It was a bit of a mixed day weather wise at the Observatory. It was breezy and sunny first thing, but feeling bitterly cold again, before turning stormy and rainy in the early afternoon resulting in us getting very wet, again!

On the sea it was quiet first thing with highlights 4 Arctic Skua, 435 Common Scoter and 1 Red-throated Diver. Around the Obs, 2 Mistle Thrush went over and there were still good numbers of Blackbird around with 20 recorded, along with 4 Song Thrush. Two Rook went over the pines east calling noisily which is always nice to see as they’re not a common bird here! At least 1 Ring Ouzel was still in NWT dunes and 6 Lapland Bunting were reported in the usual spot on the eastern end of the beach. At Redwell, there was 1 Bullfinch, 3 Chiffchaff, 12 Blackbird and 8 Song Thrush.

I’m sure most folk will have heard the news about the first Nutcracker reported in Norfolk at Mundesley! Hopefully more to come, and next time to the north Norfolk coast…

The work on the shed(s) continued today, with us now having an extra window fitted in the old tool shed to let light in, so we’re now ready for conversion into one large ringing shed once we knock down the partition wall that previously divided the ringing area from the tool shed! The new small shed is on the way to house all our tools and practical habitat management gear. An exciting new winter project that will eventually result in us having a much better ringing area with more room to accommodate more visiting ringers.

Moths were quiet again with only Large Wainscot, Rusty Dot Pearl, Large Yellow Underwing and a Turnip.

As I posted about separately, due to the strong winds forecast tomorrow, we along with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre and car parks will all be closed for safety reasons.

Shannon

NOROFLK BIRD NEWS FROM RAREBIRD ALERT

Norfolk 4.Glossy Ibises Blakeney Freshmarsh still c52.96,1.0327

Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling juv Happisburgh still 1.15pm on soil heap by toilet block (Velvet Scoter on sea) 52.8216,1.5362. Use beach carpark

Norfolk Ring-necked Duck fem Rollesby Broad at 12.15pm then flew south towards Filby Broad c52.676,1.6388

Norfolk 2+Water Pipits Cley NWT still on Pat’s Pool from Bishop’s Hide at 12.48pm c52.9570,1.0568 Viewed from c52.9562,1.0582 Park at c52.9544,1.0567

Norfolk Lapland Bunting Hopton-on-Sea at cliffs this morning c52.5368,1.7445

Norfolk DESERT WHEATEAR 1w.male Cley still 12.45pm east of beach carpark c100yds east of pillbox c52.9648,1.0508. Park at c52.9654,1.0480

Norfolk no further sign of Nutcracker Mundesley on SW side at Trunch Ro]ad by 12.44pm 52.8718,1.4253

Norfolk NUTCRACKER Mundesley still 11.55am on SW side in front garden of 22a.Trunch Road +showing well 52.8718,1.4253

Norfolk 2.DUSKY WARBLERS Holkham Pines still: 1.at Bluetail Trail, 1.in sea buckthorn north of pines c52.9711,0.7891. Park along Lady Anne’s Drive NR23 1RG

Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling juv Happisburgh still 11.50am on wires south of play area c52.8219,1.5362. Use beach carpark

Norfolk DESERT WHEATEAR 1w.male Cley still 11.12am east of beach carpark c100yds east of pillbox c52.9648,1.0508. Park at c52.9654,1.0480

Norfolk NUTCRACKER Mundesley still 11.18am on SW side in front garden of 22a.Trunch Road +showing well 52.8718,1.4253

Norfolk 7.Twite Thornham Harbour at saltmarsh at 10.33am c52.9694,0.5781

Norfolk NUTCRACKER Mundesley still 10.25am on SW side in front garden of 22a.Trunch Road 52.8718,1.4253. Park carefully

Norfolk NUTCRACKER Mundesley still 10.08am on SW side in front garden of 22a.Trunch Road 52.8718,1.4253. Park carefully

Norfolk Rose-coloured Starling juv Happisburgh still in field south of play area at 9.34am c52.8219,1.5362. Use beach carpark

Norfolk Y-br.Wblr Titchwell RSPB still PE31 8BB 52.9661,0.604

Norfolk NUTCRACKER just SW of Mundesley still 9.41am at Trunch Road east of Mundesley Road junction in garden of No.34. Park carefully 52.8723,1.4241

Norfolk NUTCRACKER Mundesley still on SW side in garden of 34.Trunch Road at 9.41am 52.8723,1.4240. Park carefully

Norfolk no further sign of Nutcracker SW of Mundesley at Trunch Road east of Mundesley Road junction in garden on south side by 9.10am 52.8711,1.4216. Park carefully

Norfolk DESERT WHEATEAR male Cley still east of beach carpark c100yds east of pillbox c52.9648,1.0508. Park at c52.9654,1.0480

Norfolk Sabine’s Gull juv Sheringham flew west past seawatching shelter at 8.10am (+600.Little Gulls) c52.9473,1.2073 Viewed from c52.9458,1.2069 Park at c52.9451,1.2067

Norfolk repeat: NUTCRACKER y’day SW of Mundesley at Trunch Road east of Mundesley Road junction in garden on south side +in fields for 2.hours 52.8711,1.4216. Park carefully

MEGA Norfolk NUTCRACKER y’day Mundesley in garden at Trunch Road 52.8711,1.4216