LOCKDOWN DAY 15 – COVID-19

This evening I fell asleep and then felt I really needed to walk. I ventured out from my house for only my second daily allowed walk, since this whole pandemic began. I ended up walking much further than I had intended! Walked along a cycle path, along fields and ended up in the wood next to the QEH and then back along the main road to my house. Only birds seen: a Pheasant and a Red-legged Partridge – no migrants, nothing exciting at all.

Sue G. tipped me off about a brilliant documentary, that was on Channel 5 this evening!

A Country Life for Half the Price with Kate Humble: The Cook Family who relocate from Exeter to Yell on Shetland! A fascinating documentary and has helped me with my decision!

The battle against a vicious disease

King's Lynn hospital sets out its plans to tackle Covid-19

Coronavirus cases rise by 40 in Norfolk

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Grasshopper Warbler singing at Thorpe Marsh, Thorpe St Andrew
Ring Ouzels x 3 at Roydon Common NNR
Great White Egrets x 5 at Welney WWT
Hooded Crow, Great White Egret, Jack Snipe, White Wagtail at Cley NWT
Ring Ouzel at Upton Marshes NWT
Ring Ouzels x 3 on west side of Caister-on-Sea
Hooded Crow, Spoonbill, Yellow Wagtail at Weybourne Camp
Ring Ouzels x 9 at Cawston Heath
Ring Ouzels x 2 at West Runton
Ring Ouzel at The Lizard, Wymondham
Common Crane flew over Stalham
Rough-legged Buzzard at Horsey
Ring Ouzels x 3 at Fenway, Heacham
Garden Warbler singing north of Yelverton
Great White Egret at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Ring Ouzel at Claxton
Ring Ouzels x 3, Woodlark at Hemsby
Cattle Egret at Nar Flood Storage Reservoir, Blackborough
Large Tortoiseshell Butterfly in garden at High Kelling

MEGA NEWS 
LESSER KESTREL 
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh, Lothian, Scotland

RBA Weekly Round-Up 31st March to 6th April!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/weeklyRoundup2020_15.aspx?s_id=537923650

Rutland Bird Fair 2020 Cancelled

https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Birdfair_2020_Cancelled.aspx?s_id=537923650

LOCKDOWN DAY 14 – COVID-19

Boris Johnson moved to intensive care as symptoms worsen

Inside an ICU fighting Covid-19

Largest rise in Norfolk coronavirus deaths as 12 more die

COVID-19 statement from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Ring Ouzel at Cley
Spoonbill, Jack Snipe, Yellow Wagtails x 2 at Cley NWT
Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill flew past Salthouse
Pied Flycatcher briefly, Ring Ouzel at Gramborough Hill
Ring Ouzels x 8 and Spoonbills x 3 flew over Sheringham
Garganey x 2, Great White Egret at Upton Marshes NWT
Ring Ouzels x 2, Yellow Wagtails x 2 at Weybourne
Ring Ouzels x 2, Wheatear at Felmingham
Great White Egret at Wiveton
Hen Harrier, Sedge Warblers x 2, Whimbrel x 2, Yellow Wagtails x 2, Spoonbills x 3 at Breydon Water
White Stork flew over River Wensum, Great Ryburgh
Ring Ouzel on west side of Caister-on-Sea
White Stork, Ring Ouzels x 5 at Billingford, ESE of North Elmham
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Sedgeford
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret at Nar Valley Fisheries
Bittern at Earlham, west of Norwich
Grasshopper Warbler singing at Thorpe Marsh, Thorpe St Andrew
Hooded Crow at Southrepps
Bittern flew over Horsford

MEGA NEWS 
LESSER KESTREL 
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

LOCKDOWN DAY 13 – COVID-19

I have stayed in the entire weekend and not been on any 'daily walks' – couldn't see the point as not the same as birding on the coast, not the same at all, plus I'm in a very depressive mood. Its very difficult reading about all the migrants turning up on the coast and people's birding accounts in rural areas, very difficult indeed. I still haven't heard a Chiffchaff, never mind anything else. My only consolation is that my garden is quite busy with birds, which includes Blackbirds, Robins, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Hedge Sparrow, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Starlings and House Sparrows – all enjoying my selection of bird food and daily cleaned out bird baths.

I attempted to sit outside to eat my lunch, but it was too hot! Late afternoon, I forced myself to start removing elder from the back of my garden, which I should have done long ago – I have a brilliant bow saw, which cuts through most things with ease, so it was a fairly easy task. I didn't get very far though – its going to be a long job. My fencing is all dodgy too, but hoping I don't have to replace this before I move. I didn't see any hirundines from my back garden, only gulls flying over. Bees and Hoverflies were in the garden and one Brimstone Butterfly seen briefly.

