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Sunday 30 April 2023

The Beginning Of My Big Move To Shetland

 

On Friday 28th April, Ian Reid's Removal Firm from Shetland arrived at around 8.30am. I could write tons about that day and on Thursday, but far too tired right now. In summary I was still packing all day on Thursday, through the night and still whilst the removal team of four men had arrived! They had a job to reverse their lorry into my little road, made even more difficult by two cars parked up just opposite the corner, when I had popped very polite letters in all the doors in the street, to ask everyone to kindly keep the street clear from 8am. This post is written badly, but too tired to write it any better right now, sorry!

It was so lovely to see people arriving from Unst in Shetland! Apart from Barry (in the blue top) who came from Aberdeen. I couldn't believe the strength of what they could carry! I calmly pointed out, that my biggest plant was a "two man job" and Barry carried it by himself with seemingly no effort!

The removal firm were brilliant and I never thought that all my worldly goods and all my mother's plants would have fitted in that lorry, but they did and with space to spare. They packed up that lorry like a jigsaw and far quicker than I thought they would and left at 1.10pm. I locked the house and just laid on the kitchen/diner floor for about an hour – couldn't do anything else, I was completely exhausted. Got up and had to do a run to the local tip with loads of unused boxes and other stuff. Returned home, had a shower and was in my new camp bed with sleeping bag by 5.15pm!!! I couldn't even write the birds news up, which I have never failed to do ever, until that evening!

Got up this morning, my body and brain was dying, that's how I felt, but had to carry on. Quick shower and then picked up Sarah's B's hoover and mop from just up the road and returned to clean my house. Went to the tip with another run of cardboard boxes and other stuff. Went to Skoda to get my car tyres checked etc and then picked up Lucy and Vivien and went to Castle Rising Tea Rooms for my leaving lunch, which was particularly scrumptious. Just as we were leaving and almost in the car park, I turned to hear someone running with open arms and shouting "Penny" – it was Rhiannon from work (that was), who I absolutely adore – she had been sitting on the pub nearby and had seen me, so ran over to say goodbye again!

I then took Lucy and Vivien to my house, where they were both taken back a bit, seeing my empty house. Stayed here for a short while and then took Vivien to the train station and Lucy back home. I was emotional several times today with my sisters, its very difficult to cope with right now. I then went into town to do some essential things, including the Vodafone shop as my iPhone Pro Max 13 is playing up massively, what at time for that to happen!!! They couldn't solve the issue – long story short..... if you try and ring someone and they don't reply, the phone goes black and you can't stop/finish the call – plus you can't switch the phone off either! The only way to get the phone back working, is to sit in the car and phone any random person via the Bluetooth/car handsfree system, which then results in the phone working again – very strange indeed! So this will be fine for my long car journey, but not on the 14 hour ferry to Lerwick! If I had known my phone was going to start playing up, I would have gone to the Apple store in Norwich, to buy a new one, too late now! Went to buy supplies for tomorrow. I was too late for my car wash and hoover, so will go in the morning when they open. Returned home and swept up the patio from where all the plant pots have been removed and had a general tidy up.

This evening I visited my very dear family/friends Malcolm and Eileen W. who live at Heacham and my favourite neighbours ever, Anne and Lewis in Dersingham (they lived next door to me where I am now and they moved only a matter of months ago. I got home very late and then wrote up the blog! Good night. I have to finish tidying and clearing the house tomorrow after the car wash and then leaving here and heading for my first part of the journey to Aberdeen and staying in Dunbar for the evening. My internet services here stops today, so don't know if I will be able to post anything later this evening or not. My new internet service commences on Tuesday 2nd May when I arrive off the ferry in Lerwick. At 10am on the Tuesday, Ian Reid will deliver all my house contents! Shattered, 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 

