SHETLAND BIRD NEWS, PHOTOS, BIRDING, LIFE AND MORE! MY 14th YEAR ANNIVERSARY 2024!


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Friday 31 March 2023

LAST DAY AT WORK!!!

Today was my last day at work, although I'm not officially finished yet, as on annual leave next week. It took me all day running around, back and forth and half the evening, to tie up all the loose ends and ensure everything was completed on my long list, before I left the office for the last time. You can't just walk out when you've in have been in the same job for over 14 years. There were emails I needed to send, people to ring, sorting my folders out, patient errands, other jobs and so on. Typed up a new updated jobs list and a thank you piece to my colleagues and naturally I finished with the laminator (my colleagues know how much I love laminating everything!) Some of them seemed surprised a while back, when I said I had a laminator at home – they couldn't understand why! Why not?! Alison and Hilary both very thoughtfully and kindly bought some scrumptious cakes in, which went down well with all of us.

My last trip to work, will be on Wednesday for my leaving lunch party – that will be a very difficult day indeed. I will try and find a corner spot to hide away in! Note to self: bring tissues. I have worked with some fabulous colleagues over the years, both permanent and rotational staff and I will miss all the banter and laughter in our team, in particular from Hilary and Rhiannon, who are both exceptional in making you cry with laughter! You need that in our jobs, otherwise at times, you would lose your sanity. I have loved my job very much indeed and have achieved many things over the 14 years in post, but the magnetism of Shetland is far bigger!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Ring Ouzel flew in off sea at Eccles-on-Sea
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Water Pipit at Cley NWT
Hume's Warbler east of golf course at Overstrand
Garganey at Welney WWT
Alpine Swift over sea at Sheringham
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Water Pipits x 2, Rock Pipit (probable) at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT

MEGA NEWS
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
Doon Lough, County Leitrim, Ireland

Thursday 30 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Swift sp. over Snettisham Coastal Park
Garganey x 2 at Ken Hill Marshes, Snettisham Coastal Park
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Bittern, Water Pipit, Continental Black-tailed Godwit, Water Pipits x 2, Snow Bunting at Cley NWT
Alpine Swift briefly at 1pm near Burnham Norton
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Ring Ouzel male at Dersingham Bog NNR
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Black Redstart in garden at Blakeney
Bittern at Whitlingham Country Park
Woodlark at Sidestrand

MEGA NEWS
None

Wednesday 29 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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White Stork flew over Colney
Osprey flew over Cley
Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Ferruginous Duck, Smew ad.drk at Filby Broad
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (presumed) flew over Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Hen Harrier flew past Horsey Gap
Garganey x 5, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Welney WWT
Black Redstart between West Runton & Beeston Regis

MEGA NEWS
None

Tuesday 28 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Common Cranes x 2, Sedge Warbler at Cley NWT
Iceland Gull at Blakeney Point
Black Redstart at Winterton
Black Redstart at West Runton
Great Northern Diver at Weybourne
Garganey, Cattle Egret at Welney WWT
Common Cranes x 2 at Holkham
Swift sp. over Mere, Diss
Little Gull at Whitlingham Country Park

MEGA NEWS
None

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

By Jon Dunn

Monday 27 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Garganey x 4, Short-eared Owls x 3, Little Gull at Welney WWT
Alpine Swift briefly at Cromer
Long-eared Owl at Swanton Novers Raptor Watchpoint
Garganey, Spoonbill at Holme Dunes NWT
Hen Harrier flew over Acle Bridge
Garganey x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Iceland Gull, Water Pipit, Snow Buntings x 10 at Cley NWT
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
FORSTER'S TERN
Galway, County Galway, Ireland

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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SUNDAY 26th MARCH

