Friday, 18 January 2013
Bird News and Snow Update!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Bitterns x 2, Yellow-legged Gull, Slavonian Grebe at Whitlingham Country Park
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Lapland Buntings x 2, Snow Buntings x 30, Jack Snipe, Hen Harriers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Twite x 15 at Thornham Point
Hen Harrier, Bittern at Cley
News from Paul Eele, Warden at Titchwell RSPB
Lapland bunting – 2 males on saltmarsh by beach boardwalk. We are now feeding winter passerines on the flat area of saltmarsh to the west of the beach boardwalk. Please do not enter this area to prevent flushing the birds. Good views can be obtained from the path
Skylark – 60 feeding on saltmarsh.
Snow bunting – 30 on east beach
Twite – 15 at Thornham Point
Jack snipe – 1 showing well on grazing meadow pool this afternoon
Whooper swan – 7 south over reserve @ 12:15
Spotted redshank – 4 on Volunteer Marsh
Red kite – 1 over grazing meadow this morning
Hen harrier – 2 ringtails to roost
Brambling – 20+ around visitor centre
Snow Update
Most of the main roads are clear in King's Lynn, but back roads and estates are still snow covered and icy. Fakenham area is apparently pretty bad and Cley is similiar situation to north, west Norfolk.
Bitterns x 2, Yellow-legged Gull, Slavonian Grebe at Whitlingham Country Park
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Lapland Buntings x 2, Snow Buntings x 30, Jack Snipe, Hen Harriers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Twite x 15 at Thornham Point
Hen Harrier, Bittern at Cley
News from Paul Eele, Warden at Titchwell RSPB
Lapland bunting – 2 males on saltmarsh by beach boardwalk. We are now feeding winter passerines on the flat area of saltmarsh to the west of the beach boardwalk. Please do not enter this area to prevent flushing the birds. Good views can be obtained from the path
Skylark – 60 feeding on saltmarsh.
Snow bunting – 30 on east beach
Twite – 15 at Thornham Point
Jack snipe – 1 showing well on grazing meadow pool this afternoon
Whooper swan – 7 south over reserve @ 12:15
Spotted redshank – 4 on Volunteer Marsh
Red kite – 1 over grazing meadow this morning
Hen harrier – 2 ringtails to roost
Brambling – 20+ around visitor centre
Snow Update
Most of the main roads are clear in King's Lynn, but back roads and estates are still snow covered and icy. Fakenham area is apparently pretty bad and Cley is similiar situation to north, west Norfolk.
Thursday, 17 January 2013
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk - RBA
Lapland Bunting, Water Pipit at Cley
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl x 2 at Great Yarmouth
Mealy Redpoll at Norwich
Lapland Bunting, Velvet Scoter, Snow Bunting x 30, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret at Hickling
Med. Gull at West Runton
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Bittern x 2, Scaup, Bewick's Swan x 7 at Whitlingham Country Park
Smew x 3 at Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen
Smew, Bittern x 3 at Ormesby St Margaret
Lapland Bunting, Water Pipit at Cley
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl x 2 at Great Yarmouth
Mealy Redpoll at Norwich
Lapland Bunting, Velvet Scoter, Snow Bunting x 30, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret at Hickling
Med. Gull at West Runton
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Bittern x 2, Scaup, Bewick's Swan x 7 at Whitlingham Country Park
Smew x 3 at Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen
Smew, Bittern x 3 at Ormesby St Margaret
PLEASE FEED THE BIRDS!
