STOP PRESS! First live sightings of 28 Long-finned Pilot Whales in Norfolk!!!

28 Long-finned Pilot Whales
Seen at Cley, Salthouse, Weybourne and Sheringham.

Pictures HERE and Video HERE

For all Cetacean information and sightings in Norfolk see here:
http://norfolkcetaceans.wordpress.com/list-of-norfolk-cetaceans/

Desert Wheatears in Norfolk & Suffolk!!!

 DESERT WHEATEAR

First Winter Female at Gorleston, Norfolk 

I had not been very well at all yesterday, which had ruined half of my weekend, but I was determined to make up for it today. I thought I had set my alarm last night, but woke up to find my phone on the duvet and the clock read 7.30am. 7.30am was supposed to be my arrival time at Lowestoft, not the time I woke up!!! Got into action quickly, to get on the road. Plan for the day was to see both Desert Wheatears and a Humpback Whale!

No news on the pager about either the Desert Wheatear at Gorleston or the Lowestoft bird, so asked RBA to put out a 'no news' message. If the bird is there, it works every time! A few minutes after the no news message went out, the Gorleston bird appeared on the pager as still there. The Lowestoft bird appeared later at 10.20am.

It was lashing down with rain as I drove along the A47 this morning and there was alot of water in places along the road.

DESERT WHEATEAR

First Winter Male at Lowestoft, Suffolk

It wasn't until after I had left Lowestoft that I discovered that my ISO had been set on 1600 for every shot I took – no idea why I didn't check that, which then resulted in grainy and over exposed shots which I have attempted to rescue!

Lowestoft, Suffolk
I arrived at Links Road car park, Lowestoft to find that the Desert Wheatear was much further south along the sea wall, opposite the 'net posts', which is next to the Bird's Eye Factory and the wind turbine at Ness Point. With assistance from Andy W. (via phone) I re-located to park next to the net posts. What a fabulous area for birding! I walked across the grassy field to the sea wall. I could see the Desert Wheatear hopping along the sea wall before I got there! As I neared the concrete slope I could see a lady jogger making her way along the sea wall. I managed to get a couple of photos, but then as the jogger neared the bird, it flew a short distance along the wall and then as she neared again, it flew off high and landed on the roof of the Bird's Eye Factory! I heard someone say 'well done' in a sarcastic voice and presumed this was aimed at the jogger, but found out a couple of minutes later via another birder who had been standing next to me, that it had been directed at us! The man standing next to me said 'did you know that we were blamed for that?'. Now, if the person that had said that, did not see the jogger and what happened, then they need to go either back to birding school, or Specsavers or possibly both!!! Anyway, the Desert Wheatear shortly returned to land directly in front of me! Lovely! What a fabulous bird and the sun was out too, what more could you ask for! I spent quite a while photographing this stunning little bird. Ben Moyes and his father were also here. Lots of people walking dogs – some the wheatear seemed alarmed by and some it wasn't bothered by at all. I could have easily stayed here for the rest of the day, a beautiful spot.

Drove south a short distance to the Wind Turbine at Ness Point. Watched a 1w Red-backed Shrike in the compound with Greenfinches distantly, which was an unexpected bonus. There was a Black Redstart here too, but I didn't see this. Parked by the sea and walked along the sea wall to look for Purple Sandpipers and managed to find one on the rocks near a fisherman – fabulous to watch, but a bit too distant for photography. It was beautiful here, waves crashing onto huge, seaweed covered rocks with blue skies and sunshine – good for the soul. Bumped into Jon Evans here and a birder that had travelled from a long way north for both Desert Wheatears. Back at the car I had a quick cup of coffee and a sandwich and left to return to Norfolk!

Taken through the gap in the fence of the boat yard!

After sunset the amusement arcade lights make the back drop
for my last shots of the evening.