Alpine Swift at Cromer
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Sedge Warbler, Water Pipit, Snow Buntings x 14 at Cley NWT
Velvet Scoters x 2 at Winterton
Shorelarks x 9 at Holkham Bay
Garganey x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Garganey x 2, Cattle Egrets x 5 at Welney WWT
FERRUGINOUS DUCK, Smew at Filby Broad & Ormesby Little Broad
Garganey, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holme Dunes NWT
Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
Doon Lough, County Leitrim, Ireland

Saturday 25 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

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Firecrest singing at Becktswell, Wymondham
Lapland Buntings x 3 at Weybourne
Alpine Swifts x 2, Caspian Gull at Cromer
Black Redstart on beach at California
Black Redstart at Happisburgh
Hen Harrier at Potter Heigham Marshes
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Snow Buntings x 16, Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Long-eared Owl at Swanton Novers Raptor Watchpoint
Garganey x 3, Water Pipits x 6 at Hockwold Washes
Shorelarks x 9 at Holkham Bay 
Alpine Swifts x 2 at Sheringham
Alpine Swift at Overstrand
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
FORSTER'S TERN
Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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FRIDAY 24th MARCH
 
Alpine Swifts x 2, House Martin at Cromer
Alpine Swifts x 2 at Sheringham
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Short-eared Owls x 4 at Winterton
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Alpine Swift at Overstrand
Shorelarks x 5 at Holkham Bay 
Snow Bunting at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 2 at Salthouse
Long-eared Owl at Swanton Novers Raptor Watchpoint
Alpine Swifts x 4 unconfirmed report, flew in off sea at beach car park, Cley
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Water Pipits x 2, Snow Buntings x 12 at Cley NWT
Garganey x 4 at Welney WWT
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Caspian Gull at Nar Valley Fisheries
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Weybourne
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Thursday 23 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Alpine Swifts x 2, House Martin at Cromer
White Stork (Dutch black-ringed) east of Halvergate
Garganey x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
White Stork (Dutch black-ringed) flew over Thorpe St Andrew's Broad
White Stork (Dutch black-ringed) flew over Norwich
Alpine Swift at Gorleston-on-Sea
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Weybourne
Garganey, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Avocet at Welney WWT
White Stork (Dutch black-ringed) flew over Eaton
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Common Cranes x 2 flew over Cley NWT
Garganey x 3, Water Pipits x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Alpine Swifts x 2 at Sheringham
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens
Gyr (presumed escape) white morph, reported at Morston
Firecrest at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
Russian White-fronted Geese x 27 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Shorelarks x 10 at Holkham Bay
Snow Bunting at Titchwell RSPB

MEGA NEWS
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

Aurora Showing Brilliantly NOW on Shetland Webcams!!!

Look now on the Shetland webcams, especially "Cliff Cam" and "Cliff Cam 3"!
 

Wednesday 22 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Alpine Swift, Black Redstart, Hawfinch at Overstrand
Alpine Swifts x 2, Woodlark over Beeston Bump at Sheringham
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Sedge Warbler, Snow Buntings x 16 at Cley NWT
Garganey x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Shorelarks x 6 at Holkham Bay
Hawfinch in garden at Gorleston-on-Sea
White Stork (Dutch, black ringed) NE of Halvergate near Acle Straight, Acle
Alpine Swift, Woodlark at Sidestrand
Smew drk at Rollesby Broad
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Alpine Swift flew south between Honing & East Ruston
Ferruginous Duck at Filby Broad
Alpine Swift at Kelling Heath
White Stork flew over Wattlefield, Wymondham
Hawfinches x 5 at Lynford Aboretum
Alpine Swift at Mundesley
Alpine Swifts x 2 at Cromer
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
None

Tuesday 21 March 2023

CRAZY DAY & HOUSE VIEWINGS!

