By Jon Dunn
Tuesday, 23 November 2021
Monday, 22 November 2021
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
Siberian Chiffchaff, Little Auk, Grey Phalaropes x 2, Black Guillemot, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Snow Bunting, Hen Harriers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Common Cranes x 6 at East Wretham Heath
Little Auks x 4, Long-eared Owl, Pomarine Skua, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 5, Red-necked Grebe, Scaup x 8, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter at Sheringham
Hawfinches x 35 at Lynford Aboretum
Sabine's Gull 1w, Little Auks x 2, Long-tailed Duck at Winterton
Shorelarks x 5, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Holkham Bay
Dusky Warbler at Holkham Pines
Bittern at Whitlingham Country Park
Little Auk at Trimingham
Black Guillemot, Little Auk, Pomarine Skua, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2, Red-necked Grebes x 3 from beach car park, Short-eared Owl at Cley
Snow Buntings x 23 at Cley NWT
Barred Warbler, Great Grey Shrike, Little Auk, Black-throated Diver at Waxham
Richard's Pipit flew over, Velvet Scoter at South Beach, Heacham
Little Auks x 3, Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe, Black Redstart, Long-tailed Duck flew past Weybourne
Little Stints x 2, Snow Buntings x 20 at Snettisham RSPB
Great Northern Diver, Snow Bunting at Holme Dunes
Whooper Swans x 30 at Hempstead Marshes
Snow Buntings x 13 at North Denes, Black Redstarts x 2 at South Denes, Great Yarmouth
Lapland Buntings x 6, Snow Bunting at Happisburgh
Little Auk, Great Northern Diver at Sidestrand
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Red-flanked Bluetail at Blakeney Point
Hen Harrier male west of North Point Pools at Wells
Water Pipit, Russian White-fronted Geese x 30 flew over, Common Cranes x 39, Hen Harrier male at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT
Little Auk at Mundesley
Hen Harriers x 3, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Stiffkey
Russian White-fronted Geese x 8, Common Cranes x 5 at Cantley Marshes RSPB
MEGA NEWS
KILLDEER
Sandaig, Argyll & Bute
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER Fisherrow, Lothian
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER
Crookhaven, County Cork, IrelandCanon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens!!!
I ordered this lens at Wex on 13th September and I have been in a very long queue. I was told that I probably wouldn't get this lens before Christmas, but on Friday I had a phone call to say that a large batch had arrived at Wex and my Canon RF 100-500mm f4.5-7.1L IS USM lens was ready to collect! So on Sunday afternoon I nipped over to Wex and collected my lens. This will be the last of my big spending spree on camera gear for many years!
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
SUNDAY 21st NOVEMBER
Hawfinches x 35 at Lynford Aboretum
Leach's Petrel, Grey Phalaropes x 3, Little Auks x 2, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Manx Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Puffin, Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Little Gulls x 17, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 5, Velvet Scoters x 3, Snow Buntings x 2 offshore, Black Redstart in churchyard at Cley
Leach's Petrel, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Puffins x 7, Sooty Shearwaters x 4, Manx Shearwaters x 7, Arctic Skua, Great Northern Divers x 8, Velvet Scoter, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Little Gulls x 72, Purple Sandpipers x 2, Short-eared Owl at Sheringham
Grey Phalarope, Black-throated Diver, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, Pomarine Skua, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Great Grey Shrike, Sooty Shearwaters x 2 at Waxham
Whooper Swans x 11 at Sea PallingCattle Egrets x 3, Spoonbills x 10, Common Cranes x 27 at Hickling Broad NWT
Little Auk at Gorleston-on-Sea
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Bunting at Holkham Bay
Pomarine Skua, Short-eared Owl, Great Northern Diver, Snow Buntings x 35 at WeybourneGreat Northern Diver, Snow Buntings x 7 at Winterton
Grey Phalarope at Blakeney Point
Russian White-fronted Goose, Cattle Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh
Little Gulls x 7 at Happisburgh
Grey Phalarope, Pomarine Skuas x 2, Little Gull, Manx Shearwaters x 2, Great Northern Divers x 2, Velvet Scoter at West Runton
Caspian Gull, Snow Bunting at East Wretham Heath
Pomarine Skuas x 2, Long-tailed Ducks x 2, Little Gulls x 2, Sooty Shearwater, Manx Shearwater at Holme
Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter at Trimingham
Great Northern Divers x 3, Velvet Scoter at Mundesley
MEGA NEWS
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
FORSTER'S TERN
Kinvarra, County Galway, Ireland
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian
Saturday, 20 November 2021
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT"
