It was such a lovely day at the Observatory, definitely calm after the storm and probably the most pleasant day of the year so far! It was an icy start but the sun quickly warmed things up, and the absence of any wind for a change was very much welcome.

On the beach, the Oystercatcher were busy feeding on the falling tide but there was an absence of small waders, with a just a few small flocks of Dunlin and Sanderling flying past. Three Red-breasted Merganser flew past east quite close in on the surf. Bizarrely there were a total of 9 Red Kite all sitting on the beach together towards Gore Point, I’ve never seen this many together on the beach before. I picked up two Harbour Porpoise close in which appeared to be going east. Two were later seen at Hunstanton! The Greenfinch were singing in the pines, which was lovely to hear. Walking along the path to the Obs I had a Weasel running along the path before seeing me and diving extremely quickly in the nearest bit of dense vegetation!

Shannon

NORFOLK BIRD NEWS FROM RARE BIRD ALERT

Norfolk Black-bellied Dipper NW of Bintree still at Bintree Mill at 11.10am c52.7788,0.9620

Norfolk Eastern Black Redstart (form murinus /phoenicuroides /rufiventris) 1w.male Sheringham still in old RNLI car park at 11.01am c52.9452,1.2082 Park at c52.9448,1.2068

Norfolk 12.Twite Salthouse flew west near end of Beach Road c52.9552,1.0957. Park at 52.9547,1.097

Norfolk BLACK-WINGED KITE ad Hickling Broad NWT still from Stubb Mill viewpoint c52.7429,1.6159 Viewed from c52.7412,1.6094 Park at c52.7422,1.5948

Norfolk Iceland Gull juv Sea Palling still on beach at 9.51am 52.7916,1.6012. Park at 52.7896,1.6013. Viewed from 52.7909,1.6011

Norfolk no sign of ad.Black-winged Kite Hickling Broad NWT from Stubb Mill viewpoint by 9.57am c52.7429,1.6159 Viewed from c52.7412,1.6094 Park at c52.7422,1.5948

Norfolk 8.Twite Salthouse flew west over Gramborough Hill at 9.15am c c52.9541,1.1039

Norfolk Black-bellied Dipper NW of Bintree still at Bintree Mill at 9.17am then flew downstream c52.7788,0.9620

Norfolk 3.Hawfinches Lynford Arboretum again from gate c100yds south of The Shepherd’s Baa c52.5142,0.6847