  Hunstanton Cliffs this afternoon  

 🌞

Its been a crazy few days to say the least! Last night and this morning I had to put the house in some kind of sorting order and tidiness for my first house viewings today. More trips to the tip and charity shops yesterday and last night I was out in the garden until dark, tidying etc. Scheduled the bread maker to produce a loaf of bread at 10am this morning, to make the house smell homely! Had to move loads of my parent's heavy book boxes around in living room for the Norfolk Hospice furniture removal team (their second trip to mine) who came this morning, to take away two armchairs and matching pouffe to sell in their shop – I won't have room for these in my new accommodation, so just bringing the two seater sofa with me, until I treat myself and buy new (for the first time in tons of years!) when I buy a new house in Shetland.

I was asked to vacate my house by the estate agents, as it "usually works better", so I escaped to the coast. I was exhausted and I would have been better off having a snooze in the car. First stop was dropping off a book called "Shetland (The island Series) by James R. Nicolson", which had been signed by RAR and very kindly lent to me by Paul Rooney (ex Titchwell RSPB warden) a long time ago, so glad I have returned it, before I escaped the county – another box ticked! Made some important phone calls and then went for a short walk at Holme NWT, but I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I then went to Hunstanton for fish 'n' chip lunch and tea at around 4pm and the above picture was my view from the car! A beautiful warm day and so lovely to watch the Fulmar's cruising around the cliffs and several pairs were sitting on the ledges.

This evening I fell asleep completely and woke up at 8.30pm. Did some essential emails, including resigning another job contract, as now can't start until 8th May. Ian Reid removals couldn't move me on the date I requested, as they are extremely busy in April – all good now. My ferry and everything is booked etc! Just need to book a half sleep stop on route to Aberdeen.

I was extremely pleased to have eight booked house viewings today (one cancelled at the last minute) in 15 minute appointments! Also another four so far, booked for Saturday! Had three offers today..... won't discuss these yet! Back to work tomorrow.

UPDATE – WEDNESDAY 22nd MARCH

I accepted an offer on my house! 😃

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Alpine Swifts x 2 , Caspian Gull at Sheringham
Black Redstart, Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Alpine Swift, Woodlarks x 2 at Winterton
Garganey at Welney WWT
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Long-eared Owls x 3 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Mealy Redpoll (probable) at Whitlingham Country Park
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Snow Buntings x 15 at Cley NWT
Alpine Swift, Woodlark at Sidestrand
Shorelarks x 3 at Holkham Bay
Russian White-fronted Geese x 45 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Pallid Harrier juv. fem., Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens
Alpine Swift at Overstrand
Garganey x 4, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank at Welney WWT
Alpine Swift at Cromer
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum
Lapland Bunting at Weybourne
Garganey x 2 at Kelling Water Meadows

MEGA NEWS
SHORT-TOED EAGLE
Over River Little Ouse at 10.04am then flew south, Santon Downham, Suffolk

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

By Jon Dunn

Monday 20 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Alpine Swift at Sidestrand, Cromer, Cley, Sheringham, Beeston Regis, East Runton
Alpine Swifts x 2, Black Redstart, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Sheringham
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Black Redstart, Sedge Warbler, Water Pipits x 2 at Cley NWT
Garganey x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Short-eared Owls x 3, Spoonbill at Welney WWT
Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Grebe at Titchwell RSPB
Caspian Gull at Stiffkey Fen
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens
Black Redstart along cliffs at Gorleston
Black Redstart at Winterton
Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum
Hen Harrier at Potter Heigham Marshes

MEGA NEWS
None

Wild Isles – Series 1: 2. Woodland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0f21jy9/wild-isles-series-1-2-woodland?seriesId=p0f0t893

Wild Isles – Series 1: 2. Our Precious Isles

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0f0tcfq/wild-isles-series-1-1-our-precious-isles

Sunday 19 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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Shorelarks x 2 at Holkham Bay
Garganey x 4 at Welney WWT
Iceland Gull at Sidestrand
Lapland Bunting at Weybourne
Garganey x 3 at Hockwold Washes
Sedge Warbler, Black Redstart, Snow Buntings x 14, Water Pipit at Cley NWT
Garganey x 2 at Holme Dunes NWT
Black Redstart male in cemetery at Sheringham
Russian White-fronted Geese x 320, Water Pipit at Potter Heigham Marshes
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad
Hen Harrier at Berney Marshes RSPB
Short-eared Owl at Winterton
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 2 at Stiffkey Fen
Arctic Redpoll (probable) with Lesser Redpolls in car park at QEH, King's Lynn
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens

MEGA NEWS
FORSTER'S TERN
Kinvarra, County Galway, Ireland

THANK YOU!