Lots of news on social media of people AGAIN not following the rules, including day trippers, people not social distancing, second home owners still arriving in Norfolk, people driving for walks and parking in car parks that have signs up to say they are closed (obviously some people are either pretty thick, can't read or don't care), not only in Norfolk, but all over the UK. We obviously need total lockdown to make things black and white for those that only have half a brain cell.

Queen tells UK 'we will succeed' in fight

PM admitted to hospital over virus symptoms

Scotland's chief medical officer resigns over lockdown trip

Positive coronavirus patients at QEH rises to 71  this is dated 3rd April, so presumably higher numbers now

Five more coronavirus deaths at Norfolk hospitals

Outdoor exercise may be banned if people keep ignoring lockdown rules, says health secretary

A Tiger at the Bronx Zoo Has Tested Positive for Coronavirus

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Ring Ouzel  at Limpenhoe
Hawfinches x 2 flew over Cockley Cley
Cattle Egret, Great White Egret at Wormegay
Common Terns x 3 at Colney Gravel Pits
Little Ringed Plovers (no general access) at Wymondham Gravel Pits
Bittern flew over, Sandwich Terns x 5 flew over garden in Norwich
Hen Harrier flew over Wereham
Woodlark at North Dunes, Winterton
Ring Ouzels x 2 at Hungry Hill, Northrepps
White Stork (ringed), Great White Egret at Welney WWT
House Martin at Roydon
Common Cranes x 4 flew over Sparham
Little Gull, Common Terns x 4 at Filby Broad
Common Cranes x 2 flew over Hunstanton
Black Redstart at West Runton
Shorelarks x 2 at Holkham
Little Gulls x 13 flew over Hopton-on-Sea
Sedge Warbler at Walsey Hills NOA (note this reserve is currently closed as are all NOA reserves)
Great White Egret, Whimbrel at Salthouse
Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Ring Ouzel at Cley
Whitethroat singing by railway at Wymondham
Hen Harrier flew over Beach Road at Snettisham
Whimbrel x 2 at Blakeney Harbour
Bittern flew over West Earlham
Whimbrel flew over Hingham
Ring Ouzel at Hemsby
Caspian Gull at Nunnery Lakes, Whimbrel flew over Thetford

MEGA NEWS 
LESSER KESTREL 
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

LOCKDOWN DAY 12 – COVID-19

Eight more coronavirus deaths in Norfolk as UK death toll jumps by 708

COVID-19 statement from The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Raven at East Barsham
Osprey at Kelling Heath
Bewick's Swans x 2 flew over Winterton
Common Cranes x 7 flew over Hungry Hill, Northrepps
Common Cranes x 7 flew over West Runton
Common Cranes x 4 flew over Horsford
Swallows x 3, Great White Egrets x 2, Spoonbill at Cley NWT
Osprey flew over Cley
Common Scoters x 2 flew over Norwich
Common Scoters x 2 flew over Hempton
Velvet Scoter off South Beach, Heacham
White Wagtails x 4 at Hopton-on-Sea
Sedge Warbler, Little Ringed Plovers x 2, Red-crested Pochards x 2 at Titchwell RSPB (please note that the reserve is closed)
White Wagtail at Felmingham
Lesser Whitethroat (probable) heard only at Wymondham
Common Scoters x 4 flew over Hellesdon
Common Terns x 10 at Filby Broad
Common Crane flew over Beeston Common

MEGA NEWS 
LESSER KESTREL 
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

LOCKDOWN DAY 11 – COVID-19

Very, very low mood, good night.

Coronavirus: Staying home this weekend 'not a request', UK told

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52155430

Coronavirus deaths in Norfolk rise to 38 as UK sees total increase by 684

‘This is a not a public holiday’ - People urged to stay in over hot weekend to curb coronavirus

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Raven at East Barsham
Sedge Warbler at Titchwell RSPB
Russian White-fronted Goose at Nunnery Lakes, Thetford
Great White Egrets x 2, Common Cranes x 2 at Welney WWT
White-tailed Eagle at Thorpe St Andrew
White-tailed Eagle at Colney
Swallow over Weybourne
Cattle Egret at Limpenhoe
Great White Egret at Salthouse
Black Redstart in gardens at Great Massingham
Osprey (probable) flew over Norwich
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney Bank
Black Redstart at North Beach, Heacham
Common Crane flew over Great Ryburgh
Ring Ouzel at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Common Scoters x 2 flew over Swaffham
Osprey flew over Dersingham

MEGA NEWS 
LESSER KESTREL 
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

This is when Comet Atlas is set to light up the night sky this month

https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/this-is-when-to-see-massive-comet-visible-in-night-sky-9105241/

LOCKDOWN DAY 10 – COVID-19

I took two very large boxes of Thorntons and Lindt chocolates to the very kind person in ENT this morning (see yesterday's post). I also brought in two Strawberry Gateux's to my colleagues to add a little extra sparkle to our lunch!

