Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER from Island Hide, SPOTTED CRAKE on freshmarsh east of Parrinder Hide, Honey Buzzard, Spoonbills x 15, Little Stint, Wood Sandpipers x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Spotted Redshank on Broad Water, Holme Dunes.
Spoonbills x 2, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT.
Spoonbills x 20 at Stiffkey Fen.
Lincolnshire Highlights
• BLACK STORK at Croft, North Cockerington, Grimsby, Saltfleet, South Somercotes and finally at Covenham Reservoir late morning.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON 1s still at King's Fleet.
• PURPLE HERON juv taken into care on boat 16mls off Southwold and then released at 6pm at Carlton Marshes NR.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Monday, 10 August 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Great White Egret at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Yellow-legged Gull at Overstrand.
SPOTTED CRAKE from Autumn Trail, Spoonbills x 12, Little Stint, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Spotted Redshanks x 7 at Titchwell RSPB.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, Common Cranes x 2, Little Stint at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Pied Flycatcher flew over beach at West Runton.
Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gulls x 7, Curlew Sandpiper, Whinchat juv. on East Bank at Cley NWT.
Pied Flycatcher on Friday at Blakeney Point.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
Autumn migration kicks off with Pied Flycatcher at Minsmere RSPB and a Whinchat at Benacre Sluice.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Great White Egret at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Yellow-legged Gull at Overstrand.
SPOTTED CRAKE from Autumn Trail, Spoonbills x 12, Little Stint, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Spotted Redshanks x 7 at Titchwell RSPB.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER, Common Cranes x 2, Little Stint at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Pied Flycatcher flew over beach at West Runton.
Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gulls x 7, Curlew Sandpiper, Whinchat juv. on East Bank at Cley NWT.
Pied Flycatcher on Friday at Blakeney Point.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
Autumn migration kicks off with Pied Flycatcher at Minsmere RSPB and a Whinchat at Benacre Sluice.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Eagle Owl in Norfolk!
Fiona, a 10 week old Eagle Owl has escaped!
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/have_you_seen_missing_eagle_owl_fiona_1_4184010
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/have_you_seen_missing_eagle_owl_fiona_1_4184010
Sunday, 9 August 2015
A New Reservoir Discovered in King's Lynn! Thornham & Titchwell RSPB!
King's Lynn Drainage Board
'Hardwick Farm Flood Storage Area'
OUTFALL SLUICE
For the last few months I have been pondering about how to access this new area. Along the bypass that runs to the Hardwick roundabout there is a relatively new, small roundabout, which gives access to the new Sainsbury's store. After you go over this roundabout (heading for large Hardwick roundabout) you catch a tantalising view of what seems like hundreds of birds on a new reservoir, over on your left hand side. You only get a few seconds view though and you can't stop to get a better look! Very frustrating indeed. Further along however is a pull in parking area – but you can't see anything at this point! I didn't want to attract attention, so didn't bring my 'adult' scope (for the amusement of the Cleyspy team), just my Nikon ED50 in a rucksack and my bins. I then walked along the grass verge which was pretty dangerous with all the traffic rushing past at 60mph+ until I reached a gate, fence and sign stating very clearly 'STRICTLY PRIVATE' and 'NO UNAUTHORISED ACCESS'.
Anyway, without going into the detail I would like to on a public blog, I found a different route to get to the reservoir to survey the site! On close inspection, this is like a mini Breydon Water!!! The water levels are perfect for birds, with graduated shallow muddy edges at the fore front and sandy banks/edges at the far side!!! Also large areas of muddy stretches in the water made a fabulous feeding/roosting area. Birds seen here were: tons of Greylag Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, lots of Jackdaws, a Crow, a single Cormorant, a single Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 3 Ringed Plovers (1 juv.) in the sandy area, 20+ Lapwings, lots of gulls including Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Mallards, Teal and one Little Grebe. 2 Common Buzzards were spiralling overhead in the thermals and a Yellowhammer flew across into a hedge. So an excellent list of birds here! It was insanely hot today as yesterday, the August heatwave begins!
There are big boarded signs stating no access etc all around the reservoir itself, but there seems to be what looks like a public track above and alongside this and then running towards the A47. So after taking lots of pictures of the site, I spent a long time following this track towards the A47 to find an access point. I found a family of Common Whitethroats in a hedgerow on route and lots of black Water Boatmen sparkling on the surface of the water in a dyke below an old iron bridge – Amphibious Bistort was in abundance in the very clear water too. I then walked under an underpass bridge (very dodgy here!), which goes under the A47. Walking under the bridge, brings you to a wild area of grass and thistles, teasels etc which was rich with butterflies. The only access I could find was to climb up the embankment of the underpass and view the traffic! So, you could access the reservoir from here if you could find somewhere to park near the slip road to the A47. This underpass is immediately underneath you, as you turn onto the A47. I think there is a parking area further along on the right hand side, but it would be extremely dangerous to walk back along this road to climb down the embankment. Also this embankment/underpass is not exactly the most inviting/friendly of places to be walking under! I will email the King's Lynn Drainage Board to ask them if there will ever be any public access for birders, so will feed back to you all when I get a reply.