For anyone reading this who doesn't normally feed birds
In these freezing conditions birds are desperate for food and water. Any kitchen scraps will be quickly consumed. Robins love dried fruit, especially raisons and sultanas. Blackbirds and Thrushes love apples with a passion. Brown bread, left over potatoes, oat flakes, cheese, suet, pastry, cheese, fruit cake. I know we can't afford to throw good food away, but if you are going to throw out eg dried fruit that's a bit out of date, this would be gratefully received by several species of birds. When you have finished eating your apple throw the core outside for the blackbirds. Put an old enamel tin plate or similar outside and re-fill daily for drinking, bathing. Then if you really start to enjoy watching the birds in your garden, take it more seriously and buy some bags of birds seed from Wilkinsons or similar, peanuts, fat balls, meal worms etc, bird table and feeders etc. Massive entertainment for you and your children too! More advice on feeding birds from the RSPB HERE
Also found this on the net:
"You can make your own bird cake by pouring melted fat (Dripping, suet or lard) onto a mixture of ingredients such as birdseed, chopped nuts, dried fruit (soak first ideally), porridge/ oatmeal, hard cheese scraps and leftover cake. Use about one-third fat to two-thirds mixture. Stir well in a bowl and allow it to set in a container of your choice. A strung empty coconut shell, plastic cup, or an old pine cone makes an ideal bird cake 'feeder'. Alternatively, you can turn it out onto the birdtable when solid. "
In these freezing conditions birds are desperate for food and water. Any kitchen scraps will be quickly consumed. Robins love dried fruit, especially raisons and sultanas. Blackbirds and Thrushes love apples with a passion. Brown bread, left over potatoes, oat flakes, cheese, suet, pastry, cheese, fruit cake. I know we can't afford to throw good food away, but if you are going to throw out eg dried fruit that's a bit out of date, this would be gratefully received by several species of birds. When you have finished eating your apple throw the core outside for the blackbirds. Put an old enamel tin plate or similar outside and re-fill daily for drinking, bathing. Then if you really start to enjoy watching the birds in your garden, take it more seriously and buy some bags of birds seed from Wilkinsons or similar, peanuts, fat balls, meal worms etc, bird table and feeders etc. Massive entertainment for you and your children too! More advice on feeding birds from the RSPB HERE
Also found this on the net:
"You can make your own bird cake by pouring melted fat (Dripping, suet or lard) onto a mixture of ingredients such as birdseed, chopped nuts, dried fruit (soak first ideally), porridge/ oatmeal, hard cheese scraps and leftover cake. Use about one-third fat to two-thirds mixture. Stir well in a bowl and allow it to set in a container of your choice. A strung empty coconut shell, plastic cup, or an old pine cone makes an ideal bird cake 'feeder'. Alternatively, you can turn it out onto the birdtable when solid. "
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Freezing Conditions!
I walked home from my w.w. meeting this evening and I was frozen. I was wearing my warmest clothes: waterproofs over trousers, walking boots, 2 pairs of socks, thermal top, fleece, gilet, waterproof coat, my fur hat, mittens and I was still so cold. I didn't even really warm up much as a I walked and with the fog and black ice it felt like Siberia!
It does make me worry about our elders, especially those that live alone and don't have anyone to help them with shopping and who are scared of turning up the heating because of worrying about bills. I for one am determined I am not going to give British Gas anymore than I have to this winter. My quarterly bill for October was about £220 for gas and electric, but my recent bill was £358!!! Goodness knows what the next one will be!!! Keeping my room stat on 16˚c and wearing an extra jumper! If that doesn't work I will have to have a boogie round the kitchen to keep warm! Or an even better solution, go to bed early with my three hot bottles! On that note, good night!
It does make me worry about our elders, especially those that live alone and don't have anyone to help them with shopping and who are scared of turning up the heating because of worrying about bills. I for one am determined I am not going to give British Gas anymore than I have to this winter. My quarterly bill for October was about £220 for gas and electric, but my recent bill was £358!!! Goodness knows what the next one will be!!! Keeping my room stat on 16˚c and wearing an extra jumper! If that doesn't work I will have to have a boogie round the kitchen to keep warm! Or an even better solution, go to bed early with my three hot bottles! On that note, good night!
Happy Birthday Malcolm!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALCOLM!!!
Special birthday wishes to Malcolm who I have not sent a card to, no excuses! I have known Malcolm and Eileen W. since I was, well since I was born really. There are wonderful couple and we have had lots of fun times over the years. Mostly about Malcolm winding me up (smile) when I was a teenager. Malcolm is an amazing photographer and I have very fond memories of Malcolm and Eileen visiting Holme Bird Observatory at the weekends and Malcolm walking up to the observatory with a selection of cameras slung around his body! I could carry on with loads more stories, but now very tired, so may update this tomorrow.
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk - RBA
Smew x 2 at Ormesby St Margaret
Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting x 8, Twite x 25 at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 30 at Holme
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Bittern at Lynford Aboretum
Bittern x 2 at Whitlingham Country Park
Smew x 2 at Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen
Short-eared Owl at Holme
Snow Buntings x 2 at Snettisham
Smew x 2 at Ormesby St Margaret
Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting x 8, Twite x 25 at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 30 at Holme
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Bittern at Lynford Aboretum
Bittern x 2 at Whitlingham Country Park
Smew x 2 at Wiggenhall St Mary Magdalen
Short-eared Owl at Holme
Snow Buntings x 2 at Snettisham
WEIGHTWATCHERS
WEEK TEN
Lost 0.5lb today. Total loss so far 10.5lbs
Not one of my best losses today, but better than gaining I suppose!
Lost 0.5lb today. Total loss so far 10.5lbs
Not one of my best losses today, but better than gaining I suppose!
