Tour News

Latest Tour News

I am available to guide most days of the week, if there is nothing scheduled please contact me, rates can be negotiated for small groups.

2009

25th June 09 - Oriole Tour - A tour in glorious weather, good views of the female and a fledged Juvenile GOLDEN ORIOLE were had. Other birds included a brief flight view of Bittern, lots of Cuckoos, Hobby, Kingfisher, male Stonechat, Barn Owl, Stock Doves, Stone Curlew and 10+ Tree Sparrows.

24th June 09 - NW Norfolk - A few hours before a meeting produced, 5 Buzzards, 4 Marsh Harriers, Grey Partridge, Yellowhammers, Corn Bunting, Sparrowhawk and a Turtle Dove.

21st June 09 - Oriole Tour - Another excellent tour, good views of the male, female and 2 Juvenille GOLDEN ORIOLES were had by all. Also several Cuckoos, Bearded Tits including two close juvenilles, water rail (h), Marsh Harriers, good flight view of a Bittern, 2 Garden Warblers and a Hobby. After lunch we moved on getting excellent views of 2 Stone Curlews one at close quarters, also 4-7 Turtle Doves, 10+ Tree Sparrows, Mistle Thrushes, Firecrest only heard, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Juvenille Common Redstart. Before the tour I saw Kingfisher, 2 Barn Owls, Grey Wagtail, displaying Snipe and a family of Stonechats.

20th June 09 - Raptor Tour - An excellent tour with two good views of a male HONEY BUZZARD followed by prolonged views often at close range of a male MONTAGU'S HARRIER. Other raptors included 12+ Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzards and Kestrel. We also saw Barn Owl Yellowhammers, Stock doves, 3 Turtle Doves, 3 Grey Partridge, Yellow Wagtail, female Red Crested Pochard with 5 young, Summer plummaged Spotted Redshank, 5 Knot, a mixed flock of Bar-Tailed and Black-Tailed Godwits, Avocets, Common Sandpiper and Bearded Tit.

19th June 09 - Oriole Tour - Another good tour with good views of the male and female GOLDEN ORIOLE at the nest also 6 Marsh Harriers, Hobby, good flight views of a Bittern, Bearded Tit, Cuckoo and a second Bittern in flight. The big suprise of the day came after lunch when we found breeding Common Redstarts a male and two recently fledged young were seen. We finised off with good close views of 2 Stone Curlews and 10+ Tree Sparrow.

17th June 09 - Oriole Tour - A very good start with good views of a pair of GOLDEN ORIOLES attending the nest, the birds were coming and going every 5-10 minutes taking it in turns to get food. Another male ORIOLE was also seen briefly and heard singing. Other birds included close views of a Grasshopper Warbler, several Cuckoos, Hobby and 6+ Marsh Harriers. Also, 6+ Bearded Tits with close up views of young ones, a flight view of a Bittern which was then watched sky pointing for 5 minutes in the reeds and a Turtle Dove. Moving on we had distant views of 2 Stone Curlews. After lunch we heard Firecrest bu couldn't see it and had much better close views of 4 Stone Curlews and 6+ Tree Sparrow.

16th June 09 - Holkham - A couple of hours in the morning produced, a Hobby, Cuckoo, Cettis Warbler singing, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, Marsh Harriers and lots of Little Egrets. No sign of yesterday's RB shrike or marsh warbler though.

3rd to 14th June - Holiday to Japan - very little birding was done but highlights included, Blue & White and Narcissus Flycatchers, Japanese Green & Pygmy Woodpeckers, Japanese Grosbeak, Hwamei, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Varied Tit, Gray Starling and the Japanese Wagtail, white-eye and Bush Warbler.

3rd June 09 - Hickling - an early start proved very fruitful with good flight views of the GREAT WHITE EGRET from weavers way, a Grasshopper Warbler was also heard reeeling and a Cuckoo bombed over the reed bed.

