Went to a Jamie Oliver Party at Sarah's house this evening. Not really into J.O., but it was lovely spending quality time with the girls from work and catching up with Lesley who has recently retired. Thanks to Sarah and Claire and everyone else for a lovely evening.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
DIPPER at Thetford
Hoopoe at Old Hunstanton
Jacksnipe at Strumpshaw Fen
Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Duck x 2, Lapland Bunting x 4, Water Pipit x 3 at Cley
Little Auk, Great Skua at Scratby
Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck x 3 at Titchwell
Ross's Goose at Waxham
Great Northern Diver at Holkham
Ferruginous Duck at Welney WWT
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Rarely-seen sea bird flocks to Norfolk - News - Eastern Daily Press
As I was the only person counting these Shags on Sunday evening, I presume my count of 112 Shags has been published incorrectly!
Rarely-seen sea bird flocks to Norfolk - News - Eastern Daily Press
Rarely-seen sea bird flocks to Norfolk - News - Eastern Daily Press
Monday, 5 November 2012
Bird News!
I wish I hadn't bothered telling my work colleagues today about the record number of Shags I recorded at Hunstanton last night – it only resulted in fits of giggles, uncontrollable hysteria and silly behaviour all round! Oh well at least I made people laugh this morning! One particular lady was laughing so much, her mascara ran and another had to get tissues to mop up the tears rolling down her cheeks! I ended up laughing just as much as them! Well, they shouldn't have made the fatal mistake of asking how my holiday was and asking 'did I see any good birds?'!!!! They only ask to be polite bless them and I know they hope very much that I don't run on tooooo much about birds I have seen – its dead boring to non-birders, all this bird talk. One day though, maybe, possibly, one of them might just get hooked!
I had a lovely surprise today when a lady I used to work with at the Lynn News joined us this morning. I worked alongside her for seven years and have not seen her for a long time. She is now training as Occupational Therapy Student and will be working with us on placement for six weeks.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings all along the coast
Sacred Ibis at Salthouse
Ross's Goose at Waxham
2 Long-tailed Ducks at Titchwell RSPB
2 Black Redstarts at Hunstanton
Velvet Scoter and Short-eared Owl at Hopton-on-Sea
Ferruginous Duck at Welney WWT
2 Jack Snipe, 4 Water Pipits at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
2 Caspian Gulls, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Water Pipits at Cley
Great Northern Diver at Holme
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby
Velvet Scoter, Puffin, 3 Shags at Walcott
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
Andy Brown recorded 40 Shags roosting at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening.
I had a lovely surprise today when a lady I used to work with at the Lynn News joined us this morning. I worked alongside her for seven years and have not seen her for a long time. She is now training as Occupational Therapy Student and will be working with us on placement for six weeks.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings all along the coast
Sacred Ibis at Salthouse
Ross's Goose at Waxham
2 Long-tailed Ducks at Titchwell RSPB
2 Black Redstarts at Hunstanton
Velvet Scoter and Short-eared Owl at Hopton-on-Sea
Ferruginous Duck at Welney WWT
2 Jack Snipe, 4 Water Pipits at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB
2 Caspian Gulls, 6 Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Water Pipits at Cley
Great Northern Diver at Holme
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby
Velvet Scoter, Puffin, 3 Shags at Walcott
Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
Andy Brown recorded 40 Shags roosting at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
112 Shags at Hunstanton Cliffs!!!
A NEW NORFOLK RECORD!!!
A dull, rainy and uninspiring day. I started off at Hunstanton Cliffs to see if any of the Shags that roosted last night had left the cliffs yet, I could only see three distantly. The incoming tide was lapping the rocks at the base of the cliffs, so it was not possible to walk along the beach. There were good numbers of turnstone feeding along the shore, one fulmar and several blackbirds in the sea buckthorn. Further along the promenade there were 30+ turnstone huddled together on the pebbly beach with a solitary sanderling amongst them at the water's edge. Every time a wave splashed across them they scurried a few inches away to drier ground, re-positioned themselves and then tucked their heads under their wings to settle again. Spent quite a long time here, photographing these magical birds. Walking back along the cliff top gardens I had a surprise of a little egret flying east over the bowling green at 8.45am! A few blackbirds sitting looking cold in bushes and three house sparrows were having a scrap with two pied wagtails on a roof top!
One redwing at Beach Road, Holme. Stopped at Choseley to see if any of the bramblings remained – there were a good number approximately 50+ but nowhere near as many as yesterday. Thousands of pinkfeet filled the skies east of the drying barns.
I then went to a friend's house at Brancaster to view their leucistic female Blackbird. The bird was hopping about in their garden and was very striking indeed! A mostly white bird with hints of black and a yellow beak. It only allowed me a few initially photographs and didn't return again whilst I was there. This was the most exciting bird in my holiday! The blackbird has been in their garden since about Wednesday last week. See HERE for information on leucistic and albino birds.
Titchwell RSPB for lunch. It was pouring with rain and looked set for the rest of the day, so I decided the best thing to do was to sit in a hide somewhere. I spent nearly three hours in the hides at Holme Marsh Reserve and only saw 2 marsh harriers, 1 little grebe, a pheasant, mallard, teal and blackbirds. I was so bored I almost went home early. I decided I would make the effort to count the shags coming in to roost this evening.
As it was raining, I broke all rules and drove down past the Sailing Club at Hunstanton, along the prom to the furthest point you can drive at the base of the cliffs. Only sailing club members are supposed to drive along that section! I couldn't be bothered to walk all the way down the flights of steps in the rain and it was freezing cold aswell. I sat in my car and could see shags gathering on the sea ready to fly in to roost on the cliffs. I could only count just over 30 initially and at that stage presumed my count would be far less, than the 41 I saw last night. I left the warmth of my car and got ready for the big count. Minutes later more shags appeared and then took off and flew to the east side of the cliffs, I counted 47. I thought this was it, but they kept appearing, some flew in from far out to sea and a whole line of them came from the west!!! I kept counting until I couldn't see any more and the staggering result was 112 Shags flew in to roost on the cliffs!!! I just couldn't believe that I had seen this many! This a record count for Norfolk I have found out this evening, so I am over the moon about this. What a fabulous way to end my holiday!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
Lapland Bunting and 20 Snowbunting at Salthouse
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
60 Snowbuntings at Holme
5 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
Sooty Shearwater at Cley
Rough-legged Buzzard at North Wootton
112 Shags at Hunstanton Cliffs
Update: 83 Shags at Cromer Pier this evening, see HERE
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
A dull, rainy and uninspiring day. I started off at Hunstanton Cliffs to see if any of the Shags that roosted last night had left the cliffs yet, I could only see three distantly. The incoming tide was lapping the rocks at the base of the cliffs, so it was not possible to walk along the beach. There were good numbers of turnstone feeding along the shore, one fulmar and several blackbirds in the sea buckthorn. Further along the promenade there were 30+ turnstone huddled together on the pebbly beach with a solitary sanderling amongst them at the water's edge. Every time a wave splashed across them they scurried a few inches away to drier ground, re-positioned themselves and then tucked their heads under their wings to settle again. Spent quite a long time here, photographing these magical birds. Walking back along the cliff top gardens I had a surprise of a little egret flying east over the bowling green at 8.45am! A few blackbirds sitting looking cold in bushes and three house sparrows were having a scrap with two pied wagtails on a roof top!