DESERT WHEATEAR

First Winter Female at Gorleston, Norfolk

Gorleston, Norfolk
Parked up by the Pavilion Theatre – free parking, always good! It was really weird being here and seeing the 'Ocean Rooms' which were once a brilliant nightclub I used to go to when I lived here. I lived in Gorleston in my second year at Great Yarmouth Art College. For some strange reason, I have always remembered the address, it was a bedsit at 15 Avondale Road and cost me £15.00 a week – there are stories to tell about the other tenants that lived in that place I can tell you!

I started walking along the promenade and could see a handful of photographers in the distant by the third shelter where the Desert Wheatear was mean't to be, but they didn't seem to be watching anything! That's because the bird had flown high across the beach and beyond where I had parked according to Phil Heath and friend who I then bumped into. Oh dear! I turned back and walked with Phil and a few other birders to try and re-locate the wheatear. I walked along the jetty area where people were fishing and then suddenly some birders had spotted the Desert Wheatear through a fence in an enclosed boat yard! I had to smile – birders trying to find the biggest gaps between the fence panels to peak through, in hope of a glimpse of this bird. Eventually I saw it, sitting inches from me in an old boat just below me through the fence! It then perched up a bit higher and I managed to get a really close picture of it through the gap! I didn't see it fly, but a little while later it flew back to the beach and headed slowly back to its favoured spot on the beach, opposite the third shelter. News of the Humpback Whale came up on the pager again, but it was too late in the day to get to Cart Gap before dusk, so will dedicate next weekend to whale watching I think!

There were lots of people on the beach with dogs bounding around – sadly you had be careful where you walked. One lady's dog went for the wheatear big time and chased it round – I really thought for one scary moment that it was going to catch it too – the lady was not even aware, when Rob asked her to keep her dog under control. I spent a long time here, carefully crouched down, along with Jill and Rob Wilson photographing my second Desert Wheatear of the day! It was nice to see that families walking along the promenade seemed really interested in what we were photographing, what the bird was and where it had come from. My best picture was when everyone else had gone – it was dusk and the wheatear had perched on one of the posts on the beach and I managed to photograph it with a round orange light behind its head and although not the sharpest shot I have taken today, it looked really atmospheric, very pleased with that picture indeed. The bird was still feeding on the beach at 4.25pm as I left.

Made my way back along the promenade and was very tempted by the fish 'n' chip shop, good job I had no cash on me! It was a long drive back to King's Lynn and I collapsed on the sofa as soon as I got in. Well, today certainly made up for yesterday – lots of pictures to sort through now!

MORE PICTURES TO BE ADDED

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Redstarts x 2 at South Dunes, Winterton.
Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 33, Velvet Scoter at North Dunes, Winterton.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Ring Ouzel, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Black Redstarts x 4 at the Esplanade, Sheringham.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Slavonian Grebes x 4, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoters x 11, Snow Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, Ring Ouzels x 2, Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
DUSKY WARBLER reported this morning at Meals House, Holkham Pines.
Grey Phalarope, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Snow Buntings x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 6, Whooper Swans x 3, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
DESERT WHEATEAR Female still, below sea wall, by 3rd shelter from amusements carpark at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Great Northern Diver off beach car park at Cley.
Twite x 40 at Thornham Harbour.
Great White Egret at Lynn Point, King's Lynn.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Breydon Water.
Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 20 at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Black Redstarts x 2 at Mundesley.
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT. 
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Sea Palling at 1.28pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Horsey at 1.54pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Eccles at 2.40pm.
* HUMPBACK WHALE at Cart Gap, south of Happisburgh at 4pm.

DESERT WHEATEAR 1w Male still, Red-backed Shrike 1w. at Lowestoft, Suffolk.
SURF SCOTER Juv. at Holbrook, Suffolk.

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH still in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.

Girly Night In!