2nd June 09 - Hickling - A couple of hours produced Common Crane close in flight, 3 flight views of at least 2 Bitterns, Marsh Harrier, Bearded Tits and Cuckoo but not the hoped for Great White Egret.

1st June 09 - NW Norfolk - Another good tour with cracking weather, the undoubted highlight was the BLACK WINGED PRATINCOLE seen for 30 mins hawking for insects, a globally rare bird, miles off course, in norfolk and flying around our heads. It doesn't get much better than that. Other birds included 3 Turtle Doves, Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings, Marsh Harriers, 4 Little Gulls, Bearded Tit, female Red Crested Pochard with 5+ young and a flight view of a Bittern.

31st May 09 - Cley - A nice tour in lovely weather, mainly looking at common species but we also had good views of a singing male Dartford Warbler, Stonechats, Yellowhammer, Buzzard, Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers, 10 Sandwich Terns, 2 Little Terns, Sparrowhawk & Black Tailed Godwits.

29th May 09 - East Norfolk - A quick early morning look for a reported golden oriole produced nothing except a Turtle Dove. Mega news arrived late in the day Great Knot in Yarmouth, I was there within 30 minutes !! The bird was not in the expected summer plummage and was quite distant ? A tricky bird to ID. I had my fill and went home, only 15 mins late for dinner with friends !!

28th May 09 - Raptor Tour - An excellent day began with good views of the male HONEY BUZZARD flying over the woods and virtually overhead for up to 10 minutes. Moving on we had good views of a pair of MONTAGU'S HARRIERS, we saw two food passes, sparring between the male and a male Marsh Harrier, the male sucessfully hunting and close fly bys. A cracking morning was rounded off with a Turtle Dove. In the afternoon we headed for Titchwell en route several Corn Buntings and a Yellow Wagtail were seen. On the reserve a Little Gull, Black Tailed Godwits, Cuckoo and good views of a Cetti's Warbler were had along with a booming Bittern.

26th May 09 - Cley - A very tricky tour with heavy rain in the morning followed by strong winds in the afternoon !! We managed to see Bearded Tits despite the wind, also a Hobby, 6+ Marsh Harrier, Common Sandpiper, Sanderling in summer plumage, 50+ Black Tailed Godwits including one 'icelandic' bird. Also in the strong winds we saw Fulmars and a Gannet on the sea

22nd May 09 - Raptor Tour - The first tour of the year produced good views of a male MONTAGU'S HARRIER, 10+ Common Buzzard, 4+ Marsh Harrier, 3 Sparrowhawks, 4+ Kestrels, Reed Warbler, a few Brent Geese, Little Egrets, lots of Avocets with young, Sandwich, Common & Little Terns, Yellowhammer, Bearded Tits and a SPOONBILL but unfortunately no honey buzzards though the pair have been back at the traditional breeding site for a week.

19th May 09 - Minsmere - A half day tour produced, 3 Woodlarks, yellowhammer, 2 Nightingales seen plus two more heard, Garden Warbler (h), Cetti's Warbler, Knot, Little Stint, Bar Tailed and Black Tailed Godwit together, 4 Dunlin, Mediterranean Gull and 4 Little Terns. Following a fabulous lunch in eastbridge I headed off to Norfolk. At Blakeney - The 1st summer male WOODCHAT SHRIKE showed a lot better than the Collared Pratincole, I'm very glad I saw it at Salthouse.

18th May 09 - Grove Ferry, Kent - Although I saw the bird fairly quickly it took a further 3 hours before I finally managed to see the underwing of the BLACK-WINGED PRATINCOLE this then ruled out the possibility of it being of the very similar collared species. A worthwhile trip to see this globally threatened species.

