Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black-necked Grebe, Glaucous Gull, Long-tailed Duck at Snettisham RSPB.
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton.
Tundra Bean Geese x 4 at Repps.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Acle.
Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 60, Snow Bunting at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 3 at Caister-on-Sea.
Tundra Bean Geese x 5 at Welney WWT.
Firecrests x 2 at Holkham.
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Field House, Brancaster.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 52 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Tundra Bean Geese x 4, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 32 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Purple Sandpipers x 4 at Sheringham.
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Watlington.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Little Barningham.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Breydon Water.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Lough Gill, County Kerry, Ireland.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland.
Friday, 2 January 2015
Thursday, 1 January 2015
New Year's Day Birding – Snettisham RSPB!
I have had a minor sore throat for the last couple of days, nothing to grumble about, it didn't develop in to anything.... that is until this morning! I had set the alarm for 6am. I was going to have a different day this year. I had decided that instead of racing round in a frenzied attempt to get the biggest day list, that I would walk Blakeney Point and at the same time hopefully see and photograph the Shorelarks – this wasn't to be either. I awoke feeling like absolute crap – temperature, cold, basically rough as hell! Went back to sleep, kept waking up as I wanted to go out birding, but I was beaten. Carried on sleeping. Eventually got up. Ate a sandwich which I had made last night for my trek out to BP and fell asleep on the sofa under a blanket. Even with paracetamol I felt awful.
I pushed myself to go out birding in the afternoon and went to Snettisham RSPB. It was a dreary day in Norfolk – grey skies and very strong winds. I wrapped up well and battled in the winds to make it to Rotary hide. What the hell was I doing out here!!!? Crazy! I made it and collapsed in the hide. There was a dead seal directly in front of the hide on the beach, which the Glaucous Gull has been feeding on. For a few moments I thought I was looking at the glaucous gull on the beach – which was very distant (was in fact was a juv. Great Black-backed Gull!!! LOL) and when I swung round and looked in the pits, I realised that the Glaucous Gull was sitting on the edge of a scrape!!! Oh well. Managed to get a very short video before it flew off closer to the edge of the scrapes and almost out of view and a few rubbish shots on the SLR. The Black-necked Grebe put in a brief appearance. A pair of Goldeneyes graced the waters – love these ducks.
Thousands of waders on the mudflats including Ringed Plovers, Grey Plovers, Oystercatchers, Lapwings, Shelducks, Teal, Wigeon, Curlew, Redshanks, Brent Geese etc. A massive flock of Oystercatchers were disturbed by a dog as they settled to roost. I was utterly exhausted as I walked back to the car. A Merlin shot past me as I walked back! Only other birds seen were Little Grebe, Magpies, Robin, Blackbirds, Little Grebes, Mallards.
I felt so ill when I pulled up into my drive, that I stayed in the car and shut my eyes for half an hour before getting out. Woken up by rain in the car.
Compared to others today though, my day has been pretty amazing. My heart and thoughts go out to S.B. and G.R both of whom have lost dearly loved ones on Christmas Eve and today – happy memories never fade – these can never be taken from you – RIP x x.
Andy W., Justin L. C & A. Baker and another birder all got to see the Little Bustard and the Blyth's Pipit in Yorkshire today!
A huge thank you to all the lovely emails I have received over the last few days, I still have some to reply to, please bear with me!
VIDEO AND PICTURES TO BE ADDED
I pushed myself to go out birding in the afternoon and went to Snettisham RSPB. It was a dreary day in Norfolk – grey skies and very strong winds. I wrapped up well and battled in the winds to make it to Rotary hide. What the hell was I doing out here!!!? Crazy! I made it and collapsed in the hide. There was a dead seal directly in front of the hide on the beach, which the Glaucous Gull has been feeding on. For a few moments I thought I was looking at the glaucous gull on the beach – which was very distant (was in fact was a juv. Great Black-backed Gull!!! LOL) and when I swung round and looked in the pits, I realised that the Glaucous Gull was sitting on the edge of a scrape!!! Oh well. Managed to get a very short video before it flew off closer to the edge of the scrapes and almost out of view and a few rubbish shots on the SLR. The Black-necked Grebe put in a brief appearance. A pair of Goldeneyes graced the waters – love these ducks.