SATURDAY 29th APRIL
 
Hoopoe, Ring Ouzel at West Runton
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s, Little Gull, Caspian Gulls x 2 at Cley NWT
Ring Ouzel in horse paddocks, just beyond church at Snettisham
Dotterel x 4 south of, Ring Ouzel at Choseley Drying Barns 
Garganey, Pink-footed Goose at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Wryneck (ringed) at Walsey Hills NOA
Garganey at Potter Heigham Marshes
Ring Ouzel between Courtyard Farm and Docking
Black Guillemot on sea at Titchwell RSPB
Hoopoe at Beeston Regis, Ring Ouzel at Sheringham
Montagu's or Pallid Harrier flew over Sheringham
Whimbrel at Welney WWT
Black Redstart at South Beach, Heacham
Ring Ouzel at Caister-on-Sea
Ring Ouzel at Summerfield
Tree Pipit at Holme Dunes NWT
Osprey between Honing and East Ruston
Short-eared Owl at Claxton Marshes
Wood Sandpiper at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT
Tree Pipit, Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp
Shorelark at Blakeney Point
Ring Ouzel at Burham Overy Dunes
Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe at Ken Hill Marshes, Snettisham Coastal Park
Ring Ouzel at Hungry Hill, Sidestrand
 
MEGA NEWS
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
(form Gambelii) Seaford Head, Sussex
FORSTER'S TERN
Poole Harbour, Dorset
STEJNEGER'S SCOTER
Lower Largo, Fife
WHITE-WINGED SCOTERS x 2
Lower Largo, Fife
FORSTER'S TERN
Inish Roo, County Galway, 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 

FRIDAY 28th APRIL

Long-billed Dowitcher 1s, at Cley NWT
Ring Ouzel in horse paddocks, just beyond church at Snettisham
Ring Ouzel at Waxham
Turtle Dove at Harper's Green, north of Brisley
Ring Ouzel at West Runton
Osprey flew over Holkham
Wood Sandpiper at Winterton
Garganey x 2 at Welney WWT
Dotterel x 4 south of Choseley Drying Barns 
Arctic Terns x 18 at Whitlingham Country Park
Garganey x 2, Spotted Redshank at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Pied Flycatcher fem. at Holme Dunes NWT
Ring Ouzel, Osprey at Sheringham
Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel x 7 at Cantley Marshes RSPB
 
MEGA NEWS
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
(form Gambelii) Seaford Head, Sussex
FORSTER'S TERN
Poole Harbour, Dorset
STEJNEGER'S SCOTER
Lower Largo, Fife

Thursday 27 April 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 

Ring Ouzel, Redstart at Beeston Regis, Sheringham
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s, at Cley NWT
Wood Warbler singing, Temminck's Stint, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB
Curlew Sandpiper at Cley NWT
Dotterel x 4 south of Choseley Drying Barns
Garganey, Spoonbill at Potter Heigham Marshes
Ring Ouzel in horse paddocks, just beyond church at Snettisham
Ferruginous Ducks x 2 at Filby Broad
Garganey at Redwell Marsh NOA, Holme
Wood Sandpiper at Winterton
Short-eared Owl at Sidestrand
Ring Ouzel, Caspian Gull at Weybourne Camp
 
MEGA NEWS
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
(form Gambelii) Seaford Head, Sussex
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
Doon Lough, County Leitrim, Ireland
FORSTER'S TERN
Arne RSPB, Pool Harbour, Dorset

Wednesday 26 April 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 

Short-eared Owl, Curlew Sandpiper at Cley NWT
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Regis, Sheringham
Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp
Temminck's Stint, Garganey x 2 at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT
Temminck's Stint, Ring Ouzel at Titchwell RSPB
Ring Ouzel in horse paddocks, just beyond church at Snettisham
Ring Ouzel at Burnham Overy Dunes
Garganey x 2 at Welney WWT
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Weybourne Camp  
Ring Ouzel, Tree Pipit at Sidestrand
 
MEGA NEWS
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
(form Gambelii) Seaford Head, Sussex
FORSTER'S TERN
Poole Harbour, Lytchett Bay, Dorset

