Northern Minke Whale off Coastguards!!!!!!

WOW - What a day!!!

Met Eddie at Coastguards 7am. The sea was very still, not much happening really. A few cormorants flew past, Eddie said that they would be probably be the highlight of the day. A Red-throated diver went west. At 7.38am I picked up an Arctic Skua and 2 minutes later at 7.40am I thought Eddie was joking when he said "WHALE"!!!!!!!! Eddie saw it surface twice - the hump and the small curved fin - probably a Minke he thought (ID'd as a Northern Minke Whale later) - it was going east. I couldn't see it at all, so I then sprinted to the car and grabbed camera, which took me all of a matter of seconds and stood back in place and scanned again, BUT very, very sadly I didn't see it - incredibly frustrating. I put the news out to RBA at 7.42am and soon a few Cley regulars joined us.

We then flew to Weybourne and waited for it there - Steve and Sue joined us. One Arctic Skua was seen, besides several Gannets.

Black Swan flying east at Sheringham.

We then went to the shelters at Sheringham and joined Kevin Shepherd, Phil Vines and another man. John F. was watching from his flat. Very disappointingly we did not see the whale. Apparently it had been seen from the 'Iron Road' after Eddie saw it - don't know who by though. Congratulations to Eddie who has seen whales else where in the UK and all over the world, but this was his first in Norfolk!!! My day improved greatly when Kevin Shepherd picked up a BLACK SWAN - a juv flying south east almost over us (got some pictures) at 9am!!! Two Arctic Skuas were then seen. At 9.30am Kevin picked up a RED KITE in off the sea, going west. At 9.45am the Red Kite turned and went east and crossed over with the Black Swan now going west!!!!!!! - unbelievable that we were seeing a black swan and a red kite in the same scope/bins! I realised how rare it was to see a Red Kite here, when Kevin said he had never seen one come in off the sea!!!!! The sun was now glittering over the waves and the Red Kite looked stunning as it flew against the dark sea - Wow, what a morning! An Auk sp. flew west at 10.17am and Eddie picked up a juv. Shag close in flying west. Several gannets passing through. A turnstone was on the beach along with a young common tern. The action seemed to die down after a while, so we left at 11am.

Phil recommended Roy Boys Cafe (37 Station Road) in the town for a good breakfast, so off we went. I had a fantastic vege breakfast of fried bread, egg, saute potatoes, tomatoes laden with melted cheese, baked beans and toast with marmalade - all excellent for the waist line!!! Scrumptious. Went back to Coastguards where I had left my car earlier. The wind now was very fierce and I could hardly open and close the car door. The sea now looked ferocious. Went to VC for a while and then snoozed in the car in the now hot sunshine.

Had to leave mid afternoon to get back home for a plumber arriving to fit my new shower. All done and completed thank goodness.

Other bird news in Norfolk today: The Little Bittern remains at Titchwell RSPB.

From RBA - MEGA in Cornwall GREATER YELLOWLEGS ad Wadebridge just south of River Camel at Treraven Meadows.

PHOTOGRAPHS TO BE ADDED

Weather this week!!!

SHERINGHAM

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/hdfForecast?query=sheringham

Little Bittern again!!!

Arrived at Titchwell RSPB at 7.30am.

The Little Bittern had been seen by a couple of people briefly whilst I was there, but not by me or several others. It was sunny but a lot colder this morning and I didn't waste much time in putting on my waterproof mac to keep warm! Eddie told me it was raining heavily in Cley! By 9am I was getting bored so went off round the Fen Trail. I found loads of birds in the large sycamore tree just before the hide: a skulky Garden Warbler, at least 3 Chiffchaffs, male and female Blackcap, a party of long tailed tits, blue tit, great tit, chaffinch and a robin! Oh and I heard a bullfinch too. Sat in the Fen hide eating my marmalade sandwich and coffee fix. I then went back to the Little Bittern spot where I did see it again, but can't remember what time it was to be honest - around 10.15ish I think. The Little Bittern was much more skulky today - yep, even more so than yesterday and much less mobile - it stayed in the far right pool most of the day on and off and you really needed to be 6ft plus for any possible chance of photos. There were as many people there today as yesterday - can't really say how many though, approx 100. There were several people going down the bank a bit too far, including an elderly lady who at her age should know better!!!! 'Big Jake' as he is affectionately known (long time hard-core twitcher from the good old days) was there today - note, he was standing on the path! - nice to see you.

