Norfolk Birders

Happy New Year! I hope that you all have a succesful birding year and it is shared with friends and family no matter where you are.  I will continue to post news and photographs of birds and wildlife that I see around the world and my major family events too! I want to thank the many of you that continue to send me lovely emails and come and talk to me both out in the field and at Titchwell about my website. I appreciate your lovely comments as it makes my time doing it all worthwhile!

1st January

At Wells we watched the Rough-legged Buzzard perched in its usual place before driving down Lady Ann's Drive. It was heaving with tourists and dogs, many dogs were off leads so we decided that we would wait until later in the winter to look for the Shorelarks. Why people bring dogs to nature reserves is still beyond me! We stopped along the main road to admire all the White-fronted Geese before stopping at the lay-by at Burnham Overy to watch the Cattle Egrets. The pager alerted us to the Grey-bellied Brant at Choseley so we drove back and joined the birders admiring the Grey-bellied Brant that had arrived from the Fring flock. I was soon struggling with coping with my cold/virus and returned back home early and just hope that I will be well enough for my holiday!

4th January

John and I walked the beach at Cart Gap where we joined many birders waiting to see the Desert Wheatear. The bird had flown over the concrete wall and over into the caravan park. Along with Dawn, Pete and Bethany we decided to go and look for it and so walked the track at the back and into the caravan park where we located the bird sitting on the steps. It flew onto a bramble and eventually flew back down to the beach where we had good views of it.

We drove along towards Sea Palling where we stopped and looked at Bewick's Swans and Whooper Swans in a roadside fields and a few more White-fronted Geese and Golden Plover a bit further along the road before driving to Billockby where along with several other birders we admired 20 Common Cranes behind the black barn. We didn't stop long as we wanted to get to Buckenham where 7 Taiga Bean Geese had been reported earlier. It didn't take long to find them as they were in the same spot where we had seen them a few weeks earlier. We met up with Patrick and admired the many White-fronted Geese also present. A Marsh Harrier and Red Kite were good to see as were several Ruff present along with a huge flock of Wigeon and Teal.

5th January

John and I met up with Ian, Chris, Steve and Paul at Dereham Sewage Treatment works at 8 am this morning for the Wensum Valley Bird Race day. John and I were in one team and the others were another team, also taking part. We soon heard a Kingfisher along the stream as we watched a Grey Wagtail on the sewage beds. We parted company with the other team and John and I completed the loop, adding many species but not the Redpoll or Water Rail that we had targeted here. We watched a Little Egret which surprisingly was the only one we saw all day. We ticked off a few common species as we made our way up to Bittering where we knew some of the pits were out of bounds according to the rules. However we managed to see several species of duck here as well as a lone Shelduck. We dove up back lanes through to Bintree and Guist where we added Grey Heron and Shoveler as well as Redwing and a  Mistle Thrush. At Sculthorpe they were kind to us and after explaining we were on a limited time they let us in for a small donation where we saw Brambling, Marsh Tit as well as a few more common species in the shape of Kestrel, Coal Tit and Collared Dove. A Cetti's Warbler called as we walked alongside the reeds but we did not see it.  At Bylaugh we saw more Grey Wagtails and a Tritis Chiffchaff. Moving back through the valley we saw 200 Linnets at Honingham and eeked out a Reed Bunting in a cover crop near the end of the day after watching several Red Kite. We ended the day on 72 species, with sadly not an owl of any species!

Back at Great Witchingham Village Hall, Lin did a marvellous job collating all the species and scores. It was certainly entertaining for us all.

A great day all round. Thanks to Lin who had made some delicious cakes for us all to enjoy and kept us all on track.

6th January

I had a very cold day at work today but did enjoy being told exactly where to look to see the cryptically hidden Woodcock on the Meadow Trail. Thanks Les!

I wasn't the only staff member that was cold today as our conservation staff also had a cold day trying to mend/clear the pipes on the Freshmarsh sluice which have become blocked up and have collapsed meaning that we can't evacuate water from the Freshmarsh. This means that the water levels are now very high. Still at least the vegetation on the islands will get killed off which will be good for our breeding birds next year! 

7th January

9th January

After driving to Gatwick and staying in an airport hotel overnight John and I boarded a flight to St. Lucia in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.  It was very warm and humid as we arrived at the airport on St. Lucia and we immediately ran into car hire problems once again as Sixt would not accept my international driving licence which I had gone to so much trouble to obtain as we had been warned that we would need one to drive on St. Lucia. Luckily John had his UK licence with him which they were quite happy to accept. After much paperwork filling we were upgraded to a bigger car at no extra cost. Result!

European Collared Dove and Eared Dove were sitting by the car as we loaded up our cases into the car in the car park. As I had forgotten my phone car adapter we headed into Vieux Fort town where we watched two Magnificent Frigate birds flying above our heads by the coast road.

