Wednesday, 14 November 2012
"In Pursuit of the Ridiculous"
Rob Lambert explains "Twitching" to Matthew Oates, Naturalist and Ecologist with the National Trust – BBC Radio 4 – second part of a new five part series.
Tuesday, 13 November 2012
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
Sacred Ibis at Cley
Ross's Goose, 6 Barnacle Geese, 2 White-fronted Geese, 4 Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe
Red Kite at Burnham Overy Staithe
Snowbuntings x 110, Whooper Swans x 2, Short-eared Owl at Holme
Velvet Scoter x 4, Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Crossbilss x 6, Snow Buntings x 5 at Hunstanton
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham
Short-eared Owl at Holkham
Short-eared Owl x 4 at Chedgrave
Jack Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Med. Gull x 2 at Titchwell
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
Sacred Ibis at Cley
Ross's Goose, 6 Barnacle Geese, 2 White-fronted Geese, 4 Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe
Red Kite at Burnham Overy Staithe
Snowbuntings x 110, Whooper Swans x 2, Short-eared Owl at Holme
Velvet Scoter x 4, Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Crossbilss x 6, Snow Buntings x 5 at Hunstanton
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham
Short-eared Owl at Holkham
Short-eared Owl x 4 at Chedgrave
Jack Snipe, Yellow-legged Gull, Med. Gull x 2 at Titchwell
WEIGHTWATCHERS
WEEK ONE
The beginning of a new me. I decided enough was enough, tired of being overweight. Every time I look in the mirror I see someone else, not the Penny that was. I have tried to do Weight Watchers at home with the old 'points system' and failed. I decided I need to be more regimented and take it seriously. Paying out money every week and being weighed, makes you serious about dieting! So this evening I joined Weight Watchers. It now works on the 'Pro Points System' which is similar to the old system really. I have been allocated 26 Pro Points per day and everyone gets 49 on top of that per week. Just to give you an idea fish and chips is 30 Pro Points – so being clever with the points, you could still have fish and chips each week! No more cheese scones from Cley VC! I will report each week how much I have lost. By Spring next year a new Penny will emerge, hopefully!
The beginning of a new me. I decided enough was enough, tired of being overweight. Every time I look in the mirror I see someone else, not the Penny that was. I have tried to do Weight Watchers at home with the old 'points system' and failed. I decided I need to be more regimented and take it seriously. Paying out money every week and being weighed, makes you serious about dieting! So this evening I joined Weight Watchers. It now works on the 'Pro Points System' which is similar to the old system really. I have been allocated 26 Pro Points per day and everyone gets 49 on top of that per week. Just to give you an idea fish and chips is 30 Pro Points – so being clever with the points, you could still have fish and chips each week! No more cheese scones from Cley VC! I will report each week how much I have lost. By Spring next year a new Penny will emerge, hopefully!
Monday, 12 November 2012
Richard Hammond's Miracles Of Nature
Fascinating three part documentary series
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2012/45/richard-hammonds-miracles-of-nature.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2012/45/richard-hammonds-miracles-of-nature.html
Bird News etc!
I am doing the early shifts this week, so got home at a decent time and was intending to sort emails and add some pictures to blog, but I made the fatal mistake of having a quick nap. I woke up at 9.30pm!!!
Main Highlights in Norfolk
Waxwings at various locations
Snowbuntings x 36, 6 Twite, Water Pipit at Cley
Bewick's Swans x 3 at Thornham
Water Pipit x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen
Shorelark at Holme
Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell
Great White Egret, Ross's Goose at Breydon Water
Main Highlights in Norfolk
Waxwings at various locations
Snowbuntings x 36, 6 Twite, Water Pipit at Cley
Bewick's Swans x 3 at Thornham
Water Pipit x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen
Shorelark at Holme
Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell
Great White Egret, Ross's Goose at Breydon Water
Sunday, 11 November 2012
Happy Birthday Vivien!!!
It was my baby sister's Birthday today. We had a lovely lunch at The Three Swallows at Cley. It was a good job we got there early as people were almost queueing for tables by 1pm. Cruised along the coast to Titchwell and walked to the beach and back via the East Trail. Vivien isn't a birder and I didn't want to spoil her day, so didn't really bird very much. Tons of waders on the beach including huge numbers of sanderling and turnstones feeding along the tide line, along with oystercatchers and a few knot and other waders. Big flock of golden plover on the fresh marsh with usual waders and huge flocks of starlings swirling in the setting sun. A couple of jays were seen on the East Trail with loads of coots on Patsy's Pool.