Thousands of waders on the mudflats including Ringed Plovers, Grey Plovers, Oystercatchers, Lapwings, Shelducks, Teal, Wigeon, Curlew, Redshanks, Brent Geese etc. A massive flock of Oystercatchers were disturbed by a dog as they settled to roost. I was utterly exhausted as I walked back to the car. A Merlin shot past me as I walked back! Only other birds seen were Little Grebe, Magpies, Robin, Blackbirds, Little Grebes, Mallards.
I felt so ill when I pulled up into my drive, that I stayed in the car and shut my eyes for half an hour before getting out. Woken up by rain in the car.
Compared to others today though, my day has been pretty amazing. My heart and thoughts go out to S.B. and G.R both of whom have lost dearly loved ones on Christmas Eve and today – happy memories never fade – these can never be taken from you – RIP x x.
Andy W., Justin L. C & A. Baker and another birder all got to see the Little Bustard and the Blyth's Pipit in Yorkshire today!
A huge thank you to all the lovely emails I have received over the last few days, I still have some to reply to, please bear with me!
VIDEO AND PICTURES TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Great White Egret, Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Breydon Water.
Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe at Snettisham RSPB.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3 at Brancaster.
Twite x 55 at Thornham.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham.
Tundra Bean Geese x 7 at Repps.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Hen Harrier, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Burnham Norton.
Common Cranes x 26, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan at Ludham.
Snow Buntings x 6 at Salthouse.
Glaucous Gull at Morston Quay.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! LITTLE BUSTARD 3 miles SSW of Bridlington + 1/2 mile NE of Fraisthorpe, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
Great White Egret, Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Great Grey Shrike at Roydon Common.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshanks x 3 at Breydon Water.
Velvet Scoter at Winterton.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe at Snettisham RSPB.
Tundra Bean Geese x 3 at Brancaster.
Twite x 55 at Thornham.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham.
Tundra Bean Geese x 7 at Repps.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Hen Harrier, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Burnham Norton.
Common Cranes x 26, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan at Ludham.
Snow Buntings x 6 at Salthouse.
Glaucous Gull at Morston Quay.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! LITTLE BUSTARD 3 miles SSW of Bridlington + 1/2 mile NE of Fraisthorpe, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
2015!!!
Happy New Year
To My Parents, My Sisters Lucy & Vivien, My Birding Friends,
Blog Followers, All My Other Friends, Work Colleagues and Everyone Else!
May you all have health, peace and happiness in 2015
Blog Followers, All My Other Friends, Work Colleagues and Everyone Else!
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Snettisham RSPB.
Caspian Gull at Buxton.
Shorelarks x 8, Snow Buntings x 50 at Blakeney Point.
Snow Buntings x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 51 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! LITTLE BUSTARD SSW of Bridlington, Yorkshire.
No sign of Little Bustard in Sussex today.
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Snettisham RSPB.
Caspian Gull at Buxton.
Shorelarks x 8, Snow Buntings x 50 at Blakeney Point.
Snow Buntings x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 51 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! LITTLE BUSTARD SSW of Bridlington, Yorkshire.
No sign of Little Bustard in Sussex today.
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
NEW YEAR'S EVE!
Hope everyone enjoys the last hours of 2014,
be it birding, dancing, drinking, relaxing or working!
be it birding, dancing, drinking, relaxing or working!
24 hours to 2015
Beach Road, looking towards Salthouse, Norfolk.
23.45
Today I have worked so hard, did my normal day job and then came home at 5pm, quick tea and then went back to work for three hours until 9pm (double time!). Shattered is an understatement!
Andy W. very kindly offered me a seat to go and see the Little Bustard in Yorkshire, leaving at some crazy hour tomorrow. Opted out, too tired after the day I've had, plus I have beginning of a cold, just taken paracetamol with my small glass of brandy! I have more chilled plans for New Year's Day!
