Latest Norfolk Bird News: 15th Novemmber: Green-winged Teal still at Cley NWT, 7 Lapland Buntings in the clifftop fields at West Runton, Great Grey Shrike still at Dersingham Bog though mobile, Black Redstart still at Choseley Drying Barns and 3 Shorelarks still at Holme on beach by the golf-course.

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My latest sightings: As autumn fizzled out into winter numbers of common migrants, particularly Goldcrests, remained low. Probably the best 2 days of the autumn in terms of numbers were the 30th and 31st October and I managed 5 Woodcocks, 2 Short-eared Owls, 1 Jack Snipe, 4 Shorelarks, 1 Ring Ouzel, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Crossbill and 3 Bewick's Swans at Holme, as well as 916 Blackbirds and 11724 Starlings on the 31st. A Great Grey Shrike at Dersingham Bog and a Hen Harrier at Roydon seem to lend support to the theory we are now firmly into winter...


11 Oct 2009

11/10/09 Choseley Drying Barns

After finishing my homework in the morning the plan was to do a nice local walk, but this was quickly scuppered with a report of a Rose-coloured Starling at Choseley. We quickly dashed there but unfortunately it had flown. After a short wait with the crowd I decided to spread my wings and search further afield. About halfway down the road towards Titchwell I kept on thinking I should probably turn back and then I realised I didn't have any phone signal! However, I kept on going as I could see a small flock of Starlings wheeling around. It was fortunate that at this moment David and a friend drove past and told me it had been seen again up at the barns and they kindly said I could jump in. On getting to the barns (with everyone I had left behind celebrating) there was further frustration as it had skilfully hidden itself behind the dish on the ariel mast. Eventually dad manged to get the right angle and on looking through his scope, there it was, the juvenile ROSE-COLOURED STARLING and a (perhaps a little shockingly) tick for yours truly. It showed well for a rather short while before it flew east with a group of Starlings. I found it quite surprising how easy it was, even in flight, to pick up and although I would hardly call it a smart bird it was pleasantly distinctive and so the weekend was salvaged! A Grey Wagtail and 10 Skylarks flew west, as did a Common Buzzard. A particularly big thanks to David!