Went to visit our parents for the evening, where I found mother attempting to saw branches from a tree in the dark – told her her off, but there's no stopping her doing crazy things. She shouldn't be cutting trees down at her age anyway, never mind in the dark. She got a massive ticking off! Not that it made the slightest bit of difference! Mother was fascinated by an article in The Times today about blogging and how to create a successful blog – don't think I do too badly! It was interesting reading about bloggers who make an absolute fortune with advertising etc which made me think about looking into this more seriously. The trouble is I didn't want to spoil my blog with adverts, but it is very tempting financially. Anyone else made any money out of Adsense or similiar?
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
THREE OTTERS at Cley this morning!
Waxwings all along the coast today.
Ross's Goose at Haddiscoe
Black Brant, Great Northern Diver, Great Skua, 7 Lapland Buntings at Burnham Overy Staithe
Ring Ouzel, Velvet Scoter, Short-eared Owl, Caspian Gull at Cley
Long-tailed Duck x 4, Velvet Scoter, Scaup, Water Pipit at Titchwell
Snowbuntings x 30 at Caister
Jack Snipe, Water Pipit at Strumpshaw Fen
Short-eared Owl, Snowbunting, Velvet Scoter at Trimmingham
Crossbills x 11 at Stiffkey
Eurasian White-fronted Goose x 5, Water Pipit at Holkham
Woodlark, Snowbuntings x 70 at Holme
Some cracking pictures of the Shags at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening – see HERE
Went to visit our parents for the evening, where I found mother attempting to saw branches from a tree in the dark – told her her off, but there's no stopping her doing crazy things. She shouldn't be cutting trees down at her age anyway, never mind in the dark. She got a massive ticking off! Not that it made the slightest bit of difference! Mother was fascinated by an article in The Times today about blogging and how to create a successful blog – don't think I do too badly! It was interesting reading about bloggers who make an absolute fortune with advertising etc which made me think about looking into this more seriously. The trouble is I didn't want to spoil my blog with adverts, but it is very tempting financially. Anyone else made any money out of Adsense or similiar?
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
THREE OTTERS at Cley this morning!
Waxwings all along the coast today.
Ross's Goose at Haddiscoe
Black Brant, Great Northern Diver, Great Skua, 7 Lapland Buntings at Burnham Overy Staithe
Ring Ouzel, Velvet Scoter, Short-eared Owl, Caspian Gull at Cley
Long-tailed Duck x 4, Velvet Scoter, Scaup, Water Pipit at Titchwell
Snowbuntings x 30 at Caister
Jack Snipe, Water Pipit at Strumpshaw Fen
Short-eared Owl, Snowbunting, Velvet Scoter at Trimmingham
Crossbills x 11 at Stiffkey
Eurasian White-fronted Goose x 5, Water Pipit at Holkham
Woodlark, Snowbuntings x 70 at Holme
Some cracking pictures of the Shags at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening – see HERE
Saturday, 10 November 2012
Hunstanton Cliffs
Raining nearly all day.
I started to count Shags at around 4pm (Hunstanton), but the 20+ that had gone to roost were disturbed by late walkers underneath the cliffs and then intermingled with others arriving! So my totals went completely to pot!!!! I would guess at least 30+ probably more like 50 to be honest, but who knows!!! Also I couldn't stay as long as I wanted, as there were several angry looking dogs about.
Main Highlights in Norfolk - RBA
Waxwings at various locations throughout the county
Snowbuntings at Holme and Cley
Hen Harriers at Thorpe Marshes
Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw
Water Pipits at Cley and Titchwell
Tundra Bean Goose at Choseley
SWIFT sp. at Hemsby
No sign of the Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford or the Red-backed Shrike at Weybourne
I started to count Shags at around 4pm (Hunstanton), but the 20+ that had gone to roost were disturbed by late walkers underneath the cliffs and then intermingled with others arriving! So my totals went completely to pot!!!! I would guess at least 30+ probably more like 50 to be honest, but who knows!!! Also I couldn't stay as long as I wanted, as there were several angry looking dogs about.