My car was still in one piece when I returned. The traffic was at a standstill with day trippers, so much so that I had no choice but to head in the opposite direction into King's Lynn town centre. Visited my sister Lucy for a short while and then headed to Thornham in hope of seeing the Ospreys that had been seen at Titchwell RSPB and two at Thornham Harbour including one watched eating a fish on the marsh! Diverted through Ringstead, when I eventually got as far as Heacham and headed along the back roads and sat and had a very late salad lunch on the side of the road next to the Thornham Reservoir (no access here either!). Well....... its only a few yards from where I was parked, so went to have a quick look and found a family of mallards, 1 Little Grebe, a few Black-headed Gulls, Woodpigeons and a couple of Sand Martins flying around. The view of the coast from this road is spectacular indeed, you can see the sea east and west of you from here including Holme Reserves, Holme and Thornham churches!
At Thornham Harbour I bumped into Mike Sidwell, who was NOT seeing any Ospreys, much to both his and my disappointment. I spent a long time scanning the marsh for an Osprey devouring a fish, but no sign and obviously not in the skies as all the birds would have been up. Several smart Grey Plovers, Golden Plovers, Common and Sandwich Terns, Curlew and the usual Cormorants, Little Egrets and gulls out on the mud flats. I also looked hard for a Caspian Tern, but no sign of any orange bills!
I re-located to Greenway at Thornham and walked around the small copse to the old duck shooting pond in case the Osprey had hidden itself here, but only Coots and a Little Grebe were here. Walked back to my car and went to visit my parents. Father was in a difficult mood, sadly and it was hard to talk normally to him today. Cooked the garlic bread (one left over from yesterday's barbecue) for Mother and I and then spent the evening at Titchwell RSPB in hope of a roosting Caspian Tern.
Titchwell RSPB
Hundreds of Dunlin, but wasn't able to count them accurately as they kept being disturbed, also hundreds of Avocets, Spoonbills x 18+, one Little Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls etc, Green Sandpipers x 2 calling and seen, a few Spotted Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Curlews, Lapwings, massive Starling flock, Redshanks, Teal, Pied Wagtails. A Hobby shot through and disturbed everything in seconds! Very late evening a Caspian Gull landed in amongst the Herring Gulls which was a nice bonus. Several Little Egrets around too and Cormorants in the dead tree roost and a Barn Owl was seen briefly on the way back. I thought I caught a glimpse of a Short-eared owl over by Thornham Point, but couldn't be sure. It was completely dark as I put my gear away in the car!
On the way home I had a Little Owl fly across the road at Thornham (up by the reservoir), another seen along the Ringstead road and a Barn Owl at the Sedgeford road junction, before I headed towards Heacham. So all in all, an excellent day, but disappointing I missed the Ospreys.
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED
'Hardwick Farm Flood Storage Area'
OUTFALL SLUICE
For the last few months I have been pondering about how to access this new area. Along the bypass that runs to the Hardwick roundabout there is a relatively new, small roundabout, which gives access to the new Sainsbury's store. After you go over this roundabout (heading for large Hardwick roundabout) you catch a tantalising view of what seems like hundreds of birds on a new reservoir, over on your left hand side. You only get a few seconds view though and you can't stop to get a better look! Very frustrating indeed. Further along however is a pull in parking area – but you can't see anything at this point! I didn't want to attract attention, so didn't bring my 'adult' scope (for the amusement of the Cleyspy team), just my Nikon ED50 in a rucksack and my bins. I then walked along the grass verge which was pretty dangerous with all the traffic rushing past at 60mph+ until I reached a gate, fence and sign stating very clearly 'STRICTLY PRIVATE' and 'NO UNAUTHORISED ACCESS'.
Anyway, without going into the detail I would like to on a public blog, I found a different route to get to the reservoir to survey the site! On close inspection, this is like a mini Breydon Water!!! The water levels are perfect for birds, with graduated shallow muddy edges at the fore front and sandy banks/edges at the far side!!! Also large areas of muddy stretches in the water made a fabulous feeding/roosting area. Birds seen here were: tons of Greylag Geese, 2 Egyptian Geese, lots of Jackdaws, a Crow, a single Cormorant, a single Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 3 Ringed Plovers (1 juv.) in the sandy area, 20+ Lapwings, lots of gulls including Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, Mallards, Teal and one Little Grebe. 2 Common Buzzards were spiralling overhead in the thermals and a Yellowhammer flew across into a hedge. So an excellent list of birds here! It was insanely hot today as yesterday, the August heatwave begins!
There are big boarded signs stating no access etc all around the reservoir itself, but there seems to be what looks like a public track above and alongside this and then running towards the A47. So after taking lots of pictures of the site, I spent a long time following this track towards the A47 to find an access point. I found a family of Common Whitethroats in a hedgerow on route and lots of black Water Boatmen sparkling on the surface of the water in a dyke below an old iron bridge – Amphibious Bistort was in abundance in the very clear water too. I then walked under an underpass bridge (very dodgy here!), which goes under the A47. Walking under the bridge, brings you to a wild area of grass and thistles, teasels etc which was rich with butterflies. The only access I could find was to climb up the embankment of the underpass and view the traffic! So, you could access the reservoir from here if you could find somewhere to park near the slip road to the A47. This underpass is immediately underneath you, as you turn onto the A47. I think there is a parking area further along on the right hand side, but it would be extremely dangerous to walk back along this road to climb down the embankment. Also this embankment/underpass is not exactly the most inviting/friendly of places to be walking under! I will email the King's Lynn Drainage Board to ask them if there will ever be any public access for birders, so will feed back to you all when I get a reply.