My hands are closed to bleeding from far more hand washing then you would normally do! A particularly crazy day, shattered.

There were a few pots and pans being banged for Clap For Carers at 8pm, but no where near as many as last week – maybe people had forgotten or the novelty had worn off, but still very thankful for those that did make the effort to join in, very much appreciated, thank you.

Coronavirus: Confirmed global cases pass one million

Clap for Carers: UK applauds the NHS and other key workers

Huge applause from Norfolk for NHS and key workers fighting coronavirus

Six more coronavirus deaths in Norfolk as UK reaches new record for testing

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common NNR
Great White Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT
Cattle Egret at Limpenhoe
Black Redstart at South Denes, Great Yarmouth
Cattle Egret flew over South Beach, Heacham
Osprey flew over North Hamlet, Norwich
Great White Egret at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Velvet Scoter flew past Hemsby
Cattle Egret flew over Binham
Raven at East Barsham
Caspian Gull at Sheringham

MEGA NEWS 
SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER
Dungeness, Kent
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

LOCKDOWN DAY 9 – COVID-19

I went to my local supermarket this evening, to buy a few essentials, plus two massive boxes of chocolates for a very kind person in the ENT team at the QEH – I can't say who, why etc, but lets just say this person went way beyond the call of duty – I will deliver the chocolates tomorrow. Several people in the supermarket were wearing masks and gloves and I felt more at risk here, than I do in the hospital to be honest! I managed to find boxes of yeast, which a member of staff had just put on the shelves at 9.50pm – 10 minutes before closing! Very pleased that I was able to get Bev (from work) a box of yeast for her breadmaking. I also bought the team a luxury treat for lunchtime tomorrow!

Everything is so weird now. I find myself not shaking hands with patients I meet anymore and this is not normal at all for me or indeed for any of us. We are distancing ourselves from everyone. We can't even have hugs in our team, its all very difficult at times. So now we have air hugs! Sounds odd but we put our arms out as if to hug someone, but don't – makes us smile when we do this, it will have to make do for now!

UK coronavirus death toll rises by 563 to 2,352 in biggest daily jump yet

Seven coronavirus deaths sees Norfolk total rise to 25

Coronavirus cases in Norfolk rise to 180

King's Lynn hospital coronavirus death toll rises to 10

WHO 'deeply concerned by coronavirus 'rapid escalation'

Charles speaks following virus diagnosis

Goats take over deserted Llandudno!

18 concerts, plays and West End shows you can stream for free

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Sedge Warbler at Potter Heigham
Great White Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT
Lanner (adult) at Breydon Water
Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Hen Harrier at Cley NWT
Cattle Egret at Limpenhoe
Velvet Scoters x 2 off South Beach at Heacham
Short-eared Owl at Winterton
Common Scoters x 10 flew over Hingham
Caspian Gull at Hemsby
Common Scoters x 2 flew over Hellesdon

MEGA NEWS 
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

LOCKDOWN DAY 8 – COVID-19

TUESDAY 31st MARCH

You can't quite believe, that we have only been in lock down for just over a week, its almost unreal. It has all happened so quickly and so unexpectedly that its hard to take in. Not being allowed to do many of the things that we normally do, is going to test our minds, our relationships, our everything. Hang in there! We're British, we can do this!!!

The best thing to happen to me today personally, was my little sister Vivien FINALLY working out how to do a WhatsApp Video call!!! It was really lovely to see her sitting in the narrow boat that she shares with her partner Ray – signal was a bit dodgy but it usually is where their boat is moored. Sadly Lucy has an ancient Nokia phone (which is close to packing up), so many need to encourage her to get a new smartphone!

Seven more confirmed coronavirus deaths in Norfolk

Coronavirus: Three more deaths confirmed at King's Lynn hospital

Coronavirus: Woman faces court for ignoring police orders to go home

‘It’s my public duty’ - farmer challenges dog walkers heading to his fields

Coronavirus: Lockdown prompts clear fall in UK air pollution

Family goes viral with lockdown Les Mis song adaptation

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT" 
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
TUESDAY 31st MARCH
Osprey in tree at Tasburgh
Waxwings x 2 at Salthouse
Purple Heron, Cuckoo, Snow Buntings x 5, Great White Egret at Cley NWT
Black Redstart by beach car park at Cley
Ravens x 2 flew over Wiveton
Osprey flew over Hingham
Great White Egret at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Great White Egret at Thorpe Marshes, Haddiscoe

MEGA NEWS 
LESSER KESTREL
St Mary's, Isles of Scilly

RBA Weekly Round-Up 24th to 30th March!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2020_14.aspx?s_id=373033412