Tuesday 25 April 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 

Iceland Gull on sea, Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp
Ring Ouzel in horse paddocks, just beyond church at Snettisham
Arctic Terns x 3 at Whitlingham Country Park
Iceland Gull at Kelling
Ferruginous Ducks x 3 (1+ drk) at Filby Broad
Garganey at Hickling Broad NWT
Garganey x 2 at Welney WWT
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Priory, Beeston Regis 
Garganey x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
 
MEGA NEWS
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
(form Gambelii) Seaford Head, Sussex
FORSTER'S TERN
Poole Harbour, Lytchett Bay, Dorset
SONG SPARROW
SLATE-COLOURED JUNCO
On Federal Severn Boat (boat heading to Norway)
between North Ronaldsay & Fair Isle

RBA Weekly Round-Up 18th to 24th April!

By Jon Dunn

Monday 24 April 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 

Shorelark at Holkham Bay
Garganey at Redwell Marsh, Holme NOA
Garganey x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Velvet Scoter flew past Cromer
Arctic Terns x 14 at Whitlingham Country Park
Ring Ouzel, Caspian Gull at Beeston Priory, Beeston Regis 
Ring Ouzels x 2 in horse paddocks, just beyond church at Snettisham
Ring Ouzel at Weybourne Camp
Ferruginous Duck drk, Arctic Terns x 3 at Filby Broad
Velvet Scoter flew past Sheringham
Garganey x 2 at Welney WWT
 
MEGA NEWS
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
(form Gambelii) Seaford Head, Sussex
ELEGANT TERN
Lodmoor RSPB, Dorset
FORSTER'S TERN
Poole Harbour, Lytchett Bay, Dorset

Sunday 23 April 2023

Birding At Cley, Good Friends, Lunch and Cake!

Hooded Crow on Cricket Marsh, Cley NWT

 

Very brief post as insanely tired. Had a fabulous day at Cley meeting up with John F., Pete S., Eddie M., Richard B., Lin & Phil P., Richard 'The Hat', Ashley & Claudia B. + Alice, Keith T., Steve B., Richard M., John G. and also Andrew & Simon at CleySpy. Thank you so much to those of you who so kindly brought me leaving presents and cards, hugely appreciated!

The day started off with seeing Robin Chittendon's Hooded Crow on Cricket Marsh and also saw a Wheatear fly across the boardwalk. Hot cheese scone at Cley V.C, lunch at Kelling Tea Rooms, Tea and cake at the V.C late afternoon!

Hooded Crow calling on Cricket Marsh, Cley NWT

Ruff on The Eye Field, Cley NWT


Stonechat in the rain at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
 

Finished the day walking solo to Gramborough Hill in the rain. One Whitethroat, 3+ Chiffchaffs, Wren in the main scrub and a pair of Stonechats on the brambles on the way to the hill. Drenched Meadow Pipits on the fence wire, Ringed Plover and Avocet on the pool, just west of the hill. I felt quite sad leaving here, one of my favourite spots in Norfolk. Drove home drenched. Stopped at the hospital to pick up more boxes before returning 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 

Isabelline Wheatear in paddocks south of Seaview car park, but no further sign after 10.40am, Blue-headed Wagtail at West Runton
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s, Hooded Crow at Cley NWT
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Priory, Beeston Regis
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Garganey x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Black Guillemot flew past Brancaster
Ring Ouzel in horse paddocks, just beyond church at Snettisham
Ring Ouzel at Hungry Hill, Sidestrand
Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier at Waxham
Garganey x 3, Grey Plover at Welney WWT
Ferruginous Duck fem. at Ormesby Broad
Garganey x 5 at Brendan's Marsh, at Hickling Broad NWT
Whimbrels x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Caspian Gull at Sheringham
 
MEGA NEWS
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
(form Gambelii) Seaford Head, Sussex
FORSTER'S TERN
Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour, Dorset