My car was still in one piece when I returned. The traffic was at a standstill with day trippers, so much so that I had no choice but to head in the opposite direction into King's Lynn town centre. Visited my sister Lucy for a short while and then headed to Thornham in hope of seeing the Ospreys that had been seen at Titchwell RSPB and two at Thornham Harbour including one watched eating a fish on the marsh! Diverted through Ringstead, when I eventually got as far as Heacham and headed along the back roads and sat and had a very late salad lunch on the side of the road next to the Thornham Reservoir (no access here either!). Well....... its only a few yards from where I was parked, so went to have a quick look and found a family of mallards, 1 Little Grebe, a few Black-headed Gulls, Woodpigeons and a couple of Sand Martins flying around. The view of the coast from this road is spectacular indeed, you can see the sea east and west of you from here including Holme Reserves, Holme and Thornham churches!
At Thornham Harbour I bumped into Mike Sidwell, who was NOT seeing any Ospreys, much to both his and my disappointment. I spent a long time scanning the marsh for an Osprey devouring a fish, but no sign and obviously not in the skies as all the birds would have been up. Several smart Grey Plovers, Golden Plovers, Common and Sandwich Terns, Curlew and the usual Cormorants, Little Egrets and gulls out on the mud flats. I also looked hard for a Caspian Tern, but no sign of any orange bills!
I re-located to Greenway at Thornham and walked around the small copse to the old duck shooting pond in case the Osprey had hidden itself here, but only Coots and a Little Grebe were here. Walked back to my car and went to visit my parents. Father was in a difficult mood, sadly and it was hard to talk normally to him today. Cooked the garlic bread (one left over from yesterday's barbecue) for Mother and I and then spent the evening at Titchwell RSPB in hope of a roosting Caspian Tern.
Titchwell RSPB
Hundreds of Dunlin, but wasn't able to count them accurately as they kept being disturbed, also hundreds of Avocets, Spoonbills x 18+, one Little Gull amongst the Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls etc, Green Sandpipers x 2 calling and seen, a few Spotted Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Curlews, Lapwings, massive Starling flock, Redshanks, Teal, Pied Wagtails. A Hobby shot through and disturbed everything in seconds! Very late evening a Caspian Gull landed in amongst the Herring Gulls which was a nice bonus. Several Little Egrets around too and Cormorants in the dead tree roost and a Barn Owl was seen briefly on the way back. I thought I caught a glimpse of a Short-eared owl over by Thornham Point, but couldn't be sure. It was completely dark as I put my gear away in the car!
On the way home I had a Little Owl fly across the road at Thornham (up by the reservoir), another seen along the Ringstead road and a Barn Owl at the Sedgeford road junction, before I headed towards Heacham. So all in all, an excellent day, but disappointing I missed the Ospreys.
PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbills x 2 at Breydon Water.
CASPIAN TERN at 7.10am only at Gore Point, Osprey flew SW over Holme Dunes.
Osprey at Blakeney Harbour.
Osprey, Spoonbills x 20, Little Stint, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 8 at Titchwell RSPB.
Whinchat at North Dunes, Short-eared Owl at Winterton.
Osprey x 2 at Thornham Harbour.
Osprey at Scolt Head Island.
Caspian Gulls x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 10, Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Gull at Cley NWT.
Yellow-legged Gull by Pier at Cromer.
Honey Buzzard flew south over Wells.
Hen Harrier flew south over South Creake.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER at Swim Coots, Hickling Broad NWT.
Honey Buzzard flew south over Egmere.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 5 at Kelling Water Meadows.
Suffolk Highlights
• AQUATIC WARBLER trapped and ringed at Orford Ness.
• BALD EAGLE presumed escaped at Hollesley Marshes.
• Long-tailed Blue Butterfly at Landseer Park, Ipswich.
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FEA'S PETREL at sea from pelagic, Toe's Head, County Cork, Ireland.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Spoonbills x 2 at Breydon Water.
CASPIAN TERN at 7.10am only at Gore Point, Osprey flew SW over Holme Dunes.
Osprey at Blakeney Harbour.
Osprey, Spoonbills x 20, Little Stint, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 8 at Titchwell RSPB.
Whinchat at North Dunes, Short-eared Owl at Winterton.
Osprey x 2 at Thornham Harbour.
Osprey at Scolt Head Island.
Caspian Gulls x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 10, Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Gull at Cley NWT.
Yellow-legged Gull by Pier at Cromer.
Honey Buzzard flew south over Wells.
Hen Harrier flew south over South Creake.
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER at Swim Coots, Hickling Broad NWT.
Honey Buzzard flew south over Egmere.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 5 at Kelling Water Meadows.
Suffolk Highlights
• AQUATIC WARBLER trapped and ringed at Orford Ness.
• BALD EAGLE presumed escaped at Hollesley Marshes.