En-route to the Marigot Beach and Dive Resort we drove along a very twisty but good surfaced road and saw Grey Kingbird, American Kestrel, Broad-winged Hawk, Western Cattle Egret, Carib Grackle. Using Google maps we navigated our way to the inlet and after parking the car boarded a little ferry across to our cabin overlooking the bay. What a wonderful view we had as the sun set and the lights came on. We enjoyed our evening meal in the warmth of the evening by the sea.

10th January

13th January

We drove onto Holkham where we soon found 5 Shorelark and a big flock of Snow Bunting in the roped off area. I had words with an irresponsible dog owner who was letting their dog, that was off the lead and totally out of control disturbing the Shorelark and the buntings in the roped off area. Grrr.....

We looked at the sea where there was a a huge flock of scoter out on the sea. Amongst the Common Scoter there were a few Velvet Scoter. Luckily one of the flocks was relatively close .  We watched Grey Partridge and a Black Brant hybrid amongst the Brent Geese by Lady Ann's Drive as we dove away. There were also many Wigeon present.

We returned via Sculthorpe Moor where there was a Waxwing in the car park.

At Roydon Common we waited for the raptor roost and watched 4 Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier and a wonderful sighting of a male Hen Harrier. It's been a while since I have seen a beautiful male Hen Harrier. Gone are the days when we used to see several at Roydon Common at the end of our birding day.

23rd January

Another good day at work where I watched a male Goldcrest display to a female Goldcrest for a long time by the recruiting hut. It was fascinating to watch as he sang away! A Barn Owl hunted over Thornham Marsh this morning adding itself to my year list. I need to sort out my butterfly page on my website and am going to try to fill the gaps this year so that I have a photograph of every British butterfly which I shall eventually upload to my website. John and I have plans to see my final British butterfly for my list this year if the weather behaves itself!

25th January

John and I were at Lynford Arboretum just after first light this morning to watch the Hawfinches come out of roost by the paddocks. One Hawfinch was already sitting at the top of the Holm Oaks as we arrived with another bird soon joining it. John saw several others leave the roost and fly away over the treetops and out of sight. We walked the loop watching a Treecreeper, Marsh Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker and having another Hawfinch fly over our heads before joining Simon by the tumnnel and watching another three Hawfinch feeding on the ground along with Brambling, Yellowhammer, Dunnock, Robin and Blackbirds.

We admired the Snowdrops in the arboretum before driving to Brandon Country Park where we watched eight Mandarin Ducks swimming with Mallards.

26th January

Whilst working today manning the recruitment hut at Titchwell I took part in the RSPB's Big Garden Bird Watch before it got busy for the first hour of my shift. I saw Blue Tit, Robin, Great Tit, Woodpigeon, Magpie, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Songthrush, Long-tailed Tit.......a flyover Curlew and an unseasonal Chiffchaff. So many people enjoy doing the Big Garden Bird Watch and it was lovely to speak to a family that had brought their little girl to Titchwell to do it as they didn't have a garden. What a fantastic family! I had an interesting phone call this evening that left me grinning from ear to ear! I certainly get some hilarious entertainment from my birding sometimes! Someone I know has certainly made a complete fool of himself and left many of us laughing.

27th January

John and I braved the weather and joined Bob at Wroxham Broad where upon the Slavonian Grebe had just sailed around the corner and out of sight! So we drove onto Ranworth Broad where the workers were burning the reeds and we disappeared into smoke. Not ideal viewing conditions. We stayed for a short while watching Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Ducks and a few Coot, Moorhen and Mute Swans but the smoke made uncomfortable viewing and so we returned to Wroxham Broad where the Slavonian Grebe was now on view albeit very distantly. After a quick lunch we drove to Buxton Heath where we watched a pair of Stonechat flitting about the gorse and reedmace.

We spent the evening at the Great Yarmouth Christmas members' evening with a buffet at the Comfort Hotel in Great Yarmouth. It was a brilliant evening with several of us taking a few photos that would interest other members. After watching Mick give a short presentation on South Georgia and The Falklands, we had a short talk about Dartford Warblers in East Norfolk. I showed a few photos of the birds of paradise that John and I had seen in West Papua  and John followed this with a few photos of game birds that we had seen in Borneo and Malaysia. We then had an interesting few slides from a member who had lived and birded on Bermuda for two years. Justin then gave us a fascinating identification talk about Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Black Brant, hybrid Black Brant and Grey-bellied Brent Geese that had appeared in Norfolk. It was  a very late evening which we all enjoyed immensely. On the way back to John's we saw a Tawny Owl and a Barn Owl in flight.