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Black Guillemot, Great Northern Diver off beach car park, Short-eared Owl at Cley
Grey Phalarope, House Martin, Snow Buntings x 100, Caspian Gull, Russian White-fronted Goose, Slavonian Grebe at Cley NWT
Water Pipit, Black-throated Diver, Hen Harriers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB
Snow Buntings x 52 at Gramborough Hill, Grey Phalarope, Russian White-fronted Goose at Salthouse
Great Grey Shrike at Waxham
Hawfinches x 6 at Lynford Aboretum
Shorelarks x 5, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham Bay
Water Pipits x 2 at Potter Heigham MarshesLapland Bunting at Happisburgh
Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 6, Little Gulls x 5 at Sheringham
Snow Buntings x 40 at Caister-on-Sea
Short-eared Owl at Cromer
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Common Cranes x 40 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT
Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting flew over Wells Harbour
Snow Buntings x 40 at Blakeney Point
MEGA NEWS
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER
NORTHERN HARRIERCrook Haven County Cork, Ireland
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland
Friday, 19 November 2021
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT"
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Hawfinches x 25 at Lynford Aboretum
Great Grey Shrike at Waxham
Siberian Chiffchaff at Beeston Common, Beeston RegisBlack Guillemot, Snow Bunting, Little Gull at Weybourne
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 18 at Gramborough Hill
Bean Goose sp., Russian White-fronted Goose at Salthouse
Slavonian Grebe, Snow Buntings x 20 at Titchwell RSPB
Shorelarks x 3 at Holkham Bay
Lapland Bunting at Happisburgh
Black Guillemot on sea at Kelling
Hen Harrier at Roydon Common
Tundra Bean Goose at Choseley
Little Auks x 2, Short-eared Owl, Snow Buntings x 100 at Cley NWT
Lesser White-fronted Goose (presumed escape) between Ringstead & Sedgeford
Long-tailed Duck at Holme
Black Guillemot at Sheringham
MEGA NEWS
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland
AMERICAN COOT
Presumed escape, between Ringstead & Sedgeford Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland
LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT
Probable, between Stornoway & Ullapool, Highland and Caithness
Thursday, 18 November 2021
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT"
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Great Grey Shrike, Purple Sandpiper at Waxham
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE released at Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park
Hawfinches x 10 at Lynford Aboretum
Lapland Bunting at Cley NWT
Black Guillemot on sea at Weybourne
Hen Harrier flew over South Beach, Heacham
Russian White-fronted Goose at Salthouse
Shorelarks x 4 at Holkham Bay
Snow Bunting at Winterton
Whooper Swans x 10 at Sea Palling
Snow Bunting, Manx Shearwater at Cley NWT
Lesser White-fronted Goose (presumed escape), Russian White-fronted Geese x 2 between Ringstead & Sedgeford
Little Stints x 2 at Snettisham RSPB
Caspian Gull at Whitlingham Country Park
Common Cranes x 4 at Welney WWT
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey
Snow Buntings x 15 at Caister-on-Sea
Bewick's Swans x 11 at Thorpe Marshes, Haddicoe
Hen Harrier at Thornham Harbour
Caspian Gull at Cromer
Common Cranes x 3 at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT
Common Cranes x 11 at LudhamLittle Gulls x 8 at Sheringham
Russian White-fronted Goose at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Hawfinch flew over, Serins x 2 (for 2nd day) SSW of Horsford
Common Cranes x 3 at Horsey
MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN COOT
Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland
SEMIPALMATED PLOVER
WHITE-TAILED LAPWINGCrook Haven County Cork, Ireland
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian
LESSER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE
Presumed escape, between Ringstead & Sedgeford
Wednesday, 17 November 2021
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT"
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Hawfinches x 22 at Lynford Aboretum
Great Grey Shrike, Lapland Bunting flew over Waxham
Common Cranes x 12 north of Clippesby
Shorelarks x 5 at Holkham Bay
Yellow-browed Warbler reported at Titchwell RSPB
Little Auk on sea at Salthouse
Black Guillemot at Weybourne
Hen Harrier male at Snettisham RSPB
Snow Buntings x 7, Manx Shearwater at Kelling
Snow Buntings x 10 on beach at Winterton
Black-throated Diver at Holme
Great Northern Diver, Puffin, Little Gulls x 6 at Sheringham
Snow Buntings x 60 at Happisburgh
Common Cranes x 12 at Stubb Mill, Hickling Broad NWT
Snow Buntings x 34 at Cley NWT
MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN COOT
Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Joppa, Lothian
Tuesday, 16 November 2021
Holme Reserves and Titchwell RSPB!