• Long-tailed Blue Butterfly at Landseer Park, Ipswich.
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FEA'S PETREL at sea from pelagic, Toe's Head, County Cork, Ireland.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Saturday, 8 August 2015
Gemma's Barbecue Party!
Gemma, one of the girls I work with, very kindly invited all her work colleagues to a barbecue at her house in Ely this afternoon. Her partner Mike did an excellent job of being barbecue king. The weather was glorious, but a little too hot for me really. All the girls I work with are hot chicks as you will see from the picture below – doesn't help me look any younger, when they are all half my age!!!
It was great to see Cilla and baby Theo, Caraline, Katherine with her husband and baby girl, Suzy, Karl and baby Matthew and Anne-Marie, Rhys and... well I was going to say baby Gregor, but he is much too tall to be called a baby anymore! Also Hilary, Andrea, Kelly and Ben, Kelly, Alison, Emily, Sarah, Chloe, Keri and James and Alice.
Far too much food was consumed! I made some garlic bread – a recipe I followed from Ainsley Harriott's Barbecue Bible which was published in 1997. I made two and a half times the receipe below – I was pleased, it turned out well, everyone loves garlic bread, well most people anyway.
Garlic Butter Bread
1 long fat french stick
3 garlic cloves
75g slightly slighted butter
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
salt and fresh ground black pepper
The only birding today, consisted of seeing a Blackbird, House Sparrow and Goldfinches in Gemma's garden. I pinched one of Gemma's blackberries at the bottom of the garden as did Gregor, although he had four to be precise!
It was great to see Cilla and baby Theo, Caraline, Katherine with her husband and baby girl, Suzy, Karl and baby Matthew and Anne-Marie, Rhys and... well I was going to say baby Gregor, but he is much too tall to be called a baby anymore! Also Hilary, Andrea, Kelly and Ben, Kelly, Alison, Emily, Sarah, Chloe, Keri and James and Alice.
Far too much food was consumed! I made some garlic bread – a recipe I followed from Ainsley Harriott's Barbecue Bible which was published in 1997. I made two and a half times the receipe below – I was pleased, it turned out well, everyone loves garlic bread, well most people anyway.
Garlic Butter Bread
1 long fat french stick
3 garlic cloves
75g slightly slighted butter
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
salt and fresh ground black pepper
- Cut the bread diagonally, without cutting right through.
- Crush the garlic and mix with salt.
- Mix the butter with garlic, parsley and black pepper.
- Spread both sides of each slice of bread with a thin layer of the garlic butter and place on extra thick foil.
- Pleat the edges of the foil together well (wrap in two layers of foil)
- Cook on barbecue for 10-12 minutes or longer, turning regularly, until crisp and hot.
The only birding today, consisted of seeing a Blackbird, House Sparrow and Goldfinches in Gemma's garden. I pinched one of Gemma's blackberries at the bottom of the garden as did Gregor, although he had four to be precise!
Me with Kelly, Keri and Chloe
Posted this picture straight from iphone, which means it looks completely out of focus on here until you click to view it!
The barbecue had started at 2pm, so by 7pm quite alot of people had left. I helped to clear up a little and left the hard core party animals at around 7.30pm. My little sister Vivien only lives a couple of streets away from Gemma, so I went to visit her for little while before heading back to King's Lynn, arriving home at 10.15pm.
MORE PICTURES TO BE ADDED
MORE PICTURES TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Long-tailed Skua reported east at Holme Dunes.
Crossbill, Tree Pipit, Spoonbills x 16, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Stint, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Breydon Water.
Caspian Gull on beach at Cromer.
Caspian Gulls x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 3, Little Gull, Curlew Sandpiper at Cley.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 5 at Kelling Water Meadows.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK at Gibraltar Point NNR until mid-morning then flew SW.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ELEONORA'S FALCON possible, Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, Kent.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Long-tailed Skua reported east at Holme Dunes.
Crossbill, Tree Pipit, Spoonbills x 16, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Stint, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Breydon Water.
Caspian Gull on beach at Cromer.
Caspian Gulls x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 3, Little Gull, Curlew Sandpiper at Cley.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 5 at Kelling Water Meadows.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK at Gibraltar Point NNR until mid-morning then flew SW.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! ELEONORA'S FALCON possible, Oare Marshes Nature Reserve, Kent.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Friday, 7 August 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Mediterranean Gulls x 407 at Breydon Water.
Quail at Choseley.
Caspian Gulls x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 14, Wood Sandpiper, Garganey, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Cley NWT.
Spoonbills x 12, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Arctic Tern at Hopton-on-Sea.
PURPLE HERON possible on Island at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK on Croft Marsh, BEE-EATER flew SW at Gibraltar Point NNR.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Mediterranean Gulls x 407 at Breydon Water.
Quail at Choseley.
Caspian Gulls x 2, Yellow-legged Gulls x 14, Wood Sandpiper, Garganey, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Cley NWT.
Spoonbills x 12, Wood Sandpipers x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Arctic Tern at Hopton-on-Sea.
PURPLE HERON possible on Island at Whitlingham Country Park, Norwich.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK on Croft Marsh, BEE-EATER flew SW at Gibraltar Point NNR.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Thursday, 6 August 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbills x 2, Curlew Sandpiper at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 4, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Continental Black-tailed Godwit, Little Gull, Yellow-legged Gulls x 7 at Cley NWT.
