Gramborough Hill & Coastal Cruise!

Gramborough Hill – Salthouse

Cruising east along the A148 I saw 4 Red Kites and 2 Common Buzzards. It was a gloriously sunny day. Met up with John F. and with social distancing, we ambled to Gramborough Hill at Salthouse. It was so good to be at one of my favourite places – the light was beautiful and everything looked magical. Birds seen here: Stonechats x 2, Wheatears x 2, Sand Martins, Swallows, Goldfinches, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipits, Avocets, Redshanks x 2, Ringed Plovers x 2, Little Egret and Cuckoo calling. From the hill, the sea looked magnificent! I asked John if he had seen any Little Terns yet, to which he replied 'no' – moments later as I was scanning the sea, 8 Little Terns came into view flying east – so lovely to see! John went home and I headed west. Along the road just before Walsey Hills car park I saw a Yellow Wagtail flying close along the reed bed next to the road. On Snipe's Marsh there were 2 Little Grebes and several Swifts in the air.

Stonechat at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse

Looking east from Gramborough Hill, Salthouse

None of the car parks are open in Cley, all are coned off, so I headed to the Sewage works in the village and got lucky with a Grey Wagtail and heard a Cetti's Warbler. Blackcap and Chiffchaff were singing along the road towards Glandford Ford. Turned back and headed for Blakeney, where I stopped at 'The House on The Hill'. Heard a Cuckoo, saw a Chiffchaff in an elder, Chaffinch, Robin and Blue Tit. From here I could the Lifeboat at the west end of Blakeney Point, wavering in the heat haze. Stopped at Morston just before the church to scan the large horse paddock, which resulted in lots of Wood Pigeons, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush and a Blackbird.

North Point Pools – Wells

At North Point Pools, Wells I had a nice selection of birds to end the day. There were only two birders here when I arrived and only another two arrived after me. The light was stunning as I watched 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 White Wagtail, Pied Wagtails, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 7 Common Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Avocets + cute fluffy chicks, Gadwalls, Mallards, Shelducks, Cuckoo calling and seen perched, Black-headed Gulls, Lapwings, Reed Warbler in hawthorn next to where I stood, Blackbird, Marsh Harriers x 2, Barn Owl flew right in front of me along the ditch, 16 Black-tailed Godwits landed on the east side late evening, 1 colour ringed Spoonbill, Little Egret, Egyptian Geese, Greylag Geese, Brent Geese, Little Egret, Moorhens, Coots and Oystercatcher.

It was seriously chilly, when I left at 8.45pm! Headed west to enjoy the coastal scenery and noted that all car parks I could see on route were closed. At Burnham Overy Staithe, I headed inland via Burnham Market and Bircham to King's Lynn. Stocked up with a few supplies from the Tesco garage shop in King's Lynn. Made sandwiches for tomorrow. Good Night!

LOCKDOWN DAY 51 – COVID-19

Two more coronavirus patient deaths reported in Norfolk’s hospitals

Frontline workers first in line to get new coronavirus antibody test

Wildlife trust to reopen car parks and nature reserves - but visitor centres remain closed
This title is misleading – most car parks and nature reserves are in fact closed

One in 400 people in England has coronavirus, tests suggest

Covid antibody test a 'positive development'

Coronavirus: UK's eighth clap for carers

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  
Garganey, Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Garganey at Hockhold Washes
BEE-EATERS x 3 flew east over Nethergate, Montagu's Harrier Adult Male east of Foulsham Road, Hindolveston
Grey-headed Wagtail (possible), Temminck's Stints x 3, Short-eared Owl at North Point Pools, Wells
Red-necked Phalarope fem. on Pat's Pool distantly at Cley NWT
Spoonbill on Broadwater at Holme
Black Kite at Choseley Drying Barns
BEE-EATERS x 2 from 6.30am to 9.30am at Horsey
Turtle Dove singing at Setchey


MEGA NEWS
None

LOCKDOWN DAY 50 – COVID-19

So today we can drive to exercise and walk. I didn't go to the beach after work this evening, as decided to save my energy for tomorrow. Because I'm not feeling great at the moment, I requested to add two days to my forthcoming holiday, so I'm now off work from tomorrow and don't go back to work again, until Tuesday 26th May!