A MASSIVE thank you to all my readers, friends and colleagues for all your kind and heartfelt messages about my move to Shetland, via email and social media, its been overwhelming! Also lovely congratulatory messages received from Shetland birders! Thank you all so much! 😘

Mother's Day, Ely River Cruise & Lunch!

Mother's Day was a beautiful day, with glorious sunshine and blue skies. Today was spent with Lucy, Vivien and Ray on their narrowboat in Ely. We had a scrumptious lunch of starters, home-made soup and bread and the best scones ever! Ray is an excellent cook! We met up for several reasons, the main one being the fact that Ray is retiring on 31st March from his job with the EA. Lovely views of a Kingfisher whilst having lunch! Also Great Tit seen in the weeping willow close by, Mute Swans and the usual Muscovy Ducks around the marina.

After lunch we cruised along the river from Ely – this was so lovely and Lucy really loved this little trip along the river. Saw a Little Egret and a Great Crested Grebe at very close range, several Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Coot, Moorhens, Heron, Mallards, Magpies, Wood Pigeons and Jackdaws. Cruised back to the marina with lovely views of Ely Cathedral. A lovely break from doing my house sorting! Thank you for a lovely lunch and afternoon cruise to "Captain & Chef Raymond" and Vivien 🤗 😘 x x x.

 
Thinking of our dearest Mother today
 
Always with us
 
Always in our thoughts
 
Always in our hearts
 
Forever
 
💐 💞 😘

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
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SATURDAY 18th MARCH

Ferruginous Ducks x 2 at Filby Broad 
Black Redstart in car park, Iceland Gull at Weybourne
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Water Pipits x 5, Snow Buntings x 7, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Cley NWT
Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Marshes
Swallow, Black Redstart, Woodlarks x 4 at Sheringham
Smew ad.drk at Rollesby Broad
Garganey x 2 at Welney WWT
Scaup x 2 at Ormesby Broad
Black Redstart at Happisburgh
Garganey x 3 at Hockhold Washes
Shorelarks x 9 at Holkham Bay
Woodlark at Sidestrand
Pallid Harrier juv. fem. at Warham Greens
Velvet Scoters x 9 at Winterton
Bewick's Swan at Denver Sluice
Hen Harrier at Hickling Broad NWT

MEGA NEWS
WHITE-THROATED SPARROW
In garden at Kingsmead, South of Northwich, Cheshire and Wirral

Saturday 18 March 2023

THE BIGGEST BLOG NEWS EVER! MOVING TO SHETLAND! NEW JOB, NEW HOUSE, NEW LIFE!

St Ninian's Isle Beach, Shetland

 

Over the last few weeks, I've had messages asking why I haven't been 'blogging'? Its also pretty obvious that I have not been birding either, which has been very tough indeed. I've just about managed to type up the bird news each day, but little else. Sometimes you just can't say why, especially on a public blog, well now I can reveal why.

As I have mentioned on my blog more than once, its always been my dream to possibly move to Shetland, but knowing me, I didn't think I would actually ever take that enormous step – I'm generally not good at making big decisions. After all, I was born in Norfolk and I love Norfolk – I love the wildlife and the bird life here, the excitement of Spring and Autumn migration and you can't beat a good Norfolk 'twitch' with the banter from and with other lovely fellow birders. But sadly my beloved county is not the same anymore and yes things do change, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse and we are supposed to accept change, but I don't and I don't have to! So much of our coastline has been transformed by many colossal sized houses, far too many second homes, lost community, lost habitat and as you have heard me rant on about more than once, there are far too many people, dogs and traffic here now and the Summer increase in temperature over the last few years is insane and will only get worse – I simply can't tolerate this heat – I don't think I will have any issues with heat in Shetland! I need some space. I need to be able to hear birds singing without dogs barking and people shouting. I want to hear the sea crashing on the shore on an empty beach. I want to have some freedom. I want to live in a community, where neighbours chat to me every now and again and I them and help each other out when needed – I've only had one set of neighbours who fall into this category where I currently live and you know who you are! I want to be part of a community, like Norfolk once was. Shetland has all this and more!