'Queen' on BBC1 right now are awesome, as was Ellie Goulding singing 'Blame it on the Boogie' on Jools Holland later on.
Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Bird Race OR Birding on 1st January?
I usually do a crazy bird race, which is always fun, but at the same time quite stressful, as I'm sure those of you that do the same, will agree with! So I may just go birding from dawn 'til dusk!
I'm at work all day on New Year's Eve. I may even work some extra 'bank' hours in the evening – might as well, nothing social on, no hot dates etc etc! All bank staff are being paid more than the usual rate (at any time of day or night) over the Christmas/New Year period, so too good an opportunity to miss financially! Back at work on Friday 2nd January. May work an afternoon shift on Saturday and will be working all day on Sunday.
Here is my Bird Race list for 1st January 2014.
I'm at work all day on New Year's Eve. I may even work some extra 'bank' hours in the evening – might as well, nothing social on, no hot dates etc etc! All bank staff are being paid more than the usual rate (at any time of day or night) over the Christmas/New Year period, so too good an opportunity to miss financially! Back at work on Friday 2nd January. May work an afternoon shift on Saturday and will be working all day on Sunday.
Here is my Bird Race list for 1st January 2014.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 30 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Twite x 65 at Thornham Harbour.
Water Pipits x 2, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Crossbills x 2 at Wymondham.
Bewick's Swans x 9 at Horning.
Tundra Bean Goose, Pink-footed Geese x 1,700 at Stanhoe.
Tundra Bean Geese x 7, Pink-footed Geese x 2,000 at Brancaster.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Snettisham RSPB.
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF possible near Nelson's Head at Horsey.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens.
Shorelarks x 8, Snow Buntings x 40 at Blakeney Point.
Bewick's Swans x 22 at Sea Palling.
Snow Buntings x 10, Purple Sandpiper at Happisburgh.
Snow Buntings x 33 at Eccles-on-Sea.
Caspian Gull at Buxton.
Snow Buntings x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl at Berney Marshes RSPB.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! LITTLE BUSTARD at 9.30am only, then flew south, 2 miles NE of Rye at East Guldeford Levels, Sussex.
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Cley NWT.
Snow Buntings x 30 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Twite x 65 at Thornham Harbour.
Water Pipits x 2, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Crossbills x 2 at Wymondham.
Bewick's Swans x 9 at Horning.
Tundra Bean Goose, Pink-footed Geese x 1,700 at Stanhoe.
Tundra Bean Geese x 7, Pink-footed Geese x 2,000 at Brancaster.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Snettisham RSPB.
SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF possible near Nelson's Head at Horsey.
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens.
Shorelarks x 8, Snow Buntings x 40 at Blakeney Point.
Bewick's Swans x 22 at Sea Palling.
Snow Buntings x 10, Purple Sandpiper at Happisburgh.
Snow Buntings x 33 at Eccles-on-Sea.
Caspian Gull at Buxton.
Snow Buntings x 4 at Caister-on-Sea.
Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl at Berney Marshes RSPB.
Purple Sandpipers x 2 at Sheringham.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! LITTLE BUSTARD at 9.30am only, then flew south, 2 miles NE of Rye at East Guldeford Levels, Sussex.
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
My Hot Birding 2015 Calendar!
I
purchased a "Create your own 2015 Photo Calendar" from WHSmith's. I
decided that my photos were better than those in the RSPB Calendar!!! Selected these fairly quickly this evening, printed out and now in the calendar, ok its cost me some ink, but much more personal than buying a bog standard calendar off the shelf.
Perhaps I should publish Penny's Hot Birding Calendar 2016 !?
Here are my 12 photos:
Perhaps I should publish Penny's Hot Birding Calendar 2016 !?