This evening I made Seeded Rye Bread and a Victoria Sandwich! Repacking my birding gear ready for the car – its going to be really weird to be out properly again, I think its going to be very emotional if I'm honest. Vivien and I are going to be meet up on Monday – its the longest we have been apart since our mother died.

Five more coronavirus deaths in Norfolk’s hospitals

Norfolk hospital discharges 200th coronavirus patient

Coronavirus may never go away, World Health Organization warns

Coronavirus: Chancellor Rishi Sunak warns of 'significant recession'

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 Surlingham Church Marsh
Great White Egret at Wymondham
Gull-billed Tern (probable) flew past Gorleston-on-Sea
Turtle Doves x 3, Spoonbill at South Beach, Heacham
Temminck's Stints x 2, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Spoonbill at North Point Pools, Wells
THRUSH NIGHTINGALE probable, singing at Cley

MEGA NEWS
None

LOCKDOWN DAY 49 – COVID-19

International Nurse's Day – cupcakes for all! So tired this evening, fell asleep and woke up at 9pm, no tea, good night!

Three new coronavirus deaths in Norfolk hospitals

Another 28 Norfolk care home coronavirus deaths

West Norfolk 'has one of highest coronavirus case rates in England', data suggests

More than 150 people warned for ignoring lockdown over bank holiday

Drive to the coast if you like - but the seaside’s still in lockdown

Beach car park reopens after lockdown eases
Quote from above: Second-home owners have also been urged to not travel to places they do not live. Mr Dark added: “The Government has reiterated that the use of second homes or staying overnight in accommodation that is not where you live is still not allowed. It is important that people take heed of that advice and don’t see the relaxation in travel as a free pass to visit second homes or friends and family in the area.”

Cromer pier stays closed - some car parks to reopen in county’s north

50,000 deaths in the UK's Coronavirus Epidemic

The number of people who have died because of Covid-19 is nearly twice as high as the figure we hear announced every day.

 

UK Government Stats from 11th March-12th May

Date – Confirmed Cases and Death

11th March 460 cases, 8 dead
12th March 590 cases, 10 dead
13th March 798 cases, 11 dead
14th March 1,140 cases, 21 dead
15th March 1,391 cases, 35 dead
16th March 1,543 cases, 53 dead
17th March 1,950 cases, 71 dead
18th March 2,626 cases, 104 dead
19th March 3,269 cases, 144 dead
20th March 3,983 cases, 177 dead
21st March 5,018 cases, 233 dead
22nd March 5,683 cases, 281 dead
23rd March 6,650 cases, 335 dead
24th March 8,077 cases, 422 dead
25th March 9,529 cases, 465 dead
26th March 11,658 cases, 578 dead
27th March 14,759 cases, 759 dead
28th March 17,089 cases, 1,019 dead
29th March 19,522 cases, 1,228 dead
30th March 22,141 cases, 1,408 dead
31st March 25,150 cases, 1,789 dead

1st April 29,474 cases, 2,352 dead
2nd April 33,718 cases, 2,921 dead
3rd April 38,168 cases, 3,605 dead
4th April 41,903 cases, 4,313 dead

5th April 47,806 cases, 4,934 dead

6th April 51,608 cases, 5,373 dead

7th April 55,242 cases, 6,159 dead

8th April 60,733 cases, 7,097 dead

9th April 65,077 cases, 7,978 dead

10th April 70,272 cases, 8,958 dead

11th April 78,991 cases, 9,875 dead

12th April 84,279 cases, 10,612 dead

13th April 88,821 cases, 11,329 dead

14th April 93,873 cases, 12,107 dead

15th April 98,746 cases, 12,868 dead

16th April 103,093 cases,13,729 dead

17th April 108,692 cases,14,576 dead

18th April 114,217 cases, 15,464 dead

19th April 120,067 cases, 16,060 dead

20th April 124,743 cases, 16,509 dead

21st April 129,044 cases, 17,337 dead

22nd April 133,495 cases, 18,100 dead

23rd April 138,078 cases, 18,738 dead

24th April 143,464 cases, 19,506 dead

25th April 148,377 cases, 20,319 dead

26th April 152,840 cases, 20,732 dead

27th April 157,149 cases, 21,092 dead

28th April 161,145 cases, 21,678 dead

29th April 165,221 cases, 26,097 dead
(care home figures now included)