Very sadly I wasn't well enough to go birding today, but felt a bit better by early evening. Went birthday shopping for my youngest sister Vivien and made her a chocolate cake in the afternoon. Lashing down with rain and strong winds from mid afternoon. Picked up Lucy at 5.30pm and spent the evening at Vivien's flat in Ely. Had a really nice relaxing time with my sisters – watched Strictly and X Factor. The theme on X Factor this week was 'Queen' and 'MJ' – Vivien and I reminisced about the Michael Jackson concert we went to together (my second of three MJ concerts) and how crazy and brilliant it was. We left Vivien with cards, flowers and presents for her birthday on Tuesday and left at around 9.45pm. Still raining on the way home.

Birding all day tomorrow!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
DESERT WHEATEAR Fem. south of boating pool at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Gorleston.
Black Redstarts x 2 at Sheringham.
DESERT WHEATEAR Fem., Black Redstarts x 4 at South Denes, Great Yarmouth.
Little Auks x 4, Great Skuas x 2 at North Denes, Great Yarmouth.
* MINKE WHALE North past Coastwatch, Happisburgh.
Pomarine Skua at Mundesley.
Little Auks x 3 at Salthouse.
* HUMPBACK WHALE (between 9.40am & 3.40pm), Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 3, Snow Buntings x 35 at Cart Gap near Happisburgh.
Little Auk, Black Brant, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Bittern, Water Pipit at Cley NWT.
Yellow-legged Gull at Sheringham.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Grey Phalarope, Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Great White Egret, PALLAS'S WARBLER at Holkham.
Sandwich Terns x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Sandwich Terns x 2 at Weybourne.
Snow Buntings x 33 at North Beach, Winterton.
Purple Sandpiper at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Common Cranes x 2 at Horsey.
Common Cranes x 6 at Waxham.
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey.
Pomarine Skua at Blakeney Harbour.
Hen Harrier at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Lapland Bunting at Hunstanton Cliffs.

DESERT WHEATEAR still at Lowestoft, Suffolk.

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! GREY-CHEEKED THRUSH in garden at Rerwick, Shetland.

"Homes By The Sea" visits Norfolk!

The Lifeboat House at Blakeney Point is featured and National Trust Ranger Ajay shows Charlie Luxton around this famous building. Other properties featured were: The lighthouse at Winterton, a quay side property in Blakeney, Cley Windmill and the coastguard cottage at Hunstanton. Definitely worth watching.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/homes-by-the-sea/on-demand/60043-003

Wildlife East Anglia October Issue!

http://issuu.com/norfolkbirdfair/docs/edition3oct2014online/1?e=12398085/9566976

The Weekend!

Have not posted much this week, apart from the usual bird news whilst I have been at work. It's been a difficult week, due to more ailments etc. So, aswell as dealing with my achilles tendinopathy in my ankle, I now have the same thing in my right elbow! Hurts to even lift a cup of coffee. Went to GP who recommended pain relief and not much else really. My right ear is also painful for some reason and I have heartburn daily at the moment and also feel constantly exhausted. So I'm feeling really healthy right now!!!

I have had several fabulous emails from blog readers this week, thanking me for all my efforts with my blog and how much they enjoy reading it. I will reply to you all invidividually, but have been feeling run down this week and not had time to reply yet, but thank you so much, it is hugely appreciated.

What a week for sea birds its been! Just a pity I was at work, but that's the way it goes. The Humpback Whale is still around today at Walcott and I'm sure will be a popular destination this weekend! Carl Chapman believes this is the same Humpback Whale that visited Norfolk last year and wrote the following after being lucky enough to see the whale this week: "What I did see of the tail fluke pattern, which like a fingerprint is unique to each Humpback, gave me confidence to announce that it was the same individual that had visited us last year despite it being some 5kms distant." A Desert Wheatear turned up at Gorleston today which will also draw the crowds in the morning if it hasn't done a Friday night bunk that is! Via the NARVOS website: 10 waxwings flew over a garden in Narborough today.

Weather
Saturday – Southerly winds, turning South east around 4pm. Mainly dry with some sunny spells during the morning. Becoming cloudy in the afternoon with rain, heavy at times, spreading in from the southwest later. Becoming windy.