Main Highlights in Norfolk - RBA
Waxwings at various locations throughout the county
Snowbuntings at Holme and Cley
Hen Harriers at Thorpe Marshes
Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw
Water Pipits at Cley and Titchwell
Tundra Bean Goose at Choseley
SWIFT sp. at Hemsby
No sign of the Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford or the Red-backed Shrike at Weybourne
Friday, 9 November 2012
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk - RBA
Red-backed Shrike at Weybourne
Water Pipit x 3, Jack Snipe, Bittern and 2 Otters at Strumpshaw Fen
Great Northern Diver x 2 at Cley
Hawfinch x 2 at Lynford Arboretum
Crossbills x 8 at Hunstanton
Jack Snipe, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe,
Long-tailed Duck x 2, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Hen Harrier at Brancaster
Waxwings all along the coast
I received an email on Monday from the RSPB/Paramo informing me that if I purchased the Halacon Coat from Paramo I would receive a free Torres Gilet FREE (RRP £80) – now understandably I was pretty gutted, having already bought this coat and had just missed out on this fabulous freebie, so I emailed Paramo and I explained that I was upset that I had missed out on their fantastic offer, only days after I had purchased my jacket and they very, very kindly posted me a free Gilet anyway!!!! I received this today, so very pleased indeed!!!
I am also very pleased, because ITS FRIDAY!!! Have a great weekend everyone!
Red-backed Shrike at Weybourne
Water Pipit x 3, Jack Snipe, Bittern and 2 Otters at Strumpshaw Fen
Great Northern Diver x 2 at Cley
Hawfinch x 2 at Lynford Arboretum
Crossbills x 8 at Hunstanton
Jack Snipe, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe,
Long-tailed Duck x 2, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Hen Harrier at Brancaster
Waxwings all along the coast
I received an email on Monday from the RSPB/Paramo informing me that if I purchased the Halacon Coat from Paramo I would receive a free Torres Gilet FREE (RRP £80) – now understandably I was pretty gutted, having already bought this coat and had just missed out on this fabulous freebie, so I emailed Paramo and I explained that I was upset that I had missed out on their fantastic offer, only days after I had purchased my jacket and they very, very kindly posted me a free Gilet anyway!!!! I received this today, so very pleased indeed!!!
I am also very pleased, because ITS FRIDAY!!! Have a great weekend everyone!
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
BLACK-BELLIED DIPPER at Thetford
Richard's Pipit at Holkham
Water Pipit and Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen
Great White Egret at Horsey
Slavonian Grebe and Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Barnacle Goose at Choseley
Black-throated Diver at Salthouse
Snowbuntings, Hen Harriers and Waxwings at various locations
BLACK-BELLIED DIPPER at Thetford
Richard's Pipit at Holkham
Water Pipit and Jack Snipe at Strumpshaw Fen
Great White Egret at Horsey
Slavonian Grebe and Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Barnacle Goose at Choseley
Black-throated Diver at Salthouse
Snowbuntings, Hen Harriers and Waxwings at various locations
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
BLACK-BELLIED DIPPER at Thetford
Ross's Goose at Horsey
Great White Egret at Waxham
Velvet Scoter at Hunstanton
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Holkham
Common Crane x 10 at Horsey
Caspian Gulls x 3, Yellow-leg Gulls x 4 at Aldeby
Barnacle Geese x 2 at Choseley
Hen Harrier x 3 at Stiffkey
Lots of Waxwings at various locations along the coast
Snowbuntings and Crossbills at Holme and Hunstanton
Huge numbers of waxwings through Norfolk today with a flock of 30 being seen at Snettisham alone!!! On the subject of Waxwings, this youtube film of a Waxwing feeding on an apple from young Henry Hyndman's hands on Fair Isle is just so lovely!
BLACK-BELLIED DIPPER at Thetford
Ross's Goose at Horsey
Great White Egret at Waxham
Velvet Scoter at Hunstanton
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Holkham
Common Crane x 10 at Horsey
Caspian Gulls x 3, Yellow-leg Gulls x 4 at Aldeby
Barnacle Geese x 2 at Choseley
Hen Harrier x 3 at Stiffkey
Lots of Waxwings at various locations along the coast
Snowbuntings and Crossbills at Holme and Hunstanton
Huge numbers of waxwings through Norfolk today with a flock of 30 being seen at Snettisham alone!!! On the subject of Waxwings, this youtube film of a Waxwing feeding on an apple from young Henry Hyndman's hands on Fair Isle is just so lovely!