Tuesday, 15 January 2013
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk - RBA
Waxwing x 6 at Taverham
Waxwings x 20 at Salthouse
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Snow Bunting x 20, Twite x 30 at Titchwell RSPB
Velvet Scoter at Hemsby
Glaucous Gull, Black Brant at Cley
OTTER x 3 at Cley Sluice (seen by ETM)
Shorelark at Blakeney Point
Snow Buntings x 50 at Holme
Goshawk, Hen Harrier x 5, Waxwings x 4, Water Pipit at Strumpshaw RSPB
Freezing tonight with icicles hanging from my porch!!!!! Walked to work, no point in writing the car off on these icy roads!
Waxwing x 6 at Taverham
Waxwings x 20 at Salthouse
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Snow Bunting x 20, Twite x 30 at Titchwell RSPB
Velvet Scoter at Hemsby
Glaucous Gull, Black Brant at Cley
OTTER x 3 at Cley Sluice (seen by ETM)
Shorelark at Blakeney Point
Snow Buntings x 50 at Holme
Goshawk, Hen Harrier x 5, Waxwings x 4, Water Pipit at Strumpshaw RSPB
Freezing tonight with icicles hanging from my porch!!!!! Walked to work, no point in writing the car off on these icy roads!
Monday, 14 January 2013
WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD Washes Up in Cumbria!!!
http://www.facebook.com/CumbriaBDC
"BIRD NEVER RECORDED IN BRITAIN......
UNTIL NOW!
DEAD WHITE-TAILED TROPICBIRD WASHES UP ON MAWBRAY BANK, CUMBRIA
" The Tropicbird, which normally occurs and breeds in tropical areas (such as Caribbean islands), was found on the tideline at Mawbray Bank by Peter Scott of Workington, on 6 January. It was rotten and Peter only collected the two tail streamers to use to identify the bird. Peter showed the feathers to Steve Hewitt (Natural History Curator at Tullie House Museum) that evening and they decided it was probably a Tropicbird. Steve was keen to recover the body so they went back up to Mawbray and located the bird in the dark before the tide moved it. The specimen is intact but very smelly and shedding patches of feathers. It is now in the freezer at Tullie House Museum. The information has been submitted to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), the official adjudicator of rare bird records in Britain, and if accepted, will be a new species for the British list."
What a sad and tragic end to what could have been MEGA of the year!!!
"BIRD NEVER RECORDED IN BRITAIN......
UNTIL NOW!
" The Tropicbird, which normally occurs and breeds in tropical areas (such as Caribbean islands), was found on the tideline at Mawbray Bank by Peter Scott of Workington, on 6 January. It was rotten and Peter only collected the two tail streamers to use to identify the bird. Peter showed the feathers to Steve Hewitt (Natural History Curator at Tullie House Museum) that evening and they decided it was probably a Tropicbird. Steve was keen to recover the body so they went back up to Mawbray and located the bird in the dark before the tide moved it. The specimen is intact but very smelly and shedding patches of feathers. It is now in the freezer at Tullie House Museum. The information has been submitted to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), the official adjudicator of rare bird records in Britain, and if accepted, will be a new species for the British list."
What a sad and tragic end to what could have been MEGA of the year!!!
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Green Sandpiper at Scarning
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Glaucous Gull, Hen Harrier, Cetti's Warbler x 2 at Cley
Lapland Bunting, Long-tailed Duck x 2, Bewick's Swans x 5, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Green Sandpiper at Scarning
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Glaucous Gull, Hen Harrier, Cetti's Warbler x 2 at Cley
Lapland Bunting, Long-tailed Duck x 2, Bewick's Swans x 5, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Winter Wonderland!
The alarm went off at 6.45am – I peeped out of the window to a snowy scene and it continued to snow all day. Main roads are okish around King's Lynn this evening, but as usual my estate has not been gritted and my car went out of control as I turned to go up the hill. Out of control enough to ensure I will be walking to work tomorrow morning! Luckily I didn't collide with anything else and I was only in first gear!
Blakeney Point featured on 'Winterwatch'
Blakeney Point on 'Winter Watch BBC2 8.30pm to 9.30pm now!
The seal colony at Blakeney Point was featured on tonight's episode. It was wonderful to see Fair Isle being featured and young Henry Hyndman showing off his waxwings!!! See video of Henry and waxwings HERE. I miss Fair Isle very much and would so much like to go again soon.
The seal colony at Blakeney Point was featured on tonight's episode. It was wonderful to see Fair Isle being featured and young Henry Hyndman showing off his waxwings!!! See video of Henry and waxwings HERE. I miss Fair Isle very much and would so much like to go again soon.