Sunday –  South west winds all day. Lighter winds with sunny spells and a few heavy showers.

High Tides – Wells Bar
Saturday: 6.41 and 19.06  •  Sunday: 7.24 and 19.42

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3, Twite x 20 at Breydon Water.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
* HUMPBACK WHALE (between 10.13am & 2.34pm) south past Walcott .
Short-eared Owls x 2 at Walcott.
Black Redstart at Sheringham.
Velvet Scoters x 2 at Winterton.
Great Grey Shrike (yesterday) on west side by coast path, near Wiveton Fruit Farm, Cley.
Little Auk, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT.
Twite x 23 at Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Twite x 35 at Thornham Harbour.
Grey Phalarope, Slavonian Grebe, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB.
Ring Ouzel, Black Redstarts x 2 at Waxham.
DESERT WHEATEAR by Beach Cafe at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Snow Buntings x 29 at North Beach, Winterton.
Common Cranes x 8 at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT.
Little Auks x 6, Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Arctic Skuas x 2 at Sheringham.

DESERT WHEATEAR still at Lowestoft, Suffolk.

MEGA NEWS!
None.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Little Auks x 25, Grey Phalarope, Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe, Snow Buntings x 35 at Cley NWT.
Little Auk at Sidestrand.
Little Auks x 5 at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Little Auks x 18, Velvet Scoters x 11, Great Skua, Little Gulls x 2, Snow Buntings x 9, Black Redstart at Happisburgh.
Little Auks x 8 at Overstrand.
Little Auks x 15, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 2, Long-eared Owls x 2, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 29, Jack Snipe at Winterton.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auk, Velvet Scoters x 10, Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret at Holkham.
PALLAS'S WARBLER still at Holkham Pines.
Little Auks x 12, Puffin, Great Northern Diver, Great Skuas x 6, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 18 at Horsey.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Little Auks x 3, Black Redstarts x 3, Redstart at Sheringham.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Auks x 6, Short-eared Owl at Sea Palling.
Twite x 34 at Thornham Harbour.
Richard's Pipit at Happisburgh.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Breydon Water.
Little Auk, Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 15, Lapland Bunting at Salthouse.
Snow Buntings x 2 at Caister-on-Sea.
* HUMPBACK WHALE feeding east of lifeboat station, Little Auks x 7, Snow Buntings x 6, Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart at Mundsley.
Little Auks x 7, Great Northern Diver at Walcott.
Black Redstart at Cromer.
Common Cranes x 14 at Acle.
Hen Harrier at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe.
Twite x 24 at Morston.
Little Auks x 5, Short-eared Owl at Holme.
Little Auk at Hunstanton.

DESERT WHEATEAR at Lowestoft, Suffolk.

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT, County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! SNOWY OWL, Camster, Highland, Scotland.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'

Long-tailed Skua at Scratby

Little Auk, Pomarine Skua, Velvet Scoters x 4 at Gorleston

* HUMPBACK WHALE Probable, north Past Winterton
Great Skuas x 4, Little Auks x 3, Pomarine Skuas x 4, Great Northern Divers x 2, Little Gulls x 100 at Winterton

Little Auks x 33, Pomarine Skuas x 59, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwaters x 5, Great Skuas x 82, Little Gulls x 410, Red-necked Grebe, Great Skuas x 4, Gannets x 2400, Kittiwakes x 2700, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 2 at Horsey

Little Auk at Cromer

Little Auks x 73, Pomarine Skuas x 84, Sooty Shearwaters x 4, Great Skuas x 221, Arctic Skuas x 44, Manx Shearwaters x 8, Puffins x 3, Kittiwakes x 2639, Short-eared Owls x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Shag, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Purple Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 408, Black Redstart at Sheringham

Long-tailed Skuas x 3, Little Auks x 17, Pomarine Skuas x 45, Great Skuas x 47, Arctic Skuas x 6, Grey Phalarope, Velvet Scoters x 4, Puffin at Weybourne