Quail at Weybourne.
Quail at Wiveton.
Black Tern, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Stint, Spotted Redshanks x 19 at Snettisham RSPB.
Crossbills x 8 at Ongar Hill.
Spoonbills x 6, Garganey, Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Wood Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Little Stint, Yellow-legged Gulls x 2, Red-crested Pochards x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 4 at Kelling Water Meadows.
Spoonbills x 25 at Stiffkey Fen.
Little Gulls x 30 at Sheringham.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BEE-EATER yesterday over Alkborough.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Spoonbills x 2, Curlew Sandpiper at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret, Spoonbills x 4, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Continental Black-tailed Godwit, Little Gull, Yellow-legged Gulls x 7 at Cley NWT.
Quail at Weybourne.
Quail at Wiveton.
Black Tern, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Stint, Spotted Redshanks x 19 at Snettisham RSPB.
Crossbills x 8 at Ongar Hill.
Spoonbills x 6, Garganey, Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Wood Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 2, Little Stint, Yellow-legged Gulls x 2, Red-crested Pochards x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 4 at Kelling Water Meadows.
Spoonbills x 25 at Stiffkey Fen.
Little Gulls x 30 at Sheringham.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BEE-EATER yesterday over Alkborough.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Red-backed Shrikes Rear Four Chicks in Shetland!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-33803236
When I was a 'gal', Red-backed Shrikes used to breed in the paddocks behind the NWT pay hut at Holme – unbelievable when I think about it now, but they did and Nightingales bred there too.
When I was a 'gal', Red-backed Shrikes used to breed in the paddocks behind the NWT pay hut at Holme – unbelievable when I think about it now, but they did and Nightingales bred there too.
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Spoonbills x 13, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpipers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
TURTLE DOVE, Garganey, Green Sandpipers x 50 at Cantley Beet Factory.
Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Curlew Sandpiper at Breydon Water.
BLACK STORK flew high west at 11.10am over at Cley NWT.
Caspian Gull, Little Stints x 2, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 2 at Cley NWT.
ALPINE SWIFT flew south over beach and dunes, 3.26pm at Horsey.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK at Gibraltar Point NNR.
Suffolk Highlights
• BEE-EATERS x 4 flew east over car park at Minsmere RSPB.
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FEA'S/ZINO'S PETREL at Porthgwarra, Cornwall.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Spoonbills x 13, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpipers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
TURTLE DOVE, Garganey, Green Sandpipers x 50 at Cantley Beet Factory.
Spoonbills x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Curlew Sandpiper at Breydon Water.
BLACK STORK flew high west at 11.10am over at Cley NWT.
Caspian Gull, Little Stints x 2, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 2 at Cley NWT.
ALPINE SWIFT flew south over beach and dunes, 3.26pm at Horsey.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK at Gibraltar Point NNR.
Suffolk Highlights
• BEE-EATERS x 4 flew east over car park at Minsmere RSPB.
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FEA'S/ZINO'S PETREL at Porthgwarra, Cornwall.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Tuesday, 4 August 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Little Gull, Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbills x 2 at Breydon Water.
Spoonbills x 14, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB.
Wood Sandpipers x 3 at Welney WWT.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 2 yesterday at Kelling Water Meadows.
Caspian Gull, Spoonbills x 5, Little Gulls x 5, Yellow-legged Gulls x 14, Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Little Stints x 2, Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Cley NWT.
Spoonbills x 6 at Burnham Norton.
Wood Sandpiper at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Garganey at Cantley Beet Factory.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK seen south of Donna Nook, Rimac, Theddlethorpe St Helen, Conisholme & Read's Island.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 4, Little Gull, Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbills x 2 at Breydon Water.
Spoonbills x 14, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB.
Wood Sandpipers x 3 at Welney WWT.
Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 2 yesterday at Kelling Water Meadows.
Caspian Gull, Spoonbills x 5, Little Gulls x 5, Yellow-legged Gulls x 14, Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Little Stints x 2, Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Cley NWT.
Spoonbills x 6 at Burnham Norton.
Wood Sandpiper at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Garganey at Cantley Beet Factory.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK seen south of Donna Nook, Rimac, Theddlethorpe St Helen, Conisholme & Read's Island.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Monday, 3 August 2015
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Curlew Sandpipers x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Breydon Water.
Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 5 at Snettisham RSPB.
Yellow-winged Darter Dragonfly at Winterton.
Whinchat at Happisburgh.
Spoonbills x 14, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks x 6 at Titchwell RSPB.
Little Gull at Salhouse Broad.
Garganey at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Cley NWT.
Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Welney WWT.
Suffolk Highlights
• BLACK KITE flew over Whatfield.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK flew over Tetney Marshes RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FEA'S/ZINO'S PETREL flew past Galley Head, County Cork, Ireland.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Curlew Sandpipers x 4, Spotted Redshanks x 4 at Breydon Water.
Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 5 at Snettisham RSPB.
Yellow-winged Darter Dragonfly at Winterton.
Whinchat at Happisburgh.
Spoonbills x 14, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshanks x 6 at Titchwell RSPB.