30th April 171,253 cases, 26,771 dead
 
1st May 177,454 cases, 27,510 dead

2nd May 182,260 cases, 28,131 dead

3rd May 186,599 cases, 28,446 dead

4th May 190,584 cases, 28,734 dead

5th May 194,990 cases, 29,247 dead

6th May 201,101 cases, 30,076 dead

7th May 206,715, cases, 30,615 dead

8th May 211,364 cases, 31,241 dead

9th May 215,260 cases, 31,586 dead

10th May 219,183 cases, 31,855 dead

11th May 223,963 cases, 32,065 dead

12th May 226,463 cases, 32,692 dead

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  
Hooded Crow at Scarning Fen Nature Reserve
Turtle Doves x 2 at Snettisham Coastal Park
Great White Egret, Garganey at Welney WWT
Stone Curlew at Weybourne Camp
Spoonbill at South Marshes, Heacham
Spoonbills x 2 at Potter Heigham Marshes

MEGA NEWS
None

RBA Weekly Round-Up 5th to 11th May!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2020_20.aspx?s_id=386955705

LOCKDOWN DAY 48 – COVID-19

Three new coronavirus deaths in Norfolk hospitals

Huge variation in Covid-19 cases and deaths across the Anglia region

Lockdown update: What are the new rules set out by Boris Johnson?

How to make your own face mask

THE NEW GOVERNMENT RULES FROM WEDNESDAY 13TH MARCH
Here are a few screenshots from the above link:

My summary of last night's new "STAGE ONE" from Boris Johnson

On a personal note, I was overjoyed to find out, that from Wednesday I can drive to the coast, which means on my 10 day holiday, which starts on Saturday, I can actually drive to several of my favourite birding places and I get to see the sea again – this will help my mental state, wellbeing and my entire life balance, whilst having to wear PPE all week!!! BUT, forgetting about me...... I think the government have done this far too early. Personally I think they should have allowed us to drive say a maximum of eg 20 miles from our home, in order to have some variation, for those of us that live in a built-up and uninspiring area. That would have meant that someone like myself would have been able to go to Heacham or Snettisham beach and I would have been more than happy with that for weeks on end. Then, later AFTER the schools go back (whenever that might be), they could have then said that we could drive eg 50 miles or within our own county only, but the fact that you can now drive any distance in England, as long as you are not going to Ireland, Wales or Scotland (different rules), is simply CRAZY! If they had done this after the schools went back, it would have meant all second home owners and children would be at their main residences and the impact of visitors to the coast at weekends, would be at the same level it would normally be: locals, birders, day trippers.

So, what will happen now is, especially from Saturday, is that all those local people including birders who have been desperate to get to the coast to go birding etc will be going. Now in normal circumstances this would be no different to a normal weekend in May, but add to that, we have a big number of second home owners here with their children, who will also be going to the coast and lets be frank about, there have been many breaking the rules already and I include birders and locals in that statement too! Add to that again, some second home owners that didn't come here, will do now, as they will see it as a last holiday before the children are sent back! Add to that day trippers coming (yes they normally do), but there will be more than normal. So in all in all, the Norfolk coast will be like sardines this weekend and because lots of the car parks are closed, there will be some dangerous and precarious parking along the roads. Local shops will be emptied of essential food supplies for some elderly people that can't get to the larger supermarkets, need I go on?! Ok, I will! The huge increase in traffic will result in accidents and this will add pressure to our hospitals and Covid-19 cases in Norfolk will rise again, because some people will sadly break the rules.