Little Auks x 11, Pomarine Skuas x 5, Grey Phalarope, Great Skuas x 68, Manx Shearwaters x 5, Shorelark, Snow Buntings x 20, Purple Sandpiper, Lapland Bunting at Salthouse
Little Auks x 4 in field at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse

Little Auks x 51, Pomarine Skuas x 166, Sooty Shearwaters x 4, Manx Shearwater, Great Skuas x 360, Arctic Skuas x 5, Little Gulls x 435, Grey Phalarope x 2, Short-eared Owl, Puffins x 5, Black-throated Divers x 2, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 3, Snow Buntings x 2, Water Pipit, Black Redstart (by V.C) at Cley NWT

PALLAS'S WARBLER at Wells Woods
Pomarine Skuas x 4, Great Skuas x 8, Hen Harriers x 2, Little Auks x 2 (flew west over Beach Road), Coastguards, Wells

SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auks x 22, Pomarine Skuas x 6, Long-tailed Skuas x 3 (probable), Velvet Scoters x 12, Little Gulls x 4, Short-eared or Long-eared Owl at Holkham.
PALLAS'S WARBLER (pines), Great White Egret at Holkham

Rough-legged Buzzard at Burnham Overy Dunes

Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 2, Little Gulls x 25, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Little Auks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB

LEACH'S PETREL, Long-tailed Skua, Little Auks x 38, Pomarine Skuas x 23, Arctic Skuas x 2, Great Skuas x 24, Little Gull x 21, Manx Shearwaters x 2, Velvet Scoters x 5, Great Northern Divers x 2, Short-eared Owls x 4 at Holme Dunes NWT – Holme NOA Sightings HERE 

Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common

Black Redstart at Cockley Cley

Great White Egret, Common Tern at Denver Sluice

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT, County Kerry, Ireland.

Birdguides Review of the Week 29th October to 4th November!

http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=4699

RBA Weekly Round-Up 28th October to 4th November!

By Mark Golley
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyroundup2014-44.aspx?s_id=340658501

BASKING SHARK AT SALTHOUSE CAUGHT ON CAMERA!!!

John Furse managed to get this photograph of the BASKING SHARK at Salthouse yesterday!!!
http://norfolkcetaceans.wordpress.com/2014/11/04/norfolk-cetaceans-4th-november-2014/

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Grey Phalaropes x 4, Long-tailed Duck, Garganey, Twite x 35, Snow Buntings x 30, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 16, Velvet Scoter at North Beach, Winterton.
Black Redstart at Sheringham.
Black Redstart at Hunstanton.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Ducks x 3, Arctic Tern, Little Gull at Titchwell RSPB.
Bearded Tits x 4 at Nunnery Lakes NR, Thetford.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Little Auk, Velvet Scoters x 10, Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 7, Little Gulls x 16 at Horsey.
Twite x 30 at Salthouse.
* BASKING SHARK east past Salthouse, late afternoon.
Hen Harrier, Jack Snipe at Morston.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2, Twite x 11, Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water.
Lapland Bunting at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Twite x 23, Hen Harrier at Thornham Harbour.
Purple Sandpiper at Walcott.
Spoonbill, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit at Holme.

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! RED-EYED VIREO in garden, Walney Bird Observatory, Cumbria.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN, County Dublin, Ireland.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Snow Buntings x 8, Velvet Scoter, North Beach, Winterton.
American or Pacific Golden Plover with 100 Golden Plovers flew east late afternoon, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Spoonbill, Caspian Gulls x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 6 at Cley NWT.
Pomarine Skua, Great Skuas x 18, Puffin, Velvet Scoter at Sheringham.
Black Redstart at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Purple Sandpiper, Twite x 3 at Kelling.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male still, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 8, Arctic Tern at Holkham.
Little Auk, Snow Buntings x 23 at Salthouse.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Walsey Hills NOA.
Twite x 14 at Thornham Harbour.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Marshes.
Great Grey Shrike at Grime's Graves.
Osprey at Lenwade.