17th May 09 - Day 5 Titchwell and beyond - Marsh Harriers galore, Cuckoo, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, male Ruddy Duck, Black Tailed Godwits, 17 Grey Plovers mainly in summer plumage, 3 Turnstone, 3 Eider, c150 Sanderling lots in summer plumage, Little Terns, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Corn Buntings, Yellowhammer, Lesser Whitethroat, Buzzard, Turtle Dove and brief views of a male MONTAGU'S HARRIER.

16th May 09 - Day 4 North Norfolk - Good views of the COLLARED PRATINCOLE were had followed by a nice group of 4 Grey Headed Wagtails. Other birds included Mistle Thrush, Littel Gull, Marsh Harriers and Buzzard.

15th May 09 - Day 3 Holkham - Another long walk from Lady anne's to Gun hill and back produced, a few Pink Footed Geese, Egyptian Geese, Marsh Harriers, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, male Whinchat, 10+ Wheaterars, Barn Owl, Lesser Whitethroat, Whimbrel, Hobby, Siskin, Cuckoo, Blackcap and Ring Ouzel.

14th May 09 - Day 2 Blakeney Point - The day after, the forecast had looked good, Easterly winds and showers, the reality was different. We headed off on the long walk seeing 8 Black Terns fly over the shingle ridge, Whimbrel, 12 Gannets and 2 Wheatears, at the plantation only Spotted Flycatcher, male Whinchat, Garden Warbler and 2 Willow Warblers were added. A lot of effort for very little reward. Back at cley NWT visitor centre another 2 Black Terns were seen. After the tour I found another male Whinchat, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Temmicks Stints, Little Stint, 4 Black Terns, 15 Common Sandpipiers, summer plumage Bar Tailed Godwit, Barn Owl, roding Woodcock, cracking views of 2 NIGHTJARS and a Tawny Owl calling.

13th May 09 - Day 1 of Five day tour - Today was one of my best days birding in this country. We started at Stiffkey fen seeing 8+ Common sandpipers, Temminck's Stint, Little Gull, the first 6 Black Terns of the day, 300+ Brent Geese and 2 Grey Partridge. Moving onto Cley we saw 5 Black Terns from the vistor centre, on the scrape the female CITRINE WAGTAIL showed well, 20+ Red Knot, 3 Greenshanks, another 28 Black Terns, another Temminck's Stint, Little Ringed Plover and 3 Bearded Tits. After lunch I thought how am I going to top this ! Walking up east bank I spotted a HOOPOE flying inland over the reedbed, the rest of the group got onto it before it disappaeared into a wood. We attempted to relocate it further inland but gave up and headed up east bank again. While looking at the terns I noticed an interesting plover with a ringed plover in close comparison a female KENTISH PLOVER. I couldn't believe it, two finds in one day. We had good close view before it flew off luckily landing on north scrape where everybody else saw it too. What an amazing day

11th May 09 - East Norfolk - Slim pickings today in a very strong easterly wind, seawatching we saw Arctic Tern, Manx Shearwater, 10+ Kittiwake, 40+ Gannets, Fulmar, 6 Common Scoter and 30+ Little Tern. On the land a few Marsh Harriers, 3 Turtle Doves, Wheatear and 2 Grey Partridge. Hopefully though, the wind should bring in some good birds this week.

8th May 09 - Norfolk - Another good customised tour, we started just over the border at Lakenheath, things did not look good, strong SW wind and rain !! Amazingly we had a male GOLDEN ORIOLE perched for 30 mins! Allowing up to 20 people to come and see it. A rare treat indeed. Also Cuckoo, Kingfisher, 100+ Swifts and a boombing Bittern. In thetford forest we had cracking views of a singing male Firecrest in full display. Moving up to NW Norfolk we saw 3 DOTTEREL close in a ploughed field, they were very bright well marked birds. After the tour I shot down to Blakeney and had cracking views of the 2 RED-RUMPED SWALLOWS on and off for 45 minutes. A very good day at the office!

