Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Stint, Spoonbills x 2, Slavonian Grebes x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Felbrigg Hall NT.
Sabine's Gull flew south, Balearic Shearwater, Sooty Shearwaters x 2, Little Gulls x 55 at Winterton.
Grey Phalarope, Little Gulls x 2 flew past harbour entrance at Great Yarmouth.
Shorelark at Runton Road Car park, Cromer.
Hen Harrier ringtail flew in off sea at Snettisham.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 on south side of Ken Hill Wood at Snettisham.
Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter at Weybourne.
Sabine's Gull, Pomarine Skua, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoters x 2, Sooty Shearwater, Short-eared Owl at Sheringham.
Waxwing flew west over station at Sheringham.
SAKER FALCON flew west at Salthouse.
Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl at Welney WWT.
Great White Egrets x 2, Yellow-browed Warblers x 5 at Holkham.
Great Northern Diver at Hemsby.
Ring Ouzel at Choseley Drying Barns.
Hen Harrier over saltmarsh at Stiffkey.
Tundra Bean Geese x 2 at Ridlington.
Long-tailed Duck offshore, Shorelarks x 8 possible, flew over observatory at Holme NOA.
Red-necked Grebe at Sidestrand.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 6th for UK! at Troila Geo, Fair Isle.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR probable, flew north from cliff top path, between Thorntonloch and Bilsdean, Lothian, Scotland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR in 2nd field south of boatyard, Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR on north side of Holy Island, Northumberland.
MEGA! WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER just north of Finstown by A966 in first garden south of crossroads, Mainland, Orkney.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem., Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Godrevy Point, Cornwall.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN near Pinkson Creek, viewable from Camel Trail, Cornwall.
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL, 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.
Thursday, 20 October 2016
Wednesday, 19 October 2016
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Jack Snipe x 2, Garganey at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, Common Cranes x 7 at Welney WWT.
Great White Egrets x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 6 on Freshmarsh, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Firecrests x 2 at Holkham Pines, Pomarine Skua, Black Brant at Holkham Bay.
Great White Egret on saltmarsh at Thornham.
Lapland Bunting at Thornham Point.
Leach's Petrel, Sabine's Gull, Pomarine Skuas x 9, Sooty Shearwaters x 7, Puffins x 4, Red-necked Grebes x 4, Velvet Scoters x 2, Little Gulls x 75, Great Skuas x 54 at Sheringham.
Baltic Gull probable on freshmarsh at 4.30pm, Spoonbills x 2, Jack Snipe, Lapland Buntings x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Stints x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Short-eared Owl, Black-necked Grebes x 2, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Garganey, White-fronted Goose at Titchwell RSPB.
Sooty Shearwater, Little Gull at Winterton.
Red-necked Grebe flew past beach car park, Jack Snipe x 3 from Bishop's Hide, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT.
Sooty Shearwater at Great Yarmouth.
Ring Ouzel, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 3, Crossbills x 2 at Holme NOA.
Black Guillemot flew north, Long-tailed Duck at Gorleston-on-Sea.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 7th day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR in 2nd field south of boatyard, Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR on north side of Holy Island, Northumberland.
MEGA! WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER just north of Finstown by A966 in first garden south of crossroads, Mainland, Orkney.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem., Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN near Pinkson Creek, viewable from Camel Trail, Cornwall.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR unconfirmed report at Ballard Down, Studland, Dorset.
Jack Snipe x 2, Garganey at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, Common Cranes x 7 at Welney WWT.
Great White Egrets x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 6 on Freshmarsh, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Firecrests x 2 at Holkham Pines, Pomarine Skua, Black Brant at Holkham Bay.
Great White Egret on saltmarsh at Thornham.
Lapland Bunting at Thornham Point.
Leach's Petrel, Sabine's Gull, Pomarine Skuas x 9, Sooty Shearwaters x 7, Puffins x 4, Red-necked Grebes x 4, Velvet Scoters x 2, Little Gulls x 75, Great Skuas x 54 at Sheringham.
Baltic Gull probable on freshmarsh at 4.30pm, Spoonbills x 2, Jack Snipe, Lapland Buntings x 2, Long-tailed Duck, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Stints x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Short-eared Owl, Black-necked Grebes x 2, Red-necked Grebes x 2, Garganey, White-fronted Goose at Titchwell RSPB.
Sooty Shearwater, Little Gull at Winterton.
Red-necked Grebe flew past beach car park, Jack Snipe x 3 from Bishop's Hide, Short-eared Owl at Cley NWT.
Sooty Shearwater at Great Yarmouth.
Ring Ouzel, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoters x 3, Crossbills x 2 at Holme NOA.
Black Guillemot flew north, Long-tailed Duck at Gorleston-on-Sea.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 7th day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR in 2nd field south of boatyard, Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR on north side of Holy Island, Northumberland.
MEGA! WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER just north of Finstown by A966 in first garden south of crossroads, Mainland, Orkney.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem., Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN near Pinkson Creek, viewable from Camel Trail, Cornwall.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR unconfirmed report at Ballard Down, Studland, Dorset.
Wells Woods!
Tuesday 18th October
No sign of the Olive-backed Pipits or anything else much really. The only surprise I had was bumping into Pete S. and Graham R. who joined me in search of birds. The highlight was watching a Grey Wagtail flitting around the puddles by the seat along the main path. Other than that, I saw a few Goldcrests, Song Thrush, Redwings, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch and Goldfinches. Nothing by the drinking pool area at all – devoid of birds here. The fungi was fascinating in this area and I took a few pictures of a icy green one on a birch tree.
Huge thanks to John G et al for giving me the rest of their parking ticket at Wells. I also searched the sea buckthorn/scrub around the lifeboat station, but only found a Blackbird and 2 Pied Wagtails.
Considering I've nearly had two weeks off work, I haven't seen that much at all in Norfolk yet! I could have done, but went off to find my own birds most of the time.
No sign of the Olive-backed Pipits or anything else much really. The only surprise I had was bumping into Pete S. and Graham R. who joined me in search of birds. The highlight was watching a Grey Wagtail flitting around the puddles by the seat along the main path. Other than that, I saw a few Goldcrests, Song Thrush, Redwings, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinch and Goldfinches. Nothing by the drinking pool area at all – devoid of birds here. The fungi was fascinating in this area and I took a few pictures of a icy green one on a birch tree.