Little Gull at Salhouse Broad.
Garganey at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Continental Black-tailed Godwit at Cley NWT.
Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Welney WWT.
Suffolk Highlights
• BLACK KITE flew over Whatfield.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BLACK STORK flew over Tetney Marshes RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FEA'S/ZINO'S PETREL flew past Galley Head, County Cork, Ireland.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Sunday, 2 August 2015
Lazy Summer Day!
I eventually crawled out of bed with the usual aching limbs from my walk to Blakeney Point yesterday. Another gloriously sunny day and I decided to spend it with my parents and sister Vivien. The traffic heading to the coast was insane – you have to leave early morning to avoid queueing to Hunstanton in the school holidays, but I didn't rise early and I was now paying the price. However, when I arrived at Heacham, I diverted through Ringstead and then had the road to myself!
I stuck to my diet all day and watched my parent's enjoying their posh fish 'n' chips at £6.50 each from the Thornham Farm Shop Fish 'n' Chip Restaurant and Take Away, whilst I had my salad lunch. Vivien had also bought her own food. We attempted to get Father outside in the wheelchair, but we just couldn't manage it, so he had to make do with sitting in the hall by the front door. Vivien discovered two balls of black fluff.... two tiny Moorhen chicks at the top of the garden learning to swim in the pond, very sweet.
Later on, whilst I was on Father watch.... Vivien hurriedly came into the house to say Mother had found a Banded Demoiselle in the garden. I flew to the car, grabbed camera and shot down the garden and managed to get some half decent shots as it perched on a weeping willow branch – they really are wonderful to see, with their iridescent blue wings. I spent most of my time helping Mother to prune her large Buddelias.
Vivien left to go for a walk along the prom at Hunstanton on her way home. I was going to Titchwell, but changed my mind at the last moment and decided to join Vivien in Hunstanton. As sisters we hardly ever spend any time on our own together, so this turned out to be a lovely evening. Hunstanton was packed out with day trippers and people watching the sun set over The Wash. Lots of gulls were loafing around on the roof of the Pier Entertainment Centre – mostly Black-headed Gulls, but also one Herring Gull and a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls. We reminisced back to our childhood and talked about the playground in the cliff top gardens where we used to play – there is a rocking horse type ride, which has been there since I was a toddler! The pitch 'n' putt next to the playground has a good variety of bushes and shrubs which can be good for migrants in Spring and Autumn, but today it only held House Sparrows chirping away and a Wood Pigeon. Also the water fountain with the bright orange fish swimming amongst the water lily's, has also been there forever, very fond memories of this, when walking through the gardens with my Grandmother Hess (my Father's Mother). Vivien and I ambled back to our cars and left to join more traffic to get home.
I stuck to my diet all day and watched my parent's enjoying their posh fish 'n' chips at £6.50 each from the Thornham Farm Shop Fish 'n' Chip Restaurant and Take Away, whilst I had my salad lunch. Vivien had also bought her own food. We attempted to get Father outside in the wheelchair, but we just couldn't manage it, so he had to make do with sitting in the hall by the front door. Vivien discovered two balls of black fluff.... two tiny Moorhen chicks at the top of the garden learning to swim in the pond, very sweet.
Later on, whilst I was on Father watch.... Vivien hurriedly came into the house to say Mother had found a Banded Demoiselle in the garden. I flew to the car, grabbed camera and shot down the garden and managed to get some half decent shots as it perched on a weeping willow branch – they really are wonderful to see, with their iridescent blue wings. I spent most of my time helping Mother to prune her large Buddelias.
Vivien left to go for a walk along the prom at Hunstanton on her way home. I was going to Titchwell, but changed my mind at the last moment and decided to join Vivien in Hunstanton. As sisters we hardly ever spend any time on our own together, so this turned out to be a lovely evening. Hunstanton was packed out with day trippers and people watching the sun set over The Wash. Lots of gulls were loafing around on the roof of the Pier Entertainment Centre – mostly Black-headed Gulls, but also one Herring Gull and a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls. We reminisced back to our childhood and talked about the playground in the cliff top gardens where we used to play – there is a rocking horse type ride, which has been there since I was a toddler! The pitch 'n' putt next to the playground has a good variety of bushes and shrubs which can be good for migrants in Spring and Autumn, but today it only held House Sparrows chirping away and a Wood Pigeon. Also the water fountain with the bright orange fish swimming amongst the water lily's, has also been there forever, very fond memories of this, when walking through the gardens with my Grandmother Hess (my Father's Mother). Vivien and I ambled back to our cars and left to join more traffic to get home.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert
Garganey, Spoonbills x 11, Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Spotted Redshanks x 5, Little Stints x 2, Wood Sandpiper, Arctic Terns x 14 at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egrets x 2 flew over Lifeboat House, Blakeney Point.
Mediterranean Gulls x 882, Montagu's Harrier, Little Gulls x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 6 at Breydon Water.
Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Spoonbills x 24 at Stiffkey Fen.
Great Northern Diver at Weybourne.
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE reported at 12.10pm-1.50pm at Catfield Fen BCNR (described by non-birders).
Osprey at Winterton.