Snettisham Coastal Park
Monday 14th October
I had intended on going out birding all day yesterday, but felt incredibly
fatigued. I did go out for a short while in the end, to Snettisham Coastal Park, just before dark, where I saw a few Blackbirds and
Redwings. As the sun was setting, I had spectacular views of thousands upon thousands of Pink-footed
Geese flying over in massive skeins over The Wash.
Holme Reserves
I searched hard to try and find my own birds today – a Pallas's Warbler would have been fabulous, but that wasn't to be. I started at Holme and searched all the scrub around the village car park and behind the back of the bungalows along the coastal footpath – shockingly, it was completely devoid of any birds.
Continued my search and on route to the NWT Forestry I found a Stonechat perched in the sueda and a Little Egret flew over. In the Forestry itself, I saw a Robin, 1 Blackbird, 1 Redwing and a Pheasant. Golden Plover and Starlings flew over and a few Curlew were on the marshes. Returned to my car and drove along the Firs Road and parked up in the NWT car park, next to the large sycamore tree. No birds seen here at all. I noticed the NOA has replaced the seat in the corner of the car park, which looks very nice. Walked along the path via the Firs House to the coastal footpath through the pines and found 1 Blue Tit only!
Walked through the gate to Holme Bird Observatory, where there were tons of duck on the Broadwater, mostly Wigeon and Teal, but also good numbers of Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Tufted Duck and 2 Little Grebes. Chatted with Keith briefly (who was doing some maintenance work at NOA) and later on Gary Elton (A.W.). Paused to spend a few moments where my parent's ashes lie and then headed back to my car. Spent a few minutes in the hide at Redwell Marsh, but only saw a handful of Wigeon, Teal and a single Redshank – there were a couple of Mallards in the River Hun.
Titchwell RSPB
It was mid afternoon by the time I arrived and on hindsight, I wish I had come here this morning, as there were far more birds to see here, as is usually the case when Autumn migration has finished, which may well be now! Its quite shocking when you realise how quickly the months have disappeared – I didn't have time to go birding in Norfolk on the run up to Shetland and I have not been to Titchwell, since they have done their improvements to the reserve. I was very impressed to find they have new toilets and sink etc! They look absolutely fantastic and there are hooks on the back of the doors to hang you gear on, at last! My only criticism is having only one hand dryer and it doesn't dry your hands really at all, as another lady and I discussed! The best (and of course most expensive) public hand dryers are the Dyson ones, which are very quick indeed.
Said hello to Sue B. and also to Trever G. and bumped into several familiar faces, including some new blog readers – nice to meet you all. Had a lovely walk round the Meadow and Fen Trail – it was late in the day, so didn't see very much in this area, but plenty of duck on Patsy's Pool.
Along the main path, there were several Marsh Harriers over the reedbeds and a Great White Egret was in a new channel. New islands have been created on the freshwater marsh, which were all full of birds and look absolutely brilliant. Loads of Golden Plover, Lapwings, Starlings, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Black-headed Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, 5 Avocets, a few Black-tailed Godwit and lots of Dunlin feeding right in front of Island Hide! I also saw a Jack Snipe sitting motionless at the edge of the reeds. After walking out of the hide, I immediately picked up a ringtail Hen Harrier over the west side of the path over Thornham Point, much to the joy of another birder who had wanted to see one on his trip here – nice to meet you and glad you saw the Hen Harrier. A Cetti's Warbler burst into song briefly and the Great White Egret was at the very far end of the new channel. Also bumped into Chris M. with a tour party and followed behind them in the failing light to the car park. Sadly I didn't have time to walk any further, so I don't know what other changes have been made further along. I will have to return next weekend. Drove home via Ringstead.