Huge thanks to John G et al for giving me the rest of their parking ticket at Wells. I also searched the sea buckthorn/scrub around the lifeboat station, but only found a Blackbird and 2 Pied Wagtails.
Considering I've nearly had two weeks off work, I haven't seen that much at all in Norfolk yet! I could have done, but went off to find my own birds most of the time.
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 17, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 10 at Welney WWT.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Weybourne Camp.
Shorelarks x 4+, Lapland Buntings x 7 on beach opposite golf course at Holme.
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Stints x 2, Yellow-browed Warbler, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Velvet Scoters x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Goose on freshmarsh at Titchwell RSPB.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 12 in fields just before car park for Snettisham RSPB.
Snow Bunting, Ring Ouzel, Twite at Beeston Bump, Sheringham.
Firecrest at Stiffkey Campsite Wood, Hen Harrier off car park at Stiffkey Campsite.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
Great White Egret at Holkham Hall Lake, Black Brant at Holkham Gap.
Shorelarks x 4, 1/2 mile west of cliff top wood at Trimingham.
Lapland Buntings x 3 east of holiday camp at Mundesley.
Garganey, Jack Snipe x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Black Brant in Eye Field at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at West Runton.
Short-eared Owl at Winterton Dunes.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 6th day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR in 2nd field south of boatyard, Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 4th for UK! still, at Hendon South Dock, Sunderland, County Durham.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 5th for UK! along sandy path between rocks and dunes on north side of island, Holy Island, Northumberland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR on north side of Holy Island, Northumberland.
MEGA! WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER just north of Finstown by A966 in first garden south of crossroads, Mainland, Orkney.
MEGA! BLACK-FACED BUNTING still at north end of Gunnista, Isle of Bressay, Shetland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. x 2, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm., flew south past Cape Cornwall, Cornwall.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN south of Rock off Porthilly, Camel Estuary, Cornwall.
MEGA! SEMIPALMATED PLOVER possible, yesterday flew over Hughtown, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. yesterday off Landing Bay, Lundy, Devon.
MEGA! AMERICAN KESTREL possible, Little Ormes Head, above Angel Bay flew over upper quarry at 3.45pm, Conwy
Great White Egret, Common Cranes x 17, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 10 at Welney WWT.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Weybourne Camp.
Shorelarks x 4+, Lapland Buntings x 7 on beach opposite golf course at Holme.
Red-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Little Stints x 2, Yellow-browed Warbler, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Velvet Scoters x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Goose on freshmarsh at Titchwell RSPB.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 12 in fields just before car park for Snettisham RSPB.
Snow Bunting, Ring Ouzel, Twite at Beeston Bump, Sheringham.
Firecrest at Stiffkey Campsite Wood, Hen Harrier off car park at Stiffkey Campsite.
Hen Harriers x 2 at Warham Greens.
Great White Egret at Holkham Hall Lake, Black Brant at Holkham Gap.
Shorelarks x 4, 1/2 mile west of cliff top wood at Trimingham.
Lapland Buntings x 3 east of holiday camp at Mundesley.
Garganey, Jack Snipe x 2 at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
Black Brant in Eye Field at Cley NWT.
Short-eared Owl at West Runton.
Short-eared Owl at Winterton Dunes.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 6th day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR in 2nd field south of boatyard, Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 4th for UK! still, at Hendon South Dock, Sunderland, County Durham.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 5th for UK! along sandy path between rocks and dunes on north side of island, Holy Island, Northumberland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR on north side of Holy Island, Northumberland.
MEGA! WESTERN ORPHEAN WARBLER just north of Finstown by A966 in first garden south of crossroads, Mainland, Orkney.
MEGA! BLACK-FACED BUNTING still at north end of Gunnista, Isle of Bressay, Shetland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. x 2, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm., flew south past Cape Cornwall, Cornwall.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN south of Rock off Porthilly, Camel Estuary, Cornwall.
MEGA! SEMIPALMATED PLOVER possible, yesterday flew over Hughtown, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. yesterday off Landing Bay, Lundy, Devon.
MEGA! AMERICAN KESTREL possible, Little Ormes Head, above Angel Bay flew over upper quarry at 3.45pm, Conwy
Fifth Siberian Accentor for UK!
Holy Island, Northumberland
Along sandy path between rocks and dunes on north side of island at 8.45am.
See discussion here on Birdforum
LGRE just wrote on facebook this morning: "Going through the roof - that's the number of SIBERIAN ACCENTORS displacing westwards into Europe from Siberia - latest total is up to 80 and no doubt exceeding 100 by the weekend!"
Along sandy path between rocks and dunes on north side of island at 8.45am.
See discussion here on Birdforum
LGRE just wrote on facebook this morning: "Going through the roof - that's the number of SIBERIAN ACCENTORS displacing westwards into Europe from Siberia - latest total is up to 80 and no doubt exceeding 100 by the weekend!"
Number 5!
All pictures now added for:
http://pennyshotbirdingandlife.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/mega-twitch-siberian-accentor.html
Monday, 17 October 2016
Family Day!
Spent the day with my sister Lucy and Mother and visited Father at tea time. Mother had not been to the care home for a good few weeks, as she has not been well herself. Father seemed pleased to see her. He was in the middle of trying to take his jumper off when we arrived as he 'was hot' and he wanted to 'go to bed'. It was 4.30pm and we reminded him of this, he didn't believe us I don't think. Anyway, we asked staff to transfer him to his wheelchair and we then took him through to the dining room, which is considerably quieter than the main living room and we helped him to eat his tea. He had a surprisingly good appetite and had two fried eggs on bread and butter, 2 cheese sandwiches, half a piece of chocolate cake and a raspberry trifle we had bought him. He never ate this much at home, so maybe he hadn't had much for his lunch today. Helped him with his coffee and he then stated he wanted to go to bed again. Took him back to the living room and left him in the w/chair ready for staff to take him to bed. Spent the evening at Mother's trying to cheer her up and then Lucy and I returned to King's Lynn.