One redwing at Beach Road, Holme. Stopped at Choseley to see if any of the bramblings remained – there were a good number approximately 50+ but nowhere near as many as yesterday. Thousands of pinkfeet filled the skies east of the drying barns.
I then went to a friend's house at Brancaster to view their leucistic female Blackbird. The bird was hopping about in their garden and was very striking indeed! A mostly white bird with hints of black and a yellow beak. It only allowed me a few initially photographs and didn't return again whilst I was there. This was the most exciting bird in my holiday! The blackbird has been in their garden since about Wednesday last week. See HERE for information on leucistic and albino birds.
Titchwell RSPB for lunch. It was pouring with rain and looked set for the rest of the day, so I decided the best thing to do was to sit in a hide somewhere. I spent nearly three hours in the hides at Holme Marsh Reserve and only saw 2 marsh harriers, 1 little grebe, a pheasant, mallard, teal and blackbirds. I was so bored I almost went home early. I decided I would make the effort to count the shags coming in to roost this evening.
As it was raining, I broke all rules and drove down past the Sailing Club at Hunstanton, along the prom to the furthest point you can drive at the base of the cliffs. Only sailing club members are supposed to drive along that section! I couldn't be bothered to walk all the way down the flights of steps in the rain and it was freezing cold aswell. I sat in my car and could see shags gathering on the sea ready to fly in to roost on the cliffs. I could only count just over 30 initially and at that stage presumed my count would be far less, than the 41 I saw last night. I left the warmth of my car and got ready for the big count. Minutes later more shags appeared and then took off and flew to the east side of the cliffs, I counted 47. I thought this was it, but they kept appearing, some flew in from far out to sea and a whole line of them came from the west!!! I kept counting until I couldn't see any more and the staggering result was 112 Shags flew in to roost on the cliffs!!! I just couldn't believe that I had seen this many! This a record count for Norfolk I have found out this evening, so I am over the moon about this. What a fabulous way to end my holiday!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
Lapland Bunting and 20 Snowbunting at Salthouse
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
60 Snowbuntings at Holme
5 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Slavonian Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
Sooty Shearwater at Cley
Rough-legged Buzzard at North Wootton
112 Shags at Hunstanton Cliffs
Update: 83 Shags at Cromer Pier this evening, see HERE
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Saturday, 3 November 2012
A Top Draw Day!!!
An unexpected day – filled with birds, lunch with a celeb, awesome afternoon and an incredible evening!!!
"Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin........."
Titchwell RSPB
Firstly it was cold, really cold this morning. I decided that I was going to see lots of birds today – not looking for any more rares – lets face it, 'autumn' migration is over. I have accepted that we are now into winter birding, live with it, love it and embrace it! As I walked along the main bank I saw two strikingly pretty Redpolls land in the trees by the Island hide, they immediately took off again and followed the bank seaward – nothing more than 'common' but a nice start to the day. A Cettis's Warbler burst a few notes. The water seemed quite high on the fresh marsh and I couldn't see anything too exciting – there were a couple of pintail and a grey heron on the pool west of the main bank. But the sea was exciting! There were quite a few birders seawatching including Ray Kimber, Tony Gray et al. Birds seen from 9am until just after midday on the sea were:
4 Red-necked Grebes
5 Slavonian Grebes
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Red-breasted Mergansers
1 Red-throated Diver
5 Long-tailed Ducks
4 Eider
9 Golden Eye
1 Velvet Scoter
21 Common Scoter
4 Gannets
6 Brent Geese
1 Shag
1 Guillemot
1 Razorbill
On the shore there were several oystercatchers, turnstone, sanderling, 8 knot, 1 curlew and 12 Snowbuntings on the strand line. A herring gull wore a yellow ring 2Y2B on left leg and a small silver metal ring on the right leg. A Red Kite flew directly over our heads west at 11.25am! It started to rain – they didn't forecast that! It was supposed to be sunshine for most of the day! It rained pretty hard, tested the new coat out anyway. A birder told me he had a 100+ bramblings at Choseley earlier this morning! I trudged back to the carparks, dumped all my gear in the car and then came back to have lunch in the 'Feeding Station'. I ordered cheese and onion potato skins, coleslaw, salad and a cup of tea. It was nice to sit in the warm and enjoy some good food. Mark Avery was signing his books today, both at Cley Visitor Centre and here at Titchwell, which I had completely forgotten about, otherwise I would have plugged the events for him yesterday. While I was having my lunch, Mark Avery walked into the Feeding station and came to sit at my table for his lunch. He only sat there because there were no other vacant seats though! We chatted briefly before Mark went into the shop to sign his books 'Fighting for Birds'. I left Titchwell just after 1pm.
Choseley Drying Barns
Along the road up to the barns there were 12 red-legged partridges along the verge. In a ploughed field I stopped to count 132 Lapwing mixed in with loads of woodpigeons and a few curlew and a marsh harrier flew across the road. Passing the drying barns in the hedgerows either side of the steep decline, tons of finches exploded in all directions! I parked the car up in the next field entrance and spent a couple of hours here. There were at least 200+ Bramblings!!! A huge flock – I can't remember even seeing a flock this big - they were just magical to watch and the sun was now out, which showed off their plumage beautifully. Mixed in with this huge flock of bramblings were linnets, chaffinches, greenfinches, one bullfinch and a yellowhammer. There were several robins and blackbirds about too. I spent a long time here, trying to photograph the bramblings, which proved very difficult indeed. Every time a car drove passed, the whole flock flew up, they were very nervous. The only potentially brilliant picture I could have had, was timed with my sister trying to ring me! I did get a few record shots though.