28th January

I received some late but very grateful news whilst at work today and had to spend my evening in discussions.  I have been awarded another degree and am very much looking forward to my graduation ceremony which will take place in September along with all my fellow students. It has been nearly 40 years since I graduated with my first degree so it will be fun to wear robes for the day once again! All that hard work finally pays off !

29th January

John and I spent some of our morning at the well-known watch-point south of Swaffham where we joined Pete, Marcus, Charlie and John and watched a male Goshawk displaying over the trees. Unfortunately there was a pheasant shoot about to start in the fields in front of us, which made my blood boil and so I could not stay and watch the slaughter and disturbance to our wildlife.It's about time this barbaric sport was stopped. I would not mind if they actually took them home to eat but the vast majority of introduced pheasants once shot or injured are simply buried in a hole. Grrrr.....

I spent the afternoon sorting out my butterfly photos. This has meant retrieving them from my main PC, 2 laptops and a tablet. Unfortunately I lost many of my photos when a laptop and PC were deliberately damaged by a previous partner. Thank goodness for my website, as I have managed to retrieve many of them, albeit in a reduced file size. I have managed to find photos of 54 of 58 species that I have seen in the UK. Hopefully I shall be able to update my now very old butterfly page when I have the time!

30th January

A lucky day today as I managed to see a Barn owl on my way to work at Shernborne and a Barn Owl on my way home from work at Anmer crossroads.

31st January

I have been working on my butterfly webpage but needed a break and so drove down to Snettisham, where on a very cold and blustery day I saw the two Short-eared Owls in their usual roost spot. I enjoyed watching Goldeneye on the pits but it was simply too cold and blustery to stay for very long. On the journey home I called into Flitcham where I watched a Tree Sparrow along with a Brambling amongst a flock of Chaffinch that were all feeding in a cover crop before flying up into the hedgeline.

1st February

John and I started our day at Winterton where after a long walk through the dunes we met up with Stew and Barry and sat atop the dunes looking inland. We almost got blown away! Although it was sunny the wind was fierce and it was difficult to look through the scope at all the corvids. John picked out the Hooded Crow and Stew picked out the Raven. After a bit of a chat all the corvids took to the air and it was easy to see the size difference of the Raven. It flew along with the Hooded Crow and underneath a Common Buzzard. 

We enjoyed a lovely lunch in the Nelson's Head before heading back to Winterton village after dipping on the Scaup at Hickling that had been flushed by a boat moments before we got there. We also failed to see the Eagle Owl once again . Grrr

I have finally finished my butterfly page. It can be viewed at  https://suebryan.webs.com/butterflies It has taken some hard work retrieving all my photos from various machines!

3rd February

After spending the morning on admin and sorting out a new driving licence so that I can apply for yet another different international driving licence (there are at least 3 different ones depending on which country you want to drive in)  for our forthcoming trip I needed some fresh air and some exercise. I did not want to drive far and so opted for Roydon Common. The car park was full when I arrived but luckily with my little car I could just squeeze it in a small spot. I set off across the common and except for a Skylark singing its heart out I saw nothing until 18 Meadow Pipits flew into a tree beside me. Another Skylark sang as I arrived on the top field and walked across it. A few corvids flew around as I arrived at The Delft where I saw just one Common Snipe. On my return journey a male Stonechat sat atop a post as a Common Buzzard flew over the trees in the distance.

I received some lovely emails today from people that I have helped find a few birds that have contacted me and have seen my website. Thank you so much, it is appreciated.

4th February

John and I decided to drive west today to Deeping Lakes where we saw two Long-eared Owls. One was hidden very deeply in the vegetation on the island in front of the hide but one was across the water on the right before you get to the hide. On the lake we watched Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye as well as Cormorants nesting in the trees. Coot were also present. Walking further on past the hide we kept going until we met the river bank. We walked along the bank to the right until the bend in the river where there was a bench. We looked across at the old Willow trees where we watched two Little Owls. There were several Goosander on the river.

Near Thorney we stopped to admire a Barn Owl hunting along the ditches before stopping by the A47 where there was a herd of Whooper Swans. At Eldernell we watched four Common Cranes.

5th February

I can't believe that it is a year since my twin grandsons were born. Happy birthday boys!

I had an amazing day at work in the sun greeting visitors and speaking with lots of friends today. I watched a Peregrine streak across the car park putting up 600 Golden Plover on the Freshmarsh and flying along with Lapwing over the car park. It was good to see friend Chris Lotz who owns Birding Ecoturs who has arranged several of my South Ameican birding trips today. We had arranged to meet up and talk over things and plans for the future. After work Chris and I walked down the West Bank path. I pointed out Bearded Tit, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Avocet, Teal, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen as we walked and watched a hunting Barn Owl together. We went to the Parrinder hide where we watched the harrier roost where 40+ harriers roosted in the reed bed and flew over the East Bank and into the reeds there. Thirty Pied Wagtails landed on the Freshmarsh as well as watching a flock of Pied Wagtails flying over. A Merlin was sat on one of the banks. We watched Shoveler, Shelduck, Redshank, Magpie and many Starlings flying to roost. The sky was amazing as the sun set displaying so many reds as we realised that it was time to leave.