Back to some serious birding tomorrow, but I don't think its going to get serious until Wednesday onwards – weekend looks good with the forecast easterlies. If you are thinking of coming to Norfolk for some birding, you could hit the jackpot this weekend – potentially awesome! Pity I haven't got three weeks off, as long range weather indicates easterly winds well into next week!!!
Back to some serious birding tomorrow, but I don't think its going to get serious until Wednesday onwards – weekend looks good with the forecast easterlies. If you are thinking of coming to Norfolk for some birding, you could hit the jackpot this weekend – potentially awesome! Pity I haven't got three weeks off, as long range weather indicates easterly winds well into next week!!!
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
White-fronted Goose in maize field at Titchwell.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Shorelarks x 2 between Thornham and Titchwell, Lapland Buntings x 2 on beach, Spoonbills x 4, Little Stints x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Eastern Yellow Wagtail probable on Simmond's Scrape this evening, Cattle Egret at 8am, Caspian Gull on Pat's Pool, Little Stints x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 7. Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 21 on Pope's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 5 flew east over Barn Drift at Cley.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT on north side near west end of beach huts in pines, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Pinewoods Holiday Park at Wells Woods.
DUSKY WARBLER on clifftop NNE of lighthouse, in fenced off area at Cromer.
Cattle Egret at Blakeney Freshes, viewed from Friary Hills NT.
Shorelark at Blakeney Point.
Yellow-browed Warbler on Beeston Common, White-fronted Geese flew over NE, Snow Bunting, Ring Ouzel at Beeston Bump, Sheringham.
Ring Ouzel at sea wall end of Heacham Manor Golf Course.
Waxwing flew south over Warren Lane at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Shorelarks x 3 on beach at Winterton.
Shorelarks x 5, Lapland Buntings x 4 opposite golf course at Holme.
Great Grey Shrike still at Holme NWT.
Ring Ouzel at Garden Drove, Hen Harriers x 2, Ring Ouzels x 2 at Warham Greens.
Common Cranes x 17, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 9 at Welney WWT.
Yellow-browed Warbler singing in churchyard in St Benedicts Street, Norwich.
Mealy Redpolls x 5, Woodlark, Bearded Tits x 8 at Waxham.
Shorelarks x 7 in 2nd field west of cliff top wood at Trimingham.
Jack Snipes x 2 on Snipe's Marsh, Twite at Walsey Hills NOA.
Lapland Buntings x 2, White-fronted Geese x 2, Yellow-browed Warbler at Weybourne Camp.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 5th day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at north end of Easington Lagoon, Yorkshire.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 3rd for UK! still, east of Ship Inn at Huntcliff, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 4th for UK! still, at Hendon South Dock, Sunderland, County Durham.
MEGA! WHITE'S THRUSH flew from garden at Loch of Spiggie Hotel, Shetland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm., reported at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. x 3 still at Quoy, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on River Camel, WNW of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.
White-fronted Goose in maize field at Titchwell.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Shorelarks x 2 between Thornham and Titchwell, Lapland Buntings x 2 on beach, Spoonbills x 4, Little Stints x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2 at Titchwell RSPB.
Eastern Yellow Wagtail probable on Simmond's Scrape this evening, Cattle Egret at 8am, Caspian Gull on Pat's Pool, Little Stints x 3, Yellow-legged Gulls x 7. Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 21 on Pope's Marsh at Cley NWT.
Tundra Bean Geese x 5 flew east over Barn Drift at Cley.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT on north side near west end of beach huts in pines, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Pinewoods Holiday Park at Wells Woods.
DUSKY WARBLER on clifftop NNE of lighthouse, in fenced off area at Cromer.
Cattle Egret at Blakeney Freshes, viewed from Friary Hills NT.
Shorelark at Blakeney Point.
Yellow-browed Warbler on Beeston Common, White-fronted Geese flew over NE, Snow Bunting, Ring Ouzel at Beeston Bump, Sheringham.
Ring Ouzel at sea wall end of Heacham Manor Golf Course.
Waxwing flew south over Warren Lane at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Shorelarks x 3 on beach at Winterton.
Shorelarks x 5, Lapland Buntings x 4 opposite golf course at Holme.
Great Grey Shrike still at Holme NWT.
Ring Ouzel at Garden Drove, Hen Harriers x 2, Ring Ouzels x 2 at Warham Greens.
Common Cranes x 17, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 9 at Welney WWT.
Yellow-browed Warbler singing in churchyard in St Benedicts Street, Norwich.
Mealy Redpolls x 5, Woodlark, Bearded Tits x 8 at Waxham.
Shorelarks x 7 in 2nd field west of cliff top wood at Trimingham.
Jack Snipes x 2 on Snipe's Marsh, Twite at Walsey Hills NOA.
Lapland Buntings x 2, White-fronted Geese x 2, Yellow-browed Warbler at Weybourne Camp.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 5th day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at north end of Easington Lagoon, Yorkshire.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 3rd for UK! still, east of Ship Inn at Huntcliff, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 4th for UK! still, at Hendon South Dock, Sunderland, County Durham.
MEGA! WHITE'S THRUSH flew from garden at Loch of Spiggie Hotel, Shetland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm., reported at St Mary's, Isles of Scilly.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. x 3 still at Quoy, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on River Camel, WNW of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.
Sunday, 16 October 2016
Burnham Overy Dunes!
You could tell the winds had switched south as there was very little action at Burnham Overy Dunes today. The Barred Warbler was so elusive I don't believe its there!!! I spent some time waiting for this bird to appear from the brambles, but lost patience and carried on to Burnham Overy Dunes. Flocks of Redwings coming in off the sea, a big flock of Linnets, a few Robins, a Kestrel and that was it. Not a single bird in the bushes at the end of the boardwalk, which was disappointing. I started to walk to Holkham but turned back. Returned to the Barred Warbler spot – there was no one else here, so I sat down for a long wait... and waited and waited. No sign of the Barred Warbler.