I have felt very tired for months now and I'm not sure if its Long Covid or what is going on. Requested a GP telephone call today and after discussion, I'm being sent for a a full blood test this week. The last time I had a blood test, I was very low in Vitamin D and was prescribed some high dosage tablets and then continued on a general Vitamin D tablet (as recommended from GP) daily from the chemist, which I'm still doing, so I don't think its that.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT"
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Richard's Pipit (probable) flew over East Wretham Heath NWT
Black Guillemot on sea at Weybourne
Dusky Warbler still at Campsite Wood, Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey
Pallas's Warbler, Great Grey Shrike, Siberian Chiffchaff (possible), Hen Harrier at Waxham
Little Auk, Hen Harriers x 2, Black-throated Diver, Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harriers x 2 at Thornham
Black Redstart at Holkham Pines
Hen Harrier at Holkham Freshmarsh
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 22 at Holkham Bay
Water Pipits x 2 at North Point Pools, Wells
Hawfinches x 6 at Lynford Aboretum
Snow Buntings x 20 near sailing club at Snettisham RSPB
Shorelarks x 7, Snow Buntings x 10 at North Beach, Winterton
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Welney WWT
Siberian Chiffchaff, Little Auks x 2, Little Gulls x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2, Black Guillemot offshore at Cley
Snow Buntings x 38 at Cley NWT
Twite at Happisburgh
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Horsey
Russian White-fronted Goose at Salthouse
Hawfinches x 12 at Lynford Aboretum
Short-eared Owl at Blakeney Freshmarsh
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 50 at Walcott
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Blackborough
Water Pipits x 2 at Hockwold Washes
Little Auks x 2, Little Gulls x 57 at Sheringham
Red-necked Grebe, Little Gulls x 7 flew past Mundesley
Russian White-fronted Geese x 8 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Hen Harrier at Holme
MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN COOT
Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland
FORSTER'S TERN
Kinvarra, County Galway, Ireland
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Musselburgh, Lothian
Monday, 15 November 2021
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT"
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Rose-coloured Starling, Cattle Egret at Redwell Marsh NOA, Holme
Black-throated Diver offshore at Holme
Hawfinches x 20 at Lynford Aboretum
Shorelarks x 5, Black-necked Grebes x 2, Red-necked Grebes x 3, Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Divers x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham Bay
Black Guillemot flew past beach car park at Cley
Little Auk, Snow Buntings x 90, Little Gulls x 10 at Cley NWT
Whooper Swans x 6 at Sea Palling
Snow Buntings x 20, Little Stints x 3 at Snettisham RSPB
Black-necked Grebe, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Short-eared Owl at Titchwell RSPB
Todd's Canada Goose, White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese south of Titchwell
Pallas's Warbler, Great Grey Shrike, Little Auk, Snow Buntings x 3, Little Gulls x 6, Short-eared Owl at WaxhamSnow Buntings x 33 at North Denes, Great Yarmouth
Pallas's Warbler, Grey Phalarope, Little Auks x 2, Red-necked Grebe, Great Northern Divers x 5, Snow Buntings x 75, Lapland Buntings x 9 at Happisburgh
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (form blythi) probable, at Weybourne Camp
Dusky Warbler at Campsite Wood, Stiffkey
Hen Harrier north of Boughton
Siberian Chiffchaff at Wells Woods
Lapland Bunting near Coal Barn at Thornham
Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Little Gulls x 8, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Sheringham
Yellow-browed Warbler, Snow Buntings x 8 at Burnham Overy Dunes
Little Auks x 3 at Salthouse
Slavonian Grebe, Little Gulls x 27 at Mundesley
Snow Buntings x 120 at Blakeney Point
Cattle Egrets x 2 at Welney WWT
MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN COOT
Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian
Sunday, 14 November 2021
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
Hawfinches x 25 at Lynford Aboretum
Snow Buntings x 47 at North Denes, Great Yarmouth
Glossy Ibis at flood from A149 at Stiffkey
Great Grey Shrike at WaxhamGrey Phalarope flew past, Black Guillemot from Coastguards, Little Auk at Cley
Shorelarks x 4, White-fronted Goose at Cley NWT
Cattle Egret, Caspian Gull at Burnham Overy Staithe
Jack Snipe, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB
Purple Sandpipers x 3 at Horsey
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) in fields with Pink-footed Geese NNW of Docking
Water Pipits x 2 at Ken Hill Marshes, Snettisham Coastal Park
Snow Bunting at Snettisham RSPB
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 3, Black Redstart, Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 5, Hen Harrier at East Hills, Wells
Pale-bellied Brent Goose at North Point Pools, Wells
Whooper Swans x 11 between Sea Palling & Ingham
Snow Bunting flew past Trimingham
Black Redstart at Sidestrand
Shorelarks x 5, Sooty Shearwater, Red-necked Grebe, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham Bay
Pallas's Warbler, Snow Buntings x 90 at Blakeney Point
Snow Buntings x 75, Lapland Buntings x 7, Short-eared Owl, Great Northern Divers x 3, Little Gulls x 16 at Happisburgh
Russian White-fronted Goose, Hawfinch at Breydon Water
Snow Buntings x 2 at West Runton
White Stork flew east over Limpenhoe Marshes
Dusky Warbler near access gate, mid morning at Holme Dunes NWT
Russian White-fronted Geese x 2, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Tundra Bean Geese x 6 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Caspian Gull at East Wretham Heath
Little Gulls x 23 flew past Mundesley
Black-throated Diver, Little Gulls x 13 at Sheringham
MEGA NEWS
BELTED KINGFISHER
Again at Brockholes Wetlands LWT
AMERICAN COOTTacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian
East Winds: Searching for Nutcrackers & Grosbeaks!
