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Thursday, 7 December 2017

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Iceland Gull at Overstrand
Glaucous Gulls x 2 at Trimingham
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 42 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Snow Buntings x 50 at Cley NWT
Taiga Bean Geese x 8 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 4, Slavonian Grebe at Titchwell RSPB
Hen Harriers x 4 at Warham Greens
Snow Buntings x 25 at Weybourne
Slavonian or Black-necked Grebe at Hemsby

MEGA NEWS 
AMERICAN ROBIN
Reported yesterday in garden at Baldoyle, County Dublin, Ireland

Wednesday, 6 December 2017

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Twite x 20 at Thornham Harbour
Black-throated Diver, Long-tailed Ducks x 11, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshanks x 3, Snow Buntings x 3 at Titchwell RSPB
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpolls x 7, Common Crane at Hedgehog Walk/Cross Lane near beach, Snow Buntings x 60 at Eccles-on-Sea
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 31 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits
Hawfinch at Felbrigg Hall NT
Glaucous Gull at Felbrigg Park
Long-tailed Ducks x 2 at Holme
Firecrests x 2, Hawfinch at Lynford Aboretum
Common Cranes x 2 at Billockby
Snow Buntings x 85 at Weybourne Camp
Taiga Bean Geese x 12 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Common Cranes x 4 at Lakenheath Fen RSPB

MEGA NEWS 
None

RBA Weekly Round-Up 28th November to 5th December!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2017-49.aspx?s_id=1006912263

Tuesday, 5 December 2017

Discharged From Hospital!

Unexpectedly, my friend was discharged home today with further procedures and follow up as an outpatient. I would have rather they stayed in a bit longer for observation, but not my decision! Luckily they will have the support of others who live much closer than me, which makes me worry a bit less thank goodness.

Had my 'Christmas' hair cut tonight after work – three hours in the hairdressers! Work Christmas Party next week, which I'm really looking forward to. As many of you know, I don't drink alcohol generally, but I always have a little tipple at the Christmas Party – after the year I've had, I might be having a bit more than a tipple next week!!! It doesn't seem long since the last Christmas party – where did that year go?!!!

I notice that its going to be seriously cold towards the end of the week: http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2652856 "very cold Friday and Saturday with raw winds, and isolated snow showers" Great!!!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Glaucous Gull, Slavonian Grebe at Kelling
Glaucous Gull flew over Salhouse
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 40 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Glaucous Gull on beach at Mundesley
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL, Mealy Redpolls x 2 at Hedgehog Walk/Cross Lane near beach, Shorelarks x 3, Snow Buntings x 60 at Eccles-on-Sea
Taiga Bean Geese x 13, Water Pipit at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Taiga Bean Geese x 18, Russian White-fronted Geese x 60 at Cantley Marshes RSPB
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum
Iceland Gull at Sheringham
Snow Buntings x 40 at Cley NWT
Common Cranes x 9 at Lakenheath Fen RSPB 

MEGA NEWS 
None

Monday, 4 December 2017

Another Day in Hospital

Today I took emergency annual leave to support my friend in hospital. On my way home last night I went to their house to pick up clothes and things for them and delivered them today – more scans and tests and these are ongoing.

I thought the car parks at the QEH were bad. I could not believe the chaos at the N&N Hospital today – once you've taken your ticket and the barrier goes up, there is no way back, so you just have to drive around the car park along with lots of other visitors until a space becomes available – it took me approximately 30 minutes to get lucky with a space! Back to work tomorrow. Good night!

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Glaucous Gull at Trimingham
DESERT WHEATEAR Male, Shorelarks x 3, 1 mile SE  of Cart Gap by Beach Road opposite end of Eccles Beach Caravan Park in wheat field, Snow Buntings x 70 on beach at Eccles-on-Sea
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL & Mealy Redpoll at Hedgehog Walk/Cross Lane near beach at Eccles-on-Sea
Grey Phalarope, Black Brant, Water Pipit, Snow Buntings x 48 at Cley NWT
Firecrest at Beeston Common, Sheringham
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 30, Hawfinches x 2 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Glaucous Gull at Mundesley
Twite x 28 at Thornham Harbour
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens
Firecrest in garden at Kelling
Taiga Bean Geese x 17 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Snow Buntings x 6, Water Pipit at Holme
Lapland Bunting at Thornham
Black Redstart at South Beach, Heacham
Great White Egret, Russian White-fronted Geese x 4 at Holkham Freshmarsh
Hen Harriers x 2 at Stiffkey

MEGA NEWS 
None

Sunday, 3 December 2017

Can This Year Get Any Worse?!!!