My evening was also a busy one sorting out bird talks and forthcoming trips as well as helping several birders on where to see various birds with maps etc. 

6th February

Another very busy day at work where the sun was out and I met some wonderful visitors who had so much to tell me. At lunchtime I walked down the West Bank path and joined the excited crowd watching the Bittern in the pool beside the path. As I had travelled with Carrie today I had no camera with me and so had to make use of my phone and by using Ian's scope I managed a poor record shot of the Bittern as it caught a few fish. Two Bearded Tits landed above it and perched on the reeds as a Marsh Harrier flew over in the blue sky. Sometimes there are magical moments at Titchwell and I'm lucky enough to work here too!

7th February

Another busy day at Titchwell as I greeted visitors and friends alike. I loved watching all the Golden Plover as they twinkled in the sky above me catching the sunlight as they flew. Several skeins of Pink-footed geese called as they too flew over. I don't suppose that they will be with us much longer as they start to head back north. A visitor reported an Orange-tip Butterfly in the car park this afternoon but I did not see it.

I have been sent a mouth-watering itinerary for a trip proposal for next year. Now I need to study it in detail and looking at Sunday's weather forecast I know just the time to do it!

Blast from the past

8th February

I went out into my garden with the intention of cleaning and re-filling my bird feeder this morning and had quite a surprise as I removed the top. There was a wood mouse inside that refused to leave as it was so snug and well fed.

I met up with Alan and he drove to Deeping Lakes. On the river we watched several Goosander as a Kingfisher flew across the road and over the field. After parking in the car park we walked down the track where we watched two Long-eared Owls just before the hide. We continued on around to the river bank where Alan picked out the Little Owl sitting all alone on one of the split Willow trees. We walked down to the railway bridge as a Red Kite swooped over us and landed in a nearby tree until it was ousted by many Jackdaws that chased it away.

Alan drove onto Rutland Water at Egleton where the Visitor Centre was having a refurbishment and we could not go to the viewing gallery. Tim Appleton greeted us and kindly pointed out two Scaup amongst the Tufted Ducks. A male Smew was swimming along the back edge of the lagoon along with several Goosander. A Pintail was good to see too. Alan secreted a map of the reserve in one of his many pockets and we set off to the 360 hide where we saw three Green Sandpipers. There were many ducks on the lagoons including, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Gadwall as well as Coot and Moorhen. We watched Great Egret, Grey Heron, Little Grebe as well as many Great Crested Grebes. The sun was out and we made our way around to the Lyndon Reserve where we saw a Red-necked Grebe to add to our day list as well Tree Sparrows in the bushes by the Visitor Centre. We had both had a fantastic day and after watching several more Red Kites on the way home we added a Common Buzzard, Kestrel and lots of Whooper Swans alongside the A47 at Thorney.

10th February

A fantastic Red Kite flew over my car as I drove to work this morning. It was a difficult journey home in the snow and wind.

11th February

Once up on the roof I discovered to my horror that my Blue Tit box had had some modifications done to it. Quite clearly a woodpecker had come to predate the chicks and had enlarged the hole. Grrrr...

14th February

Driving back home from John's I watched a Red Kite flying over the Narborough bypass quickly followed by a Common Buzzard being mobbed by corvids. John was soon onto the task of finishing off the repair of my shed roof whilst I attended to a few domestics. We spent the afternoon booking flights, hotels and cars for another birding trip. It's going to be another jam-packed summer of adventure of birds and wildlife watching in various countries. Being valentine's night I was treated to an evening out where I was wined and dined and enjoyed a delicious meal of venison wellington. Whoever the chef was, should be commended as it was cooked to perfection! We eventually enjoyed the company of the couple sat next to us as we realised that we had friends in common. They came from a farming background and gave us a very different perspective on life!

15th February

So with a wet and windy weekend forecast with Storm Dennis on its way and my shed repaired it has given me the perfect opportunity to catch up on some birding admin that I have fallen behind with. Many of you ask me how I keep track of all my records. I use Wildlife Recorder for my computer database, which I also use to produce checklists for countries that I will be visiting, but I also keep a hard copy in an old Clements Birds of the World Checklist book. The problem with this is that it is not only 20 years out of date but I have switched to I O C listing so it means lots of research using the I O C lists on their website. It does however bring back many happy memories as I am doing this. I have just entered all my St. Lucia records today but now need to enter all my West Papua records that I kept for such a cold, wet, windy day such as this!....Oh well as I had over 200 life ticks on this trip I had better make a start!