Saturday 22 April 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 

Ring Ouzels x 3 west of River Tiffey, Wymondham
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s, Ring Ouzel, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
Isabelline Wheatear in paddocks south of Seaview car park at West Runton
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Walsey Hills NOA
Ring Ouzel at Waxham
Garganey at Bintree Mill
Garganey x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Ring Ouzels x 2 between Blakeney & Morston
Garganey x 2, Osprey, Little Gull at Brendan's Marsh, Ring Ouzel near Stubb Mill at Hickling Broad NWT
Little Gulls x 2 at Barton Broad
Pied Flycatcher male, Ring Ouzel at Burnham Overy Dunes
Black-winged Stilt, Garganey x 6, Bar-tailed Godwits x 3, Little Gulls x 2, Short-eared Owl, Grey Plover at Welney WWT
Garganey x 2 at Hockwold Washes
Osprey at Ranworth Broad NWT
Ferruginous Ducks x 2 (both drks) at Filby Broad
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Priory, Beeston Regis
Ring Ouzel between Muckleburgh Hill & Kelling Water Meadows
Ring Ouzels x 2 in ploughed field at Winterton
Shorelark at Holkham Bay
Ring Ouzel at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
Ring Ouzels x 2, Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Black Redstart at St Olaves
Ring Ouzels x 2 west of beach car park at Weybourne
Ring Ouzel east of church at Potter Heigham
Black Redstart south of Plantation, Ring Ouzel at Blakeney Point
Short-eared Owl at Rockland Broad
Ring Ouzel in horse paddocks, just beyond church at Snettisham
 
MEGA NEWS
GAMBEL'S WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW
(form Gambelii) Seaford Head, Sussex
FORSTER'S TERN
Inishroo, County Galway, Ireland

Last Weekend in Norfolk!

Furiously packing right now. Hope nothing mega turns up! I will be around Salthouse and Cley tomorrow, so may bump into some of you. I will be in the Cley Visitor Centre very late afternoon for a cup of tea – the cafe closes at 4.30pm and the centre closes at 5pm!

If I don't get to see some of you, I will in October, when I return to twitch Norfolk's first male Siberian Rubythroat (bound to happen, now I'm leaving), more than probably found by James MacCallum and then to Gramborough Hill for Siberian Blue Robin found by John Furse. My new bosses kindly granted me two weeks off in October for birding! If these sibes don't materalise, then I will stay in Shetland!!!😉 I will miss the Norfolk birding scene hugely, but there are lots of things I won't miss in Norfolk, I'm sad to say.

A new chapter awaits, new job, new house, dramatic weather, white beaches, Orcas, Otters, Northern Lights, rarities, community events, peace, new life etc etc!

Friday 21 April 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 

Ferruginous Ducks x 2 (both drks) at Filby Broad
Little Gulls x 4 at Colney Gravel Pits
Garganey at Bintree Mill
Garganey x 2 at Hockwold Washes
Black-winged Stilt, Little Gulls x 23 at Welney WWT
Little Gulls x 4 at Bowthorpe
Garganey x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Isabelline Wheatear SW of Rocky Bottoms then flew inland, West Runton
Little Gulls x 5 at Whitlingham Country Park
Ring Ouzel, Caspian Gull at Beeston Priory, Beeston Regis
Shorelarks x 4 at Holkham Bay
Ring Ouzel at Cromer
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
 
MEGA NEWS
None

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

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

THURSDAY 20th APRIL
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s at Cley NWT 
Kentish Plover fem. at mouth of Holkham Gap then flew east, Shorelarks x 4  at Holkham Bay
Spoonbill at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Ferruginous Ducks x 3 (1 drk) at Filby Broad
Garganey at Winterton-on-Sea
Garganey at Bintree Mill
Garganey x 3 at Welney WWT
Bar-tailed Godwit at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park
Ring Ouzel at Postwick
Ring Ouzel at Kelling Quags
Hawfinch at Bodham
Bar-tailed Godwits x 3, Whimbrel x 4 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
 
MEGA NEWS
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT
Doon Lough, County Leitrim, Ireland

Selling at KEYS Today, Book Sale – Friday 21st April!