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Twite x 31, Water Pipit, Whooper Swans x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harrier at North Wootton
Ross's Goose, Barnacle Goose x 6 Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl x 6, Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Island
American Wigeon at Marlingford
Black Brant at Cley
Lapland Bunting x 2 at Weybourne
Mealy Redpoll, Firecrest at Loddon
Glaucous Gull, Whooper Swan x 2 at Salthouse
Tundra Bean Goose, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 50, Common Crane x 4 at Martham
Working all day again today. Work, work, work, is there no end to working six days a week!!!!!?
No snow here yet, but its freezing cold!
Two weeks to my birthday – 21 again!
Twite x 31, Water Pipit, Whooper Swans x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harrier at North Wootton
Ross's Goose, Barnacle Goose x 6 Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl x 6, Hen Harrier at Haddiscoe Island
American Wigeon at Marlingford
Black Brant at Cley
Lapland Bunting x 2 at Weybourne
Mealy Redpoll, Firecrest at Loddon
Glaucous Gull, Whooper Swan x 2 at Salthouse
Tundra Bean Goose, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 50, Common Crane x 4 at Martham
Working all day again today. Work, work, work, is there no end to working six days a week!!!!!?
No snow here yet, but its freezing cold!
Two weeks to my birthday – 21 again!
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Bird News etc!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Siberian Chiffchaff at Cley
American Wigeon at Marlingford
Sacred Ibis at Salthouse
Waxwings x 3 at Norwich
Common Crane x 12 at Repps
Smew, Scaup at Ormesby St Margaret
Rough-legged Buzzard x 2, Great White Egret at Haddiscoe Island
Long-tailed Duck x 2, Red-crested Pochard, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Hawfinch x 5 at Lynford Aboretum
Velvet Scoter x 3 at Waxham
Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe at Holkham
Short-eared Owl at Halvergate Marshes
Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier x 2 at Stiffkey
Ross's Goose at Reedham
Snow Buntings x 15 at Thornham Point
I certainly havn't been doing very much 'Hot Birding' over the last few weeks! Mentally exhausted this morning after my traumatic day yesterday, up late and jobs to do this morning. Started clearing my garden and pruning etc this afternoon. Went to visit my parents in the evening and delivered them some shopping. No exciting news from me today I'm afraid!
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
Siberian Chiffchaff at Cley
American Wigeon at Marlingford
Sacred Ibis at Salthouse
Waxwings x 3 at Norwich
Common Crane x 12 at Repps
Smew, Scaup at Ormesby St Margaret
Rough-legged Buzzard x 2, Great White Egret at Haddiscoe Island
Long-tailed Duck x 2, Red-crested Pochard, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Hawfinch x 5 at Lynford Aboretum
Velvet Scoter x 3 at Waxham
Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe at Holkham
Short-eared Owl at Halvergate Marshes
Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier x 2 at Stiffkey
Ross's Goose at Reedham
Snow Buntings x 15 at Thornham Point
I certainly havn't been doing very much 'Hot Birding' over the last few weeks! Mentally exhausted this morning after my traumatic day yesterday, up late and jobs to do this morning. Started clearing my garden and pruning etc this afternoon. Went to visit my parents in the evening and delivered them some shopping. No exciting news from me today I'm afraid!
Friday, 11 January 2013
Bird News!
Black-bellied Dipper at Thetford
American Wigeon at Marlingford
Snow Buntings x 17 at Salthouse
Water Pipit, Long-tailed Duck x 2, Hen Harrier x 3, Yellow-legged Gull, Twite x 12 at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Bunting x 7 at Thornham Point
Hawfinch, Firecrest at Lynford Aboretum
Velvet Scoter x 3 at Gorleston
Waxwing x 5 at Taverham
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 30, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 100, Bittern at Holkham
Black Brant at Cley
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl x 3, Bewick's Swan x 9 at Haddiscoe Island
Scaup at Barton Broad
Smew x 2 at Ormesby St Margaret
Short-eared Owl x 3 at Claxton
Taiga Bean Goose x 20, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 35 at Buckenham Marshes
American Wigeon at Marlingford
Snow Buntings x 17 at Salthouse
Water Pipit, Long-tailed Duck x 2, Hen Harrier x 3, Yellow-legged Gull, Twite x 12 at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Bunting x 7 at Thornham Point
Hawfinch, Firecrest at Lynford Aboretum
Velvet Scoter x 3 at Gorleston
Waxwing x 5 at Taverham
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 30, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 100, Bittern at Holkham
Black Brant at Cley
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl x 3, Bewick's Swan x 9 at Haddiscoe Island
Scaup at Barton Broad
Smew x 2 at Ormesby St Margaret
Short-eared Owl x 3 at Claxton
Taiga Bean Goose x 20, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 35 at Buckenham Marshes
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