7th May 09 - North Norfolk - A suprisingly good customised tour, the weather had not  promised much but we had the good fortune of finding a TEMMINCK'S STINT only the 5th in the country so far this year. Also 2 Greenshanks, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sandpiper, Barn Owl, Yellow Wagtail, Cuckoo, Lesser Whitethroat (h), no less than 4 Garden Warblers at one site, Turtle Dove, Stonechats and male Dartford Warbler. After lunch we had reasonable views of 2 Bearded Tits then had 20+ Little Terns, Sandwich, Common and Arctic Tern all together. To finish the day we headed west and saw 3 Montagu's Harriers including a male. On the way home I saw my first Hobby of the year in norfolk. All good

5th May 09 - Whilst working on non bird related matters today I managed to grab a bit of time to see a drake Garganey and lots of Swifts arriving in the south of the county then up in the north excellent views of 2 Montagu's Harriers a male and female together.

4th May 09 - SW Norfolk - An early start yielded 2 singing Golden Orioles but due to the cold weather and a river being in the way none were seen. Other birds heard in the chorus included Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's, Grasshopper, Reed & Sedge Warblers and Bearded Tit. Seen birds included Stock Dove, 7 Corn Buntings, Mistle Thrush, 2 Cuckoos, 2 Barn Owls, Common Sandpiper, Kingfisher, Marsh Harriers, Green Woodpecker, 2 Garden Warblers, Yellowhammer and 2 Egyptian Geese.

3rd May 09 - Dungeness - A quick trip down to kent in the early morning produced good views of the CRESTED LARK also a very smart male Whinchat, 2 Yellow Wagtails and female Marsh Harrier.

1st May 09 - Portland Bill - A quick trip down to dorset for the day produced good views of the 1st summer COLLARED FLYCATCHER, also Garden Warbler, Manx Shearwater, Guillemots, Razorbills, Gannets, Kittiwakes, Puffin, Shag, Rock Pipit, Wheatears, Whinchat, Wood Warbler and the very smart Hooded Merganser of unknown origin. Unfortunately despite an hours search we dipped the Eastern Bonelli's warbler, en route through west London we had picked up Ring Necked Parakeet flying over the North Circular.

29th & 30th April 09 - Nightingale Tour - A fabulous two days with the highlight being the RED RUMPED SWALLOW  I found with other hirrundines and swifts. It showed on and off to 10+ people for 15 minutes before drifting off never to be seen again. A true delight. The NIGHTINGALES performed admirably with 2 seen well for prolonged periods and at least another 8 heard in full song throughout the 2 days. We also had cracking views of Woodlark, Bearded Tits, a pair of Common Redstarts, Spotted Redshank, 2 Grey Wagtails and Little Terns. Warblers were well represented with 10 species including a very showy Cettis' Warbler, Lesser Whitethroats, Garden Warblers, 6+ Dartford Warblers, Reed & Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and heard only Blackcap and Willow Warbler.

28th April 09 - East Norfolk - An afternoon jaunt produced a WRYNECK, yellow wagtail and Wheatear.

27th April 09 - NW Norfolk - A reasonable tour hampered by strong winds, we saw Greenshank, 4 Wheatears, Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Yellow Wagtails, Cuckoo, Fieldfare, 2 Ruddy Ducks, 4 Snipe, Ruff, 2 Grey Partridge, 30+ Corn Bunting, 20+ Yellowhammer, Little Owl, Red Crested Pochard, Bearded Tit, 2 Little Gulls, Marsh Harrier & Stock Dove.

26th April 09 - Minsmere - a more relaxed final day to the tour, star bird was the male KENTISH PLOVER seen for a few minutes on the scrape. Also Ring Ouzel, 3 Woodlarks, yellowhammer, Dartford Warbler, Lesser Redpoll, a singing male Redstart, brilliant views of Nigtingale in full song plus 5 others heard only, Cetti's Warbler, Bearded Tit, 10+ Med Gulls, Bar Tailed Godwits in summer plumage, 4 Little Terns, Grey Wagtail, Grey Plover, Bittern in prolonged flight view, Hobby and Sanderling.