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Bird News!
Went to a Jamie Oliver Party at Sarah's house this evening. Not really into J.O., but it was lovely spending quality time with the girls from work and catching up with Lesley who has recently retired. Thanks to Sarah and Claire and everyone else for a lovely evening.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
DIPPER at Thetford
Hoopoe at Old Hunstanton
Jacksnipe at Strumpshaw Fen
Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck x 2, Lapland Bunting x 4, Water Pipit x 3 at Cley
Little Auk, Great Skua at Scratby
Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck x 3 at Titchwell
Ross's Goose at Waxham
Great Northern Diver at Holkham
Ferruginous Duck at Welney WWT
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
DIPPER at Thetford
Hoopoe at Old Hunstanton
Jacksnipe at Strumpshaw Fen
Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck x 2, Lapland Bunting x 4, Water Pipit x 3 at Cley
Little Auk, Great Skua at Scratby
Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck x 3 at Titchwell
Ross's Goose at Waxham
Great Northern Diver at Holkham
Ferruginous Duck at Welney WWT
Rarely-seen sea bird flocks to Norfolk - News - Eastern Daily Press
As I was the only person counting these Shags on Sunday evening, I presume my count of 112 Shags has been published incorrectly!
Rarely-seen sea bird flocks to Norfolk - News - Eastern Daily Press
Rarely-seen sea bird flocks to Norfolk - News - Eastern Daily Press
Monday, 5 November 2012
Bird News!
I wish I hadn't bothered telling my work colleagues today about the record number of Shags I recorded at Hunstanton last night – it only resulted in fits of giggles, uncontrollable hysteria and silly behaviour all round! Oh well at least I made people laugh this morning! One particular lady was laughing so much, her mascara ran and another had to get tissues to mop up the tears rolling down her cheeks! I ended up laughing just as much as them! Well, they shouldn't have made the fatal mistake of asking how my holiday was and asking 'did I see any good birds?'!!!! They only ask to be polite bless them and I know they hope very much that I don't run on tooooo much about birds I have seen – its dead boring to non-birders, all this bird talk. One day though, maybe, possibly, one of them might just get hooked!
I had a lovely surprise today when a lady I used to work with at the Lynn News joined us this morning. I worked alongside her for seven years and have not seen her for a long time. She is now training as Occupational Therapy Student and will be working with us on placement for six weeks.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings all along the coast
Sacred Ibis at Salthouse
Ross's Goose at Waxham
2 Long-tailed Ducks at Titchwell RSPB
2 Black Redstarts at Hunstanton
Velvet Scoter and Short-eared Owl at Hopton-on-Sea
Ferruginous Duck at Welney WWT
2 Jack Snipe, 4 Water Pipits at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
2 Caspian Gulls, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Water Pipits at Cley
Great Northern Diver at Holme
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby
Velvet Scoter, Puffin, 3 Shags at Walcott
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
Andy Brown recorded 40 Shags roosting at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening.
I had a lovely surprise today when a lady I used to work with at the Lynn News joined us this morning. I worked alongside her for seven years and have not seen her for a long time. She is now training as Occupational Therapy Student and will be working with us on placement for six weeks.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings all along the coast
Sacred Ibis at Salthouse
Ross's Goose at Waxham
2 Long-tailed Ducks at Titchwell RSPB
2 Black Redstarts at Hunstanton
Velvet Scoter and Short-eared Owl at Hopton-on-Sea
Ferruginous Duck at Welney WWT
2 Jack Snipe, 4 Water Pipits at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
2 Caspian Gulls, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Water Pipits at Cley
Great Northern Diver at Holme
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby
Velvet Scoter, Puffin, 3 Shags at Walcott
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
Andy Brown recorded 40 Shags roosting at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
112 Shags at Hunstanton Cliffs!!!
A NEW NORFOLK RECORD!!!
