Thought I'd quickly update this site before the end of the year. Cracking first semester at university. Even the birding has been great! Some amazing highlights and the list of rarities since I last updated this site is first class: the WESTERN SANDPIPER at Cley, the SANDHILL CRANE (unfortunately) down in Suffolk, most recently the LESSER-WHITE FRONTED GOOSE at Buckenham, American Black Tern at Covenham in Lincolnshire, the Hume's Warbler at Trimingham, the Isabelline Shrike at Horsey, the Melodious Warbler at Happisburgh (cracking Norfolk tick), Dusky Warbler, Arctic Redpoll, Cattle Egret, Long-billed Dowitcher and Pallas' Warbler - phew! A few bits and pieces on the find front too, with a flyby Great White Egret at Holme, a Rough-legged Buzzard in off the sea at Bacton and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Trimingham clifftop wood. 2011 may not have had the sheer volume of 2010 but the Spring was particularly good and even if scarce has been hard to come by in autumn, the list of rarities has been full of quality.
Want to reserve a special mention for Holme too. Although I couldn't spend as much time there as usual because of A-level commitments and university, what another fantastic year for this site. Building on an amazing 2010, the list of rarities here again speaks for itself: Collared Flycatcher, Red-flanked Bluetail, Desert Wheatear, Dusky Warbler, Caspian Tern, White-tailed Eagle etc. Yet again right up there in the list of best Norfolk sites, probably only bettered this year by Cley. Having been written off a few years ago and dismissed as having had its best days, the current crop of rarities being churned out is a fitting tribute to the hard working observatory team.
Best bird of the year at Holme: undoubtedly the COLLARED FLYCATCHER. Best bird anywhere this year by a mile and best bird at Holme ever. I'll be eternally grateful David! Only other close contender really the Caspian Tern.
Best bird of the year elsewhere: probably the stunning male Citrine Wagtail at East Runton. Having seen a couple of duller spring birds before, this was much appreciated.
Best bird of the year elsewhere: probably the stunning male Citrine Wagtail at East Runton. Having seen a couple of duller spring birds before, this was much appreciated.
Best twitch of the year: Suffolk SANDHILL CRANE. Great company, full of drama and plenty of familiar faces.
Most frustrating moment of the year: a fair few. Usual clutch of dips and ones that got away! The Cley Great Snipe was probably the worst.
Best find of the year: I probably most enjoyed a local Stone Curlew. A species I'd always wanted to find near home.
FINALLY, A HUGE THANKYOU TO ALL READERS OF THIS SITE, BIRDING FRIENDS AND THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED ME AND PROVIDED GOOD COMPANY AND ADVICE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. YOU MAKE MY BIRDING SO MUCH MORE FULFILLING. HERE'S HOPING FOR ANOTHER GOOD YEAR IN 2012.