16th February

I spent this morning sorting out scans and photos in a suitable format for a visa application for our forthcoming birding trip. It took much longer than I expected and evaporated most of my morning! The afternoon was spent on entering more records for my West Papua trip finishing with a lovely meal with Patrick and Claire listening to their travels and plans for future trips. We have a lot in common!

17th February

I watched a Barn Owl from the office window today at Titchwell.

18th February

Carrie and I watched a Barn Owl on the way home this evening.

19th February

20th February

A walk at Dersingham Bog this windy morning produced very little in the way of birds except a singing Robin and a multitude of Wood Pigeons. At Wolferton I was shocked at the lack of birds running around the field in the middle of the village. It is normally covered in Redwing and Fieldfare at this time of year. I saw 3 Stock Dove and more Woodpigeons as a Buzzard called as it flew above me. It was nice to bump into some friends that I have not seen for a long time though and catch up with news. I did discover some nest building though during my walk in the area that will be interesting to keep an eye on!

I spent the afternoon writing in some of my West Papuan records to my old Clements book. It brought back so many good memories of the fabulous birds that I saw there.

Later I attended the Wensum Valley talk on owls. I do so wish that BTO speakers would not use so many graphs in their talks, one or two maybe but graph after graph does not make an interesting talk for a general audience (and I'm an ex maths teacher!)  I'm not sure I learnt anything this evening and decided to leave early listening to a very interesting science programme on the radio on the way home. Luckily Wensum Valley Bird Club usually have excellent talks which I enjoy and are a very welcoming club to belong to.

21st January

One of the joys of my job at Titchwell is meeting lots visitors and lots of my birding friends as they arrive, some of whom I have not seen for a very long time. Today it was Chris Batty who works for Rare Bird Alert. In 1998 Chris was part of a twitch that I did driving up to Ullapool overnight where a small gang of us met up and concised into few cars as possible to catch the ferry to the Isle of Lewis where we spent all day looking for a White's Thrush. We got very wet and at the last minute saw the bird but arrived back at the ferry terminal just in time to see the ferry sailing out of the harbour. Chris found us a hostel where I became chief cook and rustled up a meal for the hungry gang. We had an amazing day birding the island the following day and spent another night in the hostel as the Isle of Lewis closes down on a Sunday. We caught the ferry back to Ullapool on Monday but as we were all motoring back down through Scotland the pager alerted us to an American Robin on St. Agnes in the Isles of Scilly. After surprising Richard Bonser's mother in Cheshire who fed us all, we continued down to St. Just in Cornwall where we caught the plane to St. Mary's. We were soon on the boat to St. Agnes and got saturated once again before finally seeing the bird. We managed to catch the boat back to St. Mary's but when we arrived at the airfield (we had twitched the Wilson's Snipe as well on St. Mary's) we found to our horror that all flights had been cancelled due to the appalling weather. Once again Chris sorted out some accommodation for us all as we all poured into a lady's bungalow where we managed to flood the bathroom floor! I finally returned home 5 days later still in the same clothes that I had left home in. Those were the days!

Chris and I reminisced about the good ol' days and how we miss them! It was good to see you Chris and have a chat.

My evening was spent with John, Vicky and Dave where we enjoyed a meal together at The Globe in Wells. Vicky and I shared a birding trip to Sichuan together and it was good to catch upon their birding tales.

22nd February

I saw several Red Kites today as I drove to Oxford to stay with my daughter.

23rd February

More Red Kites were seen today as I met up with all my old college friends at the Westminster College Oxford Reunion today in Oxford. It was wonderful to see some former house-mates that I have not seen for over 40 years since we all left to go our separate ways. We all had such tales to tell. A fabulous time was had by all. Thanks must go to Helen for organising it.

24th February

Another day of Red Kites as Kathryn, Hannah and I toured the garden centre at Biscester.

25th February

A Goldcrest called all day out in the car park at Titchwell. It was such a busy little bird as it flitted around. I fed my poorly little Robin that keeps me company for most of the day some sultanas and bird seed. It has a poorly leg and often has to squat on the ground to give its good leg a rest. It perches on my knee and begs for food and often waits for me in the morning to open up. A Mediterranean Gull called as it flew over the car park. A year tick for me.

John and I spent the evening at NarVOS where we watched a talk on Colombia. It included some of the areas that John and I had been to and brought back memories of some of the birds that we had seen until I received a message from a friend that had us all scurrying out of the door in haste!

26th February

27th February

I have had a bad night and woken up with yet another dreadful migraine, this time affecting my stomach as well. It is about as much as I can do to spend the day marking up the checklist ready for our next adventure. Bed and sofa it is today! The only birds I have seen are my Blackbirds and Blue Tits on my feeders in the garden.