Lot: 473: East Anglia Books etc.

Lot: 474: Box of Australian Geographic Magazines including sort after first issue, Vol 1 1986 and Flora Facts and Fables Magazines.

Wednesday 19 April 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 

Ring Ouzel at Kelling Quags
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s at Cley NWT 
Ring Ouzel east of Morston Quay
Garganey at Hockwold Washes
Garganey x 4 at Welney WWT
Caspian Gull flew past Sidestrand
Little Gull at Whitlingham Country Park
Shorelarks x 4 at Holkham Bay
Bar-tailed Godwits x 13 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Ring Ouzel briefly in gorse, Hen Harrier at Winterton
 
MEGA NEWS
None

FOR SALE: Books, Reports, Magazines etc at CleySpy!

My large collection of books, some unsold at Keys Auctioneers, others from my house and my parents, were kindly taken off my hands from CleySpy yesterday, see their tweet: https://twitter.com/CleySpy/status/1648609999902461952  THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Have a browse, plenty to look through! 😁

Tuesday 18 April 2023

Busy Day – Plus Pear & Ginger Cake on Cley Beach!

Quick summary:

Dropped loads of things off at Keys Auctioneers, including a massive collection of TY Beanies (confession time from long ago!), a selection of mint Harry Potter books, a tub of "Britains" vintage toy plastic animals (everything from farm to zoo animals etc) and some of my dolls (including 'Tiny Tears') – all going in the 7th June Toy Sale! Collected stuff not sold in recent sales. Dropped off birdy tea cups and saucers to a charity shop "Break" in Aylsham.

Went to Crabpot books in Cley, where Louise selected which books she wanted to buy from tons of books in my car and then needed a while to price these up.

Went to Cley churchyard to say goodbye to RAR and also to look for another gravestone I failed to find.

Went to CleySpy, who saved the day massively, more on that another time! Plus, left a donation scope for OBC and a Manfrotto tripod to sell. Lovely to see all the fabulous staff here before I depart.

Went to Holt to collect my last nine paintings (some that I had done) from Picturecraft, who had kindly bubble wrapped them for me and Michael and Teresa Hill (owners) had very, very kindly given me a beautiful leaving card, all signed by the staff, so lovely, I was very touched by this, thank you all very much indeed.

Returned to Crabpot books and accepted price for books – all good! Will pay for my hair appointment on Thursday morning!

I was just about to return home......

Went to Cley Deli and purchased (its gone up in price by almost a third, good job I'm leaving) my favourite ever Pear & Ginger Cake and drove to Coastguards. Sat on the shingle, very close to the crashing waves and spray, enjoying my cake! It was very fresh with the east winds, but I need to get used to that, as the temperature will be on an another level in Shetland – good! Whilst photographing Brent Geese on the Eye Pool from my car with my iphone, James M. stopped to say hello and goodbye – had a lovely catch up!

Drove home and fell asleep ALL evening. Serious packing day 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 

Long-billed Dowitcher 1s, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT 
Garganey x 3 at Hickling Broad NWT
Ring Ouzel east of Morston Quay
Ferruginous Ducks x 3 (1 drk) still at Filby Broad
Garganey x 4, Bar-tailed Godwits x 6, Grey Plover at Welney WWT
Arctic Tern at Whitlingham Country Park
Swifts x 2 at Sheringham

MEGA NEWS
BLACK-WINGED KITE
FIRST FOR BRITAIN!
By A489, (10.25-10.30am only, then flew west) just east of Glanmule, east of Newtown, Powys. Found by Martyn Owen!

RBA Weekly Round-Up 11th to 17th April!

By Jon Dunn
 
Headlined by breaking news of Britain's first Black-winged Kite and John Furse's unique cross and Alpine Swift photograph!