Wells Woods produced a mass of barking dogs – I really don't know why I decided to go here on a Sunday! It was a lovely sunny day and this brought out the hounds, along with dog whistles and shouting! I walked all the way to Holkham in my search for something exciting. Good numbers of Blackbirds, Redwings and a Song Thrush found and bird of the day was a Raven flying east over the marshes, but nothing else of note, not even a Robin was seen. I crossed over through the pines, just before the "Look Out" at the end of Lady Anne's Drive and walked back along the beach for a short distance to see if I could find the Shorelarks, that have been seen here recently. I was lucky, it didn't take long and I had good views of 4 Shorelarks feeding in the roped off area, although not close enough for frame filling pictures! Walked back through the pines and then back onto the coastal footpath past The Dell – not a single bird seen. Three Long-tailed Tits were in a hawthorn just before the car park and also a couple of Jays.
Had a brief scan over North Point Pools, mainly to see if the Glossy Ibis had relocated there, as no further news on this, since it flew north from Stiffkey at 12.30pm. Good views of a Red Kite cruising over the pools and skeins of Pink-footed Geese flew over my head. Headed to Garden Drove at Warham, but after passing the East Hills birders, who had just walked up the track, I decided not to bother. Had a cup of tea by the field next to the concrete pad and a bull decided to come up to the gate – it stood motionless, staring at me – was it bored? Or was it intending to charge through the gate at me? – it looked quite surprised when I decided to stroke its head!!! It gave me an evil look, as if to say "you really are pushing your luck" This was rather crazy and I have no idea why I did this, but still alive to tell the tale!
Went to Stiffkey Campsite car park and immediately left, as the car park was jam packed!!! There wasn't a single space to park. Headed to Blakeney and stopped at "The House on The Hill" – 2 Blackbirds perched in an elder and 2 Robins chasing each other, nothing else seen. Ended the day at Salthouse and walked to Gramborough Hill in the semi-dusk – a Redshank was standing in the pool. John F. was here, trying to magic something out of the scrub, but nothing found. A Curlew flew over towards the beach and also saw a Little Egret flying west. Had a catch up with John on the way back to our cars and bumped into Ben, who was then walking out to Gramborough Hill – he would have needed a torch to walk back! As I was packing my gear up in the car, it started to rain – drove home via Holt. Will the rain and east winds produce anything mega tomorrow? Maybe, maybe not! Summary of the day: saw far more things with four legs, than two!
Saturday, 13 November 2021
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
Hawfinches x 13 at Lynford Aboretum
Grey Phalarope flew past, Black-throated Diver, Jack Snipe, Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Grey Phalarope at Ken Hill Marshes, Snettisham Coastal Park
Little Stints x 2, Snow Buntings x 15 at Snettisham RSPB
Glossy Ibis at flood from A149 at Stiffkey
Hen Harrier male at Stiffkey
Snow Bunting at Beeston Bump, Velvet Scoters x 2, Purple Sandpiper, Little Gulls x 73 at Sheringham
Shorelarks x 5 at Holkham Bay
Spotted Redshank in creek at Morston
Snow Buntings x 60 at North Denes, Great Yarmouth
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE flew over Thetford
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Welney WWT
Common Cranes x 29, Hen Harrier, Water Pipits x 2 at Hickling Broad NWT
Snow Buntings x 120, Black-throated Diver at Cley NWT
Pomarine Skua flew past South Beach, Heacham
Hen Harrier flew over Thornham
Lapland Bunting, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Little Gulls x 7, Arctic Tern at Holme
Cattle Egret at Holkham Freshmarsh
Great Northern Diver, Little Gulls x 7 at Cromer
Little Gulls x 23 flew past Mundesley
Common Cranes x 3 flew over Norwich
Todd's Canada Goose (form interior) in fields with Pink-footed Geese NW of Docking
MEGA NEWS
AMERICAN COOT
Tacumshin, County Wexford, Ireland
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian
Friday, 12 November 2021
The Perfect Home!!!