A dull, rainy and uninspiring day. I started off at Hunstanton Cliffs to see if any of the Shags that roosted last night had left the cliffs yet, I could only see three distantly. The incoming tide was lapping the rocks at the base of the cliffs, so it was not possible to walk along the beach. There were good numbers of turnstone feeding along the shore, one fulmar and several blackbirds in the sea buckthorn. Further along the promenade there were 30+ turnstone huddled together on the pebbly beach with a solitary sanderling amongst them at the water's edge. Every time a wave splashed across them they scurried a few inches away to drier ground, re-positioned themselves and then tucked their heads under their wings to settle again. Spent quite a long time here, photographing these magical birds. Walking back along the cliff top gardens I had a surprise of a little egret flying east over the bowling green at 8.45am! A few blackbirds sitting looking cold in bushes and three house sparrows were having a scrap with two pied wagtails on a roof top!
One redwing at Beach Road, Holme. Stopped at Choseley to see if any of the bramblings remained – there were a good number approximately 50+ but nowhere near as many as yesterday. Thousands of pinkfeet filled the skies east of the drying barns.
I then went to a friend's house at Brancaster to view their leucistic female Blackbird. The bird was hopping about in their garden and was very striking indeed! A mostly white bird with hints of black and a yellow beak. It only allowed me a few initially photographs and didn't return again whilst I was there. This was the most exciting bird in my holiday! The blackbird has been in their garden since about Wednesday last week. See HERE for information on leucistic and albino birds.
Titchwell RSPB for lunch. It was pouring with rain and looked set for the rest of the day, so I decided the best thing to do was to sit in a hide somewhere. I spent nearly three hours in the hides at Holme Marsh Reserve and only saw 2 marsh harriers, 1 little grebe, a pheasant, mallard, teal and blackbirds. I was so bored I almost went home early. I decided I would make the effort to count the shags coming in to roost this evening.
As it was raining, I broke all rules and drove down past the Sailing Club at Hunstanton, along the prom to the furthest point you can drive at the base of the cliffs. Only sailing club members are supposed to drive along that section! I couldn't be bothered to walk all the way down the flights of steps in the rain and it was freezing cold aswell. I sat in my car and could see shags gathering on the sea ready to fly in to roost on the cliffs. I could only count just over 30 initially and at that stage presumed my count would be far less, than the 41 I saw last night. I left the warmth of my car and got ready for the big count. Minutes later more shags appeared and then took off and flew to the east side of the cliffs, I counted 47. I thought this was it, but they kept appearing, some flew in from far out to sea and a whole line of them came from the west!!! I kept counting until I couldn't see any more and the staggering result was 112 Shags flew in to roost on the cliffs!!! I just couldn't believe that I had seen this many! This a record count for Norfolk I have found out this evening, so I am over the moon about this. What a fabulous way to end my holiday!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
Lapland Bunting and 20 Snowbunting at Salthouse
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
60 Snowbuntings at Holme
5 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
Sooty Shearwater at Cley
Rough-legged Buzzard at North Wootton
112 Shags at Hunstanton Cliffs
Update: 83 Shags at Cromer Pier this evening, see HERE
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
A dull, rainy and uninspiring day. I started off at Hunstanton Cliffs to see if any of the Shags that roosted last night had left the cliffs yet, I could only see three distantly. The incoming tide was lapping the rocks at the base of the cliffs, so it was not possible to walk along the beach. There were good numbers of turnstone feeding along the shore, one fulmar and several blackbirds in the sea buckthorn. Further along the promenade there were 30+ turnstone huddled together on the pebbly beach with a solitary sanderling amongst them at the water's edge. Every time a wave splashed across them they scurried a few inches away to drier ground, re-positioned themselves and then tucked their heads under their wings to settle again. Spent quite a long time here, photographing these magical birds. Walking back along the cliff top gardens I had a surprise of a little egret flying east over the bowling green at 8.45am! A few blackbirds sitting looking cold in bushes and three house sparrows were having a scrap with two pied wagtails on a roof top!
One redwing at Beach Road, Holme. Stopped at Choseley to see if any of the bramblings remained – there were a good number approximately 50+ but nowhere near as many as yesterday. Thousands of pinkfeet filled the skies east of the drying barns.