MEGA NEWS!
None.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Yellow-browed Warbler in garden at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Campsite Wood, Stiffkey.
Grey Phalaropes x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 3, Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck at Cley NWT.
Twite x 20 at Thornham Harbour.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Great Grey Shrike at Grime's Graves.
Great Grey Shrike, Ring Ouzel, Jack Snipe x 4 at Roydon Common.
Short-eared Owls x 3, Twite x 12 at Breydon Water.
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 11, Long-tailed Duck, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Holkham.
Pomarine Skuas x 2 at Overstrand.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey.
Lapland Bunting, Twite x 13, Purple Sandpiper at Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
Velvet Scoter, Hen Harrier, Slavonian Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank at Holme Dunes.

MEGA NEWS! 
MEGA! BLACKPOLL WARBLER in set-aside field opposite Seaside Lane at 8.25-8.40am only, Easington, Spurn, East Yorkshire – found by Mick Turton.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN County Dublin, Ireland.

88 Today!

Happy Birthday to My Father!

BAKE OFF Morning!!! I spent the entire morning baking! I made Sultana Scones, Cheese Scones and Banana Loaf Cake. I would have normally have gone over to my parent's in the morning, but Mother is too stressed out nowadays to cope with us all there at lunchtime, so we all decided to go after lunch instead. I picked Lucy up at 2pm and Vivien had arrived at Holme a short while before we did. It's not often the entire family is altogether, so it was a really nice day until a bit later!

Father had loads of presents to open! Mostly chocolates (at his request) and a selection of bed socks. My slippers fitted, thank goodness. Father LOVED the bell I bought him and smiled with glee! Mother however, was NOT impressed at all and said she would be hiding it up later! My home baking was very popular and I was chuffed that father ate both a cheese and sultana scone for his tea and also a piece of banana cake – he said 'they were very nice' – father has become very fussy with what he eats lately. Quite sad to only see 4 cards from all of us and only another from Malcolm and Eileen. I suppose most of his friends have passed away to be fair, but there are still a few left that would normally have sent a card. I know he can't see very well, but it's the thought that counts. Father could hear my nightingale card (that I bought from Titchwell RSPB yesterday), but commented that it didn't sound like one – mother couldn't hear it all and I had to open the card right next to her ear for her to hear it! Father was in quite good spirits and seemed pleased to see us all, but got me in massive trouble later. He asked if we could turn his mattress on his bed over for him as it felt lumpy. He knew mother wouldn't do it as she hates moving anything around and to be fair the bed is in an awkward place against a wall. So, when Mother went upstairs I attempted to do this as quickly as possible. I have never seen so many layers on a mattress!!! Mattress protector, sheet, blanket, another protector, sheet – I couldn't remember what order it was supposed to be after I turned the mattress. Vivien did her best to keep Mother occupied in the other room, but..... suddenly she appeared in the room and went absolutely beserk! That's the last time I turn that mattress!

After things had calmed, we lit the coffee cake with eight candles, sung Happy Birthday and father managed to blow them all out, just about. He commented 'my last one' – so sad to hear him say that. He is starting to look frail now though and walks even worse than he usually does. He nearly missed the chair when he sat down and I just managed to support him in time. He's what known in my terms at work as a 'sneaker in' – someone that goes to sit on a chair long before they have got close enough to sit down safely. Lucy, Vivien and I atttempted to take a 'selfie' with father – didn't come out too bad really! Because Mother can't hear most of what father is saying, it's becoming really difficult for him – he said he has 'no-one to talk to now' and said 'she was doing it on purpose' (not getting her ears sorted out). I am going to be ringing Mother's GP surgery this week and ask them to come out and syringe her ears – she's never going to do it and it's not fair for this to carry on week after week, just because she is so stubborn!

We cleared up and washed up. Scones and cake were distributed and we had all left by 8pm. Took Lucy home and Vivien whizzed home to Ely in her little car. Vivien's birthday next week!

Can't believe I have only had an hour's birding the entire weekend! It's going to be a long week at work! Roll on Saturday!