Somebody up there, is pushing me to way beyond my limits mentally. After all, we can only cope with so much in one hit, can't we! Its been an utterly shit year with my dear father dying, my mother has been seriously ill for a while now, but I can't go into any more detail on a public blog.

To top it all, a very close and dear friend is very unwell I found out last night. I spent the entire day from dawn until almost midnight, taking control of a poorly managed situation that has occurred. We have been in Norfolk & Norwich Hospital A&E all day for various tests and scans – lets just say that life is an absolute bitch! I am close to breaking down completely this evening. How are you supposed to cope with every day life, when so many atrocious things are going on around you to those that are so dear?! I will have to dig deep, to stay level headed this week.

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
DESERT WHEATEAR Male, Shorelarks x 3, 1 mile SE  of Cart Gap by Beach Road opposite end of Eccles Beach Caravan Park in wheat field, Snow Buntings x 70 on beach at Eccles-on-Sea
COUES'S ARCTIC REDPOLL & Mealy Redpolls x 2 (for 2nd day) at Hedgehog Walk/Cross Lane near beach at Eccles-on-Sea
Great White Egrets x 2 at Holkham Freshmarsh
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 22 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Snow Buntings x 40, Iceland Gull at Cley NWT
Hawfinches x 7 at Lynford Aboretum
Cattle Egrets x 2 opposite The Red Lion Pub at Stiffkey
Yellow-browed Warbler in Shangri-la garden at Waxham
Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck at Thornham Point
Water Pipit at Titchwell RSPB
Great White Egret at Hockwold Washes
Snow Buntings x 10 at Holme
Scaup at Hopton-on-Sea
Taiga Bean Geese x 7 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB

MEGA NEWS 
FORSTER'S TERN
Mutton Island, County Galway, Ireland

Saturday, 2 December 2017

Weekend Update!

Work and life has been incredibly busy and I've hardly had the energy to do anything else. This has resulted in being behind with lots of important jobs. I was really looking forward to an entire free and happy weekend, but so far its been horrific. Last night I had to endure an awful experience, which hopefully will never happen again – can't really say much more than that at the moment. But this incident has kicked me into action, with what I need to do next, again can't say what yet. Because of last night, I felt so traumatised and low, I didn't even want to get out of bed, but I had to do an important errand for my mother. Spent the evening with mother, the cat and Tiramisu! Then, this evening I heard that a very close friend is very unwell, whom I need to see tomorrow now. Vivien's partner also had a minor accident this evening. Life certainly pushes your mental state to the limit! I'll be glad when this year is over!

I note that a Desert Wheatear has been around for the last three days! The majority of us thought the Autumn migration in Norfolk was non-existent..... maybe that wasn't the case, maybe there were loads of suppressed rares and megas, that we didn't know about!!!?

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Glaucous Gull, Russian White-fronted Goose, Snow Buntings x 25, Black Brant at Cley NWT
Hawfinches x 6 at Lynford Aboretum
Firecrest, Caspian Gull, Long-tailed Duck, Velvet Scoter at Titchwell RSPB
Taiga Bean Geese x 18 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 15 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
DESERT WHEATEAR Male, 1 mile SE  of Cart Gap by Beach Road opposite end of Eccles Beach Caravan Park in wheat field (for 3rd day) at Eccles-on-Sea
Snow Buntings x 30, Black Redstart at Happisburgh
Hen Harrier at Clippesby
Glaucous Gull at Mundesley
Shorelarks x 6 at Happisburgh
Snow Buntings x 4 flew past Weybourne Camp
Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver at Holme
Great White Egret at Welney WWT
Lapland Bunting flew over Hunstanton Cliffs
Caspian Gull at Walcott

MEGA NEWS 
WHITE-CROWNED BLACK WHEATEAR
Is an escapee, still present in garden, than later caught and returned to its aviary at Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
FORSTER'S TERN
Nimmo's Pier, County Galway, Ireland