The only things that have really been stopping me to relocate, was ensuring I felt emotionally stable enough, to make such a big move after my parent's deaths. They say you should never do anything big, when you are in an emotional state, so I waited. Time has moved on and its six years since father's died and almost five years since our dear mother's death. Sadly and frustratingly (for me), neither of my parents wanted to be marked with a gravestone or a place and so there is no 'proper' place for me to sit and think of them. This may sound odd to some of you, but if they had had gravestones in Holme churchyard, where they were married (and next door to where my beloved primary school was and all its fond memories), I would have found it far more difficult to leave here and probably wouldn't have been able to, but their ashes are scattered in an area close to the sea, so not so officially marked as I would have liked – but its not about what I wanted, its what they wanted and my sisters and I respected that. But, wherever I am, they will always be with me. Obviously I still miss my parent's terribly, there isn't a day that goes by when I don't think about them, but yes, I do feel emotionally stable enough to take this enormous step forwards, into a new and exciting chapter of my life.

The other reason I have hesitated is because of my sister Lucy in particular, whom I sure many of you have realised, is not a well person mentally – Lucy has become more reliant on her sisters since our mother died, whom she was especially close to, because of their shared love of classical music. But as Vivien and others have said, sometimes you need to do what you need to do for you. Lucy is only a phone call away as she is now and I really hope that she will have the mental strength to be able to visit and stay with me one day and of course I will be returning to Norfolk to visit her and of course Vivien and Ray.

My original plan was to sell my house first, move to Shetland and then attempt to get a job, which I would have had a pretty good chance with, even at my age, as care staff are always wanted as are hotel workers. But in January, this plan changed dramatically and unexpectedly!

Just before my birthday in late January, I was doing my regular browse on the Shetland NHS website, when I saw words that I couldn't quite believe! "Occupational Therapy Assistant" post!!! This is my job now! I had never seen a therapy assistant post advertised in Shetland, ever and because of this, I presumed they didn't have therapy assistants in such a small hospital?! But I was obviously wrong. The job advert read at the bottom "For an informal discussion, please contact......." So I did and spoke to a lovely sounding Occupational Therapist, who sounded positive and we had a fabulous discussion about the post. The reason the post had come up, was because the last TA (who had been in post for seven years!) had been seconded to another post and this post advertised (obviously) was also a seconded post until December 2023. The post is more hours than I do now, I currently work 22.5 hours over three days and this post is 28 hours over four days, that's fine with me, I only went part time a couple of years ago anyway and prior to that I did 37.5 hours, plus to be blunt, I could do with an extra day now, being as everything is so costly now.

I spent FOUR days applying for this post. I worked hard to ensure it was my best job application EVER! I wanted this job! My two references (I can say now!) were my Stroke Community Team Leader: Suzy B. and OT Hilary P.! Both of whom, must have given me lovely references and I thank you both enormously, more than you know and to both of you for all your assistance and advice re my application etc. On the 3rd February I was given an interview, which I just couldn't believe, it was both exciting and scary all at the same time!

Its almost as though it was meant to be. I had a day booked off for annual leave for Lucy's birthday on the 10th February and my sisters and I were booked for lunch at Mem's Kitchen. My interview date and time came through: 10.30am on Friday 10th February!!! I didn't even have to book a day off work! Also, I was expecting to travel to Shetland for the interview and I would have done, but I was told the interviews were being held over "TEAMS" (interview on line via my laptop!). Everything was going brilliantly!