Black-winged Kite in Wales – A First For Britain!!!

Read all about this in the RBA Weekly Round-Up and on Martyn's Twitter account here!!

Found by Martyn Owen!

Congratulations, just WOW and to your wife Laura for getting the video and pictures!!!

🎉 🎉 🎉

Monday 17 April 2023

Crazy & Exhausting Day!

I was up until 4am this morning, clearing out my large pine dresser and bookcase and moving stuff around, so that all items could be easily moved out of the house. The Norfolk Hospice Team turned up far later than usual at just before 12pm and took my unsold furniture, a Lloyd Loom chair, metal computer desk, filing cabinet, freezer, bric a brac, loads of books and a large oil painting of the sea. Fell asleep. Hoovered. Hoover hose broke – ordered new one off Amazon, delivery tomorrow. Fell asleep again. Slowly carried on sorting etc.

Trip east tomorrow with tons of books, TY Beanies, dolls and all kinds going into auctions, bookshops, CleySpy and more! Goodnight!

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 still around church at Cromer
Garganey at Redwell Marsh, Holme NOA
Shorelarks x 4 at Holkham Bay 
Common Cranes x 2 flew over Holkham
Ring Ouzel east of Morston Quay
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s at Cley NWT 
Common Cranes x 2 flew over Thornham
Common Cranes x 2  flew over Burnham Deepdale
Garganey, Spoonbill at Welney WWT
Garganey x 2 at Hockwold Washes
Ring Ouzel at Sheringham Park
Arctic Terns x 9 at Whitlingham Country Park

MEGA NEWS
None

Sunday 16 April 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 

Alpine Swift still at church, then roosted in evening at Cromer
Ring Ouzel north of Beach Road, Snettisham
Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 2 on marsh, Ring Ouzels x 3 in field west of Blakeney
Garganey flew over Beeston Bump, Sheringham
Garganey at Brendan's Marsh, Garganey x 2, Common Cranes x 18 at Hickling Broad NWT
Ring Ouzel in field east Morston Quay
Alpine Swift at East Runton
Night Heron heard only, Long-billed Dowitcher 1s at Cley NWT 
Short-eared Owl at Claxton Marshes
Garganey x 2 at Hockwold Washes
Shorelarks x 4 at Holkham Bay 
Ring Ouzel at north end of Lady Anne's Drive, Holkham
Ring Ouzel at Grimston Warren
Garganey x 2, Spoonbill at Welney WWT
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Winterton Dunes
Ring Ouzel at Waxham
Little Gull at Cantley Beet Factory
Bittern at Whitlingham Country Park
Osprey at Ranworth Broad NWT

MEGA NEWS
BLACK-WINGED KITE
Probable, in hedge (seen from moving car), just west of Kirton, Suffolk

Holme NOA & NWT Reserves with Lucy!

Holme Visitor Centre NWT

 

The day started with another visit to the recycling centre and then returned home for a quick breakfast. I picked Lucy up at 10.45am and we headed to the coast. To be honest I really needed to continue packing, but had arranged to spend some quality time with Lucy, which was very important. We went to Holme reserves for a couple of hours. Met up with some birding friends to give them some reports from my collection and then dropped lots of spare NOA reports off to Sophie. It was a beautiful day and it felt magical to be out. Lucy had not been here for a long time and it was good to pay our respects to where our parent's ashes lay. Sat for a short while outside the HBO – several Brimstone butterflies were dancing in the sunshine. The laboratory is having a revamp, pity I won't see it finished, I will have to get Sophie to send me some pictures.


Lucy
 

We then decided to have our lunch at the NWT visitor centre. Someone waved at me from across the car park, it was Cilla!!! my work (was) colleague, she was here with her family, so lovely to bump into her! The cafe was just starting to get busy – even though they don't do jacket potatoes anymore, the sandwiches we had were particularly nice, Lucy had Tuna, mayo and cucumber, I had hummus and roasted veg and we both had a cheese scone each with a pot of tea. Lucy really enjoyed herself and said how lovely it was. Guilt started to kick in about leaving her, big time. Selfishly, I would like Lucy to come and live in Shetland too, but I can't see it happening. The cafe area very quickly became dog city and there were more dogs to tick than birds. Time to go.