Hunstanton Cliffs
Parked near to the bowling green and then walked down the steps by the cafe to the rock pool beach below the cliffs. I walked close to the sea's edge, so I could view as much as the cliffs as possible. I had come here to attempt to see the incredible numbers of Shags that have been seen flying in every evening to roost on the cliffs recently. Andy Brown who has been monitoring them, said that they were gathering close to the sea's edge and then just as it turned dark, they fly to the cliffs to roost. I was not disappointed! There was another birder with scope standing a bit further away, I walked across to join them. The birder was here on holiday with his wife and small daughter and this was the final day of their holiday. The man had been told about the shags roosting here by Tony (volunteer at Titchwell). I was so pleased for him as he was in awe, (as I was) at the incredible numbers here. Lots of Shags were gathering on the sea, fairly close in. It was frustratingly difficult to count them in the failing light. Suddenly they took off and it was so exciting when we realised that they were heading straight for us! As they flew we were able to count 41 Shags coming into the cliffs to roost! They continued to fly towards us and as they neared, they spread out filling the air space and sailed right over our heads! They looked like pterodactyls flying over in the darkness!!! This spectacle was the icing on the cake to a fantastic day's birding.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Little Auk, Velvet Scoter at Cley
Black Redstarts at Hemsby, Salle and Heacham
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
15 Cranes and 2 Velvet Scoter at Waxham
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Ring Ouzel and Hen Harrier at Warham
40 Snowbuntings at Holme
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
"Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin........."
Titchwell RSPB
Firstly it was cold, really cold this morning. I decided that I was going to see lots of birds today – not looking for any more rares – lets face it, 'autumn' migration is over. I have accepted that we are now into winter birding, live with it, love it and embrace it! As I walked along the main bank I saw two strikingly pretty Redpolls land in the trees by the Island hide, they immediately took off again and followed the bank seaward – nothing more than 'common' but a nice start to the day. A Cettis's Warbler burst a few notes. The water seemed quite high on the fresh marsh and I couldn't see anything too exciting – there were a couple of pintail and a grey heron on the pool west of the main bank. But the sea was exciting! There were quite a few birders seawatching including Ray Kimber, Tony Gray et al. Birds seen from 9am until just after midday on the sea were:
4 Red-necked Grebes
5 Slavonian Grebes
4 Great Crested Grebes
5 Red-breasted Mergansers
1 Red-throated Diver
5 Long-tailed Ducks
4 Eider
9 Golden Eye
1 Velvet Scoter
21 Common Scoter
4 Gannets
6 Brent Geese
1 Shag
1 Guillemot
1 Razorbill
On the shore there were several oystercatchers, turnstone, sanderling, 8 knot, 1 curlew and 12 Snowbuntings on the strand line. A herring gull wore a yellow ring 2Y2B on left leg and a small silver metal ring on the right leg. A Red Kite flew directly over our heads west at 11.25am! It started to rain – they didn't forecast that! It was supposed to be sunshine for most of the day! It rained pretty hard, tested the new coat out anyway. A birder told me he had a 100+ bramblings at Choseley earlier this morning! I trudged back to the carparks, dumped all my gear in the car and then came back to have lunch in the 'Feeding Station'. I ordered cheese and onion potato skins, coleslaw, salad and a cup of tea. It was nice to sit in the warm and enjoy some good food. Mark Avery was signing his books today, both at Cley Visitor Centre and here at Titchwell, which I had completely forgotten about, otherwise I would have plugged the events for him yesterday. While I was having my lunch, Mark Avery walked into the Feeding station and came to sit at my table for his lunch. He only sat there because there were no other vacant seats though! We chatted briefly before Mark went into the shop to sign his books 'Fighting for Birds'. I left Titchwell just after 1pm.
Choseley Drying Barns
Along the road up to the barns there were 12 red-legged partridges along the verge. In a ploughed field I stopped to count 132 Lapwing mixed in with loads of woodpigeons and a few curlew and a marsh harrier flew across the road. Passing the drying barns in the hedgerows either side of the steep decline, tons of finches exploded in all directions! I parked the car up in the next field entrance and spent a couple of hours here. There were at least 200+ Bramblings!!! A huge flock – I can't remember even seeing a flock this big - they were just magical to watch and the sun was now out, which showed off their plumage beautifully. Mixed in with this huge flock of bramblings were linnets, chaffinches, greenfinches, one bullfinch and a yellowhammer. There were several robins and blackbirds about too. I spent a long time here, trying to photograph the bramblings, which proved very difficult indeed. Every time a car drove passed, the whole flock flew up, they were very nervous. The only potentially brilliant picture I could have had, was timed with my sister trying to ring me! I did get a few record shots though.
Hunstanton Cliffs
Parked near to the bowling green and then walked down the steps by the cafe to the rock pool beach below the cliffs. I walked close to the sea's edge, so I could view as much as the cliffs as possible. I had come here to attempt to see the incredible numbers of Shags that have been seen flying in every evening to roost on the cliffs recently. Andy Brown who has been monitoring them, said that they were gathering close to the sea's edge and then just as it turned dark, they fly to the cliffs to roost. I was not disappointed! There was another birder with scope standing a bit further away, I walked across to join them. The birder was here on holiday with his wife and small daughter and this was the final day of their holiday. The man had been told about the shags roosting here by Tony (volunteer at Titchwell). I was so pleased for him as he was in awe, (as I was) at the incredible numbers here. Lots of Shags were gathering on the sea, fairly close in. It was frustratingly difficult to count them in the failing light. Suddenly they took off and it was so exciting when we realised that they were heading straight for us! As they flew we were able to count 41 Shags coming into the cliffs to roost! They continued to fly towards us and as they neared, they spread out filling the air space and sailed right over our heads! They looked like pterodactyls flying over in the darkness!!! This spectacle was the icing on the cake to a fantastic day's birding.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Little Auk, Velvet Scoter at Cley
Black Redstarts at Hemsby, Salle and Heacham
Waxwings at various locations along the coast
15 Cranes and 2 Velvet Scoter at Waxham
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Ring Ouzel and Hen Harrier at Warham
40 Snowbuntings at Holme
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Friday, 2 November 2012
Bird News!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Great White Egret at Bale
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Common Crane x 2 at Burnham Thorpe
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Snowbuntings at Hunstanton and Holme
Waxwings x 2 at Strumpshaw
Hen Harriers x 5 Warham Greens
Long-tailed Duck at Salthouse
Great Grey Shrike flew SW over Holme NWT
Great White Egret at Horsey Mere
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
Ben Lewis took a stunning picture of an OTTER at Strumpshaw.
75 Shags roosted at Cromer Pier and 37 roosted at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening!
A friend this very kindly phoned me this evening to say they have an albino Blackbird in their garden and I am welcome to go and photograph it tomorrow – so will take that offer up!