Here are my 12 photos:
JANUARY
Parrot Crossbill
FEBRUARY
Common Crossbill
MARCH
Grey Partridge
APRIL
Sedge Warbler
MAY
Grey Wagtail
JUNE
Red-spotted
Bluethroat
JULY
Swallow
AUGUST
Spotted Flycatcher
SEPTEMBER
Firecrest
OCTOBER
Steppe
Grey Shrike
NOVEMBER
Long-eared Owl
DECEMBER
Desert Wheatear
Monday, 29 December 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe at Snettisham RSPB.
Black Redstart flew in off sea at Winterton.
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton.
Pomarine Skua, Great Skua at Cley NWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 8, Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Geese x 7,500 at Brancaster.
Black Brant, north of Walsey Hills NOA carpark.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Bewick's Swans x 8 at Halvergate Marshes.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Twite x 60, Hen Harrier at Thornham Harbour.
Green-winged Teal, Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
Velvet Scoter at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 3 at Caister-on-Sea.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe at Snettisham RSPB.
Black Redstart flew in off sea at Winterton.
Golden Pheasant at Wolferton.
Pomarine Skua, Great Skua at Cley NWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 8, Barnacle Goose, Pink-footed Geese x 7,500 at Brancaster.
Black Brant, north of Walsey Hills NOA carpark.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Bewick's Swans x 8 at Halvergate Marshes.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owl at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Twite x 60, Hen Harrier at Thornham Harbour.
Green-winged Teal, Rough-legged Buzzard at Welney WWT.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
Velvet Scoter at Holkham.
Snow Buntings x 3 at Caister-on-Sea.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Sunday, 28 December 2014
The Trouser Saga & Titchwell RSPB!
Wasn't worth posting yesterday really..... finished work at 2pm and went into town to buy three pairs of trousers and a dressing gown for my father, who is stubbornly sitting around in shorts at aged 88 and in a house which is always cold. What do you do with someone who sits in shorts with a blanket wrapped round his legs and refuses to wear trousers!!!! I am exasperated to say the least. Arrived at Holme with the trousers to be greeted with lots of hostility and temper from father. He can't wear his old trousers – they don't fit anymore, so he needed some new ones anyway... or did he? He said he will not be wearing them and if they are left within his reach, they will be cut up! Count to 10..... very, very slowly. What do I do? Nothing I suppose, I give up. I work with older people, I go to people's homes, care homes and have seen it all, but I have NEVER seen anyone sitting in bloody shorts in December wrapped in a blanket!!! I was told to 'go away' and 'not to come back until next year' – which I then pointed out to father, was only a few day's away (he had forgotten this)! Poor mother gets shouted at for opening the back door when she goes out to get coal in, feed the birds, deal with the stray cat and empty the ash pan etc, because he is cold, but STILL won't wear the trousers. Ok, that's enough about trousers!
Today did not go to plan at all. My mind is in turmoil over a big decision. I was kept awake again by next-door's dog until 3am and someone texting me. Annoyingly I had to go into town to take yesterday's dressing gown back and pay some cash into the hole in the wall – the town was packed with bargain hunters and it took me half an hour to find a free parking space. What was left of the day, I spent at Titchwell RSPB.
On route I stopped at Choseley, where I watched 3 Blackbirds, 4 Mistle Thrushes and a Fieldfare feeding in a field just south of the barns (by the sharp corner). Also a huge flock of Linnets in the hedgerow.
At Titchwell RSPB, as I was walking towards the visitor centre, I thought I saw Eddie M...... but this person was wearing wellies, so it couldn't be Eddie? Or was it?... he never wears wellingtons (except for E.H.). I then heard a familiar voice ordering Carrot Cake at the food hatch – it was Eddie! I was in a bad, grumpy, volatile mood and it would have been better if I didn't bump into anyone I knew today! So apologies to Eddie and to my sister Vivien XX.
It was icy cold today and I quickly swapped my gloves for mittens which were considerably warmer. Huge numbers of dog walkers – much more than normally here. I walked around the Fen Trail, but didn't see much at all. I walked the whole length of the main path enjoying views of the usual waders and wildfowl here including: several Avocets, Teal, Wigeon, Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Shelducks, Shoveler, Little Egrets, Gulls, 6+ Little Grebes, Male and a Ring-tail Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harriers, Pink-footed Geese and a few Robins around. Eddie had seen a Merlin before I bumped into him.