By the stile, I watched several Bramblings in the large willow in the field, along with a massive group of Starlings and a female Blackcap. Also a Swallow flew over my head! I returned to my car and sat and had my tea and a coffee. A very nice lady called Fiona who reads my blog came up to say hello, before she went to look for the Barred Warbler – good luck! I then returned home. My trip to Easington and the huge amount of time spent typing up all the Norfolk Bird News over the last week has taken its toll – I still felt so tired today.
I still have another week's holiday – so glad I booked two weeks off, as don't feel ready to go back to work yet. The weather for this coming week looks interesting, starting off with south west winds on Monday and Tuesday, north west on Wednesday and then returning to easterly winds from Thursday onwards!!! Hopefully I'll see another 'Sibe' before the end of next weekend and preferably in Norfolk!
By the stile, I watched several Bramblings in the large willow in the field, along with a massive group of Starlings and a female Blackcap. Also a Swallow flew over my head! I returned to my car and sat and had my tea and a coffee. A very nice lady called Fiona who reads my blog came up to say hello, before she went to look for the Barred Warbler – good luck! I then returned home. My trip to Easington and the huge amount of time spent typing up all the Norfolk Bird News over the last week has taken its toll – I still felt so tired today.
I still have another week's holiday – so glad I booked two weeks off, as don't feel ready to go back to work yet. The weather for this coming week looks interesting, starting off with south west winds on Monday and Tuesday, north west on Wednesday and then returning to easterly winds from Thursday onwards!!! Hopefully I'll see another 'Sibe' before the end of next weekend and preferably in Norfolk!
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Velvet Scoter offshore, Spoonbills x 3, Little Stints x 3, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Water Pipit, Jack Snipes x 2, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Twite x 8, Ring Ouzel, Lapland Buntings x 8 at Titchwell RSPB.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS x 2 south of west end of beach chalets, Ring Ouzel, Yellow-browed Warblers x 4 at Pinewoods Holiday Park at Wells Woods.
RADDES'S WARBLER still at Garden Drove, Warham.
Waxwing flew over Earlham Cemetery, Norwich.
Barred Warbler north of A149 by track to dunes in bushes c300yds south of seawall, Ring Ouzels x 2 at east end of dunes at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Holkham Pines.
DUSKY WARBLER on clifftop NNE of lighthouse, in fenced off area at Cromer.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT probable, by main track briefly at 10am from Ridlington Road, Bacton Wood.
Jack Snipe on Snipe's Marsh, Walsey Hills NOA.
Water Pipit on Arnold's Marsh, Little Stint, Jack Snipes x 2 on Pat's Pool at Cley NWT.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Great Yarmouth Cemetery.
Snow Bunting 1/2 NW of Kenninghall Place, 1 mile south of Banham.
Cattle Egret on Blakeney Freshes.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Friary Hills NT, Blakeney.
PALLAS'S WARBLER, Black Redstart, Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel at Winterton.
PALLAS'S WARBLER in lighthouse garden at Winterton.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier at Stiffkey Campsite Wood.
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Bump, Sheringham.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 8, Pink-footed Geese x 1000 in stubble field at Ridlington.
Ring Ouzel at Muckleburgh Hill, Weybourne.
Great Grey Shrike west of NOA car park, Eurasian White-fronted Goose on beach, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Holme.
Shorelarks x 5 in 2nd field west of cliff top wood at Trimingham.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 28 by the Iron Road at Salthouse.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 5, Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 4th day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 3rd for UK! NO SIGN OF at Huntcliff, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 4th for UK! in trees by Town Moor Wall briefly at Hendon South Dock, Sunderland, County Durham.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR probable, reported at Seahouses harbour on grass near car park at 12.05pm, Northumberland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER (not Eastern) still at Cape Clear Island, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm., Bardsey Island, Gwynedd.
MEGA! BLACK-FACED BUNTING at farm, at north end of Gunnista, Bressay, Shetland.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. x 2 still at Quoy, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on River Camel, WNW of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.
Velvet Scoter offshore, Spoonbills x 3, Little Stints x 3, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Water Pipit, Jack Snipes x 2, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Twite x 8, Ring Ouzel, Lapland Buntings x 8 at Titchwell RSPB.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS x 2 south of west end of beach chalets, Ring Ouzel, Yellow-browed Warblers x 4 at Pinewoods Holiday Park at Wells Woods.
RADDES'S WARBLER still at Garden Drove, Warham.
Waxwing flew over Earlham Cemetery, Norwich.
Barred Warbler north of A149 by track to dunes in bushes c300yds south of seawall, Ring Ouzels x 2 at east end of dunes at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Holkham Pines.
DUSKY WARBLER on clifftop NNE of lighthouse, in fenced off area at Cromer.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT probable, by main track briefly at 10am from Ridlington Road, Bacton Wood.
Jack Snipe on Snipe's Marsh, Walsey Hills NOA.
Water Pipit on Arnold's Marsh, Little Stint, Jack Snipes x 2 on Pat's Pool at Cley NWT.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Great Yarmouth Cemetery.
Snow Bunting 1/2 NW of Kenninghall Place, 1 mile south of Banham.
Cattle Egret on Blakeney Freshes.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Friary Hills NT, Blakeney.
PALLAS'S WARBLER, Black Redstart, Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel at Winterton.
PALLAS'S WARBLER in lighthouse garden at Winterton.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier at Stiffkey Campsite Wood.
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park.
Ring Ouzel at Beeston Bump, Sheringham.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 8, Pink-footed Geese x 1000 in stubble field at Ridlington.
Ring Ouzel at Muckleburgh Hill, Weybourne.
Great Grey Shrike west of NOA car park, Eurasian White-fronted Goose on beach, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 at Holme.
Shorelarks x 5 in 2nd field west of cliff top wood at Trimingham.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 28 by the Iron Road at Salthouse.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 5, Hen Harrier at Strumpshaw Fen RSPB.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 4th day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 3rd for UK! NO SIGN OF at Huntcliff, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 4th for UK! in trees by Town Moor Wall briefly at Hendon South Dock, Sunderland, County Durham.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR probable, reported at Seahouses harbour on grass near car park at 12.05pm, Northumberland.
MEGA! ISABELLINE WHEATEAR at Loch of Spiggie at Noss junction, Shetland.
MEGA! WESTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER (not Eastern) still at Cape Clear Island, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm., Bardsey Island, Gwynedd.