Great White Egret at Bale
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Common Crane x 2 at Burnham Thorpe
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Snowbuntings at Hunstanton and Holme
Waxwings x 2 at Strumpshaw
Hen Harriers x 5 Warham Greens
Long-tailed Duck at Salthouse
Great Grey Shrike flew SW over Holme NWT
Great White Egret at Horsey Mere
Water Pipit at Strumpshaw
Ben Lewis took a stunning picture of an OTTER at Strumpshaw.
75 Shags roosted at Cromer Pier and 37 roosted at Hunstanton Cliffs this evening!
A friend this very kindly phoned me this evening to say they have an albino Blackbird in their garden and I am welcome to go and photograph it tomorrow – so will take that offer up!
Father's Birthday Celebrations!
I was up very early this morning, making a birthday card for father. Why I leave everything to the last minute, I'll never know! I decided to make the card quite big, as father can't see so well nowadays. The front of the card was a picture of a kingfisher I took recently and the back was of a sunset over Hunstanton Cliffs. Here is the card:
I picked up my sister Lucy (youngest sister Vivien at work today) and arrived at Holme mid morning. After father had opened his presents, I took mother to Hunstanton to get some groceries and then we all had a fish 'n' chip lunch, followed by lemon tart – all good for the waistline! Father and I both had an afternoon nap, whilst mother and Lucy were chattering away in the dining room. Sang Happy Birthday with coffee cake and candles later and now back home. I think he enjoyed his birthday, he was smiling more than usual, which was good. He refused all offers to be taken out and said he just wanted a quiet day at home. Well he got the day at home, but with three females in the house, it wasn't exactly quiet!!!
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Miss Money Penny!
I had another extravagant day. Anyone would think I have won the lottery the amount of pennies I have been spending recently! I surely must be one of Cleyspy's best customers! I bought the secondhand Swaroski 8.5x42 EL's that I looked at recently. I haven't actually got them yet though as they are being sent off to see if I can get something updated on them. I spent awhile comparing them properly with the new 8x32 EL's and the 8x42 SLC's and I still preferred the secondhand ones, they just simply seemed clearer in poor light. Cleyspy will send the Leica's off for me when I get the new bins back and we'll see what Leica will do for their 30 year warranty – will keep you all posted on that. I really like all the staff at Cleyspy they have always been so helpful and take the time to advise and assist you, nothing is too much trouble. My spending spree had now officially stopped and I will have to work very hard throughout the winter months doing bank shifts to keep the bank account healthy!
Went to lunch at the 'Art Cafe' a few yards from Cleyspy - the best cafe ever, see my review in previous post.
Spent the afternoon birding, but pretty dire really. Walsey Hills produced a chiffchaff, robin, coal tit and heard a bullfinch calling.
Dauke's Hide NWT – slightly better here, did see one of the White-rumped Sandpipers and also barn owl, marsh harrier, 2 ringed plovers, 1 chiffchaff (on reeds), 14 pied wagtails, few dunlin, 2 avocets, wigeon, teal, brent geese (on route to hide) and a massive starling flock.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Great Grey Shrike and Black Redstart at Snettisham Coastal Park
Shorelark at Salthouse
Black Redstart at Waxham and Heacham
Waxwings and Snowbuntings at various locations along the coast
Black Guillemot, 2 Little Auks and Red-necked Grebe at Sheringham
Richard's Pipit Kelling
Yellow-browed Warbler at Wells
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, 4 Long-tailed Ducks and Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Hen Harriers at Stiffkey and Horsey
Night Heron - unconfirmed report this evening
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Went to lunch at the 'Art Cafe' a few yards from Cleyspy - the best cafe ever, see my review in previous post.
Spent the afternoon birding, but pretty dire really. Walsey Hills produced a chiffchaff, robin, coal tit and heard a bullfinch calling.
Dauke's Hide NWT – slightly better here, did see one of the White-rumped Sandpipers and also barn owl, marsh harrier, 2 ringed plovers, 1 chiffchaff (on reeds), 14 pied wagtails, few dunlin, 2 avocets, wigeon, teal, brent geese (on route to hide) and a massive starling flock.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Great Grey Shrike and Black Redstart at Snettisham Coastal Park
Shorelark at Salthouse
Black Redstart at Waxham and Heacham
Waxwings and Snowbuntings at various locations along the coast
Black Guillemot, 2 Little Auks and Red-necked Grebe at Sheringham
Richard's Pipit Kelling
Yellow-browed Warbler at Wells
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, 4 Long-tailed Ducks and Velvet Scoter at Titchwell
Hen Harriers at Stiffkey and Horsey
Night Heron - unconfirmed report this evening
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Review of the 'Art Cafe' at Glandford!
The best cafe I have been to in Norfolk!
But for you carnivores its vegetarian, so no bacon butties I'm afraid!
The exterior of the Art Cafe is painted and presented beautifully, but for some reason I have never been enticed inside. It's always appeared a bit lifeless when I have driven past it, as though there were no customers. The reason for this I realised is because the front part of the interior is the arts and crafts area, so you wouldn't see the cafe and customers until you opened the door! Maybe this should be reversed? As they say 'don't judge a book by its cover'. As you walk through the door you are surrounded by contemporary arts, crafts and beautiful creations for sale. A huge rocking horse is suspended on the one of the beams at the far end. Several different shaped tables and colourfully painted chairs seat a good number of people in the cafe area. A piano is also situated at the far end where they hold free concerts, monthly before lunch – see the website for details. A wood burning stove adds to the very warm and relaxed atmosphere and jazz music was playing at a comfortable volume. I just knew the food was going to be scrumptious! I ordered sweet potato and ginger soup with granary bread. This was the best soup and bread I have ever eaten anywhere! I could have easily ordered more. The staff were all very efficient and looked professional and unflustered. I had no idea until I studied the menu that this cafe was purely vegetarian which for me was fabulous news. The soup was priced at £4.25 which for the quality was very reasonably priced. The menu is changed every couple of weeks I was told and they cater for special dietary requirements if requested. All the main course meals I saw being served looked amazing. This will be my new lunch venue when I don't have sandwiches. I can't wait to go back again. Highly recommended!
Also note that Cleyspy is a few yards from the Art Cafe.
http://www.art-cafe.org/
But for you carnivores its vegetarian, so no bacon butties I'm afraid!