At 12pm I went to the car for lunch - sandwiches today! I had parked in the little lane which adjoins the end of the main footpath so it was nice and quiet and the car was wonderfully warm when I got inside and shut the door, so warm that I felt a snooze coming on - probably due to the fact that I had not fully recovered from my late night out on Friday - too much at my grand old age! Put the seat back, head on my feather pillow and that was it - when I stirred and opened my eyes I guessed it to be around 1pm and was shocked to read my watch saying 1.37pm!!!! Sat munching my sandwiches and drinking coffee to wake up and then went back to see the Little Bittern. I hadn't missed anything at all as it had not been seen for quite a while, but was now on show, well I say on show - on the water's edge with reeds in front - fine if you are taller than me!

Ian Clarke (not a relation!) took a stunning picture of the Little Bittern yesterday (when I was lunching!) here: http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?rty=3&r=0&off=317315&v=0

Got a text from my younger sister Vivien to say she had just arrived at our parents at Holme, so I nipped over to visit her, being as I had not seen her for ages - I can't remember the last time I saw her which is dreadful really, I used to see her so much more - my fault really.

Went back to Titchwell - stubbonly hoping to get my hoped for picture, but the Little Bittern was still hiding in the same pool and no hope of a picture whatsoever! So I will have to live with my record shots from last night which a couple of people said they would have been happy with them if they had taken them - but me.... no I wasn't! I take my hat off to Phil Vines who was standing patiently on the bottom path and by chance got a fab picture taken on manual setting, when the reeds were blown for a second, just long enough to enable him to take a picture! I also met Stuart and Sue King who read my blog and sent me a lovely email the other day - they are staying in Norfolk for a week's birding this week and GRAHAM if you are reading this - they know you too!!!!! (You all bird at Eyebrook Reservoir and you are known as the 'Masterchef'). I hope you both have a top week's birding and also because I am on holiday this week too (smiley face)!!!!!!!!!!!! Easterlies on Thursday!!!!!! I left Titchwell at about 7.15pm and parked the car on the concrete pad, just east along the road after the Titchwell entrance to sit and have a coffee and a sandwich and I am glad I did! There were 16 Egyptian Geese in the ploughed field opposite and a fantastic sighting of hundreds of Swallows and Sand Martins spiralling high overhead, going west - as they flew over my car they continued towards the setting sun, through pink and orange skies. A beautiful end to the day!

OTHER BIRDS SEEN IN NORFOLK TODAY:
• In the Titchwell RSPB Sightings book - 'Cory's Shearwater between 1.55pm and 2.05pm' - it didn't say if it was going east or west - there was a signature (couldn't read it), but didn't know who it was. I phoned this through to RBA which I don't normally do, but thought it was a relevant sighting to let people know about.
• No sign of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Titchwell today.
• Also no sign of the Pallid Harrier that was seen yesterday.
• Cattle Egret was only seen once in the morning at 8.36am - Titchwell RSPB.
• Red-footed Falcon (ad female) near East Dereham at Toftwood at midday then flew south.
• Black Tern flew east past Sheringham early morning.

Roll on tomorrow!!!

PICTURES TO BE ADDED

Little Bittern, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Cattle Egret, Red Kite - the list goes on!!!!!

WOW What a day!!!!!

An excellent start to my holiday - even though I DID NOT arrive at dawn as planned!!!!!

The only bad thing about today, was the fact I was trying to survive on about 3 hours sleep after my long night out!

Arrived at Titchwell RSPB at just after 9am (ish) and the car parks were already full, so had to park on the side of the road.