25th April 09 - North Norfolk - A crazy day visiting 10 sites ! We managed to see 99 species incluidng c1000 Pink Footed Geese, 5+ Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Whimbrel, heard only Grasshopper Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, 2 Barn Owls, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Corn Bunting, Little Owl, 4 Little Gulls, Red Crested Pochard, 5 Marsh Harriers, Brent Geese, 2 Wheatears, 4 Greenshank, 2 Buzzards, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Green Sandpipers, Bar Tailed and Black Tailed Godwits, 20+ Yellow Wagtail, Blue Headed Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails, Bearded Tit, 20+ Sandwich Tern, Knot, Pair of Garganeys, Marsh Tit, Bullfinch and Cuckoo.

24th April 09 - The Brecks - The start of a 3 day Customised tour saw us visiting various sites around thetford, where we saw Woodlark, Yellowhammer, Red Tailed Hawk, Siskins, Stock Dove, Common Crane, 12+ Hobby, Stone Curlew, Marsh Harriers, 2 Grey Partridge, 6+ Tree Sparrow, cracking close up views of a Firecrest, Treecreeper, Grey Wagtail and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.

23rd April 09 - East Norfolk - An early morning hunt produced a freshly arrived Tree Pipit, 2 Wheatears and 4 Yellow Wagtails.

22nd April 09 - NW Norfolk - A lovely morning produced 2 Cuckoos, Grasshopper Warbler showing well plus another 4+ reeling, 5+ Lesser Whitethroat, common whitethroat, sedge warblers, chiffchaff, willow warbler, 2 Barn Owls, 2 wheatears, a pair of Bullfinches, Grey Partridge, Red Crested Pochard and Spotted Redshank.

21st April 09 - A brief forray into the broads produced 2 Little Gulls, 10+ Common Tern another heard only cuckoo and 2 Grasshopper warblers reeling but not showing.

20th April 09 - A good afternoon in NE norfolk produced the HOOPOE which flew directly over our heads, 2 Bearded Tits, Yellow Wagtail, 10+ Sandwich Tern, first seen Reed Warbler of the year, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, a cracking full summer plumaged male and 2 female Brambling, an almost as attractive Mealy Redpoll and a few siskins.

19th April 09 - day 5 North Norfolk - Another cold windy day, today we saw 2 Grey Wagtails, marsh tit, 6+ Brambling incluidng almost full summer plumage males, an escaped but very nice male Golden Pheasant, Marsh Harriers, 2 Sedge Warblers, Green Sandpipier, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Avocet, Ruff, Black Tailed Godwits, Yellowhammer, Pintail, Egyptian Geese, Wheatear and a nice flock of 17 Crossbills. We fisnished up seeing 130 species in the 5 days which was a pretty good effort considering the unsavoury weather.

18th April 09 - day 4 NW Norfolk - A tricky day with cold northerly winds, we still managed to see 2 Buzzards, stock dove, blackcap, sedge warbler, a showey Cetti's Warbler, Little Gull, 2 Spotted Redshanks, chiffchaff, willow warbler, very close male Bearded Tit, Red Breasted Merganser, 2 Whimbrel, flock of 100+ swallows, 2 Wheatears, Yellowhammers, Corn Buntings, Ring Ouzel, whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, c2000 Pink Footed Geese and a drake Red Crested Pochard.

17th April 09 - day 3 Minsmere - A difficult day in strong northerly winds, we still managed to see over 80 species including, Woodlark, c20 Mediterranean Gulls, Avocets, Pintail, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Knot, Sandwich and Common Terns, Gannet, Common Scoter, Yellow Legged Gull, Bittern, Little Egrets, 4 Bearded Tits, 10+ Marsh Harrier, 200+ Sand Martins, 2 Dartford Warblers and heard only Cettis, Sedge and Reed warblers and Nightingale.