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
FRIDAY 1st DECEMBER
Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gulls x 2, Pale-bellied Brent Geese x 3, Snow Buntings x 47 at Cley NWT
Glaucous Gull at Trimingham
Swallow, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Little Gull, Snow Buntings x 3 at Holme
Cattle Egrets x 2 opposite Red Lion Pub at Stiffkey
Little Auk flew past Mundesley
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 22 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Glaucous Gull, Short-eared Owl at Weybourne
Snow Bunting at Snettisham Coastal Park
Hen Harrier at Warham Greens
Purple Sandpiper at sluice east of Wells
Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Salthouse
Taiga Bean Geese x 10 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Sheringham
Rose-coloured Starling juv., Hen Harrier at Morston Quay
Great White Egret at Colney Gravel Pits
Hen Harriers x 4 at Stiffkey Fen
Hawfinch at Felbrigg Hall NT
Hooded Crow reported at Hickling Broad

MEGA NEWS 
WHITE-CROWNED BLACK WHEATEAR
In garden at Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire

Thursday, 30 November 2017

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 30 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Glaucous Gull & Little Auk flew past Holme Dunes
Hawfinches x 2 at Holkham Park
Little Auk, Black-throated Divers x 2, Long-tailed Duck at Cley
Snow Bunting at Snettisham Coastal Park
Glaucous Gull, Caspian Gull, Long-tailed Duck flew past Weybourne Camp
Snow Buntings x 14 at Winterton
Little Auk, Short-eared Owl at Sheringham
Glaucous Gull at Sidestrand

MEGA NEWS 
None

Please Sign Petition: Ban Driven Grouse Shooting!

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/201443

"Mismanagement of UK uplands for Driven Grouse Shooting leads to the illegal killing and persecution of British raptors, including Hen Harriers, Golden Eagles and Peregrine Falcons and causes significant flood risk, water pollution and environmental damage contributing to global climate change.
  • Raptors, Foxes, Badgers, Stoats, Hedgehogs and Mountain Hare are killed in their thousands each year.
     
  • Draining of peat bog (internationally valuable Carbon storage resource) and burning of heather has been shown to pollute our waterways, increase lowland flooding and cause significant environmental damage, contributing to climate change.
     
  • Grouse moorland estates and wealthy landowners have so far received £20m+ in subsidies paid for by the tax payer."

RBA Weekly Round-Up 22nd to 28th November!

By Jon Dunn
https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/WeeklyRoundup2017-48.aspx?s_id=842030886

Wednesday, 29 November 2017

Brendan Joyce Receives OBE

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/norfolk-chief-executive-receives-obe-for-services-to-nature-conservation-1-5290341

Snow On The Way!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/weather/it-s-official-snow-is-on-its-way-to-norfolk-1-5299325

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 40 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Glaucous Gull, Black Brant, Dark-bellied Brent Geese x 100, Spotted Redshank at Cley NWT
Grey Phalaropes x 2, Little Auk, Little Gulls x 10 at Titchwell RSPB
Black-throated Diver at Winterton
Swallow still at Beach Cafe, Wells
Lapland Bunting, Snow Buntings x 30 at Weybourne
Taiga Bean Geese x 3, Russian White-fronted Geese x 65 at Buckenham Marshes RSPB
Shorelark near Sailing Club at Snettisham
Blue Fulmar, Shag, Goosanders x 3, Great Skuas x 19 at Sheringham

MEGA NEWS 
None

Tuesday, 28 November 2017

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 42 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Caspian Gull, Great Skuas x 5, Purple Sandpiper at Sheringham
Water Pipits x 2 yesterday at Rockland Broad
Shorelark, Snow Bunting, Twite, Slavonian Grebes x 2 at Holme
Black Brant at Cley NWT
Snow Buntings x 14 at Thornham Harbour
Hawfinches x 2 at Lynford Aboretum
Taiga Bean Geese x 2 (unconfirmed report), Water Pipit at Berney Marshes RSPB
Long-tailed Duck at Brancaster Staithe
Snow Buntings x 15, Little Gulls x 47 at Titchwell RSPB

MEGA NEWS 
None

Monday, 27 November 2017

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS & MEGAS!

SUMMARY OF TODAY'S BIRD NEWS VIA "RARE BIRD ALERT
  For access to full details of daily sightings, please subscribe to one of RBA's Bird News Services  
Black Brant, Caspian Gull at Cley NWT
White Stork flew over North Walsham
PARROT CROSSBILLS x 32 at Santon Warren, NE of Santon Downham
Bittern at Welney WWT
Hawfinches x 16, Scaup at Lynford Aboretum
Hen Harrier at Stiffkey Fen
Lapland Buntings x 4 at Weybourne
Hen Harriers x 5 at Warham Greens
Swallow still over beach cafe, Snow Buntings x 4 at Wells
Common Cranes x 34 near Horsey Mere

MEGA NEWS 
None