Another sunny but chilly day, particularly walking into the strong north westerly wind! There were no sign of the Snow Bunting at Thornham today. However, at the Thornham pools we had a Ruff drop in to one of the pools briefly and a beautiful Kingfisher flying over the reedlined ditch that runs along the coastal public footpath. There were three Eider flying past on the sea quite close in, two drake and a single female.

There was a large flock of Pink-footed Geese on the grazing marsh which unfortunately didn’t hold any White-fronted or Bean Geese today, but well worth checking through these flocks with these birds turning up elsewhere close by on the coast!

An enjoyable last days birding of 2025, Happy New Year!

Shannon Clifford

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk 2.HUME’S WARBLERS y’day Holkham Pines still: 1.west of crosstracks along Bluetail Trail mid a’noon c52.9715,0.7875, 1.c100yds east of Meals House at 3.45pm c52.9709,0.8000

Norfolk Eastern Black Redstart (form murinus /phoenicuroides /rufiventris) 1w.male Sheringham still 11.55am at The Esplanade at Burlington Place 52.9451,1.2083. Park at 52.9450,1.2067

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE c1.5mls west of Ludham still 11.50am north of Ludham Bridge c52.7132,1.4991. Viewed from 52.7111,1.4990. Park at 52.6990,1.5078

Norfolk 3+Snow Buntings Titchwell RSPB still on beach c52.9754,0.5963. Park at c52.9629,0.6063

Norfolk FERRUGINOUS DUCK ad.drk Filby Broad still at west end c52.6626,1.6273

Norfolk Whinchat South Wootton 52.7743,0.4221. Park at 52.7741,0.4236

Norfolk 2.Glossy Ibises c1.5mls west of Ludham still north of Ludham Bridge c52.7043,1.5060. Park at 52.6990,1.5078

Norfolk Eastern Black Redstart (form murinus /phoenicuroides /rufiventris) 1w.male Sheringham still mid morning at The Esplanade c52.9447,1.2077. Park at 52.9450,1.2067

Norfolk no sign of fem.Ring-necked Duck Filby Broad from boardwalk (but 3.Eider (1.drk) still +2.Scaup still) c52.6615,1.6400. Park at 52.6647,1.6381. Viewed from 52.6637,1.6395

Norfolk 2.Caspian Gulls (both ads) just NE of Thetford at Rougham Belt c52.4359,0.7823

Norfolk 2.Water Pipits y’day Cantley Marshes RSPB +504.Russian White-fronted Geese 52.5813,1.491

Norfolk 7.Bewick’s Swans y’day 1.5mls SSE of Ludham at St.Benet’s Abbey c52.6963,1.5256

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE c1.5mls west of Ludham still north of Ludham Bridge mid morning c52.7132,1.4991. Viewed from 52.7111,1.4990. Park at 52.6990,1.5078

Norfolk 3.Glossy Ibises y’day Cley NWT again on North Scrape mid a’noon c52.9609,1.0574

Norfolk 6.Tundra Bean Geese y’day Horsey from Nelson Head track with Pink-footed Geese c52.7484,1.6589

Norfolk Red-necked Grebe Filby Broad from boardwalk c52.6615,1.6400. Park at 52.6647,1.6381. Viewed from 52.6637,1.6395

Norfolk Eastern Black Redstart (form murinus /phoenicuroides /rufiventris) 1w.male Sheringham still at The Esplanade by shelters west of toilets c52.9456,1.2063. Park at 52.9450,1.2067

Norfolk 2.Hawfinches Hardingham at church 52.6062,1.0044. Park at 52.6051,1.0094. Viewed from 52.6059,1.0046

Norfolk Black-bellied Dipper NW of Bintree till c7.50am at Bintree Mill at bridge with white railings then flew NW c52.7810,0.9597

Norfolk Black-bellied Dipper NW of Bintree still at Bintree Mill at bridge with white railings at 7.38am c52.7810,0.9597