MEGA! BLACK-FACED BUNTING at farm, at north end of Gunnista, Bressay, Shetland.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. x 2 still at Quoy, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on River Camel, WNW of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.
Saturday, 15 October 2016
Snettisham Coastal Park!
I was beyond exhausted this morning, even though I wanted to be out birding from dawn 'til dusk! I only managed to get some birding done locally at Snettisham Coastal Park. This was a poor show compared to the volume of birds at Spurn yesterday. I was surprised I couldn't find more than a few Robins, a couple of Chiffchaffs, a single Goldcrest, Linnets, Blackbirds, Redwings, Fieldfares, Song Thrushes and Magpies. I fully expected to find a Siberian Accentor in the same good spot where a Little Bunting was last year – I was highly disappointed!
Visited my Father this evening who seemed overjoyed to see me when I gave him a big hug and a kiss. I had a long chat with him about all the birds in the UK. He was in a right state when I first arrived and was repeatedly asking to go to bed before he knew I was there. When I asked him later why and was it because he was bored, or uncomfortable in the chair, he replied 'both'. Also, when I asked him what time he thought it was, he replied '11pm' – 'its 5.45pm' I told him and he seemed surprised. 'It's not time for bed yet' I stated! He settled once he saw me.
Went to Sainsbury's to buy some items for mother and went to visit her for the rest of the evening and showed her my twitcher's in the queue video from yesterday and the couple of pictures that I have edited so far from the couple of thousand plus I took of the Siberian Accentor. The cat was snuggled up on one of her many beds around the house. I headed for home, still feeling shattered.
Visited my Father this evening who seemed overjoyed to see me when I gave him a big hug and a kiss. I had a long chat with him about all the birds in the UK. He was in a right state when I first arrived and was repeatedly asking to go to bed before he knew I was there. When I asked him later why and was it because he was bored, or uncomfortable in the chair, he replied 'both'. Also, when I asked him what time he thought it was, he replied '11pm' – 'its 5.45pm' I told him and he seemed surprised. 'It's not time for bed yet' I stated! He settled once he saw me.
Went to Sainsbury's to buy some items for mother and went to visit her for the rest of the evening and showed her my twitcher's in the queue video from yesterday and the couple of pictures that I have edited so far from the couple of thousand plus I took of the Siberian Accentor. The cat was snuggled up on one of her many beds around the house. I headed for home, still feeling shattered.
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
RADDES'S WARBLER still at Garden Drove, Warham.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT opposite drinking pool in pines, PALLAS'S WARBLER on east side of The Dell, Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel at Wells Woods.
Barred Warbler by sea wall just beyond houses with wildfowling sign at Burnham Overy Staithe.
DUSKY WARBLER just west of boardwalk, Lesser Whitethroat (possibly of an eastern form) west of Gun Hill, Short-eared Owl, Lapland Buntings x 5, Redstart, Lapland Buntings x 10, Tree Pipit, Ring Ouzel at Burnham Overy Dunes.
RADDES'S WARBLER still along main track, 250yds from west end, PALLAS'S WARBLER still behind Salts Hole, Yellow-browed Warblers x 6, Ring Ouzels x 7, Nightingale at Holkham.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 4 opposite visitor centre, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 45, Tundra Bean Geese x 41 at Hickling Broad NWT.
RADDE'S WARBLER along coastal path mid morning, Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzels x 3, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 27 flew east at Morston.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 on south side of Ken Hill Wood at Snettisham.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 72 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Yellow-browed Warbler at South Dunes, Winterton.
DUSKY WARBLER on clifftop NNE of lighthouse, in fenced off area at Cromer.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Little Stints x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Caspian Gull on beach east of main path at Titchwell RSPB.
Yellow-browed Warbler along Gypsy Lane, Titchwell.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Trimingham.
Great Grey Shrike at Nelson Head Track at Horsey.
Shorelark east of car park, Mealy Redpoll, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 35 flew east at West Runton.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Beeston Common, Sheringham.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. probable flew west distantly at 9.35am between Salthouse & Cley.
Sooty Shearwater flew east, Grey Phalarope flew past, Woodlark flew in off sea, Shorelark on beach east of East Bank, Black Brant in Eye Field, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Redstart at East Somerton.
Black Redstart at Snettisham Coastal Park.
DUSKY WARBLER, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 27, Yellow-browed Warbler at Weybourne.
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Halfway House, Blakeney Point.
Yellow-browed Warbler just east of church at Blakeney.
Osprey flew east over Sheringham.
Hen Harrier at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzels x 2 at Cockthorpe Common.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel in wood at west end of flood at Stiffkey
Lapland Buntings x 3, Ring Ouzel at Holme.
RADDE'S WARBLER 100yds east of Beach Road on coast path by substation, Yellow-browed Warbler at Branodunom at Brancaster.
Short-eared Owl flew in off sea at North Denes, Great Yarmouth.
Jack Snipe x 2 at Walsey Hills NOA.
Hawfinch, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Hemsby.
Dotterel x 2 from footpath on concrete pad at Choseley Drying Barns.
Twite at Happisburgh.
Pomarine Skua, Great White Egret, Tree Pipit, Little Gulls x 12 at Sheringham.
Common Cranes x 17, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 5 at Welney WWT.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER at Cape Clear Island, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 3rd for UK! at 1/2 mile east of Ship Inn at Huntcliff, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 3rd day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. probable, flew west distantly at 9.35am between Salthouse and Cley, Norfolk.
MEGA! BLACK-EARED OR PIED WHEATEAR at Senna, Yorkshire.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. still & trapped & ringed at Burkle, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! PECHORA PIPIT still, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-FACED BUNTING at farm, at north end of Gunnista, Bressay, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on River Camel, WNW of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL, 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.
RADDES'S WARBLER still at Garden Drove, Warham.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT opposite drinking pool in pines, PALLAS'S WARBLER on east side of The Dell, Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel at Wells Woods.
Barred Warbler by sea wall just beyond houses with wildfowling sign at Burnham Overy Staithe.