Tons of birders waiting to see the juv. Little Bittern. In fact most Norfolk birders that I knew were there and obviously some from further afield. Saw the Cattle Egret perched on the dead trees east of the reed beds, where the egrets and harriers roost. I waited and waited until I eventually had a good but brief view of the juv Little Bittern clambering over reeds and then out of sight at 11.05am for a few seconds only - sadly not quite long enough to press the shutter on the camera though! We were treated to stupendous views of a Red Kite soaring overhead with marsh harriers hassling at 10.30am and it hung around for quite a while. Cettis Warblers could be heard bursting into song. After 3 hours of standing waiting in the same spot in hope of that elusive picture I had to give up at 1.50pm to go to the cafe for lunch with Eddie before they stopped serving at 2pm. BIG MISTAKE! Note to self: 'Always take sandwiches when birding'. I got a phone call to let me know that it was showing at around 2.10pm. By the time we got back to the main path where it had been seen, it was showing (2.35pm), but limited viewing behind reeds - it had been out in the open and the paparazzi had got their pictures - I was not a happy bunny! Oh well, you win some, you lose some!

Eddie and I walked up to Parrinder Hide and had distant but lovely views of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, loads of pied wagtails, a white wagtail, at least 7 yellow wagtails, meadow pipits, several ruff, redshanks, lapwings, curlew sandpiper, lots of lapwings, 2 snipe, 1 Little Stint and 2 Spoonbills.

Going back along the main path we watched the Little Bittern until 7.43pm this evening and these were my best views. Watched it fishing and got a few records shots - beautiful bird and was my first juv. The last one I saw was an adult at Titchwell a few years ago.

For those of you going tomorrow - it definately helps if you are tall!!!

I have made my sandwiches for tomorrow!

PALLID HARRIER turned up now at Watton this evening!!!
DOTTEREL x 2 at Cley
Pectoral Sandpiper at Cantley.

PICTURES TO BE ADDED

Party Time!!!!!

Now clubbing - showing the youngsters how to dance!!!!!!!!

So glad I didn't miss the Little Bittern after all!!!!!! I will photograph it at dawn!!!!!!!

Now on a weeks holiday - wahoooooooo!!!!!!!

I am totally sober by the way - the only one here that is!!!!!

Since I always lose 2lbs after clubbing I will be able to have a cheese scone or similar tomorrow!!

Typing all this cos I am waiting for the main dance floor to open at 11.15pm so I can do some serious grooving............

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Brilliant Night!!!!!

This Michael Jackson tribute concert is awesome!!!!

Amir Sharma was a genious. If you closed your eyes - it was like listening to Michael again - and I should know, as I have seen him three times in concert - twice at Wembley and once at Milton Keynes. Amir flew round the stage and matched Michael's energy and performance (almost!) for almost three hours and received the biggest and loudest applause I have ever heard at the Corn Exchange! His backing singers were brilliant as were the guitarist and drummer.

The first half of the concert (there was a 20 minute interval midway) everyone remained seated - which I found very frustrating, I so wanted to dance - how could people stay seated! By the time the second half started, I couldn't stand it any longer - I stood and I danced. It didn't take long for other people to follow suite and by the time "Thriller" was performed, just above everyone was up and dancing!!! The whole place was rocking by the end! A brilliant performance.

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VIDEOS AND PICTURES TO BE ADDED

Found this video on youtube of Amir Sharma performing.

Little Bittern - Titchwell!!!

Gutted - can't go this evening!!!!!!

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Hot Birding!!!

Citrine Wagtail (for third day) still at Cley and also a Cattle Egret! I would have gone over this evening, but the light goes so quickly now in the evenings. Here are some fabulous pictures of the Citrine Wagtail: http://www.birdingworld.co.uk/Cley%202011.1.htm

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Titchwell RSPB from Parrinder Hide.

Pectoral Sandpiper at Cantley Beet Factory.

LEAST SANDPIPER in Farlington, Kent!!!

Blog Followers Back, Feeling good!

Just updated Firefox (my web browser) and all 'Followers' have appeared again!

Re: Tonsillitis virus - feel much better today - may have something to do with the fact that I know I am on holiday for a week as from tomorrow!!!

Thank you for all very much for my get well emails and messages - it is much appreciated.

The Ultimate MJ Tribute Show tomorrow!!!

