It’s been a snowy and icy couple of days on the North Norfolk coast and further inland, with yellow weather warnings which has made it difficult getting into the Obs (in hindsight parking the van on an ungritted hill which basically turned into what can only be described as an ice-skating rink on Monday wasn’t a good idea!!). However, it made for a good opportunity to get some end of year admin done from home. I made it in today and although some of the paths were still very icy, the snow and ice have slowly started to melt. The Broadwater was still half frozen, shifting the ducks up to western end.

Frozen Broadwater

It was quite a nice, sunny day at the Observatory. First thing this morning a Woodcock flushed out of the Pines and then later after lunch I had a second en route to the car park hides! I also heard from a local that they had had Woodcock in their garden so the birds are clearly moving in search of (unfrozen) feeding opportunities. Whilst walking back from Gore Point to check for Snow Bunting (I couldn’t find any today sadly), I had 3 Eider (2 drake and 1 female) flying west on the sea, and a drake Goldeneye too!

In the afternoon there were lots of Pink-footed Geese on the grazing marsh in front of the car park hides which was lovely to see them so close in the winter sun! They were later joined by the Brent Geese flock.

Flighty Pink-footed Geese 

After our sponsored birdwatch on Friday, where we were missing Mute Swan and Great Crested Grebe, I of course had great views of both of these species today, typical!

Shannon Clifford – Warden

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk 2.Snow Buntings Cley NWT still on shingle c52.9649,1.0516 Park at c52.9544,1.0563

Norfolk Eastern Black Redstart (form murinus /phoenicuroides /rufiventris) 1w.male Sheringham still at The Esplanade at 11.15am c52.9451,1.2077. Park at 52.9454,1.2082

Norfolk 2.Scaup (both fems) Rollesby Broad from platform c52.676,1.6388

Norfolk Red-necked Grebe Wells still in outer harbour opposite Pinewoods at 10.58am c52.9743,0.8513 Park at c52.9513,0.8746

Norfolk Long-tailed Duck fem/1w.drk Titchwell RSPB still on sea at 10.41am c52.9738,0.6055. Park at c52.9629,0.6063

Norfolk Caspian Gull 1w y’day Wells at North Point Pools c52.9520,0.8733 Viewed from c52.9512,0.8746 Park at c52.9513,0.8746

Norfolk 2.Tundra Bean Geese Welney WWT still from Main Observatory at 10.16am 52.5278,0.2775. Park at 52.5268,0.2786

Norfolk Black Guillemot Cromer on sea at 10.15am +drifting east c52.9339,1.3014

Norfolk Smew redhead Filby Broad still from boardwalk tho distant c52.6625,1.6373. Park at 52.6647,1.6381. Viewed from 52.6637,1.6395