DUSKY WARBLER just west of boardwalk, Lesser Whitethroat (possibly of an eastern form) west of Gun Hill, Short-eared Owl, Lapland Buntings x 5, Redstart, Lapland Buntings x 10, Tree Pipit, Ring Ouzel at Burnham Overy Dunes.
RADDES'S WARBLER still along main track, 250yds from west end, PALLAS'S WARBLER still behind Salts Hole, Yellow-browed Warblers x 6, Ring Ouzels x 7, Nightingale at Holkham.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 4 opposite visitor centre, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 45, Tundra Bean Geese x 41 at Hickling Broad NWT.
RADDE'S WARBLER along coastal path mid morning, Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzels x 3, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 27 flew east at Morston.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 on south side of Ken Hill Wood at Snettisham.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 72 at Cantley Marshes RSPB.
Yellow-browed Warbler at South Dunes, Winterton.
DUSKY WARBLER on clifftop NNE of lighthouse, in fenced off area at Cromer.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Little Stints x 3, Curlew Sandpipers x 2, Velvet Scoters x 2, Caspian Gull on beach east of main path at Titchwell RSPB.
Yellow-browed Warbler along Gypsy Lane, Titchwell.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Trimingham.
Great Grey Shrike at Nelson Head Track at Horsey.
Shorelark east of car park, Mealy Redpoll, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 35 flew east at West Runton.
Yellow-browed Warbler at Beeston Common, Sheringham.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. probable flew west distantly at 9.35am between Salthouse & Cley.
Sooty Shearwater flew east, Grey Phalarope flew past, Woodlark flew in off sea, Shorelark on beach east of East Bank, Black Brant in Eye Field, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 3, Redstart at East Somerton.
Black Redstart at Snettisham Coastal Park.
DUSKY WARBLER, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 27, Yellow-browed Warbler at Weybourne.
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Halfway House, Blakeney Point.
Yellow-browed Warbler just east of church at Blakeney.
Osprey flew east over Sheringham.
Hen Harrier at Buckenham Marshes RSPB.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzels x 2 at Cockthorpe Common.
Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel in wood at west end of flood at Stiffkey
Lapland Buntings x 3, Ring Ouzel at Holme.
RADDE'S WARBLER 100yds east of Beach Road on coast path by substation, Yellow-browed Warbler at Branodunom at Brancaster.
Short-eared Owl flew in off sea at North Denes, Great Yarmouth.
Jack Snipe x 2 at Walsey Hills NOA.
Hawfinch, Yellow-browed Warblers x 3 at Hemsby.
Dotterel x 2 from footpath on concrete pad at Choseley Drying Barns.
Twite at Happisburgh.
Pomarine Skua, Great White Egret, Tree Pipit, Little Gulls x 12 at Sheringham.
Common Cranes x 17, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 5 at Welney WWT.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! EASTERN BONELLI'S WARBLER at Cape Clear Island, County Cork, Ireland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 3rd for UK! at 1/2 mile east of Ship Inn at Huntcliff, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cleveland.
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 3rd day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. probable, flew west distantly at 9.35am between Salthouse and Cley, Norfolk.
MEGA! BLACK-EARED OR PIED WHEATEAR at Senna, Yorkshire.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. still & trapped & ringed at Burkle, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! PECHORA PIPIT still, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-FACED BUNTING at farm, at north end of Gunnista, Bressay, Shetland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on River Camel, WNW of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
MEGA! WESTERN PURPLE SWAMPHEN again, 8 miles north of Scunthorpe at Alkborough Flats Nature Reserve, Lincolnshire.
MEGA! HUDSONIAN WHIMBREL, 4 miles east of Penzance, 500yds west of Perranuthnoe at Boat Cove, Cornwall.
Warham Greens – Parking at Garden Drove!
PLEASE READ IF YOU VISIT GARDEN DROVE AT WARHAM AND READ TODAY'S POST, THANK YOU.
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3469094#post3469094
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3469094#post3469094
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR! THIRD FOR BRITAIN IN A WEEK!
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR! THIRD FOR BRITAIN!
Found by Damian Money! Congratulations!
Discussion on Birdforum.
Friday, 14 October 2016
MEGA TWITCH! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR!
SIBERIAN ACCENTOR
Easington, Yorkshire
Second for UK in the same week – incredible!!!
Second for UK in the same week – incredible!!!
I arranged with Eddie Myers last night to twitch this mega bird! Eddie doesn't often twitch outside Norfolk nowadays, but said he 'NEEDED' this, as he has seen eight other Accentor species worldwide and wanted a ninth!!! There are twelve altogether he told me.
Incredible that this Siberian Accentor is the second in a week and what an incredible October UK birders are having!!! I didn't go to bed at all, I decided I would feel worse getting up so early! Eddie picked me up at 4am and off we set, following my irish lady on my sat nav, which is a good job we did as the A17 was closed! Eddie was slightly worried about where the 'irish lady' was taking us, but I assured him that she has never let me down and we arrived in Easington at about 7.15am. Parked the car up and walked to where the bird was.
Short movie of birders in the queue!
Longer movie of birders in the queue!
There were hundreds of birders, a magnificant sight! There were so many Norfolk birders here, I can't list them all!!! I was dreading the scrum that more than often occurs at mega twitches, but I was very impressed with people's behaviour overall. I heard later on that it was a bit crazy at first light (just before we got there) but the Spurn Bird Observatory volunteers/staff had it wonderfully under control when we arrived – in fact I take my hat off to them for an extremely well organised system. The Siberian Accentor was feeding on old school grounds behind a low fence, opposite the gas terminal.
We were asked to queue along the road next to the fence and wait our turn to be called across, so that only 40ish people were viewing along the fence at one time, so as not to disturb the bird. Whilst there, you had about 5-10 minutes and were then asked to leave, to allow others to view the bird. Naturally most people if not everyone re-joined the queue to obtain second, third, fourth, fifth and so on views!!! Obviously there were a few (I saw you!) who decided not to rejoin the queue and just hovered for a while and then went to look again, but the majority followed the 'rules' and everyone had an amazing time watching this cracker of bird who fed continuously and seemed unperturbed by the crowds. But the bird did get disturbed several times by unhappy Hedge Sparrows I noted!