Interview day was understandably scary, but I was extremely determined to keep my cool and not mess up! I was interviewed by two Occupational Therapists, including the lovely lady I had had the informal chat with, prior to being given my interview. When the interview finished, I arrived slightly late for Lucy's birthday lunch, but she didn't seem to mind. Vivien knew about my interview, but I knew I couldn't say anything to Lucy at any time, until and if I got the contract. It was a stressful weekend, waiting to hear. Had I been successful or not? It got to the end of Monday and I felt sure I had failed, surely I would have heard by now?

On Valentine's Day, Tuesday 14th February (which is why I posted so many heart emoji's on that day) I was phoned by one of the OT's who had interviewed me and she said "they were very impressed with my interview and that it was obvious I had a lot of experience for the post and that my stroke knowledge would be very useful" "We would like to offer you the post" I COULD HAVE CRIED WITH JOY!!! I felt so incredibly excited! After the phone call, I found it difficult to concentrate on anything! I felt so lucky that I had been successful and that I'm going to be doing the same job as I do now (more or less), but in SHETLAND!!! Dream come true!

The next stage was having to fill in and submit all the usual forms, including the usual NHS PVG check, ID, OH checks etc etc. This took a while, but not as long as I thought it would. I told Lucy on the 2nd March, when I kind of knew I was going to get the contract and she reacted far better than I thought, but then a few days later she wasn't. Currently now, she seems to be okish about it.

I received my job contract by email on Monday, 13th March! On Tuesday I went to work to hand my notice in and then told the entire team at our usual Wednesday morning meeting. I don't think any of my colleagues were that surprised to be honest – they have heard plenty of chat from me in the past about moving to Shetland! Gemma gave me a congratulatory hug, which then made me a little bit emotional. My last day here in the Stroke Team will be far more emotional than I want it be. I adore all my colleagues, there are some wonderful and interesting characters in my team! I have been with many of them for over 14 years! I still love my job and would have been here until the end, but Shetland has won me over!

Friends in Shetland, say you have to stick it for three Winters to know if you are able to stay here, after that you'll know!!! At least now, I will finally get to see Orcas, I have been so unlucky on my trips to Shetland and have never seen one. There are disadvantages and advantages to wherever you live, but right now, Shetland seems to tick all the boxes for me! The lack of trees, will be more of an issue for me than the weather. But there are trees there, just not as many! I think the Northern Lights, the stunning and dramatic light, cooler weather, seas, beaches and of course the birds, will more than make up for the number of trees, along with all of the wonderfully friendly Shetland folk I have met over the years. I would also like to thank in particular Hugh H., Paul B., Jill & Rob W. and Jacquie & Dave B., who have helped with advice re properties etc, whilst I have been planning my move – thank you all!

Because of annual leave owed, my last day in my job is only round the corner on Friday 31st March. Until yesterday, I had a start date in my new post of 1st May, but this more than probably will have to change now, by a few days to a week, as to my dismay yesterday afternoon, found out that the Shetland moving firm I have chosen, can not move me when I requested! This resulted in quite a stressful day, made more so, because of having to email my new boss, to say I probably couldn't start on the day we had agreed. I requested to leave around the 21st April, but they can't do that date as "very busy in April". So I have gone with the date they have given me and booked my one way ticket on the Northlink Ferry with my little green Skoda! Northlink ferries are awesome and so there will be no issue if I need to change the date. It looks like I will be arriving for part of the Spring migration too, an added bonus!

Whilst all this has been going on, yes there's more........

I have put my house up for sale!!! It went "live" this week and to my amazement eight people want to view the house!!! Six of them are viewing this Tuesday and two more the following Saturday! The house sale will obviously continue going through, with the usual 3-4 months to complete, after I have moved to Shetland and once sold, I will then be a cash buyer in Shetland for my new and forever home, hopefully with a sea view and a garden full of rare birds in October!