PICTURES TO BE ADDED

Titchwell RSPB!

Leucistic Golden Plover

Titchwell RSPB

Its been a mad, busy, traumatic and stressful week, resulting in me having to spend the morning sleeping to recover. All kinds of crappy stuff has been going on. Also I had to do something really important and then had to fly somewhere to an event on Friday night. I can't write about anything that's been going on this week, as I would break confidentiality and also risk getting myself in trouble writing about another issue!!! Anyway, back to the weekend.

Spent the afternoon searching for card and presents for father's birthday. I bought the usual requested chocolates and also got a new pair of slippers and then I found a brilliant present! A brass bell for father when he needs help. Mother is still deaf and can't hear most of what father is saying, which is really unfair for him, as she is the only person he can have a conversation with. He can't do anything else, can't see, can't do anything apart from listen to the TV. Mother refuses point black to go to the doctors. The bell will really annoy her, but at least father will get some help!!! It might annoy her enough to go to the doctors.....well maybe, here's hoping! It may sound really mean, but its driving us all mad – I am mentally exhausted trying to shout down the phone so she can hear me.

I eventually got to Titchwell RSPB late afternoon. I heard from staff in the centre that a young man had photographed a small wader with a white rump that had been found with dunlin this morning, but no one had been able to find it since. I bought a singing nightingale card for father's birthday here. Cetti's Warbler burst into tune by the path to the Fen Trail on route to Island Hide.

Gull Roost at Titchwell RSPB.

 Starlings, Gulls and Golden Plover at Titchwell RSPB.

Leucistic Golden Plover at Titchwell RSPB.

I sat in Island Hide and scanned for the 'wader' and found what I presume was the bird with a dunlin amongst the Golden Plover flock, but the light was fading, so difficult to see properly, it was smaller than the dunlin – it didn't fly at all whilst I was there. Much more interesting was a Leucistic Golden Plover that was almost totally white! Big gull roost, lots of Wigeon, Teal, couple of Avocets, Shoveler, Redshanks, lots of Ruff. Also lots of Brents flew in to roost. I left the hide and started to walk back along the path. There were alot of birders around still in the semi-dusk. Thousands of Starlings were flying low over the reeds to roost – a continuous stream of them which was an amazing sight. A Barn Owl appeared over the reedbed and I saw one Marsh Harrier and also 6 Little Egrets were roosting on the dead trees.

Sunset over pool west of Titchwell RSPB.

Did some shopping for parent's in Hunstanton, delivered and then returned home to King's Lynn. Spent the evening watching Strictly, X Factor and wrapping presents. Heard a Tawny Owl in my garden, very unusual here!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Twite x 24 at Thornham Harbour.
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Thornham Point.
Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting (yesterday) flew south over cliffs at Hunstanton.
Black Redstart at Hunstanton.
SURF SCOTER Adult Male, Velvet Scoters x 5, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owls x 2, Twite x 11 at Breydon Water.
Black Redstart at Sheringham.
LITTLE BUNTING Probable at west end of golf course, Sheringham.
Snow Buntings x 19 at North Beach, Winterton.
Firecrests x 2 in garden at Salthouse.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Great White Egret, Yellow-browed Warbler at Holkham.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Lapland Bunting, Twite x 50, Purple Sandpiper at Kelling.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Red-necked Grebe, Snow Buntings x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Grey Phalaropes x 3, Long-tailed Duck, Snow Buntings x 15 at Cley NWT.
Black Redstart at Horsford.
Black Redstart at Sidestrand.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Martham.
Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier at Horsey.
Yellow-browed Warbler trapped and ringed near Brancaster.
Common Cranes x 29, Hen Harrier at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT.
Lesser Whitethroat at Campsite Wood, Stiffkey.
Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum.

MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! EASTERN CROWNED WARBLER for third day at Hunley Hall Golf Course, by hotel car park at Brotton, Cleveland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN Country Dublin, Ireland.