The exterior of the Art Cafe is painted and presented beautifully, but for some reason I have never been enticed inside. It's always appeared a bit lifeless when I have driven past it, as though there were no customers. The reason for this I realised is because the front part of the interior is the arts and crafts area, so you wouldn't see the cafe and customers until you opened the door! Maybe this should be reversed? As they say 'don't judge a book by its cover'. As you walk through the door you are surrounded by contemporary arts, crafts and beautiful creations for sale. A huge rocking horse is suspended on the one of the beams at the far end. Several different shaped tables and colourfully painted chairs seat a good number of people in the cafe area. A piano is also situated at the far end where they hold free concerts, monthly before lunch – see the website for details. A wood burning stove adds to the very warm and relaxed atmosphere and jazz music was playing at a comfortable volume. I just knew the food was going to be scrumptious! I ordered sweet potato and ginger soup with granary bread. This was the best soup and bread I have ever eaten anywhere! I could have easily ordered more. The staff were all very efficient and looked professional and unflustered. I had no idea until I studied the menu that this cafe was purely vegetarian which for me was fabulous news. The soup was priced at £4.25 which for the quality was very reasonably priced. The menu is changed every couple of weeks I was told and they cater for special dietary requirements if requested. All the main course meals I saw being served looked amazing. This will be my new lunch venue when I don't have sandwiches. I can't wait to go back again. Highly recommended!
Also note that Cleyspy is a few yards from the Art Cafe.
http://www.art-cafe.org/
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Two hours Birding
Several jobs to do today including taking my mother's cycle for repair and service at A E Wallis at Heacham. My parents both insisted that the bike would not fit in my 'tiny little car'. I insisted that it would. I was right, but it only just fitted in the back of the Skoda though! I was very impressed with the shop's service – they completed the work this afternoon and I picked up the bike at the end of the day.
I only managed to get out birding for a couple of hours today. I walked from Brancaster Staithe along the coastal footpath to Brancaster and back and had the grand total of 6 blackbirds, 1 robin and 3 little egrets. Poor old show of birds. Very strong, blustery south winds and no sun when I was out. I checked out the Waxwings at Beach Road, Holme, but coudn't find them anywhere.
It's my father's birthday on Friday and he will be 86 – he said he doesn't want any presents and doesn't want to do anything nice. His stubbornness has increased even more since his stroke, it is so very sad they he doesn't want to do anything at all nowadays, both mother and I find it so frustrating. We are constantly attempting to get him interested in doing things, but he's not having none of it. He was so active pre-stroke and was constantly a busy bee. To be fair his eyesight is getting worse because of his macular degeneration which doesn't help either. I do sometimes get him laughing, although not very much nowadays. Everything that is offered to help him and improve his wellbeing is turned down, exasperating!
As I returned home this evening, I had forgotten it was Halloween and as I turned into the estate where I live there, were lots of witches, goblins and ghouls with buckets for their treats. I just managed to get in the house and keep the lights turned out until they had all disappeared!
I noticed that Andy Brown reported 37 Shags coming in to roost at Hunstanton Cliffs yesterday - Wow what a record! I must go and see this spectacle before the end of my holiday. I had planned to go this evening, but by the time I picked up mother's bike the light had just disappeared completely. I just hate these short days – roll on spring!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Shorelark at Holkham and also at Cley
White-rumped Sandpiper x 2 at Cley
Common Rosefinch at Winterton
Waxwings x 16 at Holme
Little Auks x 2 at Salthouse
Black Redstart at 'Cleyspy', Cley
Black Redstart at Heacham
Snowbuntings at Titchwell and Cley
Firecrest at Wells
I only managed to get out birding for a couple of hours today. I walked from Brancaster Staithe along the coastal footpath to Brancaster and back and had the grand total of 6 blackbirds, 1 robin and 3 little egrets. Poor old show of birds. Very strong, blustery south winds and no sun when I was out. I checked out the Waxwings at Beach Road, Holme, but coudn't find them anywhere.
It's my father's birthday on Friday and he will be 86 – he said he doesn't want any presents and doesn't want to do anything nice. His stubbornness has increased even more since his stroke, it is so very sad they he doesn't want to do anything at all nowadays, both mother and I find it so frustrating. We are constantly attempting to get him interested in doing things, but he's not having none of it. He was so active pre-stroke and was constantly a busy bee. To be fair his eyesight is getting worse because of his macular degeneration which doesn't help either. I do sometimes get him laughing, although not very much nowadays. Everything that is offered to help him and improve his wellbeing is turned down, exasperating!
As I returned home this evening, I had forgotten it was Halloween and as I turned into the estate where I live there, were lots of witches, goblins and ghouls with buckets for their treats. I just managed to get in the house and keep the lights turned out until they had all disappeared!
I noticed that Andy Brown reported 37 Shags coming in to roost at Hunstanton Cliffs yesterday - Wow what a record! I must go and see this spectacle before the end of my holiday. I had planned to go this evening, but by the time I picked up mother's bike the light had just disappeared completely. I just hate these short days – roll on spring!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Shorelark at Holkham and also at Cley
White-rumped Sandpiper x 2 at Cley
Common Rosefinch at Winterton
Waxwings x 16 at Holme
Little Auks x 2 at Salthouse
Black Redstart at 'Cleyspy', Cley
Black Redstart at Heacham
Snowbuntings at Titchwell and Cley
Firecrest at Wells
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
EAST HILLS EXPEDITION!!!
A foggy start to the day, but the fog soon cleared and the rest of the day developed into blue skies and glorious sunshine.
EAST HILLS
Parked up on the concrete pad along the West Track at Warham and walked along the track. Lots of blackbirds, redwings and robins feeding amongst the autumn leaves, all along the track. On the way out to East Hills I saw lots of brent geese, several little egrets, curlew and redshank. It was not the easiest of walks out there today, the footpaths were immeresed by water most of the way out, but fortunately I didn't fall at all this time! The creeks had more water in than usual too. It really was like a summer's day, the sun felt warm and there were good numbers of meadow pipits and skylarks flying over. As I reached the dune ridge I could see a marsh harrier and a hen harrier over the pines. At the sycamore glade there were two chiffchaffs, several goldcrests, a couple of wrens, two chaffinches and a few robins. Two sparrowhawks were seen flying west. At least 50+ Blackbirds out here and approx 20 Redwings and a few fieldfare were heard 'chacking'. As I came out of the sycamore glade my heart was racing when I spotted a male Peregrine sitting in a tall pine tree - wow this bird was stunning. I pointed the camera to where I thought the bird was sitting and for some annoying reason I couldn't locate the bird with my lens - after the third attempt, I had been rumbled - this beautiful bird had seen me, took off and left me with no picture at all on the camera. It would have made an awesome picture – so annoyed with myself. Anyway, three carrion crows flew over east and several blackbirds were flying overhead towards Wells. There were lots of fascinating fungi and toodstools out here, a bumblebee and a peacock butterfly. I turned round sharply when I heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling – the bird was bounding over the salt marsh and landed into the sycamore tree, not from where I was standing. Got some half decent pictures of the woodpecker which I was quite pleased with. I sat on the fishing box for my lunch and then slowly walked back. On the most northerly edge of the dunes I flushed a Woodcock which made both the bird and me jump! Back in the sycamore glade the goldcrests had increased in numbers, but nothing else of note was seen. Packed the camera away and proceeded to cross the beach, big creek and watery paths and smaller creeks back to base. Makes it sound like an expedition – well it is out here! You have to know the way, be very careful with the tides, be very careful where you tread and pray you don't have fog on the way back! More meadow pipits and skylarks on the way back, along with little egrets flying across the blue skies – it didn't feel like late October at all. Back at the north end of the West Track there was a tit flock, but nothing exciting with them. Several blackbirds and redwings were in the copse by the end of the track. Back at the car I battled to get the wellingtons off, changed socks and put my walking boots back on. My feet always ache badly after walking East Hills – wearing wellingtons for several miles, doesn't do your feet much good – it felt so lovely to get my walking boots back on for the rest of the afternoon.