Short movie of the Siberian Accentor feeding
Phone-scoped Video – I won't win any prizes for film making!
Phone-scoped Video – I won't win any prizes for film making!
The Siberian Accentor flicked the leaves up amongst the moss to find food and was an absolute joy to watch and was often only yards away. Hedge Sprarrows and also Bramblings were feeding with the bird along with a few Robins. The light first thing was abysmal and because the bird was constantly on the move and rarely still, it was very difficult to nail on the camera. On returning home later I discovered I had taken 2,287 pictures of birds at Easington and Spurn today, most of which was for the Siberian Accentor! I found a couple of half decent shots when I returned home on Friday night which are here and on various birding websites etc, but have yet to go through all the others on Saturday evening, I'm hoping I have better shots somewhere!
Me taking pictures of the Siberian Accentor – ©Lee Evans
SIBERIAN ACCENTOR
Easington, Yorkshire
I took an awesome video of the queue of birders, to give a glimpse of how many birders were here first thing – I'll put this on youtube Saturday evening. Lee Evans wrote that there were at least 1,400 birders here today – see his wonderful account of the entire day's birding HERE. Eddie and I put a 'note' in the collection bucket after we had seen the bird! There is an account on the Spurn Bird Observatory website of today's birding and advice/request etc about tomorrow if the Siberian Accentor is still present: http://www.spurnbirdobservatory.co.uk/sightings/
Eddie and I just after seeing the Siberian Accentor!
This is Eddie's best smile for the camera!
Siskin at Sammy's Point
Redstarts at Sammy's Point
Eddie and I decided not to race round to see all the other 'main' birds on offer and went to look for our own birds. First of all we went to Sammy's Point – what an amazing place! It was dripping in migrants – this is how birding should be! Birds flicking around constantly – Redstarts, Ring Ouzels galore (at least 10+), Blackcaps, Goldcrests, Robins, Chiffchaffs, Siskin, Redwings, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes, Fieldfares, Hedge Sparrows etc! The walk along the seawall was just incredible – the horse paddocks and rich scrub held all of these birds and the sloped sea defence of large rocks held Robins, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and Redstarts just flicking around in front of us! Also bumped into Jonny Rankin here, what a lovely guy – he took a selfie of us both, oh dear!
The Blue Bell Cafe had a very obliging Shorelark on view, just behind the grounds for all to enjoy. There had also been an Olive-backed Pipit here earlier, but we didn't see that. The cafe itself did not have any hot vegetarian meals which what I really wanted and neither Eddie or I wanted to waste birding time going to the pub – also we already had parked in the designated field and didn't want to move it again. Eddie stayed in the cafe to eat something non-vege and I returned to the car to eat vege stuff I had packed up.
Shorelark by the Blue Bell Cafe
The beach adjacent to The Warren at Spurn
Black Redstart at The Warren
Near the Canal Pool along Spurn Point there was a Dusky Warbler, but I didn't see it. A crowd of birders were jammed into a gap between hedges and could see the bird, but I would have had to be 8ft tall to have seen it! Large amount of birders here including LGRE. Nine Bean Geese were on show which was fabulous to see. I so wanted to walk the entire length of Spurn Point, it looked so exciting, but there wasn't time. I walked part of though and left Eddie to watch/look for the Dusky Warbler. I got as far as The Warrens and found a cracking Black Redstart sitting on old roof tiles next to the Heligoland trap. There was also a Stonechat in the grassy field on route. Two Siskins and some Hedge Sparrows were feeding with the Black Redstart and this looked like a brilliant spot to sit in a chair and watch from. Three Swallows sped overhead, which surprised me. I walked a bit further and down onto the beach – reminded me of Cley, massive crashing waves and very bracing winds! The path that continued along the point, needed to be walked, but I had to turn back, so frustrating!!!
Birders searching for the Dusky Warbler at Spurn
Eddie and I went to the Blue Bell Cafe to warm up with a hot drink and both had a naughty cake! I really loved the atmosphere in this cafe, but disappointed that they don't even sell something basic like a jacket potato for us vege's. Lovely staff and met some nice people in here. I met a lot of blog followers today which was great, thanks for taking the time to come and chat and thank you all for your continued support.
We went to the area near the pub where people had been watching the Pallas's Warbler all day, but we were unlucky, we could have waited even longer, but wanted to see the Siberian Accentor again before we left. There were around 30 birders left at the Siberian Accentor, which was far more chilled than this morning. Eddie and I took lots more pictures and enjoyed watching this wonderful bird again just before we left.
The journey home was horrendous because we were both so tired, Eddie did an amazing job of driving all day, thank you. We stopped at a MacDonalds on route which really gave us a boost. My spicy beanburger, chips and tea tasted really good and the break and food helped us to get home. Eddie dropped me off in King's Lynn at about 10.10pm and he continued on home to Wiveton.
I tried to write up all the Norfolk news on my blog and write about today, but couldn't - far too exhausted. Typed up both on Saturday.
What an amazing day! Media links below:
- http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/721278/Birdwatching-Siberian-bird-Britain
- http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/environment/video-hundreds-of-bird-watchers-descend-on-yorkshire-village-to-see-rare-siberian-accentor-1-8181871
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/14/twitchers-flock-to-village-car-park-to-catch-glimpse-of-rare-sib/
- http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/720894/Russian-birds-Siberian-accentor-flock-to-Britain-first-UK-sighting
- http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/rare-siberian-accentor-attracts-hundreds-to-easington-car-park/story-29808831-detail/story.html
NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!
Norfolk Bird News via 'Rare Bird Alert'
Curlew Sandpipers x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS x 2 NE of drinking pool in pines, PALLAS'S WARBLER opposite drinking pool, Redstart, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel at Wells Woods.
RADDES'S WARBLER, Yellow-browed Warbler, Mealy Redpolls x 7 at Garden Drove, Warham.
Ring Ouzels x 3 at Warham Greens.
Great Grey Shrike 400yds east of end of boardwalk, Lapland Bunting at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Thornham Point.
Mealy Redpoll yesterday between Holme and Thornham Harbour, Jack Snipe, Spotted Redshank at Holme.
Shorelarks x 2 flew in off sea, Velvet Scoter on sea at Hemsby.