I going to watch Amir Sharma tomorrow "Jackson Live In Concert - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Show" in King's Lynn!!!

Playing In The Shadows OUT NOW

EXAMPLE'S Playing In The Shadows OUT NOW
Bought this album yesterday - its awesome!!!!!

Citrine Wagtail at Cley!!!!

From Dauke"s Hide NWT this evening "for 2nd day"!!!!!!!!


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THE BIG YEAR - trailer out now!!!

"The Big Year" is based on Mark Obmascik's book "The Big Year"

This film can be seen in cinemas from 14th October.

Rubbish week!

Soooo fed up with being ill - tonsillitis back again, glands up, exhausted and struggling to go to work. Had a blood test on Monday to find out what is going on. I am on holiday next week, so hope I am feeling better by then! This is getting beyond boring now. Not a good week all round. My shower has packed up and need to buy a new one and find a plumber who I can trust. I was going to B&Q tonight after work to attempt to choose a new shower, but felt so ill I just went home and collapsed on the sofa. It was Alice's last day today at work - very sad she is rotating as she has been a joy to work with, but sadly all Band 5 Physios and Occupational Therapists have to rotate onto another team every four months for two years. I still have not installed my new external hard drives, so obviously have not been able to download tons of pictures off my camera including the Bird Fair yet. Hopefully I will find the energy to do this soon as I am now the most behind I have ever been with sorting/selecting pictures and adding to blog. AND if next door's new Doberman puppy barks and yelps any longer I am going to throw a serious wobbly!!! So selfish to buy a dog and leave it in the house whilst you are at work, resulting in the dog barking, yelping and wining the entire time the owners are not in the house - lovely for the rest of us!!!

I have also lost all my '106 FOLLOWERS' on my blog - don't know where the App. has gone or what has happened!!!!!!!!!!

Eddie Myers at Nancy's Cafe!!!!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49915677@N06/4578244899/in/photostream

Rain stops play!!!

Heavy rain most of the afternoon.

2 Great White Egrets were found at Stiffkey by Chris Mills, which sadly I didn't get to see - case of being in the right place but at the wrong time!!!

Holme - Several Common Scoter and 2 Gannets going west.

Morston Quay - whilst looking for the 2 Great White Egrets, 1 Spoonbill and 1 Greenshank.

Searching for Barred Warbler at Warham Greens

Well that's what we were hoping for anyway!!!

I had a lie in this morning as needed it. Yesterday at work I had the start of yes, another sore throat after finishing my second lot of antibiotics in the last few weeks. I gurgled warm salt water last night several times, took nurofen and went to to bed early and today I seem to be fine, thank goodness, hopefully I have finally beaten the tonsillitis!

Met Eddie at Stiffkey Campsite carpark and worked hard to find a Barred Warbler or something! Walked west to the 'whirligig' and sadly saw very little. But it was to be expected really given the winds. Only birds seen were 2 Greenshanks, 4 Whimbrels, a flock of 60+ Golden Plover, little egrets, the odd common whitethroat, hedgesparrows, goldfinches and a few swallows. We walked as far the west track. I was shocked to see by the whirlygig 3 Llamas being walked by people - no I am not making this up!!!! It was incredibly hot now. A pale, chunky warbler dived into a bramble on the way back and absolutely refused to be flushed out! It looked a good candidate for 'barred'.

Went for lunch and then drove along the coast road - tons of traffic, worse than a bank holiday! Visited my parents.


Redwell Marsh Reserve, Holme NOA.

I have never seen so little here - 1 black tailed godwit and a few mallard. Walked along the path alongside the river and up by the standing caravan. On the coastal footpath opposite the pay hut we watched a Turtle Dove come in off the sea and go south at 7.22pm - bird of the day!

Long Lost Ladybird species found breeding in UK!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/aug/31/rare-ladybird-breeding-uk

David Lindo signing books in King's Lynn!!!

David Lindo will be at Waterstones, Kings Lynn at 6pm for a book signing session this Saturday 3rd September.

"Changed The Way You Kiss Me" - EXAMPLE

Was going to bed early - but hooked watching the V-Festival highlights and saw Example on stage with the following awesome tune!!!!