Meanwhile, I was very quick off the mark and even before I got an interview, had already contacted the accommodation team at the hospital in Shetland and with incredible timing and luck, bagged myself a very rare unfurnished NHS property to rent for six months!!! Initially I will be short of pennies, as I have no mortgage and not used to paying rent, but I worked out, that I could just about manage. The property doesn't have parking, its free for all on the street, as here, but I can live with that until I move! It has a shared garden with four other NHS houses, where I will have to keep my late mother's potted plants (very sentimental) – if this was anywhere else, I would be worried about them being stolen, but I feel pretty sure they will be OK in Shetland! The property is a short walk from the hospital in Lerwick, so I won't even have to get in the car – petrol saved! I purchased myself an insanely fabulous new and very long waterproof warm coat in a sale from Morston Sports in Holt the other day – made in Scotland and the style is called "The Crofter" – you couldn't make this up!

I have been insanely busy trying to clear a lifetime of possessions and this is proving a challenge to say the least! I have done so many charity shop runs to Norfolk Hospice and I am only donating to them, as they treated my mother with help and advice in her final weeks, my sisters and also me with bereavement support after she died, so everything I don't want, will go to them. Vivien and I had already donated tons of stuff from the family home to the Norfolk Hospice shop in Hunstanton, when we had to clear our family home out at Holme.

I'm pretty cross with myself for not clearing my house beforehand, I've been here long enough! But as Vivien correctly said "that's typical you, leaving everything to the last minute! Well not everything Vivien, but in this case, yes you are correct! I have already had Norfolk Hospice out to collect loads of crappy furniture I didn't want and have them booked again for furniture I am trying to sell, but may not sell! I am unpacking boxes currently, not packing! Unpacking boxes that have been unopened since I lived in Colchester, which was in the year 2000!!! I tackled my massive clothes and shoe collection first – I can't say, how many dustbin bags I have taken to the charity shop. I have visited the local dump so many times, totally fed up with that now. The garden is tidy, the sheds are empty, so outside is done, apart from a final tidy up.

Currently going through books, I had forgotten how many I had. I will be putting some of my bird books into the Ornithological Sale at KEYS, Aylsham on 12th April, but I won't be getting rid of ANY of my parent's bird and natural history books – they will always stay with me. My first Winter in Shetland will be spent digitising all my father's thousands of slides and his photographs and also getting his Autobiography typed up and published. I also want to get back to doing my art.

For those of you that are wondering, I'm intending to keep up with posting all the Norfolk bird news and there will also be a Shetland bird news post daily too – that's the plan, anyway! I will be arranging a possible meet up date with anyone that wants to, at either Titchwell or Cley end of the coast, before I head north, not decided yet and it will also depend on if I have packed in time!

I may decide that I have made a mistake and return to Norfolk one day, but I seriously hope that I have made the right decision. If I didn't feel pretty sure, I wouldn't be doing this, as the cost of moving to Shetland is on another level! I would have always been wondering and more than possibly regretting not moving to Shetland, if I hadn't fulfilled my dream. Life is far too short, not to take a risk at times, far too short. We are all here for only a nano second, when you think about the bigger picture. 😊

Meal Beach, West Burra, Shetland
 
 I can't wait to be part of the Shetland Community!

Friday 17 March 2023

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

Smew ad.drk , Scaup x 2 at Rollesby Broad
Woodlark flew over cliffs at Old Hunstanton
Wheatears x 2 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Water Pipits x 3, Snow Buntings x 4, *Black Redstart (*at CleySpy, next to visitor centre) at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 10 at Holkham Bay
Black Kite (probable) flew east over Titchwell RSPB
Iceland Gull, Caspian Gull at Sheringham
Black Redstarts x 2 in car park at Weybourne
Slavonian Grebe, Woodlark at South Beach, Heacham
Woodlark x 3 flew over Sidestrand
Short-eared Owls x 3 at Welney WWT
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens
Wheatear at Snettisham Coastal Park