I then went to a friend's house at Brancaster to view their leucistic female Blackbird. The bird was hopping about in their garden and was very striking indeed! A mostly white bird with hints of black and a yellow beak. It only allowed me a few initially photographs and didn't return again whilst I was there. This was the most exciting bird in my holiday! The blackbird has been in their garden since about Wednesday last week. See HERE for information on leucistic and albino birds.
Titchwell RSPB for lunch. It was pouring with rain and looked set for the rest of the day, so I decided the best thing to do was to sit in a hide somewhere. I spent nearly three hours in the hides at Holme Marsh Reserve and only saw 2 marsh harriers, 1 little grebe, a pheasant, mallard, teal and blackbirds. I was so bored I almost went home early. I decided I would make the effort to count the shags coming in to roost this evening.
As it was raining, I broke all rules and drove down past the Sailing Club at Hunstanton, along the prom to the furthest point you can drive at the base of the cliffs. Only sailing club members are supposed to drive along that section! I couldn't be bothered to walk all the way down the flights of steps in the rain and it was freezing cold aswell. I sat in my car and could see shags gathering on the sea ready to fly in to roost on the cliffs. I could only count just over 30 initially and at that stage presumed my count would be far less, than the 41 I saw last night. I left the warmth of my car and got ready for the big count. Minutes later more shags appeared and then took off and flew to the east side of the cliffs, I counted 47. I thought this was it, but they kept appearing, some flew in from far out to sea and a whole line of them came from the west!!! I kept counting until I couldn't see any more and the staggering result was 112 Shags flew in to roost on the cliffs!!! I just couldn't believe that I had seen this many! This a record count for Norfolk I have found out this evening, so I am over the moon about this. What a fabulous way to end my holiday!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
Lapland Bunting and 20 Snowbunting at Salthouse
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
60 Snowbuntings at Holme
5 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
Sooty Shearwater at Cley
Rough-legged Buzzard at North Wootton
112 Shags at Hunstanton Cliffs
Update: 83 Shags at Cromer Pier this evening, see HERE
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Saturday, 3 November 2012
A Top Draw Day!!!
An unexpected day – filled with birds, lunch with a celeb, awesome afternoon and an incredible evening!!!
"Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin........."
Titchwell RSPB
Firstly it was cold, really cold this morning. I decided that I was going to see lots of birds today – not looking for any more rares – lets face it, 'autumn' migration is over. I have accepted that we are now into winter birding, live with it, love it and embrace it! As I walked along the main bank I saw two strikingly pretty Redpolls land in the trees by the Island hide, they immediately took off again and followed the bank seaward – nothing more than 'common' but a nice start to the day. A Cettis's Warbler burst a few notes. The water seemed quite high on the fresh marsh and I couldn't see anything too exciting – there were a couple of pintail and a grey heron on the pool west of the main bank. But the sea was exciting! There were quite a few birders seawatching including Ray Kimber, Tony Gray et al. Birds seen from 9am until just after midday on the sea were:
4 Red-necked Grebes
5 Slavonian Grebes
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Red-breasted Mergansers
1 Red-throated Diver
5 Long-tailed Ducks
4 Eider
9 Golden Eye
1 Velvet Scoter
21 Common Scoter
4 Gannets
6 Brent Geese
1 Shag
1 Guillemot
1 Razorbill
On the shore there were several oystercatchers, turnstone, sanderling, 8 knot, 1 curlew and 12 Snowbuntings on the strand line. A herring gull wore a yellow ring 2Y2B on left leg and a small silver metal ring on the right leg. A Red Kite flew directly over our heads west at 11.25am! It started to rain – they didn't forecast that! It was supposed to be sunshine for most of the day! It rained pretty hard, tested the new coat out anyway. A birder told me he had a 100+ bramblings at Choseley earlier this morning! I trudged back to the carparks, dumped all my gear in the car and then came back to have lunch in the 'Feeding Station'. I ordered cheese and onion potato skins, coleslaw, salad and a cup of tea. It was nice to sit in the warm and enjoy some good food. Mark Avery was signing his books today, both at Cley Visitor Centre and here at Titchwell, which I had completely forgotten about, otherwise I would have plugged the events for him yesterday. While I was having my lunch, Mark Avery walked into the Feeding station and came to sit at my table for his lunch. He only sat there because there were no other vacant seats though! We chatted briefly before Mark went into the shop to sign his books 'Fighting for Birds'. I left Titchwell just after 1pm.