16th April 09 - day 2 The broads and east coast - The day promised migrants but they were thin on the ground, an unexpected singing Nightingale at winterton was good, the Lesser Golden Plover at Breydon showed well and a late male Hen Harrier. Other birds included the years first Whitethroat, 2 Little Gulls, c30 Lesser Redpolls, 6+ Wheatear, 50+ Fieldfare, lots of Yellowhammers, c500 Dunlin, 30+ Sanderling, 2 Avocets, 2 Brent Geese, Marsh Harrier, heard only grasshopper and cettis warblers and 10+ Common Terns.

15th April 09 - day 1 of five day tour - The Brecks - Highlights included, 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Willow Tits, 6 Nuthatches, stock dove, blackcaps, Marsh Tit, 1st cuckoo heard, yellowhammers, 2 Buzzards, Red tailed hawk, 2 Crossbills, Woodlark, 10+ Tree Sparrow, 2 Grey Partridge and 3 Stone Curlews (2 in flight)  

11th April 09 - Cley Area - A very enjoyable tour with lots of migrants grounded by the murky weather. Started off with lots of meadow pipits, Lapland Bunting, 5+ Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails and 30+ Sandwich Terns. Up on the heath we saw yellowhammer, male Dartford Warbler, a flyover flock of 6 Crossbills, Stonechats. After lunch back at Cley we had cracking views of 4+ Bearded Tits, all males and then male Common Redstart and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler seen briefly. Before the tour I had visited Titchwell & Choseley seeing Red Necked Grebe, Razorbill, 10 Red Breasted Mergansers a few Eider, House martin with 10+ Swallows, Barn Owl and 50+ Corn Bunting.

10th April 09 - The Broads - Another good look at the unidentified Lesser Golden Plover. Also present were good numbers of Black Tailed Godwits, Dunlin and Grey Plover. Moving on we saw 2 Little Ringed Plovers, Little Stint and the first Common Tern of the year. Late in the day we had good views of a Cetti's Warbler, male Marsh Harrier, adult Little Gull and 11 Common Terns.

9th April 09 - Cley - A tricky tour in strong winds, good views of at least 3 Bearded Tits were had including a nice male, the first few Sandwich Terns of the year and a first Sedge Warbler attempting to sing. Other birds included 6+ Marsh Harriers seen at close quarters displaying and nest building, Black Tailed Godwits, Avocets, Ruff, Knot, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcaps, swallows and Cettis Warblers singing.

8th April 09 - Breydon - Reasonable views of the LESSER GOLDEN PLOVER were had, due to moult the ID has not been 100% clinched between the similar pacific and american species.

6th April 09 - NE Norfolk - A few hours produced 2 Swallows, yellowhammer, chiffchaff, willow warbler, 20+ linnets, wheatear, Brambling and Blackcap.

5th April 09 - The Brecks Grand tour - Another great tour in glorious sunshine, we started off with short but good views of the male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, also Nuthatch, treecreeper, marsh tit, siskins and the first Swallow of the year. At a raptor watchpoint we saw Sparrowhawk, kestrel, Red Kite, 2 Buzzards, Red Tailed Hawk and the male GOSHAWK. Also 2 Woodlarks, yellowhammer and distant Crossbills. After lunch we saw drake Garganey, Kingfisher, 4 Stock Doves, 3 more Swallows and 2 Hawfinches to finish off. After the tour I watched the female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker excavating a nest hole and a Brambling.

2nd April 09 - Holkham - A fairly quiet tour but very enjoyable, cold murky conditions meant few migrants were visible but we did get good views of 10 Crossbills throughout the day, Barn Owl, a late group of 8 Bramblings, nest building Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawk, Treecreeper, a flock of Goldcrests, Siskins, Chiffchaffs, Egyptian Geese, dunlin, sanderling, Ruff and Avocets. After the tour I saw an early Green Sandpiper and a Red throated Diver at Stiffkey fen.

