Happy New Year! It was another sunny, but cold and windy day and it was generally quiet for birds at the Observatory today, so not the best start to the year list!

Before it got too busy with walkers there were a few waders on the beach feeding including Knot, Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher and Bar-tailed Godwit. There have been quite a few dead Seal pups washing up on the beach in the past few days due to the strong northerlies which are attracting attention from the local gulls, with notably a determined Great Black-backed Gull guarding one Seal from the other gulls. The sea was very quiet when I looked however, Common Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Velvet Scoter and 2 Eider were reported by visiting birders. There was a flock of about 20 Linnet and Goldfinch on the beach towards Gore Point, but no sign of any Snow Bunting today.

Shannon Clifford

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk 2.Tundra Bean Geese Cley NWT still 11.30am on Cricket Marsh from Beach Road with Pink-footed Geese c52.9587,1.0494

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE 1.5mls south of Ludham again south of St.Benet’s Abbey late morning c52.6859,1.5255. Park at 52.6884,1.5221

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE c1.5mls west of Ludham till 10am north of Ludham Bridge then flew west c52.7064,1.5056. Park at 52.6990,1.5078

Norfolk 3.Long-tailed Ducks Titchwell RSPB still on sea c52.9738,0.6055. Park at c52.9629,0.6063

Norfolk 2.Tundra Bean Geese Cley NWT on Cricket Marsh from Avocet Hide with Pink-footed Geese c52.958,1.0542

Norfolk Water Pipit Cley NWT still from Daukes’ Hide 52.9579,1.0544. Park at c52.9544,1.0563

Norfolk Black-throated Diver juv Brancaster Staithe still 52.9687,0.6683. Viewed from 52.9684,0.6682

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

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck ad.fem Filby Broad still from boardwalk (+4.Scaup still) c52.6625,1.6373. 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 beach huts west of arch c52.9457,1.2064. Park at 52.9450,1.2067

Norfolk FERRUGINOUS DUCK ad.drk Filby Broad still from boardwalk (+3.Eider (1.drk) still +Scaup still) c52.6625,1.6373. Park at 52.6647,1.6381. Viewed from 52.6637,1.6395

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE c1.5mls west of Ludham still north of Ludham Bridge c52.7064,1.5056. Park at 52.6990,1.5078

Norfolk Glossy Ibis Cley flew west over Keeper’s Marsh at 7.55am c52.9578,1.0543

Norfolk Taiga Bean Goose Wells still at North Point Pools just south of east pool c52.9511,0.8773. Park at 52.9513,0.8746