2nd March

Having spent a wonderful long weekend in Gloucestershire with my son's family we had had some very blustery, snowy walks in various parks, arboretums and woods with the twins so it was rather nice to spend some time today with my daughter and granddaugter in calmer conditions. In Oxfordshire where my daughter lives, Red Kites seem to be everywhere. At one point driving through Yarton we had 5 Red Kites in the air together.

I have now updated my dragonfly page of my website. It can be viewed in the other species section of my website or here: https://suebryan.webs.com/dragonflies

Unfortunately due to malicious damage to three of my computers by a former partner I have lost many of my dragonfly photographs but hopefully in the coming years I will add to my collection and will be able to upload them to my dragonfly webpage.

4th March

I started my day at Fincham where I drove down Black Drove. Within seconds a Great Grey Shrike perched on the telegraph wires in front of me. I stayed for a few minutes and after greeting Les and Anne drove to Santon Downham where the river footpath after the new section was under water. I was so glad that I had worn my Muck Boots! Luck was on my side as a kind gentleman let me look through his scope as soon as I got there at a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker excavating a nest hole. It was fun to watch as the bird disappeared in the hole only to reappear with a beak full of wood that was soon disposed of.

I drove onto Swaffham forest where a Red Kite flew across the road as I turned down the lane where I watched a Goshawk along with many Common Buzzards. Skylarks were singing as was a Woodlark. I continued onto Drymere where a Woodlark sat on the wires behind my car.

6th March

John and I started our day at Sheringham where we watched two Purple Sandpipers hopping around the rocks as waves crashed over them bringing in fresh food. They were accompanied by several Ruddy Turnstones. We looked through the gulls but could not find any sign of the Caspian Gull. We drove to Cley  to meet up with Mike Edgecombe at a local cafe for lunch to see his photos of a recent trip he has done that we are considering for next year. His photos were stunning and it certainly whetted our appetite for the trip.

At North Point, Wells there were 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls in Summer plumage amongst the Black-headed Gulls as well as 7 Common Snipe, 3 Redshank as well as many Lapwing, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Greylag Geese, Brent Geese and Canada Geese.

I stopped at Holkham and watched 2 Great White Egrets from the main road before driving back towards home. On my way I noticed a big black bird sitting on top of a tree with a rather large bill. It was good to be able to stop and take a photograph of a Raven which are appearing a bit more frequently now in our county.

7th March

Today was a catching up with myself day today and attending to a few domestics as I have hardly been at home for the last month, or so it seems! After some mundane shopping and washing I set off for Heacham to visit the little post office yet again for another international driving licence for our forth-coming trip. It wasn't as easy as I thought since the place we are going wasn't listed and the lady behind the counter got conflicting advice from Google!!!! Since I already had one international licence...there are several varieties....I purchased one of the others anyway in the hope that my little collection will suffice when we get there!

I motored on to Hunstanton where I failed miserably to get a decent photo of the Fulmars flying along the cliff-top. So there won't be any photos today! After mowing the lawn I upgraded my internet router, thanks to John, and so my internet is now whizzing, especially having a new cabinet in the road right opposite me!

8th March

12th March

With all sorts of issues affecting both my personal plans and work plans due to the corona virus and my grand-daughters illness I was actually quite glad to get outside at work to admire a Chiffchaff that was flitting around the trees in the car-park at Titchwell. Two flocks of Redwings flew over me as I put out some sultanas for my tame Blackbird and seed for my poorly little Robin by the recruiting shed. 

13th March

It was a lovely Spring day as I walked on Roydon Common. The Skylarks were singing as I climbed up the hill. The dreadful wind had stopped and I admired the view from the top as a couple of Common Buzzard called and displayed above me. I heard a Woodlark singing but could not locate it. I continued over to Grimston Warren where a pair of Stonechat were flitting around on top of the bushes. A Goldcrest was singing in the pines as I followed the fence line towards the farm. Three Roe deer caught me by surprise as they were quite well camouflaged. Down on the wet part of the Common I could see a Little Egret and a Teal.

Back at the car park I stopped to talk to Ash Murray (good to see you again Ash!) who used to help me out with my bird watching club many years ago at Dersingham Bog who now works for Norfolk Wildlife Trust. We reminisced over some of the events that took place that took place all those years ago.

14th March

At Pentney I counted 15 Great Crested Grebes, whilst at Nar Valley there was little to be seen except Tufted Duck, Greylag Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Kestrel, Common Buzzard and a small flock of Goldfinch. I drove down to Lynn Point where Greylag Geese, Canada Geese and Brent Geese accompanied a sleeping Cormorant and a Red Bunting in flight over the marsh.