You will note in the screenshot above 1.9 that is against the rules for people to be in their second homes, as it was in the previous rules and for anybody to be staying here on holiday. So all those second homers and holidaymakers currently here (and some of you will be reading this) are at risk of a £100 fine for the first offence and each offence goes up to a maximum of £3,200 and magistrates court after that. If only we had enough police in our county to enforce this and to dish out all the fines to everyone, including those that don't social distance at 2 metres etc. I will probably get some troll emails from second home owners now, but to be honest I don't care, you shouldn't be here. I also heard from a little bird (can't divulge my source) that 'some' second homers in Norfolk attempted to get their children into schools whilst they are here – unbelievable, well maybe not!

I think it will be many, many months before any bird hides can be used, after all, how can you social distance in a hide? – unless of course, as Eddie amusingly said on Twitter "I can, if I have the only key" Hides are the equivalent to gigs/football matches, restaurants, its not going to happen for a long time, maybe not until we have a vaccine! Oh, well at least we won't miss birds going overhead, as David Lindo says "Look Up" and that we will certainly be able to do now.

I have spent a fortune getting my bike done up and I'm really glad I have, but to be honest, I can't see me using it much now. Its not that I don't want to cycle, its just too far to cycle at my grand old age, to all the decent birding spots. If I lived on the coast or in a rural village, I would definitely be using it, some of the time anyway.

To all my inland birding friends in Norfolk – I would get out there and enjoy every minute (with your 2 metre distancing) as you won't be doing it for long. I hate to say it, but there will be so many people breaking the rules, that we will be in lockdown again within three weeks – that's my prediction, sorry! At least we will all get a coastal birding fix to tide us over, until we are released again!!!

RESERVES IN NORFOLK

There is a very prompt update from the RSPB, which is keeping its reserves closed, with all the reasons explained in full, which I totally agree with.

The NWT has updated today too, although brief, states that all reserves remain closed with updates over the next few days.

The Norfolk Ornithologists Association's reserves also remain closed (that includes Walsey Hills where some birders have walked past the padlocked gate onto the reserve), but there is no date, so unsure if this had been updated recently or not.

The National Trust's last update was on the 7th May, so presume they will be updating again soon.

Sculthorpe Moor Community Nature Reserve also remains closed until further notice.

Welney WWT also remains closed until further notice.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK:

• Make facemask 😷
• Put the bike away 👍
• Get birding gear ready to put in car 👏
• Buy a hat to cover my roots up 😂
• See my sisters seperately before end of week 🙋 💕
• Go to the beach 🏖

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 at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
Spoonbill on Broadwater at Holme
AMERICAN KESTREL Adult Male is a known escapee, 2 miles west of Marham at Shouldham
Spoonbills x 2 at Cley NWT
Garganey x 3, Great White Egret, Wood Sandpiper at Welney WWT

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN KESTREL
Is a known escapee, 2 miles west of Marham at Shouldham, Norfolk

LOCKDOWN DAY 47 – COVID-19

It was very cold, windy and spitting with rain, but I decided to go for a bike ride – I needed some exercise desperately. I cycled a much greater distance than I had intended and did 14.7 miles this morning!

Not much bird news in these cold and gloomy conditions, but did see my Stonechat again in the fields between Reffley Wood and the QEH and a Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler were singing. Cycled to Bawsey church ruins – it was obvious I wasn't going to hear yesterday's Quail in these winds and I didn't. I was going to turn back at the ruins, but decided to cycle further on, to see where the track came out – I ended up on Sandy Lane, but instead of cycling along the crazy bypass, I took a track over fields alongside the bypass and came out at the Knight's Hill Roundabout – crossed the road carefully and then sailed at great speed down the hill to the North Lynn bypass and then cycled all the way to Lynn Point.