Suffolk Highlights
• BEE-EATER flew north over carpark at 10.10am at Minsmere RSPB.
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
• BLACK STORK juv. reported on Tuesday near Halesworth at Wenhaston Marsh.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FEA'S/ZINO'S PETREL flew west past Galley Head, County Cork, Ireland.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Garganey, Spoonbills x 11, Curlew Sandpipers x 3, Spotted Redshanks x 5, Little Stints x 2, Wood Sandpiper, Arctic Terns x 14 at Titchwell RSPB.
Great White Egrets x 2 flew over Lifeboat House, Blakeney Point.
Mediterranean Gulls x 882, Montagu's Harrier, Little Gulls x 2, Spotted Redshanks x 6 at Breydon Water.
Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Rush Hill Scrape, Hickling Broad NWT.
Spoonbills x 24 at Stiffkey Fen.
Great Northern Diver at Weybourne.
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE reported at 12.10pm-1.50pm at Catfield Fen BCNR (described by non-birders).
Osprey at Winterton.
Suffolk Highlights
• BEE-EATER flew north over carpark at 10.10am at Minsmere RSPB.
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
• BLACK STORK juv. reported on Tuesday near Halesworth at Wenhaston Marsh.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! FEA'S/ZINO'S PETREL flew west past Galley Head, County Cork, Ireland.
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
Cilla Black, Singer and TV Star, Dies in Spain aged 72!
I've grown up with Cilla Black, a wonderful lady, how very sad to hear of her death at such a young age – RIP Cilla.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33751060
Update: Tuesday 4th August: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33779792?post_id=10207282523006332_10207313177172667
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33751060
Update: Tuesday 4th August: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33779792?post_id=10207282523006332_10207313177172667
Saturday, 1 August 2015
BLAKENEY POINT & CLEY NWT!
I got up very early this morning and was walking Blakeney Point by 7am. The tide was high so I had no choice, but to walk through the shingle and sueda. It was a beautiful day, but very cold and needed my coat. I had little faith in bagging last night's Melodious Warbler, but I had to try! Lots of Reed Buntings, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Starlings, Linnets, Swallows and a Marsh Harrier and several Sandwich Terns fishing. Familes staying at Half Way House, meant I couldn't stop there, so continued on to The Lupins and The Plantation. Up on the pager bleeps 'no sign of Melodious Warbler' – as I expected really!!! I continued anyway, I had come this far. There wasn't a single bird in The Plantation, I had a lovely snooze in the sunshine. Only Linnets in The Lupins. Headed back.
Walked back along the beach with headphones in to help me get back quicker, listening to 'Kiesza' and 'Dizzie Rascal'....'Bonkers'.... yep sums me up! I felt completely exhausted and it was also very hot now. I had far too many clothes on and massively regretted bringing a coat! I politely pointed out to a couple with a dog that they were not allowed to be where they were because of the tern enclosure – in fact I had to say it TWICE and they still blanked me and carried on! This infuriated me, so I phoned up the rangers at Blakeney Point and Paul came out on his quad bike to have 'words' with them. What don't people understand when they read a sign, some obviously need to go back and re-sit their English exam. As usual it seemed to take forever to get back to Coastguards. I could not believe the amount of people on the beach and in the car park at Coastguards, it looked like Great Yarmouth! People were queueing to get and out of the car park and it was jam packed with cars. Get me out of here!!!
Got out of there as quickly as possible and headed for Cleyspy. I asked the team if they could cut down and shorten the handle to my new tripod as it is irritatingly long and gets in the way. Andrew was a bit apprehensive about doing this initially, knowing how particular I am, but he did an excellent job and it works much better now, when I tested it out later.
Went to Cley Visitor Centre to enjoy a pot of tea and a well earned rest. Got talking to a really nice couple from Surrey and gave them some birding tips about where to go etc. It was quite peaceful here and it wasn't jam packed with people like the car park at Coastguards was, mind you I'm sure it was a different story at lunchtime. Sad to see that Pat has left the VC, but I wish him well and look forward to him returning to Norfolk eventually. Had a nice chat with volunteer Susan about unruly dogs etc and then left.
Walsey Hills NOA – bumped into Eddie M. here. Walked along the bottom path and back, had no energy to go further. A couple of Comma butterflies were seen, but no birds at all!
Daukes' Hide, Cley NWT. This was the best part of the day and I had a fabulous list of birds by the time I left at 8.20pm. Before I walked into the hide I spent some time photographing Goldfinches on the dead trees and was just about to photograph a Cetti's Warbler, when a Sparrowhawk bombed into the reeds and scattered the lot! From the hide with Sue and Steve G., then Andy J and later Eddie M., and Mark G. I saw: Spoonbill flying east, Spotted Redshank, Little Gulls x 3, Green Sandpipers x 3 landed briefly, Knot, Yellow-legged Gulls, Barn Owl, 2 Whimbrel flew west with 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, lots of Avocets and a couple of fluffy chicks, several Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits, Shelduck, 9 Snipe, a few Dunlin, Marsh Harrier, Little Egret, Heron, 2 Kestrels hovering over North Scrape, Mute Swans x 2 (no black-browed Albatross with though!), flocks of Starlings, several Pied Wagtails, Black-headed Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls. A Water Vole put in a brief appearance and a Hare ran through the long grass. A lovely end to the day.