Choseley Drying Barns
Along the road up to the barns there were 12 red-legged partridges along the verge. In a ploughed field I stopped to count 132 Lapwing mixed in with loads of woodpigeons and a few curlew and a marsh harrier flew across the road. Passing the drying barns in the hedgerows either side of the steep decline, tons of finches exploded in all directions! I parked the car up in the next field entrance and spent a couple of hours here. There were at least 200+ Bramblings!!! A huge flock – I can't remember even seeing a flock this big - they were just magical to watch and the sun was now out, which showed off their plumage beautifully. Mixed in with this huge flock of bramblings were linnets, chaffinches, greenfinches, one bullfinch and a yellowhammer. There were several robins and blackbirds about too. I spent a long time here, trying to photograph the bramblings, which proved very difficult indeed. Every time a car drove passed, the whole flock flew up, they were very nervous. The only potentially brilliant picture I could have had, was timed with my sister trying to ring me! I did get a few record shots though.
Hunstanton Cliffs
Parked near to the bowling green and then walked down the steps by the cafe to the rock pool beach below the cliffs. I walked close to the sea's edge, so I could view as much as the cliffs as possible. I had come here to attempt to see the incredible numbers of Shags that have been seen flying in every evening to roost on the cliffs recently. Andy Brown who has been monitoring them, said that they were gathering close to the sea's edge and then just as it turned dark, they fly to the cliffs to roost. I was not disappointed! There was another birder with scope standing a bit further away, I walked across to join them. The birder was here on holiday with his wife and small daughter and this was the final day of their holiday. The man had been told about the shags roosting here by Tony (volunteer at Titchwell). I was so pleased for him as he was in awe, (as I was) at the incredible numbers here. Lots of Shags were gathering on the sea, fairly close in. It was frustratingly difficult to count them in the failing light. Suddenly they took off and it was so exciting when we realised that they were heading straight for us! As they flew we were able to count 41 Shags coming into the cliffs to roost! They continued to fly towards us and as they neared, they spread out filling the air space and sailed right over our heads! They looked like pterodactyls flying over in the darkness!!! This spectacle was the icing on the cake to a fantastic day's birding.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Little Auk, Velvet Scoter at Cley
Black Redstarts at Hemsby, Salle and Heacham
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
15 Cranes and 2 Velvet Scoter at Waxham
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Ring Ouzel and Hen Harrier at Warham
40 Snowbuntings at Holme
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
"Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin........."
Titchwell RSPB
Firstly it was cold, really cold this morning. I decided that I was going to see lots of birds today – not looking for any more rares – lets face it, 'autumn' migration is over. I have accepted that we are now into winter birding, live with it, love it and embrace it! As I walked along the main bank I saw two strikingly pretty Redpolls land in the trees by the Island hide, they immediately took off again and followed the bank seaward – nothing more than 'common' but a nice start to the day. A Cettis's Warbler burst a few notes. The water seemed quite high on the fresh marsh and I couldn't see anything too exciting – there were a couple of pintail and a grey heron on the pool west of the main bank. But the sea was exciting! There were quite a few birders seawatching including Ray Kimber, Tony Gray et al. Birds seen from 9am until just after midday on the sea were:
4 Red-necked Grebes
5 Slavonian Grebes
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Red-breasted Mergansers
1 Red-throated Diver
5 Long-tailed Ducks
4 Eider
9 Golden Eye
1 Velvet Scoter
21 Common Scoter
4 Gannets
6 Brent Geese
1 Shag
1 Guillemot
1 Razorbill
On the shore there were several oystercatchers, turnstone, sanderling, 8 knot, 1 curlew and 12 Snowbuntings on the strand line. A herring gull wore a yellow ring 2Y2B on left leg and a small silver metal ring on the right leg. A Red Kite flew directly over our heads west at 11.25am! It started to rain – they didn't forecast that! It was supposed to be sunshine for most of the day! It rained pretty hard, tested the new coat out anyway. A birder told me he had a 100+ bramblings at Choseley earlier this morning! I trudged back to the carparks, dumped all my gear in the car and then came back to have lunch in the 'Feeding Station'. I ordered cheese and onion potato skins, coleslaw, salad and a cup of tea. It was nice to sit in the warm and enjoy some good food. Mark Avery was signing his books today, both at Cley Visitor Centre and here at Titchwell, which I had completely forgotten about, otherwise I would have plugged the events for him yesterday. While I was having my lunch, Mark Avery walked into the Feeding station and came to sit at my table for his lunch. He only sat there because there were no other vacant seats though! We chatted briefly before Mark went into the shop to sign his books 'Fighting for Birds'. I left Titchwell just after 1pm.