I could see one Peregrine on the tower and lots of gulls were battling against the wind by the fishing boats. I also saw my first Common Terns – two of them flying along the Great River Ouse towards the The Wash. By the horse meadows at the end of Lynn Point, I saw Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Whitethroats and Blackbirds. Cycled back to the town centre in King's Lynn, past the Custom House, along the Quay and back home through the Walks, where I saw a Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Blackbirds and lots of Wood Pigeons. Arrived home at 2pm and had a well deserved rest all afternoon. Made another loaf of bread, a Granary Loaf this time.

Whilst I was resting I was suddenly aware of a cheeky cat sitting right next to my patio door, eyeing up all my birds – I have never moved so fast!!! Now, I'm a huge cat lover, but do not want cats sitting yards from my feeding station! So with lots of very loud noise from me, the cat shot out of the garden through my hedgehog hole in the trellis – I couldn't believe it got through there! I am very worried, as since then I have not seen my baby Robin!!!


STAGE ONE OF LOCKDOWN – 7pm

Boris Johnson speech: PM unveils 'conditional plan' to reopen society

PM's statement prompts questions and gives some answers

Read Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech in full

 

‘They thought lockdown was over’- police chief’s concerns after hundreds head to beaches

‘Common sense’ or ‘a bit of a joke’? - Norfolk reacts to prime minster’s announcement

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  
Golden Oriole unconfirmed report at Kimberley
Black Redstart singing in Norwich
Short-eared Owl, Spoonbills x 7 at Cley NWT
AMERICAN KESTREL Adult Male presumed escaped, 2 miles west of Marham at Shouldham [bird is tame, + there have been several escapes in recent years]
Spoonbill at Holme Dunes

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN KESTREL
Presumed escaped, 2 miles west of Marham at Shouldham, Norfolk

LOCKDOWN DAY 46 – COVID-19

View from my deckchair in the garden today

Very hot day, too hot for me. The highlight of the day was seeing my first Swifts – two of them, flying over the garden in the afternoon and almost simultaneously two Mute Swans also flew over! I have also had the pleasure of watching a cute baby Robin hopping around by my patio door, too close for a picture even! The usual garden birds are enjoying the feeding station – a Song Thrush made a brief appearance today. I have to change all the birds ponds daily, as the Starlings enjoy them a bit too much and they are such messy feeders! Had to listen to crappy music that someone was playing nearby – why don't people have their headphones in and then the rest of us don't have to suffer!

I could hear a CONTINUOUS stream of traffic along Wootton Road as I sat in my garden! They were not all going to a supermarket, work, picking up medical supplies or assisting a vulnerable person, were they?!!! The traffic noise should be the same volume over a seven day period – why would it be any different at weekends?! If only those selfish people were made to wear PPE all day, maybe, just maybe they would think again! I have heard first hand so much today, about what is going in Norfolk – more second home owners arrived this weekend who also come and go as they please back and forth to London, holidaymakers arriving in cottages (shame on the owners too), traffic parked up along the coast with day trippers and selfish birders driving way beyond their local area! Heacham was packed with sunbathers and people having barbecues and not social distancing either, a friend on FB told me, who lives in Heacham. Campervans at various places all along the coast road and staying overnight. May you all hang your heads in shame! Us NHS workers are more than happy to carry on suffering with heat exhaustion wearing PPE all day, every day for weeks on end and dying for you, not! Because people are not following the lockdown, Covid-19 will carry on killing us, our loved ones, our friends, our work colleagues.

#STAYATHOME

New figures show impact of coronavirus in care homes

Three more patients die at QEH

Boris Johnson to launch Covid-19 alert system

No 'single leap to freedom', minister warns

Boris Johnson's coronavirus speech: What to watch out for

Number of global cases rises above four million

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 Redstart singing in Norwich
Quail singing near Grimston Warren
Golden Oriole fem/1s.male flew over West Runton
Wryneck, Spoonbill, Wood Sandpipers x 2, Common Cranes x 2 at Potter Heigham
GREAT REED WARBLER, Grey-headed Wagtail male, Whinchat at Cley NWT
BLACK KITE possible, SW of Norwich
Turtle Doves x 3, Wood Sandpipers x 4 at Ken Hill Marsh, Snettisham
Turtle Doves x 2, Wood Sandpipers x 2, Spoonbill, Great White Egret, Scaup x 2 at South Beach, Heacham
Ruddy Shelduck at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford
Quail singing at Eastgate, Cawston
Arctic Terns x 2, Spoonbill at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Garganey, Great White Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT

MEGA NEWS
None

LOCKDOWN DAY 45 – COVID-19

FRIDAY 8th MAY

I didn't sleep very well last night at all and ended up listening to the dawn chorus from my bedroom window – I was so pleased to hear a Cuckoo calling distantly! This inspired me! Showered, washed hair and went out early morning birding at 6.50am, walking from my house along the cycle path until I reached the fields and marsh between Reffley Wood and the QEH.

It was worth getting up for. The highlight of the morning was at least 10+ Whitethroats singing and flitting about amongst hawthorn and reeds in the sunshine. Also a Stonechat was sitting on a small bush right out in the middle of the fields distantly – I hadn't expected to find that here! Other birds seen were Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Crows, Jackdaw, Little Egret and a Grey Heron flew over, Mute Swans x 3, Mallards, Blackbirds, Wrens, Great Spotted Woodpeckers x 2, Green Woodpecker, Common Buzzard erupted from Reffley Wood, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, House Sparrows, House Martins x 4, Jay and Starlings.

Returned home and took my Rustic French bread out of the breadmaker, which I had set on timer last night – this was the first time I done this particular bread recipe, very nice indeed! Did some washing, cleaned bird baths out and topped up the feeders. Cooked a posh lunch in honour of VE day, but it was too hot to sit outside! A big family of Starlings have seemingly permanently moved in and are hoovering up all the bird food and have one million washes in the bird baths! So lovely to watch a row of Starlings perched on top of my trellis, shaking their wet rainbow feathers! Was so pleased to see a baby Robin in my garden this morning, hopping around right next to my patio door and away from the boisterous Starlings.

Dozed on the sofa in afternoon, my lack of sleep had caught up with me. Vivien texted me some lovely pictures of her sitting on Ray's bunting decorated narrowboat and I phoned Lucy for a chat. Watched the VE Day celebrations on BBC1 – watch on iPlayer HERE, which was both brilliant and incredibly emotional.

Six new coronavirus deaths confirmed in Norfolk’s hospitals

Police urge efforts to continue ahead of PM’s lockdown update

Public told to continue to abide by lockdown

UK 'to bring in 14-day quarantine for air passengers'

Newspaper headlines: 'Never give up' and all arrivals to the UK to be quarantined

Scientists obtain 'lucky' image of Jupiter

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 8th MAY
BLACK KITE flew over, Grey-headed Wagtail at West Runton
BLACK KITE flew over Felmingham
BLACK KITE flew over East Beckham
BLACK KITE possible, Osprey flew over Norwich
BLACK KITE reported at Great Ellingham
Wood Sandpipers x 6, Temminck's Stint, Spoonbills x 3, Great White Egrets x 3 at Cley NWT
Blue-headed Wagtail male, Spoonbill at Salthouse
Great White Egret flew over Weybourne Camp
Common Cranes x 3 flew over Briston
Spoonbills x 2 at Thornham
Wood Sandpiper, Cattle Egret at Potter Heigham Marshes
Garganey x 5, Turnstone at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Tree Pipits x 2, Spotted Flycatcher at Kelling
Turtle Dove flew over power station at Saddle Bow
Osprey near Hingham
AMERICAN KESTREL Adult Male presumed escaped, 2 miles west of Marham at Shouldham [bird is tame, + there have been several escapes in recent years]

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN KESTREL
Presumed escaped, 2 miles west of Marham at Shouldham, Norfolk

UK's streets not empty as filled with love, says Queen

VE Day: UK marking 75th anniversary of end of WW2 in Europe

VE Day: The Queen's message

Remarkable Eyewitness Reports from VE Day 

Battle of Britain veteran Terry Clark dies aged 101

VE Day: People celebrate with bunting and bonfires

VE Day celebrations: The UK marks 75th anniversary

VE Day: The story behind Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again