15th March

I had an excellent day at work today, after feeding my little Robin and tame Blackbird at my hut in the car park at Titchwell greeting many first-time visitors as well as several friends. It rained at lunchtime and I had to man the information desk in the visitor centre as one of volunteers was unable to come in. All talk centrered around the Coronavirus and how it is going to affect our lives. Many clubs and organisations are now cancelling events and soon all our pubs and places of gatherings will be closed. How long businesses will remain open is open to conjecture. I can't say I am looking forward to the isolation that will certainly affect many of us.

16th March

I joined Tony down on the beach at Holme and together we watched 3 Eider, a flock of several hundred Common Scoter, 50 + Wigeon as well as a few Great Crested Grebe, Red-breasted Merganser and Cormorants flying by. Keith Tinworth accompanied us along the driveway and together we watched many male Marsh Harriers putting on wonderful displays over the marsh as we saw Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Shelduck, Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit, and Common Redshank in the pools. I saw a distant Barn Owl hunting alongside Greylag and Canada Geese. 

I was back home for the late afternoon and one by one my children contacted me about how their working lives were all going to be at home for the foreseeable future due to the Corona virus outbreak. How they are going to accomplish this with young children running around is anyone's guess! I had called into a local supermarket today and it was mayhem with lots of empty shelves. One of the workers was in despair as he told me that their delivery had been a small one as the warehouse had run out of stock! Goodness knows what work is going to bring tomorrow?

17th March

It was another lovely Spring day at Titchwell. I was staggered at just how many visitors we had today. Redwings were pouring over the car park in small flocks for most of the day. The over-wintering Chiffchaff was singing loudly as a Goldcrest was singing quietly too. Paul came out from the visitor centre and kindly stood in for me so that I could see the Wheatear in the horse paddocks. It took me a while to find it but it eventually popped up on top of the muck heap. The news that NWT had closed its visitor centre and hides from tomorrow makes me wonder what's in store for me tomorrow. The next few weeks are going to be interesting!

19th March

John and I started at Holme because ,after checking the NWT website, were assured that the reserve would be open, which after a quick call to head office it was. We walked along the boardwalk and I heard the two Common Cranes calling and watched them across the marsh. We walked across the reserve and John soon located a pair of Garganey along with a few Common Snipe. The pools were full of birds including, Black-headed Gulls, Teal, Wigeon, Mallard, Shoveler, Shelduck, Ruff, Redshank and Curlew. lapwing and Marsh Harriers were displaying overhead as Brent Geese flew towards Thornham. Linnets, Dunocks and Wrens were singing from top of bushes as Meadow Pipits were running around the grass. A Skylark was sitting on a post as we walked back to the car.

I called into the offices at Titchwell before walking down to join Trevor and Chris and watched a Peregrine fly over the Freshmarsh which was full of Avocet, Black-headed Gulls and a few Mediterranean Gulls. Black-tailed Godwit were looking resplendent in their summer plumage that is now appearing and Pied Wagtails were flitting around. Chris and I walked down to the beach where I added Sanderling to my yearlist. With the exception to a lone Common Scoter out on the sea and a few Cormorants flying through the sea was empty of birds. A Cetti's Warbler called as I talked to Kathryn and Gwin but I did not see it.

With news of my grandchildren finishing school this Friday I sent them a few bird-related activities that they could do that I had prepared for children at Titchwell which I thought might keep them occupied.

With the prospect of having to be confined to home at sometime I have enjoyed my garden this year and watching my garden birds. Who knows where this virus will end. 

20th March

It was another beautiful day and the butterflies were all being attracted to my flowers. I got out my camera and had a play with the various lenses that I possess. It was a shame that some of the butterflies were not in the best condition but hey ho they were lovely to see in the sun. Peacock butterflies joined Brimstone butterflies, Tortoiseshell butterflies and one Small White Butterfly in my garden today. The bees were also about. Perhaps I should try and learn some of them since we are going to be largely confined to our homes for the coming months.

25th March

So today being mindful of Gov. regulations I got out my bike from the garage. I had bought this from my neighbour a couple of years ago as she had bought it new and then had knee trouble. I have been watching my friend Stewart Betts post his rides on Facebook and thought that if he can get on a bike then so can I. I was full of optimism as I got the bike out. Then the problems started......just pumping up the tyres wore me out! I had forgotten that Stewart is very fit...I am quite clearly not. I looked at the handle bars....what were all these little levers for? I seemed to have them on both sides.....not like my old bike where I had the choice of 3 gears....1...2...or 3. Which side do I use?....and what do the others do? I put on the helmet and started peddling. Gosh my muscles ached...I didn't know I had muscles in some of the places now straining! A few metres down the road and I quite clearly needed to change gear...shall I use the right hand side ones or the left hand side ones? Another cyclist whizzed by me..........I asked for a tow......he obviously didn't share my sense of humour or was he just being sensible and wanted to put as much distance between us as possible? (I don't blame him!) After much fiddling with levers and experimenting I somehow managed it down to the main road (It's actually downhill most of the way and I freewheeled it!!! ) It was a glorious day and Chiffchaffs were singing for most of my ride.