On route home, I flushed a Barn Owl sitting in the middle of the road, via Ringstead. Back at home I collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep. Back to work tomorrow.
Today did not go to plan at all. My mind is in turmoil over a big decision. I was kept awake again by next-door's dog until 3am and someone texting me. Annoyingly I had to go into town to take yesterday's dressing gown back and pay some cash into the hole in the wall – the town was packed with bargain hunters and it took me half an hour to find a free parking space. What was left of the day, I spent at Titchwell RSPB.
On route I stopped at Choseley, where I watched 3 Blackbirds, 4 Mistle Thrushes and a Fieldfare feeding in a field just south of the barns (by the sharp corner). Also a huge flock of Linnets in the hedgerow.
At Titchwell RSPB, as I was walking towards the visitor centre, I thought I saw Eddie M...... but this person was wearing wellies, so it couldn't be Eddie? Or was it?... he never wears wellingtons (except for E.H.). I then heard a familiar voice ordering Carrot Cake at the food hatch – it was Eddie! I was in a bad, grumpy, volatile mood and it would have been better if I didn't bump into anyone I knew today! So apologies to Eddie and to my sister Vivien XX.
It was icy cold today and I quickly swapped my gloves for mittens which were considerably warmer. Huge numbers of dog walkers – much more than normally here. I walked around the Fen Trail, but didn't see much at all. I walked the whole length of the main path enjoying views of the usual waders and wildfowl here including: several Avocets, Teal, Wigeon, Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, Shelducks, Shoveler, Little Egrets, Gulls, 6+ Little Grebes, Male and a Ring-tail Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harriers, Pink-footed Geese and a few Robins around. Eddie had seen a Merlin before I bumped into him.
On route home, I flushed a Barn Owl sitting in the middle of the road, via Ringstead. Back at home I collapsed on the sofa and fell asleep. Back to work tomorrow.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Halvergate Marshes.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe, Great White Egret, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 4, Water Pipit at Snettisham RSPB.
Hen Harrier at Foulden.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harriers x 3, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB.
Tundra Bean Goose between Docking and Brancaster.
Great White Egret at Hockwold Washes, Lakenheath Fen RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimston Warren NWT.
Green-winged Teal at Welney WWT.
Snow Buntings x 75 at Sea Palling.
Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 70 at Holme.
Long-eared Owl (briefly) at Holkham.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Halvergate Marshes.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 3, Short-eared Owls x 3 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Glaucous Gull, Black-necked Grebe, Great White Egret, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 4, Water Pipit at Snettisham RSPB.
Hen Harrier at Foulden.
Rough-legged Buzzard, Hen Harriers x 3, Water Pipits x 2, Spotted Redshank at Titchwell RSPB.
Tundra Bean Goose between Docking and Brancaster.
Great White Egret at Hockwold Washes, Lakenheath Fen RSPB.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimston Warren NWT.
Green-winged Teal at Welney WWT.
Snow Buntings x 75 at Sea Palling.
Hen Harrier, Snow Buntings x 70 at Holme.
Long-eared Owl (briefly) at Holkham.
Black Brant at Cley NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
Saturday, 27 December 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Black-necked Grebe at Snettisham RSPB.
Long-eared Owl (probable) in off sea, Snow Buntings x 30 at Cley.
Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Great White Egret at Lyng.
Purple Sandpipers x 4 at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Lapland Bunting, Twite x 7, Water Pipits x 2, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Black-throated Divers x 2 at Hunstanton.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimston Warren NWT.
Twite x 8 at Happisburgh.
Hen Harrier at Foulden.
Green-winged Teal at Welney WWT.
Twite x 40 at Thornham Harbour.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Black-necked Grebe at Snettisham RSPB.
Long-eared Owl (probable) in off sea, Snow Buntings x 30 at Cley.
Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens.
Great White Egret at Lyng.