Common Cranes x 12, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Welney WWT.
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (form blythi) probable, at pines at west end in brambles, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Mealy Redpoll at Holkham.
Snow Goose probable, on pools at west end of Holkham Pines, Great White Egret on Lake at Holkham Hall.
Firecrest below sea wall east of Wells.
DUSKY WARBLER, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 in copse by coastal footpath, 1.2 mile east of Wells.
PALLAS'S WARBLER, Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest at East Hills, Wells.
DUSKY WARBLER by foreshore path beyond concrete pillbox at Stiffkey Campsite Woods.
Great White Egret flew over Bowthorpe Marsh.
Firecrest at old cemetery at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Great Grey Shrike, Twite at Horsey.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 35 flew east over Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Mealy Redpoll, Ring Ouzel west of, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 2 east of Morston Quay.
Mealy Redpoll, White-fronted Geese x 90 flew south over Hemsby.
Lapland Buntings x 13, Mealy Redpolls x 3, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 65, at Sidestrand.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 50 yards along footpath at Common Road, Snettisham.
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park.
BLACK-THROATED THRUSH 1w fem. at west end of trees by house, but no further sign by late pm at Scolt Head Island.
Corncrake yesterday at Scolt Head Island.
Balearic Shearwater, Lapland Bunting, Ring Ouzels x 2, Little Gulls x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 23 – all yesterday at Sheringham.
Yellow-browed Warbler in trees opposite Home Farm Stables, Short-eared Owl, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holme.
Ring Ouzel at Friary Hills, Ring Ouzel in paddock by coast path west of Blakeney.
DUSKY WARBLER just west of clubhouse in grass west of range at Brancaster Golf Course.
Caspian Gulls x 2 on Pat's Pool at Cley NWT.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. reported 500yds offshore at 1.10pm then flew north at Cley.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 2nd day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! TAIGA FLYCATCHER possible, at Ringasta, mainland, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. reported at 1.10pm 500yds offshore then flew north at Cley, Norfolk.
MEGA! BLACK-EARED OR PIED WHEATEAR at Senna, Yorkshire.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. at Burkle, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! PECHORA PIPIT still, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! PECHORA PIPIT Isle of Foula, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-FACED BUNTING at farm, at north end of Gunnista, Bressay, Shetland.
MEGA! SEMIPALMATED PLOVER juv. still at Achill Island at Keel, County Mayo, Ireland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on River Camel, WNW of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
Curlew Sandpipers x 3 at Titchwell RSPB.
OLIVE-BACKED PIPITS x 2 NE of drinking pool in pines, PALLAS'S WARBLER opposite drinking pool, Redstart, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel at Wells Woods.
RADDES'S WARBLER, Yellow-browed Warbler, Mealy Redpolls x 7 at Garden Drove, Warham.
Ring Ouzels x 3 at Warham Greens.
Great Grey Shrike 400yds east of end of boardwalk, Lapland Bunting at Burnham Overy Dunes.
Lapland Buntings x 2 at Thornham Point.
Mealy Redpoll yesterday between Holme and Thornham Harbour, Jack Snipe, Spotted Redshank at Holme.
Shorelarks x 2 flew in off sea, Velvet Scoter on sea at Hemsby.
Common Cranes x 12, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Welney WWT.
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (form blythi) probable, at pines at west end in brambles, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2, Mealy Redpoll at Holkham.
Snow Goose probable, on pools at west end of Holkham Pines, Great White Egret on Lake at Holkham Hall.
Firecrest below sea wall east of Wells.
DUSKY WARBLER, Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 in copse by coastal footpath, 1.2 mile east of Wells.
PALLAS'S WARBLER, Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest at East Hills, Wells.
DUSKY WARBLER by foreshore path beyond concrete pillbox at Stiffkey Campsite Woods.
Great White Egret flew over Bowthorpe Marsh.
Firecrest at old cemetery at Gorleston-on-Sea.
Great Grey Shrike, Twite at Horsey.
Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 35 flew east over Gramborough Hill, Salthouse.
Mealy Redpoll, Ring Ouzel west of, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 2 east of Morston Quay.
Mealy Redpoll, White-fronted Geese x 90 flew south over Hemsby.
Lapland Buntings x 13, Mealy Redpolls x 3, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 65, at Sidestrand.
Yellow-browed Warblers x 2 50 yards along footpath at Common Road, Snettisham.
Ring Ouzel at Snettisham Coastal Park.
BLACK-THROATED THRUSH 1w fem. at west end of trees by house, but no further sign by late pm at Scolt Head Island.
Corncrake yesterday at Scolt Head Island.
Balearic Shearwater, Lapland Bunting, Ring Ouzels x 2, Little Gulls x 2, Eurasian White-fronted Geese x 23 – all yesterday at Sheringham.
Yellow-browed Warbler in trees opposite Home Farm Stables, Short-eared Owl, Velvet Scoters x 2 at Holme.
Ring Ouzel at Friary Hills, Ring Ouzel in paddock by coast path west of Blakeney.
DUSKY WARBLER just west of clubhouse in grass west of range at Brancaster Golf Course.
Caspian Gulls x 2 on Pat's Pool at Cley NWT.
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. reported 500yds offshore at 1.10pm then flew north at Cley.
MEGA NEWS
MEGA! SIBERIAN ACCENTOR 2nd for UK! for 2nd day, still by school at Easington, Yorkshire.
MEGA! TAIGA FLYCATCHER possible, at Ringasta, mainland, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS imm. reported at 1.10pm 500yds offshore then flew north at Cley, Norfolk.
MEGA! BLACK-EARED OR PIED WHEATEAR at Senna, Yorkshire.
MEGA! PINE BUNTING fem. at Burkle, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! PECHORA PIPIT still, Fair Isle, Shetland.
MEGA! PECHORA PIPIT Isle of Foula, Shetland.
MEGA! BLACK-FACED BUNTING at farm, at north end of Gunnista, Bressay, Shetland.
MEGA! SEMIPALMATED PLOVER juv. still at Achill Island at Keel, County Mayo, Ireland.
MEGA! DALMATIAN PELICAN on River Camel, WNW of Wadebridge, Cornwall.
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