Miraculously I arrived at West Newton Mill where I watched 2 Kingfishers and 2 Grey Wagtails on the Babingley River. I set off once more and stopped as I heard a Bramling calling. Two birds were in the trees above my head. Goldfinch, Blue Tits and Great Tits were singing too. I stopped by the gate by the wildfowlers pond at Sandringham. Fifteen Mallard ducklings were swimming all over the place as the mother kept watch. Two Oystercatchers were on the island and two Shelduck were also swimming around. Another Chiffchaff sang in the trees as a Brimstone butterfly settled on some foliage in front of me. I set off down a track and watched Hares gambolling around the fields as I enjoyed the sun. I disturbed two Red-legged Partridges from the ditch as I listened to several Chiffchaffs from both sides of the track. On my way back I watched a Pied Wagtail on a muck heap, whilst further down the road 36 Eurasian Curlews alighted from a nearby field as two Lapwings fed around a nearby flooded field.

I arrived back back home all in one piece having had a wonderful morning. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful nature all around me. Stay safe everyone!

26th March

27th March

28th March

Challenging was probably the best descriptive word for my permitted exercise ride on my bike today!  I set off towards Congham and listened to Nuthatches calling in Jim Lawrence's garden but could not locate them. I walked down to the church and admired some of the beautiful gardens here before cycling along some of the track-ways that I used to walk on my survey work for the Norfolk Bird Atlas many years ago. I retraced my ride and followed the track across a field to Congham Hall and saw a few Red-legged Partridges and listened to several Skylark singing above me. Woodpigeons and corvids were everywhere all busily feeding in the fields.

Finding myself back in Roydon I made my way up to the farm and cycled a track up towards Roydon Common where I met a friend that I had not seen for a long time. Keeping our distance we watched Yellowhammers and Reed Buntings in the field before I crossed over to Roydon Common which I had all to myself. It was certainly joyous not to have to ask people to put their dogs on a lead for once! I watched a Common Buzzard, a Marsh Harrier and a Stonechat before commencing the battle with the wind back home. I certainly enjoyed the downhill stretch back down to the crossroads in Roydon!

29th March

With the wind coming from the north and significantly colder and stronger than yesterday, I delayed my bike ride today until I could pluck up the courage to brace myself against it. I kept within the parish boundaries and did not venture very far at all. I enjoyed the wildlife that I did see and felt sorry for all the Redwings trying to make their way back to Scandinavia in a northerly blast. The Rabbits did not seem at all bothered as they were sheltered by the many gorse bushes around as they played and hopped around.

March 30th

Having kept myself amused today by giving some of my kitchen cupboards a spring clean, I also needed some fresh air and so my bike was fetched out of the garage again.

Once again it was bitterly cold but at least the wind had abated a bit. After cycling 600m it started to rain so I took shelter in a wood. I saw almost nothing here except for listening to a Robin singing somewhere. Luckily the shower was short lived and I heard a Woodlark singing. Crossing over the main road I heard another Woodlark singing but could not find it. Forty Redwings alighted into a tree in front of me and I managed a quick photo before they took flight and went into the wood. Hares and Red-legged Partridges ran around the field as a pair of Oystercathers lurked on the far side of the field. Six Common Buzzards swirled around above the wood along with a pair of Sparrowhawks.

I stopped to take a photo of the blossom in the hedgerow and a tree which has lost some of its branches which I thought was photogenic. The Green Sandpiper was back on one of the pools as I stopped to take a photo of some Pheasants. I watched some Mallards and a Moorhen on the river Babingley and admired some Brown Trout in the river. I could not find the Grey Wagtails today and more worryingly the 19 ducklings either that I had seen on previous visits to the pool. A Woodlark was singing above my head but my bridge camera was not interested in taking a photo of it. I watched a pair of Marsh Tits building a nest in a crevice in a tree. It was nice to see a few friends who were walking along the road who were also enjoying the wildlife. Keeping a suitable distance apart we watched a Red Kite together.

31st March

It was a beautiful morning and I was spoilt for choice on which route to take today on my bike for my 'permitted' exercise. I decided to head in the opposite direction this morning and cycled towards Roydon crossroads so that I could investigate the old railway-line.  I listened to Chifchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird and a Mistle Thrush as I watched a pair of Long-tailed Tits and a Marsh Tit.