Holkham Pines
I parked at the top of Lady Anne's Drive and a very nice person gave me their all day ticket as they were leaving – lucky me! Although I wasn't lucky with the Pallas's Warbler – I dipped again! Two jays were having a wash 'n' brush up by a puddle in the middle of the path as I walked along. I had wonderful views of a very bright male bullfinch by the pond near Joe Jordan's Hide. Several people were standing around in hope of seeing the Pallas's including John F. who had already seen and photographed it! There were a thousand plus starlings gathering to roost on a large hawthorn, opposite Washington hide in the evening – I love starlings I find them such fascinating birds - the different colour variations, their behaviour and their calls. At the Salt hole there were two little grebes and the most glorious magenta pink sunset, silhouetting over the ripples of the pond. Several redwings were seen searching for food amongst fallen leaves under the Holm Oaks and a Muntjac ran across the path.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Good numbers of Waxwings throughout Norfolk today.
GREAT WHITE EGRET over Salthouse
Pallas's Warbler remains at Holkham
Shorelark at Salthouse
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Peregrine at East Hills
Little Auks at Holme and Titchwell
EAST HILLS
Parked up on the concrete pad along the West Track at Warham and walked along the track. Lots of blackbirds, redwings and robins feeding amongst the autumn leaves, all along the track. On the way out to East Hills I saw lots of brent geese, several little egrets, curlew and redshank. It was not the easiest of walks out there today, the footpaths were immeresed by water most of the way out, but fortunately I didn't fall at all this time! The creeks had more water in than usual too. It really was like a summer's day, the sun felt warm and there were good numbers of meadow pipits and skylarks flying over. As I reached the dune ridge I could see a marsh harrier and a hen harrier over the pines. At the sycamore glade there were two chiffchaffs, several goldcrests, a couple of wrens, two chaffinches and a few robins. Two sparrowhawks were seen flying west. At least 50+ Blackbirds out here and approx 20 Redwings and a few fieldfare were heard 'chacking'. As I came out of the sycamore glade my heart was racing when I spotted a male Peregrine sitting in a tall pine tree - wow this bird was stunning. I pointed the camera to where I thought the bird was sitting and for some annoying reason I couldn't locate the bird with my lens - after the third attempt, I had been rumbled - this beautiful bird had seen me, took off and left me with no picture at all on the camera. It would have made an awesome picture – so annoyed with myself. Anyway, three carrion crows flew over east and several blackbirds were flying overhead towards Wells. There were lots of fascinating fungi and toodstools out here, a bumblebee and a peacock butterfly. I turned round sharply when I heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling – the bird was bounding over the salt marsh and landed into the sycamore tree, not from where I was standing. Got some half decent pictures of the woodpecker which I was quite pleased with. I sat on the fishing box for my lunch and then slowly walked back. On the most northerly edge of the dunes I flushed a Woodcock which made both the bird and me jump! Back in the sycamore glade the goldcrests had increased in numbers, but nothing else of note was seen. Packed the camera away and proceeded to cross the beach, big creek and watery paths and smaller creeks back to base. Makes it sound like an expedition – well it is out here! You have to know the way, be very careful with the tides, be very careful where you tread and pray you don't have fog on the way back! More meadow pipits and skylarks on the way back, along with little egrets flying across the blue skies – it didn't feel like late October at all. Back at the north end of the West Track there was a tit flock, but nothing exciting with them. Several blackbirds and redwings were in the copse by the end of the track. Back at the car I battled to get the wellingtons off, changed socks and put my walking boots back on. My feet always ache badly after walking East Hills – wearing wellingtons for several miles, doesn't do your feet much good – it felt so lovely to get my walking boots back on for the rest of the afternoon.
Holkham Pines
I parked at the top of Lady Anne's Drive and a very nice person gave me their all day ticket as they were leaving – lucky me! Although I wasn't lucky with the Pallas's Warbler – I dipped again! Two jays were having a wash 'n' brush up by a puddle in the middle of the path as I walked along. I had wonderful views of a very bright male bullfinch by the pond near Joe Jordan's Hide. Several people were standing around in hope of seeing the Pallas's including John F. who had already seen and photographed it! There were a thousand plus starlings gathering to roost on a large hawthorn, opposite Washington hide in the evening – I love starlings I find them such fascinating birds - the different colour variations, their behaviour and their calls. At the Salt hole there were two little grebes and the most glorious magenta pink sunset, silhouetting over the ripples of the pond. Several redwings were seen searching for food amongst fallen leaves under the Holm Oaks and a Muntjac ran across the path.
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Good numbers of Waxwings throughout Norfolk today.
GREAT WHITE EGRET over Salthouse
Pallas's Warbler remains at Holkham
Shorelark at Salthouse
Richard's Pipit at West Runton
Peregrine at East Hills
Little Auks at Holme and Titchwell
Monday, 29 October 2012
HURRICANE SANDY!!!
Blimey, the size of this hurricane is beyond belief!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20123703
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20123703
Not bad for a Monday!
Hare soaking up the sun at Burnham Overy.
Parked at Holkam in a 'free' space and walked down to the bus stop. Eddie also has this week off as holiday, so we decided to team up today and find some birds. I caught the coastliner bus from the main road, (which Eddie was on from Cley) and we got off at Burnham Overy to walk down the track to Gun Hill. Loads of blackbirds, redwings, fieldfares and robins scattering along the track. Just where the track opens out, a beautiful hare was lounging in the long grass in the sunshine, warming his whiskers – he was totally unaware of our presence. We stalked him and got some fabulous pictures. There were some greenfinches drinking from a puddle on the path. A huge 100+ flock of lapwing flew over west. Birds seen on route to the bushes at the end of the sea wall: reed buntings, house sparrows, bearded tits (heard), pink-footed geese, redshanks, more thrushes were seen all along the seawall. In the apple tree at the end of the bank there were a couple of house sparrows and a song thrush.The lower path which runs alongside the sueda leading up to Gun Hill was alive with blackbirds, redwings, fieldfares, robins and a few reed buntings. A good number of skylarks were flying over too. Apart from a single robin there wasn't any other birds in the bushes on the seaward side of Gun Hill. Stopped here for a coffee break and then continued on through the dunes. We were surprised to see a peacock butterfly and a comma in the dunes! Apart from a few more blackbirds we didn't see anything else in the dunes.