MEGA NEWS
None

Thursday 16 March 2023

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

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

White Stork (black-ringed) at Wiveton
Smew ad.drk at Rollesby Broad
White Stork (black-ringed) flew over Bingham Priory
Slavonian Grebe at South Beach, Heacham
White Stork (black-ringed) flew over Thursford
Ferruginous Duck drk at Filby Broad
Goshawk x 4 at Swanton Novers
Long-billed Dowitcher 1w, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Water Pipits x 3 at Cley NWT
Black Redstart, Woodlark x 4 at Sidestrand
Short-eared Owl at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum
Common Crane at Sculthorpe Moor NR
Hen Harrier at Glandford
Little Gull at Whitlingham Country Park
Pallid Harrier juv.fem again at Warham Greens
Bittern at Whitlingham Country Park

MEGA NEWS
None

Wednesday 15 March 2023

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

Woodlarks x 3 flew over Sidestrand
Shorelarks x 5, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Red-necked Grebe at Holkham Bay
Common Crane flew over, Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum
Smew ad.drk at Rollesby Broad
Yellow Wagtail at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Spoonbills x 7, Water Pipits x 2, Snow Buntings x 5, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad
Hen Harrier at Syderstone Common

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

Tuesday 14 March 2023

Mid Week Update: Moths, Butterflies, Norwich Museum & Tooth Extraction!

My father had a large collection of pinned moths and butterflies from the 60's, which my sisters and I have inherited. Not something I agree with, but many people did this back in the day. I can remember my sisters and I being fascinated by my father's collection, which he occasionally allowed us to look at! They have been kept fairly well in typical wooden, latched boxes with moth balls – none of us really want them now and I felt they needed to be preserved properly and donated to a local museum. I feel that my father would have been very pleased with my decision. This also means that any member of the public will be able to view them, once they have been preserved properly etc – this may mean an appointment though, as they won't necessarily be out on display.

I recently contacted Dr David Waterhouse, who is Senior Curator of Natural History at Norfolk Museums Service and asked if I could donate the collection to Norwich Museum. After emailing pictures of the collection – he replied "We would certainly like to have this collection. There are lots of good county records, particularly of migrant species, which should be present in the collection. It is also material evidence of one of the longest running regular trapping projects in Norfolk. All in all it is a pretty important collection of butterflies and moths!

I have been planning to contact Norwich Museum for a while, but have been putting off doing it, as didn't fancy the drive over to Norwich with boxes of pinned moths and butterflies, so was extremely pleased, when David offered to send over Dr Tony Irwin to collect them, which he did today! Another box ticked!

* * * * *

I really miss going birding, can't remember the last time I went, I'm getting serious withdrawal symptoms now! Some very big news will be revealed either tomorrow evening or within the next few days and then you will know why I haven't been able to go birding!

Lots of appointments today, including a tooth extraction this evening – a tooth that was poorly looked after by a previous rubbish dentist surgery: a root filling that wasn't done properly and its been painful to touch ever since, so decided it needed to come out, all good fun!

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, Snow Buntings x 23 at Cley NWT
Shorelarks x 3 at Thornham Point
Little Ringed Plover at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 6 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Hen Harrier at Choseley
Blue Fulmar flew past Sheringham
Shorelarks x 8 at Holkham Bay
Long-tailed Duck at Holme
Caspian Gulls x 7 flew past Salthouse
Caspian Gull at Kelling Quags
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad

MEGA NEWS
None

RBA Weekly Round-up 7th to 13th March!

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

MONDAY 13th MARCH
 
Sand Martin flew over Holkham Freshmarsh
Shorelarks x 4 at Holkham Bay
White Wagtail at Weybourne Camp
Sand Martin, Snow Buntings x 30, Water Pipit at Cley NWT
Caspian Gull off beach car park at Cley
Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB

MEGA NEWS
None