VE Day: Sir Winston Churchill announces the end of WW2 in Europe

Winston Churchill's inspiring wartime speeches in Parliament

VE Day: Couple sent hundreds of love letters during WW2

VE Day: 'I drove general to WW2 unconditional surrender'

Your stunning photographs of the Red Arrows flying over Norfolk for VE Day

Norwich street serenaded with wartime classics to mark VE Day

Very frighting images all over social media today of street parties, with no social distancing observed – I didn't realise there were so many STUPID people!!! Covid-19 will continue to rise, lockdown will continue and it will be even longer before we are completely free again.

LOCKDOWN DAY 44 – COVID-19

I'm exhausted. I now have Friday, Saturday and Sunday off. This evening I went to Sainsbury's at 9pm to avoid the crowds – good move, there were very few people in there. I even found yeast for the first time in weeks! I have not been on any walks or cycle rides this week, as been too tired from work. I don't know what I'm going to do over the next three days, as don't really love any of my local walks. I miss the coast SO much. I would have given the world to see those Bee-eaters flying over Stiffkey today, how awesome would that have been!

I really hope that Boris allows us to drive anywhere within the county to go for a walk – obviously the social distancing needs to remain as it is now for a long time. I really don't think that families should be allowed to meet up yet, I really don't, its way too soon, especially if you work in a hospital or care home. I'm on holiday for a week from Saturday 16th May and will be over the moon if I can drive anywhere in Norfolk to go birding – if I can't, I will more than probably cancel my holiday, as I can't mentally be in my house and garden for what will be 10 days, without being able to go to the coast, it was bad enough last weekend for two days. I just hope that any new rules the government change on Sunday evening, will be totally clear and precise, not like the current ones about leaving your home!

Five new coronavirus deaths confirmed at Norfolk’s hospitals

Call for inquiry into Norfolk’s response to coronavirus pandemic

Hospital receives donation of 120 tablets to keep families connected

‘Heartwarming’ Norfolk photo inspires Duchess of Cambridge

Huge Fire Between Brandon and Thetford

Dog walkers warned to stay off restricted areas on beaches

Last supermoon of 2020 to light up Norfolk skies

Government urges 'caution' on lockdown easing

UK claps for carers for the seventh week

Ty: Mercury-nominated UK rapper dies of coronavirus, aged 47

Five natural beauties to see on your daily exercise

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  
Temminck's Stints x 2, Great White Egret, Curlew Sandpiper, Whinchats x 4, Spoonbills x 2 at Cley NWT
Temminck's Stints x 2, Spoonbills x 2, Wood Sandpiper at Potter Heigham Marshes
Short-eared Owl at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe
Turtle Dove at South Beach, Heacham
BEE-EATERS x 2 flew NW over Stiffkey
Whinchats x 2 in hedge at Ringstead
BLACK KITE flew over Thorpe St Andrew
AMERICAN KESTREL Adult Male presumed escaped, 2 miles west of Marham at Shouldham [bird is tame, + there have been several escapes in recent years]
Turnstones x 2 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Redstart at Salthouse
BLACK KITE reported over Bodham

MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN KESTREL
Presumed escaped, 2 miles west of Marham at Shouldham, Norfolk

LOCKDOWN DAY 44 – COVID-19

WEDNESDAY 6th MAY

Norfolk hospital coronavirus death toll passes 300 following eight new fatalities

We called her Mother Hen - Hospital chief’s tribute to worker in Channel 4 documentary

Young artist paints national hero to raise money for the NHS

Some of Norfolk’s tips to reopen under social distancing, says council

‘We must not let it slip now’ - Health boss urges county to resist ‘appealing’ bank holiday

New Banksy artwork appears at Southampton hospital

UK becomes first country in Europe to pass 30,000 deaths

Baby Archie: Duchess of Sussex reads to son to mark his first birthday

Climate change: Could the coronavirus crisis spur a green recovery?