Choseley Drying Barns
Along the road up to the barns there were 12 red-legged partridges along the verge. In a ploughed field I stopped to count 132 Lapwing mixed in with loads of woodpigeons and a few curlew and a marsh harrier flew across the road. Passing the drying barns in the hedgerows either side of the steep decline, tons of finches exploded in all directions! I parked the car up in the next field entrance and spent a couple of hours here. There were at least 200+ Bramblings!!! A huge flock – I can't remember even seeing a flock this big - they were just magical to watch and the sun was now out, which showed off their plumage beautifully. Mixed in with this huge flock of bramblings were linnets, chaffinches, greenfinches, one bullfinch and a yellowhammer. There were several robins and blackbirds about too. I spent a long time here, trying to photograph the bramblings, which proved very difficult indeed. Every time a car drove passed, the whole flock flew up, they were very nervous. The only potentially brilliant picture I could have had, was timed with my sister trying to ring me! I did get a few record shots though.
Hunstanton Cliffs
Parked near to the bowling green and then walked down the steps by the cafe to the rock pool beach below the cliffs. I walked close to the sea's edge, so I could view as much as the cliffs as possible. I had come here to attempt to see the incredible numbers of Shags that have been seen flying in every evening to roost on the cliffs recently. Andy Brown who has been monitoring them, said that they were gathering close to the sea's edge and then just as it turned dark, they fly to the cliffs to roost. I was not disappointed! There was another birder with scope standing a bit further away, I walked across to join them. The birder was here on holiday with his wife and small daughter and this was the final day of their holiday. The man had been told about the shags roosting here by Tony (volunteer at Titchwell). I was so pleased for him as he was in awe, (as I was) at the incredible numbers here. Lots of Shags were gathering on the sea, fairly close in. It was frustratingly difficult to count them in the failing light. Suddenly they took off and it was so exciting when we realised that they were heading straight for us! As they flew we were able to count 41 Shags coming into the cliffs to roost! They continued to fly towards us and as they neared, they spread out filling the air space and sailed right over our heads! They looked like pterodactyls flying over in the darkness!!! This spectacle was the icing on the cake to a fantastic day's birding.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Little Auk, Velvet Scoter at Cley
Black Redstarts at Hemsby, Salle and Heacham
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
15 Cranes and 2 Velvet Scoter at Waxham
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Ring Ouzel and Hen Harrier at Warham
40 Snowbuntings at Holme
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Friday, 2 November 2012
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Great White Egret at Bale
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Common Crane x 2 at Burnham Thorpe
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Snowbuntings at Hunstanton and Holme
Waxwings x 2 at Strumpshaw
Hen Harriers x 5 Warham Greens
Long-tailed Duck at Salthouse
Great Grey Shrike flew SW over Holme NWT
Great White Egret at Horsey Mere
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
Ben Lewis took a stunning picture of an OTTER at Strumpshaw.
75 Shags roosted at Cromer Pier and 37 roosted at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening!
A friend this very kindly phoned me this evening to say they have an albino Blackbird in their garden and I am welcome to go and photograph it tomorrow – so will take that offer up!
Great White Egret at Bale
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Common Crane x 2 at Burnham Thorpe
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Snowbuntings at Hunstanton and Holme
Waxwings x 2 at Strumpshaw
Hen Harriers x 5 Warham Greens
Long-tailed Duck at Salthouse
Great Grey Shrike flew SW over Holme NWT
Great White Egret at Horsey Mere
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
Ben Lewis took a stunning picture of an OTTER at Strumpshaw.
75 Shags roosted at Cromer Pier and 37 roosted at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening!
A friend this very kindly phoned me this evening to say they have an albino Blackbird in their garden and I am welcome to go and photograph it tomorrow – so will take that offer up!
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