Walked back along the beach with headphones in to help me get back quicker, listening to 'Kiesza' and 'Dizzie Rascal'....'Bonkers'.... yep sums me up! I felt completely exhausted and it was also very hot now. I had far too many clothes on and massively regretted bringing a coat! I politely pointed out to a couple with a dog that they were not allowed to be where they were because of the tern enclosure – in fact I had to say it TWICE and they still blanked me and carried on! This infuriated me, so I phoned up the rangers at Blakeney Point and Paul came out on his quad bike to have 'words' with them. What don't people understand when they read a sign, some obviously need to go back and re-sit their English exam. As usual it seemed to take forever to get back to Coastguards. I could not believe the amount of people on the beach and in the car park at Coastguards, it looked like Great Yarmouth! People were queueing to get and out of the car park and it was jam packed with cars. Get me out of here!!!
Got out of there as quickly as possible and headed for Cleyspy. I asked the team if they could cut down and shorten the handle to my new tripod as it is irritatingly long and gets in the way. Andrew was a bit apprehensive about doing this initially, knowing how particular I am, but he did an excellent job and it works much better now, when I tested it out later.
Went to Cley Visitor Centre to enjoy a pot of tea and a well earned rest. Got talking to a really nice couple from Surrey and gave them some birding tips about where to go etc. It was quite peaceful here and it wasn't jam packed with people like the car park at Coastguards was, mind you I'm sure it was a different story at lunchtime. Sad to see that Pat has left the VC, but I wish him well and look forward to him returning to Norfolk eventually. Had a nice chat with volunteer Susan about unruly dogs etc and then left.
Walsey Hills NOA – bumped into Eddie M. here. Walked along the bottom path and back, had no energy to go further. A couple of Comma butterflies were seen, but no birds at all!
Daukes' Hide, Cley NWT. This was the best part of the day and I had a fabulous list of birds by the time I left at 8.20pm. Before I walked into the hide I spent some time photographing Goldfinches on the dead trees and was just about to photograph a Cetti's Warbler, when a Sparrowhawk bombed into the reeds and scattered the lot! From the hide with Sue and Steve G., then Andy J and later Eddie M., and Mark G. I saw: Spoonbill flying east, Spotted Redshank, Little Gulls x 3, Green Sandpipers x 3 landed briefly, Knot, Yellow-legged Gulls, Barn Owl, 2 Whimbrel flew west with 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, lots of Avocets and a couple of fluffy chicks, several Ruff, Black-tailed Godwits, Shelduck, 9 Snipe, a few Dunlin, Marsh Harrier, Little Egret, Heron, 2 Kestrels hovering over North Scrape, Mute Swans x 2 (no black-browed Albatross with though!), flocks of Starlings, several Pied Wagtails, Black-headed Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls. A Water Vole put in a brief appearance and a Hare ran through the long grass. A lovely end to the day.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
TURTLE DOVES x 2, Pomarine Skua, Garganey, Spoonbills x 11, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Arctic Tern and Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
TURTLE DOVE, Spoonbills x 20 at Stiffkey Fen.
Crossbills x 3 at Aylmerton.
Yellow-winged Darter Dragonfly at northernmost of two small pools in centre of dunes at Winterton.
Common Cranes x 5 at Welney WWT.
Spotted Redshanks x 5, Wood Sandpiper at Breydon Water.
Quail at Binham.
Yellow-legged Gull at Cromer.
Red-veined Darter Dragonfly south of Taverham, Norwich.
Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Arnold's Marsh, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gulls x 14, Continental Black-tailed Godwit, Little Gulls x 5 from Daukes' Hide at Cley NWT.
TURTLE DOVE in garden at Bunwell, SE of Attleborough.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BEE-EATERS x 2 at Wash Viewpoint, then flew SW at Gibraltar Point NNR.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
TURTLE DOVES x 2, Pomarine Skua, Garganey, Spoonbills x 11, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Arctic Tern and Red-veined Darter Dragonflies x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
TURTLE DOVE, Spoonbills x 20 at Stiffkey Fen.
Crossbills x 3 at Aylmerton.
Yellow-winged Darter Dragonfly at northernmost of two small pools in centre of dunes at Winterton.
Common Cranes x 5 at Welney WWT.
Spotted Redshanks x 5, Wood Sandpiper at Breydon Water.
Quail at Binham.
Yellow-legged Gull at Cromer.
Red-veined Darter Dragonfly south of Taverham, Norwich.
Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Arnold's Marsh, Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gulls x 14, Continental Black-tailed Godwit, Little Gulls x 5 from Daukes' Hide at Cley NWT.
TURTLE DOVE in garden at Bunwell, SE of Attleborough.
Lincolnshire Hightlights
• BEE-EATERS x 2 at Wash Viewpoint, then flew SW at Gibraltar Point NNR.
Suffolk Highlights
• PURPLE HERON still at King's Fleet.
MEGA NEWS!
BEE-EATERS still at two nests, SSW of Brampton, Cumbria (present since mid-June). Access 8am-8pm only to RSPB viewpoint. Follow all on site instructions. £5.00 to park. (see my main post with links to further details).
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