Birdline East Anglia

The adult White-crowned Sparrow at Cley was still associating with House Sparrows until 29th at least. A Dark-breasted Barn Owl was found wintering at Wacton Common, Norfolk until 29th at least.

Lesser Snow Geese was relocated at Heigham Holmes, Waxham and Horsey 9th-29th at least. Two Ross’s Geese were relocated at Halvergate Marshes 3rd-4th and one flew over Martham 7th. Then up to two were at Horsey Gap 22nd-25th. One was back again at Holkham Freshmarsh 28th-29th at least. In Norfolk up to three Tundra Bean Geese were still at Welney WWT. There were still ten Taiga Bean Geese at Cantley Marshes RSPB until 22nd but the rest have left the country.

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for January 2008

by Robin Chittenden

An adult White-crowned Sparrow was discovered feeding in a back garden in Cley on 3rd. Not recognising the ‘humbug’ headed critter the finders carried out some research and mentioned it to a local birdwatcher. The bird was quickly identified and an action plan was hatched. The various bird tables and feeding stations in the immediate area were repositioned to a driveway that could be viewed from the verge. Helpfully the bird complied, followed the food and showed regularth-31st at least. During its stay it was initially rather secretive furtively popping out for food every now and then, but it soon joined up with the local gang of House Sparrows, so was just as likely to be seen perched up with them in nearby hedges. A collection bucket raised over £5000.00 for a local charitable cause. So if you find a rarity let us know and get your collection box out.

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for December 2007

 by Robin Chittenden

The first winter male Desert Wheatear remained at Horsey until 10th. Despite the succession of photographers leaving titbits for this bird to consume, it was not enough to tempt it to over-winter, unlike the one still present in Yorkshire. To view photographs enter ‘Desert Wheatear 2007′ into the quick search box at www.harlequinpictures.co.uk Perhaps it was taken by a bird of prey. Nearby a drake Green-winged Teal was at Hickling Broad NWT until 7^th and a Rough-legged Buzzard flew over there 8^th.

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for November 2007
by Robin Chittenden

A first winter male Desert Wheatear was found at Horsey 24th-30th at least. As is often the case with this species it was very confiding, often dropping down by birdwatchers feet to feed. Its long stay and faithfulness to a small area, encouraged there by a succession of visiting bird photographers putting out food resulted it being the most popular rarity in November. Click the link for a selection of photographs of the Desert Wheatear at harlequinpictures.co.uk (Click on any of the images to enlarge)

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for September 2007

by Robin Chittenden

In a repeat performance from last autumn a white morph Lesser Snow Goose was tracked heading south past Flamborough and Spurn in Yorkshire then Capel St Leonards in Lincolnshire with 340 Pink-footed Geese. It was then seen to fly east past Titchwell RSPB before landing at Holkham Freshmarsh 15 th-30th at least. It was calculated that it flew an average of thirty miles an hour. This bird that may well be the same individual as last winter was then seen at several sites in north Norfolk including Burnham Norton 17 th-18th, on and off at Burnham Deepdale 19th-25th, Burnham Market 22nd, Stiffkey 27th, Warham Greens 29th, over Winterton 30th. A Ross’s Goose was at Warham Greens with Pink-feet 29th.

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for August 2007
by Robin Chittenden

Following a few days of rain there was a fall of Greenish Warblers. The vast majority were in Norfolk with at least six at Blakeney Point 21st-24th, up to two Stiffkey 24th-25th, up to two Warham Greens 24th-25th, up to two Thornham Point 24th-25th, one Wells Woods 24th, one Holme 24th-25th, one Sea Palling 24th, one Weybourne 23rd & 25th, one Holkham 23rd, up to two California 22nd-25th, one Caister-on-Sea 25th-26th, one Sidestrand 24th, one Eccles 24th, one Horsey 25th, up to two Walsey Hill 25th-27th, one Cley 25thand one inland at Rockland Broad 27th.

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for June 2007
by Robin Chittenden

A male Little Bittern set up territory at Titchwell RSPB 16th-27th. An Alpine Swift was found at Titchwell RSPB 24 th by birdwatchers waiting for the Little Bittern to show. The next day it was discovered at Hunstanton having roosted on the cliffs 25th-26th. Blakeney Point had two rare warblers in June but both only stayed for a day. A singing male Booted Warbler 2nd and a bird initially identified as a Blyth’s Reed Warbler was later re-identified from photographs as Norfolk’s second Sykes’s Warbler 8th. Scolt Head Island had a Red-breasted Flycatcher. The Iberian Chiffchaff continued to sing at Colney 7 th until birdwatchers lost interest.

Birdline East Anglia bird news for Norfolk for May 2007
by Robin Chittenden

The Iberian Chiffchaff was still holding territory at Colney but became quieter during the month. Eventually one of these vagrant ‘Spanish’ Chiffchaffs will find a mate.

A first summer Bonaparte’s Gull was found at Hickling Broad NWT on Rush Hill scrape 12th-27th. This was only the second ever record of this species in Norfolk, the last being on the same scrape last year!! Plumage details indicated this year’s bird was first seen at Farmoor Reservoir in Oxfordshire 1st-9th May. A first summer Bonaparte’s Gull at Deeping Lakes NR 30th may well have been the same bird.