 
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland
AMERICAN COOT
Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland

Saturday 25 December 2021

CHRISTMAS DAY!

It was almost like a normal Saturday. Woke up at 9am to dull and dreary skies. Went straight downstairs and topped up the bird feeders with some special treats of organic apple, sultanas, mealworms and some of my granary bread on the bird table for my Blackbirds. Lots of birds in the garden this morning and at one point, I had at least 30+ Starlings squabbling over the mealworms! Lots of House Sparrows, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Hedge Sparrow, Collared Doves and Wood Pigeons.

Made the Victoria Sandwich and a Banana & Pecan Loaf. Had scrambled eggs on toast for mid morning breakfast. Took forever to wash everything up and tidy up. Phoned both my sisters to wish them Merry Christmas. Didn't bother with Christmas lunch. Had a shower, washed hair and got glammed up just in time for the the Queen's 3pm speech. Drove to Lucy's and picked her up to come back to mine for Christmas tea.

Spent late afternoon and evening with Lucy, eating Christmas goodies, including the Victoria Sandwich, Banana & Pecan Loaf and the usual treats..... dips, humous, vege sticks, crisps, vege sausages rolls, Sherry Trifle etc etc. Did a WhatsApp video call to Vivien and Ray. Watched TV and in particular enjoyed watching the Berlin Philharmonic performing on BBC4. Took Lucy home at just before 11pm.

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 Cley
Snow Buntings x 12 at Cley
Snow Buntings x 25 at South Beach, Heacham
Snow Buntings x 29 at Snettisham RSPB
Siberian Chiffchaff, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Redstart near Blakeney Hotel
Snow Buntings x 80 at Holkham Bay
Hen Harrier male at Stiffkey
Taiga Bean Geese x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Lesser Whitethroat at Sheringham
Hen Harrier at Brancaster Staithe
Rough-legged Buzzard (possible) for several days at Mannington Hall, SE of Little Barningham
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER 
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland
BROWN BOOBY
Flamborough Head, Yorkshire
FORSTER'S TERN
Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland

Friday 24 December 2021

CHRISTMAS EVE!

I was at work all day and we all tried to be as festive as possible for our patients and each other. It is an extremely difficult time for patients to be in hospital and just as much for their relatives who are not allowed to visit either. Roll on 2022!

Crashed and burned on the sofa when I arrived home and didn't even have the energy to cook anything. I was also supposed to make a Victoria Sandwich for Lucy's tea tomorrow, didn't do that either! So, I will be up early in the morning baking and probably not birding now. I will definitely be out birding on Boxing Day though – desperate to get out as not been out for ages, due to trying to cope with an ongoing health issue over the last few weeks.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Sending best wishes to you all – wishing you peace and joy, be it with your family and friends or spending it alone

🎄 🎉 🔔 🎁 🎅 ⭐ 🐦

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 Divers x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Purple Sandpiper, Water Pipits x 2 at Holme
Iceland Gull at Cley
Slavonian Grebes x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 80, Velvet Scoter, Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Great Northern Divers x 3, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holkham Bay
Cattle Egret by Lady Anne's Drive at Holkham
Bewick's Swans x 6 just north of West Somerton
Bewick's Swans x 30 east of Ingham
Cattle Egrets x 4, Short-eared Owls x 4 at Welney WWT
Hen Harrier at Weybourne
Bewick's Swans x 6 at Waxham
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER 
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 
Fisherrrow, Lothian, Scotland

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thank you all for your continued support throughout the year & especially for all the lovely comments & emails I receive – It's very much appreciated.
 
I currently only have two subscribers, If you are one of the 4,000+ who enjoy seeing the daily bird news for Norfolk and would like to contribute, please click on the SUBSCRIBE button on the right hand side of my blog, thank you very much.
 
Hoping you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
 
Wishing you all good health,, peace and happiness
 

H A P P Y  B I R D I N G  I N  2 0 2 2 !

Thursday 23 December 2021

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services 

Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Great Northern Diver at Titchwell RSPB
Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 3 at Cley NWT
Bewick's Swans x 2 east of Ingham
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Water Pipits x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Divers x 5, Red-necked Grebes x 3 at Holme
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 50, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holkham Bay
Short-eared Owls x 3, Cattle Egrets x 2, Great White Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT
Iceland Gull at East Wretham Heath
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

Wednesday 22 December 2021

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 Weybourne
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 3 at Holme
Shorelarks x 5, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Slavonian Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoters x 3, Black-throated Diver, Snow Buntings x 125 at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 100 at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Iceland Gull at Cley NWT
Short-eared Owls x 2, Cattle Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT
Cattle Egrets x 2 at West Somerton
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Russian White-fronted Geese x 25, Water Pipits x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Russian White-fronted Geese x 6 north of Martham
Snow Buntings x 20 at Snettisham RSPB
Common Cranes x 2 at Somerton Holmes
Bewick's Swans x 4 east of Ingham
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

RBA Weekly Round-Up 14th to 20th December!

By Jon Dunn

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 21st DECEMBER
Great Northern Divers x 12, Puffin, Snow Buntings x 23 at Holme
Iceland Gull, Snow Buntings x 15 at Cley NWT
Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver flew past Cley
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Water Pipits x 3 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 125, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Velvet Scoters x 5, Great Northern Divers x 2 at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 80 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Siberian Chiffchaff, Water Pipit, Slavonian Grebe, Puffin at Titchwell RSPB
Purple Sandpiper at Waxham
Short-eared Owls x 2, Cattle Egret, Bewick's Swans x 2 at Welney WWT
Iceland Gull, Caspian Gull at East Wretham Heath
Cattle Egret at Hickling Broad NWT
Iceland Gull at Salthouse
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside

Monday 20 December 2021

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 22 at Lynford Aboretum
Siberian Chiffchaff, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Iceland Gull off beach car park, Snow Buntings x 30, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Cley
Cattle Egret at Felbrigg Hall NT
Cattle Egrets x 7, Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 at Martham
Iceland Gull at Salthouse
Taiga Bean Geese x 5, Whooper Swans x 5 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Great Shearwater flew past, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Sheringham
Black Redstart, Little Stint at Snettisham RSPB
Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Welney WWT
Great White Egret at Breydon Water
Black Redstart at Morston
Hen Harrier male at Roydon Common NNR
Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 3 at Holme
Russian White-fronted Geese x 71 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Russian White-fronted Geese x 81 at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Red-necked Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Snow Buntings x 75 at Holkham Bay
 
MEGA NEWS 
BELTED KINGFISHER
SSE of Samlesbury, Lancashire and North Merseyside