I regularly look at properties in Shetland several times a week and have done for a long time. Occasionally I will look at properties in Norfolk, but that is a complete waste of time, for what I'm looking for.
Just found this property this evening, in a perfect area of Shetland and with a view of St Ninian's Isle and the sea! If I had my house up for sale and was close to selling, I would have put an offer in, but I'm not even at the beginning of moving yet! Sadly for me, this amazing property will be sold within the week, if not days! With three bedrooms for my sisters to come and stay or/and a potential birding b&b!!! Stunning inside, no stairs – all one level, no parking issues, how can you not love this property!!!
https://www.estateagencyshetland.co.uk/properties/nordi
This has given me the kick I need to sort things out in my house and get it on the market – time for change, time for a new life, a new beginning. Since losing my parent's I have felt so unsettled and miss them so much, it still feels so sad not to have them around and I know my sisters feel the same. Norfolk has changed too much and the weather here is too hot. Enough is enough! People say how atrocious the weather is in Shetland and how long it goes on for – I will have to work anyway, so I can't see it being any different to now in Winter time. I go to work in the dark (virtually) and come home in the dark! Its only on my days off, that the weather in Shetland would be more severe than Norfolk and I'm not exactly someone who would be short of things to do indoors! I want to get back to my art, design, to crafts, to reading, to writing, to so many things! All I will need after my move, is some hens and two cats and my life will be complete!!! Roll on 2022!
This will be the last weekend for potential rarities before Winter birding hits. We have two days of east winds on Sunday and Monday, with the nano chance of a Pine Grosbeak or something else equally rare or something even more exciting arriving on our shores! I also need to sort and edit the rest of the photos for my Shetland trip! After this, I will be concentrating on the big sort out in my house!
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
Great Grey Shrike at Waxham
Hawfinches x 9 at Lynford Aboretum
Shorelarks x 5, Snow Buntings x 125, Water Pipit, Little Auk, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Black-throated Divers x 2, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Holkham Bay
Grey Phalarope at Ken Hill Marshes, Snettisham Coastal Park
Long-tailed Duck flew past beach car park at Cley
Hen Harrier at Welney WWT
Black Redstart at Winterton
Hen Harrier male, Gannet flew over at Roydon Common NWT
Black Guillemot at Weybourne
Siberian Chiffchaff at Beeston Common, Sheringham
Hen Harriers x 2 (both males) at Stiffkey
Spotted Redshank at Breydon Water
Water Pipit at North Point Pools, Wells
Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Cley NWT
MEGA NEWS
NORTHERN HARRIER
Lough Boora Parklands, County Offaly, Ireland
WHITE'S THRUSH
Found dead, Mawnan Smith, Cornwall
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian
Thursday, 11 November 2021
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
Black Guillemot on sea, Black-throated Diver off Gramborough Hill at Salthouse
Grey Phalarope at Ken Hill Marshes, Snettisham Coastal Park
Short-toed Lark, Snow Bunting at West Runton
Great Grey Shrike, Taiga Bean Goose reported at Waxham
Great White Egret, Hen Harrier at Thornham HarbourCattle Egrets x 5, Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Shorelarks x 5, Little Auk, Black-necked Grebes x 2, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holkham Bay
Common Cranes x 12 flew over Whitlingham Country Park & Norwich
Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck off beach car park at Cley
Water Pipit, Snow Buntings x 31 at Cley NWT
Hen Harrier male at Stiffkey
Cattle Egrets x 3 at Potter Heigham Marshes
Common Cranes x 52 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT
Caspian Gull at Cromer
Great White Egrets x 2 off beach at Old Hunstanton
MEGA NEWS
WHITE-TAILED LAPWING
Blacktoft Sands RSPB, Yorkshire
WHITE-WINGED SCOTER
Fisherrow, Lothian
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIVIEN!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
To My Dear Little Sister Vivien!
Hopefully Lucy and I will be able to have lunch with you soon!
Love Penny
x x x x x
🎂 🤗 🍰 😘 🌻 🎉 🎈
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