Walked through the pines to the beach and spent a while reminiscing about our childhood days and Lucy went into a long story about not being able to remember seeing me ever swimming in the sea......?! I did, but I wouldn't now, look at the colour of the water #sewage?!!! Ambled back to the car. Lucy very sharply pointed out a Wheatear, as we drove back along the Firs Road in the Forestry and a second one was feeding close by, which was lovely to see. Lucy then touched my arm and said, "its so lovely here, how can you leave Norfolk Penny?" I didn't really know how to respond to this at all. I so wanted to continue being out and seeing some birds, but Lucy insisted she wanted to return home now, so we headed back to King's Lynn. Our mini outing was far too short!

Norfolk Hospice is collecting my pine dresser and bookcase in the morning, can't believe I haven't been able to sell it at all! Not fashionable any more I suppose.

Saturday 15 April 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 

Alpine Swifts x 2 one roosting, one over church at Cromer
Ring Ouzel at Titchwell RSPB
Long-billed Dowitcher 1s at Cley NWT 
Night Heron adult between Wiveton & Cley
Garganey at Holme Dunes NWT
Garganey at Redwell Marsh NOA, Holme 
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Beeston Bump, Sheringham
Black Redstart east of Holkham Gap
Shorelarks x 4 at Holkham Bay
Garganey at Brendan's Marsh, Hickling Broad NWT
Garganey, Short-eared Owls x 4, Spotted Redshank at Welney WWT
Black Redstart at Beach Road, Ring Ouzel male at Snettisham
Garganey x 2 at Hockwold Washes
Arctic Tern at Sparham Pools
Ring Ouzels x 2 between Blakeney & Morston

MEGA NEWS
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh Lagoons, Lothian

Friday 14 April 2023

Urgently Required: Stacey Solomon & Anneka Rice!

Stacey required to help me to be far more ruthless than I already am and Anneka, because I NEED to "get a shimmy on"!!! Still, so much to do! I've spent one and a half very stressful days on the phone to insurance companies, when I discovered unexpectedly, that my current insurance company will not insure my house here unoccupied, whilst waiting for sale to complete – I was close to tears, but got it all sorted in the end, too long a story and far too tedious to tell you!

Its now a massive race against the 🕰, before the removal van arrives – oh dear! 😳 😟 😜

Had a lovely surprise card posted to me from two lovely ladies at work, Deborah and Mandy, thank you so much! xx

Royal Mail are utterly rubbish! Posted a bevelled round frame I sold on FB (that the RAR Rustic Bunting was in originally) to a lady in Brighton on the 5th April and it STILL has not arrived. I really haven't got time to sort that out, insanely frustrating. Had to phone them up today, quote "its not considered lost until after the 20th April" – after that date I can put a claim in!😡 Obviously I have loads of time on my hands! I have also posted from the same post office in Wootton Road, my Opticron Monocular 8 x 42, to a man in the Czech Republic, I wonder what chances I have of that arriving? – maybe it will get there sooner! Wouldn't surprise me at all if it did! Fingers crossed!

Finally got "Zoom" sorted out for Lucy this evening! The manager where she lives set it up and helped Lucy to join the 7pm meeting I had scheduled. She was fascinated that she could see me in my house – obviously this was the first time she had done this – at least we will be able to see each other when I'm in Shetland now, huge relief! I also made her do another Zoom test by herself, a little stressful, but she managed it! Lucy is the opposite to me and does not like technology at all, but she did well this evening.

Its going to be a be a lot of very quick meet ups with all my closest friends, I'm afraid, not how I had planned it all in my head! 😘 I so want to go out and see some Spring migrants, but its not looking good at the moment! Happy birding to everyone!