We searched for the Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll and looked in the same spot I photographed it, but no luck. A Short-eared Owl appeared over the dune ridge and then disappeared over the west end of the pines. We then walked through the pines and came out at the cross tracks. I said to Eddie 'we need to go and look in the pond area for the Pallas's' - as we started to walk along the path adjacent to Joe Jordan's hide, Andrew Bloomfield said 'the Pallas's Warbler is just round the corner by the pond' – we thanked him and quickened our pace. Steve Gantlett appeared and overtook us on route to the pond! There was no Pallas's Warbler to be seen when we got there! We stood and walked round here for ages looking for the bird, as did quite a few other people, but no luck at all sadly. A female blackcap, lots of goldcrests, a couple of chiffchaffs, great, blue and great tits, oh and some long-tailed tits were seen and also a barn owl. Eddie found a ring ouzel round the corner, which I didn't see. Suddenly without more than a few seconds warning it started raining heavily. Trudged back to Lady Anne's Drive with several other birders. Eddie got a lift home with Paul L. and I went to visit my parent's at Holme before returning home. On route a massive, several thousand strong flock of starlings flew across the road north towards Warham Greens and I saw a Woodcock fly over the road at Burnham Norton on the way to Holme.
Hare soaking up the sun at Burnham Overy.
Pink-footed Geese flying west over Gun Hill.
House Sparrow, Burnham Overy Dunes.
Peacock Butterfly, Burnham Overy Dunes.
Skylarks at Gun Hill.
Redwing at Gun Hill.
Eddie Myers at Gun Hill.
Little Egret at Burnham Overy Staithe. (taken semi-dusk)
Main Highlights in Norfolk - RBA
Several black redstarts, waxwings and ring ouzels along the coast today.
DUSKY WARBLER at Lynford Aboretum
PALLAS'S WARBLER and Yellow-browed Warbler x 2 at Holkham
Black Guillemot and Shorelark at Salthouse
White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Little Auk on sea at Cley
Sunday, 28 October 2012
Barred Warbler highlights the day!!!
BARRED WARBLER
Salthouse
As I arrived in Cley, the pager bleeped up with "Barred Warbler" in garden opposite the duck pond at Salthouse. This bird was such a poser, the most attention seeking Barred I have ever seen. Got some cracking pictures even though the light wasn't brilliant. It entertained many people throughout the day. I'm sure there are some cracking pictures of this bird on the net. News of a Pallas's Warbler at Holkham led me to Walsey Hills NOA to find my own. Spent a long time skulking about in here, found a chiffchaff and two goldcrests, but nothing else really of note.
Eating a Wasp!
BARRED WARBLER
Salthouse
Had soup and bread at the NWT Visitor Centre and had a look through the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report to see how my pictures had come out, as not received my copy yet. It was a lovely surprise to see that I have three half page pictures in the report, along with a few others!
Gramborough Hill - a song thrush and a robin were the only birds seen here. The sea was like a mill pond, what a different scene from last night's raging seas! Walked with Julian B. and Pete S. to find out why there were a big line of birders with scopes looking at the shingle, west of the Beach Road, to find out there were watching two Shorelarks. We only saw one distantly whilst here, on an island the other side of the low fence, still nice to see though.
Warham, West Track - it was raining and the light was started to fade. Loads of blackbirds, approximately 50+ scattering along the track and a lovely surprise of a Woodcock briefly sitting on the track before if flew. A few redwings and fieldfares were also seen. In the ploughed field east of the track I watched approx. 3000 starlings feeding, creating a huge amazing pattern - the pattern changed shape and moved slowly to my right! Incredible to watch, it really was. I walked as far at the 'pit' and scattered more blackbirds on route and at least another 50+ blackbirds and a few redwings and fieldfares were in the pit. 9 grey partridge were feeding in a field and a hare lolloped across the marsh. My bins had misted up, so couldn't see properly through them. I was surprised I didn't see any owls or harriers whilst here, but still a nice selection of birds. Walked back to my car in the rain.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
Several Waxwings along the coast today, along with black redstarts, Short-eared Owls, Snowbuntings, Yellow-browed Warblers. No sign of either the Little Bunting or the Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll today.
Barred Warbler at Salthouse
Pallas's Warbler and YBW at Holkham
Shorelarks x 2 at Little Eye, Salthouse
Little Auk x 17, White-rumped Sandpiper at Cley
Common Rosefinch at Ormesby St Margaret
Olive-backed Pipit at Holkham
Siberian Chiffchaff at Cley
Little Auk x 28, Black Guillemot on sea at Sheringham
Waxwings x 19 at Holme
Black Tern at Narborough
Saturday, 27 October 2012
MEGA!!! Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll!!!
HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL
Holkam
Today didn't go to plan at all. An expensive start to the day and a magical end!!!
I went to bed far too late last night and equally got up far too late, so late I don't want to confess how late! So that completely messed up my early morning sea watch. I decided not to get down in the dumps about it and carried on with other stuff I had to sort aswell. Went to Holt to buy a boot jack for my East Hills wellingtons. I can't get my size 4 1/2 wellies off without a boot jack and I broke the cheap one I had, the last time I tried to get the boots off! Popped into Holt and bought a new one from Bakers and Larners. There was no news on the pager of the Little Bunting that would have been nice to see today.