Purple Sandpipers x 4 at Sheringham.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Lapland Bunting, Twite x 7, Water Pipits x 2, Hen Harrier at Titchwell RSPB.
Black-throated Divers x 2 at Hunstanton.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimston Warren NWT.
Twite x 8 at Happisburgh.
Hen Harrier at Foulden.
Green-winged Teal at Welney WWT.
Twite x 40 at Thornham Harbour.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
MEGA! FORSTER'S TERN at Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland.
MEGA! AMERICAN COOT at Balranald RSPB, North Uist, Western Isles.
Friday, 26 December 2014
Major Fire This Evening at Hickling Hall, Norfolk!
Boxing Day Birding and Snow Blizzard!
Went to bed late last night which resulted in getting up late this morning. Had breakfast or brunch, whatever you want to call it and then cruised along the A148 to deliver some stuff to a friend and then off to do a bit of birding. No sunshine today, well there was a glimmer of sun for a short while,
but most of the day was dull with uninspiring skies and felt colder than
of late.
I decided to spend the afternoon at Kelling Water Meadows for a change and hoped to see some Stonechats, if I was lucky. The track was pretty muddy and there were lots of dogwalkers around, but they all seemed pretty well-behaved (the dogs that is!), which was a refreshing change. Considering the weather and the time of day, I ended up with a nice afternoon list.
I was lucky enough to see two (a pair) of unringed Stonechats, towards the end of the path along the brambles and also watched them feeding on the flat area of short turf, next to the shingle seabank. Other birds seen were: large flock of Brent Geese on the far fields by Muckleborough Hill, 9 Curlew, Wigeon, several Teal, a Shoveler, 2 Eygptian Geese, flock of Goldfinches, several Blackbirds in the hedges, Chaffinch, a Reed Bunting bounding across the marsh and 2 Hedgesparrows. I also disturbed a Hare, which was resting in the long grass, up on the hill above the pool – if only I had seen it, before it saw me – it was unbelievably close!
At Cley Coastguards I saw my third Stonechat of the afternoon! Perched on the fenceline in the car park at dusk! Sat and enjoyed a piece of my Carrot Cake with coffee and went home.
Watched the 'Boy in the Dress' starring David Walliams, Kate Moss etc which I really enjoyed. I opened the door to put some rubbish outside and was shocked to see big snow flakes falling!!! Oh dear, really wished I hadn't booked a Nursing Auxilliary shift tomorrow now! I have not worked in my second job for at least a couple of months now, if not more – due to my recent ankle and hand injuries, but the bank balance is hinting that I need to start working again – so back to the grindstone! Will be finished by mid-afternoon tomorrow though. Not working Sunday, so hopefully will be out birding for longer than today!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
I decided to spend the afternoon at Kelling Water Meadows for a change and hoped to see some Stonechats, if I was lucky. The track was pretty muddy and there were lots of dogwalkers around, but they all seemed pretty well-behaved (the dogs that is!), which was a refreshing change. Considering the weather and the time of day, I ended up with a nice afternoon list.
I was lucky enough to see two (a pair) of unringed Stonechats, towards the end of the path along the brambles and also watched them feeding on the flat area of short turf, next to the shingle seabank. Other birds seen were: large flock of Brent Geese on the far fields by Muckleborough Hill, 9 Curlew, Wigeon, several Teal, a Shoveler, 2 Eygptian Geese, flock of Goldfinches, several Blackbirds in the hedges, Chaffinch, a Reed Bunting bounding across the marsh and 2 Hedgesparrows. I also disturbed a Hare, which was resting in the long grass, up on the hill above the pool – if only I had seen it, before it saw me – it was unbelievably close!
At Cley Coastguards I saw my third Stonechat of the afternoon! Perched on the fenceline in the car park at dusk! Sat and enjoyed a piece of my Carrot Cake with coffee and went home.