Next stop was CleySpy to look at their range of coats. I don't know why I bothered trying on other makes, I knew I would succumb to the Paramo Halcon Jacket. This coat is awesome. Yes it costs an absolute fortune, but when I stood at Cley Coastguards later, I couldn't feel the cold or the wind and its not a thick coat either! I was wearing a long sleeved thermal, a Montane Featherlite Smock (which is silk and wafer thin), a fleece over that, the Paramo and I was toasty warm! I was also very tempted by a secondhand pair of Swaroski bins EL 8.5x42 whilst I was there. I wondered why my Leica BN 8x32 bins misted up when it rained, when one of the Cleyspy guys told me I hadn't got any coatings on one of the lenses at all!!! I hadn't even realised. I am seriously thinking about buying these bins, just waiting for them to find out how old they actually are, so I know how much warrantee is left. I was quite shocked to hear the new Swaros only have a 10 year guarantee - that's absolutely crap for the money you have to pay for the new ones! The Swaros I liked were obviously heavier than my Leicas, but they were just awesome! I was a seriously long time in the shop and sat outside in the car for a long time, trying to decide about these binoculars before I left. The Little Bunting had now been seen again, I noticed on the pager. I wanted to see this bird, but I also wanted to go sea watching, so off I went to Cley. I wasn't at coastguards very long. Said hello to Pete S. and Eddie - had just set the scope up when the pager bleeped up with Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll! John F. phoned me to say I needed to go and see it as it was described as stunning bird by birders on site. So packed up stuff in car again and went to Holkham. Just by the sluice along Beach Road, Cley a couple of birders had seen a single Shorelark, but it disappeared just as quickly when I got out of the car to look!
I broke my rules about paying at Holkham, didn't have much choice really! Drove right up the top of Lady Anne's Drive and paid £3.00 for two hours parking and walked as fast as I could. Directions to the bird: Follow the path west from Lady's Ann's to Washington Hide (on right) and then take the boardwalk path that goes to the beach, when the path splits off left through the pines, follow this and keep walking until you reach a path forking off right, back onto the dune side. Cross over the dunes and (downhill) to where there are a couple of pines and sea buckthorn and the bird is feeding on the short, mossy grass/dune area. Wow, this bird was spectacular and reminded me of one I found on Fair Isle before breakfast one morning in 2005 (I think it was). It was raining heavily at one point whilst here and I was exposing my new camera to the rain again! I made sure I didn't expose it too long though! I must get myself one of those waterproof covers! I note on Birdforum there are reports that photographers flushed the bird for people arriving later. This was NOT the case at all. I saw the HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL at 4.25pm and watched it until 4.50pm. I photographed this bird along with others. It wasn't bothered in the slightest by people taking photos, in fact sometimes it was too close to take a picture!!! Every so often it would fly around the back of the dunes and then a minute or two later, fly back to right in front of us. It was busy feeding all the time and was very chilled. In fact it was so chilled it behaved as if alone! Not once did it appear startled, in fact it was one of the most relaxed, 'not bovered' birds I have ever seen! Its probably just settled down for the night. The light was going pretty rapidly as I left. I can assure everyone that no photographer upset this bird whilst I was there. Arriving late in the day to see a bird is often a risk – it happens to us all! I think there was approx 20 people max there - didn't really count, but certainly not more.
Holkam
The light was going, but I was determined to end my day with waves crashing on the shingle at Cley. As I arrived Pete S. was just leaving and had had some really good birds after I left earlier, including 10 Little Auks (I think he said), a long-tailed duck, red-breasted merganser and other stuff I can't remember now. Eddie M. saw 10 Little Auks, 2 Great northern Divers, 2 Pomarine Skuas, a Long-tailed Duck, a Woodcock and a Long-eared Owl in off the sea. I stood on the shingle next to the crashing waves and soaked up this magical scene as the moon appeared from behind black clouds. There was tons of foam scattering across the shingle and this reminded me of the atrocious walk to Blakeney Point to see the Alder Flycatcher – the worst walk to BP ever, which I am sure some of you will remember only too well! Had a coffee and drove home.
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
HORNEMANN'S ARCTIC REDPOLL at Holkam Pines
LITTLE BUNTING, still at Burnham Over Dunes
Siberian Stonechat at Eccles
Black Guillemot at Lynn Point, King's Lynn
Sabine's Gulls at Holkham
Grey Phalarope at Titchwell
Shorelark at Salthouse
LITTLE AUKS and other seabirds along the coast (will add on Sunday night)
DON'T FORGET THE CLOCKS GO BACK TONIGHT!
Dersingham Bog
Lots of photos of the destruction or 'management' (depends how you view it!) going on at Dersingham Bog here!!!
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.102519099815404.3218.102510906482890&type=3
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.102519099815404.3218.102510906482890&type=3
Friday, 26 October 2012
MEGA'S still to be found!!!
There should still be plenty of megas out there to be found - to all
those people that have been at work all week - good luck and hope
everyone has a cracking weekend. Hopefully everyone will be out in the field and not waiting on pager
news. If we all get out there and look, the pagers will be on fire!!!
I don't feel very well this evening, have pulled my wrist again (an old injury done at work a few months ago) and just feel well, not good. Early night ready for tomorrow I think.
More cracking birds seen today in Norfolk! Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels, Redwings, Fieldfares, Short-eared Owls, Hen Harriers all along the coast!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
ARCTIC REDPOLL at Holkham
LITTLE BUNTING at Burnham Overy Staithe
Long-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
GREAT WHITE EGRET at Horsey
White-rumped Sandpiper still at Cley
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT (probable) west over Holme
Scaup x 8, 3 Great Skuas at Holme
ARCTIC WARBLER at Brancaster Staithe (no sign today)
2 Little Auks, 16 Great Skuas, 2 Red-necked Grebes and Short-eared Owl at Sheringham
Firecrest at Holkham
Black-throated Diver at Cley
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at East Hills, Wells
Snowbunting x 100, Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
I was going seawatching but looking at Magicseaweed, I will be searching for MEGA's on land! MAGICSEAWEED So exciting!!!
Camera batteries charged up, bins cleaned, bags by the door and.....
MY HOLIDAY BEGINS!!!
I don't feel very well this evening, have pulled my wrist again (an old injury done at work a few months ago) and just feel well, not good. Early night ready for tomorrow I think.
More cracking birds seen today in Norfolk! Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels, Redwings, Fieldfares, Short-eared Owls, Hen Harriers all along the coast!
Main Highlights in Norfolk – RBA
ARCTIC REDPOLL at Holkham
LITTLE BUNTING at Burnham Overy Staithe
Long-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe
GREAT WHITE EGRET at Horsey
White-rumped Sandpiper still at Cley
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT (probable) west over Holme
Scaup x 8, 3 Great Skuas at Holme
ARCTIC WARBLER at Brancaster Staithe (no sign today)
2 Little Auks, 16 Great Skuas, 2 Red-necked Grebes and Short-eared Owl at Sheringham
Firecrest at Holkham
Black-throated Diver at Cley
Siberian Chiffchaffs x 2 at East Hills, Wells
Snowbunting x 100, Gramborough Hill, Salthouse
I was going seawatching but looking at Magicseaweed, I will be searching for MEGA's on land! MAGICSEAWEED So exciting!!!
Camera batteries charged up, bins cleaned, bags by the door and.....
MY HOLIDAY BEGINS!!!
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