Watched the 'Boy in the Dress' starring David Walliams, Kate Moss etc which I really enjoyed. I opened the door to put some rubbish outside and was shocked to see big snow flakes falling!!! Oh dear, really wished I hadn't booked a Nursing Auxilliary shift tomorrow now! I have not worked in my second job for at least a couple of months now, if not more – due to my recent ankle and hand injuries, but the bank balance is hinting that I need to start working again – so back to the grindstone! Will be finished by mid-afternoon tomorrow though. Not working Sunday, so hopefully will be out birding for longer than today!
PICTURES TO BE ADDED
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Boxing Day
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Snow Buntings x 20, Twite x 32 at Cley NWT.
Tundra Bean Goose, Pink-footed Geese x 3,000 south of Choseley Drying Barns.
Bewick's Swans x 23 flew west over Norwich.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 47, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Holkham.
Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret, Whooper Swan, Water Pipit, Yellow-legged Gulls x 5, Bewick's Swans x 17 at Hockwold Washes, Lakenheath Fen RSPB.
Hawfinch x 2 at Lynford Aboretum.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Black-necked Grebe, Hen Harrier, Great Northern Diver at Snettisham RSPB.
Common Cranes x 25, Hen Harriers x 2, Short-eared Owl, Whooper Swans x 2, Marsh Harriers x 50 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimston Warren NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Twite x 50 at Thornham Harbour.
Snow Buntings x 20, Twite x 32 at Cley NWT.
Tundra Bean Goose, Pink-footed Geese x 3,000 south of Choseley Drying Barns.
Bewick's Swans x 23 flew west over Norwich.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 47, Velvet Scoters x 3 at Holkham.
Short-eared Owl at Breydon Water.
Great White Egret, Whooper Swan, Water Pipit, Yellow-legged Gulls x 5, Bewick's Swans x 17 at Hockwold Washes, Lakenheath Fen RSPB.
Hawfinch x 2 at Lynford Aboretum.
Rough-legged Buzzards x 2, Short-eared Owls x 2 at Burnham Overy Staithe.
Black-necked Grebe, Hen Harrier, Great Northern Diver at Snettisham RSPB.
Common Cranes x 25, Hen Harriers x 2, Short-eared Owl, Whooper Swans x 2, Marsh Harriers x 50 at Stubb Mill Roost, Hickling Broad NWT.
Great Grey Shrike at Grimston Warren NWT.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
Thursday, 25 December 2014
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Christmas Day
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Velvet Scoter, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Snow Buntings x 30 at Cley NWT.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Snow Buntings x 40 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at South Wootton.
Twite x 40 at Thornham.
Snow Buntings x 45 at Old Hunstanton.
Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
Snow Buntings x 24, Hen Harriers x 2, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, Velvet Scoter, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Snow Buntings x 30 at Cley NWT.
Rough-legged Buzzard at Halvergate Marshes.
Snow Buntings x 40 at Holme.
Rough-legged Buzzard at South Wootton.
Twite x 40 at Thornham.
Snow Buntings x 45 at Old Hunstanton.
Hawfinches x 3 at Lynford Aboretum.
Hen Harriers x 3 at Warham Greens.
Snow Buntings x 24, Hen Harriers x 2, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell RSPB.
MEGA NEWS!
MEGA! BLYTH'S PIPIT still at Pugney's Country Park, Yorkshire.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
It's Christmas Day!!!
I was up early cooking the roast potatoes, mashed potatoes and a vegetable crumble main course (for mother and I) and it took forever to load the car up! It was a beautiful sunny day here in Norfolk. Went to pick up Lucy and Vivien and arrived at my parent's house. Mother cooked a Turkey 'Crown' – don't know what this means exactly, apart from the fact it cost a ridiculous amount of money. No one can cook Yorkshire Pudding aswell as my mother, scrumptious! Dessert and lovely tea later, which included my Carrot Cake, which father really enjoyed.
We decided not to bother with presents this year, which I think we regretted a little bit – felt a bit strange not having any presents to open. But then that's not what Christmas is all about really.
Had a lovely day at Holme with my family, but I ran out of time to go out for my usual Christmas walk, so need to escape somewhere tomorrow to shed some pounds!
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