31st march 09 - The last day of march was spent looking for early migrants in and around norwich. We nothched up 3 Sand Martins, Willow Warbler, Garganey and House Martin all firsts for the year. Other birds seen included, Blackcap, Wheatear, Redwing, Stonechat, Black Redstart, Guillemot, Buzzard, another 15+ Sand Martins late in the day, singing Cettis Warbler and several Marsh Harriers.

30th March 09 - The Brecks Grand tour - A good tour in nice weather, highlights were the male GOSHAWK seen sparring with a male Sparrowhawk and no less than 15 HAWFINCHES if not more, possibly 18+. Other birds included 2 Grey Wagtails, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, marsh tit, first Blackcap of the year, 20+ Crossbill, 2 Woodlarks, 3 Buzzards, 2 more sparrowhawks, Great Grey Shrike and good close views of 2 Stone Curlews. Also I missed an early swallow seen by the rest of the group.

29th March 09 - East Norfolk - Strumpshaw produced Cettis' Warbler and 3 Marsh Harriers and at Winterton 2 Black Redstarts were the highlight.

27th March 09 - NW Norfolk - Very few birds were seen apart from a Spotted Redshank, heading home I saw my first Common Sandpiper of the year and a very welcome RED KITE near norwich.

26th March 09 - The Brecks Grand tour - A difficult tour in very changeable weather, we ended up doing well for the target birds though, the highlight being the young female GOSHAWK chasing pheasants no more than 20m away ! A truely awesome sight. 4 Hawfinches were seen but the views were not great with 3 in flight and one perched distantly, we did however get good views of male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker late in the day. Other birds included 4 Crossbills, yellowhammer, treecreeper, nuthatch, marsh tit, stock dove, siskins, woodlark heard only, 4 Grey Partridge, mistle thrush and several singing plus brief views of a Firecrest.

25th March 09 - East Norfolk - A brief sea watch at Winterton yielded my first 20+ Gannets of the year also 10+ Red Throated Divers. Moving on to Hickling, there were 17 Avocets, 8 Ruff and 2 Dunlin on rush hill scrape also a cetti's warbler singing.

23rd March 09 - Titchwell - 65 species seen today in difficult weather conditions, including Brambling, Bullfinch, Chiffchaffs, Cettis Warbler (heard), Black tailed & Bar Tailed Godwits, Knot, Grey Plover, Avocets, Water Rail, Marsh Harrier, Pintail, Brent Geese and Little Egret.

22nd March 09 - Holkham - A sunny tour with a few interesting sightings, out in the bay we found 200+ Common Scoter and a few Red Breasted Mergansers also my first Wheatear of the year, a very smart male. Over the fresh marsh were 2 Common Buzzards and Marsh Harrier, by washington hide we had a flock of 12 Crossbills showing very well in the tops of the pines. Chiffchaffs have definitely arrived with 10+ birds heard singing, also a displaying Goldcrest was a nice sight. There were 20+ avocets at the west end of the marsh and we finished with good views of a Short Eared Owl hunting.

19th March 09 - The Brecks Grand tour - A cracking tour began with a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers displaying just above our heads, holding their wings in a V shape simmilar to a nightjar. Another Lesser spotted was heard and possibly seen before the pair, also 2 Grey Wagtails and marsh tit. Moving on we saw several pairs of Crossbills in flight and a bright red male perched, then a distant flock of c40 birds. Also Yellowhammer, 2 Woodlarks and a perched male GOSHAWK the supercilium and dark cheek could just be made out. Our final stop produced 3 Green Woodpeckers together on the grass, flocks of Redwings and Fieldfares, Mistle Thrush and up to 6 Hawfinches, including a distant perched bird, 2 in flight and then 3 showed very well feeding in and beneath a hornbeam.

15th March 09 - NW Norfolk - An interesting day in lovely spring sunshine, the highlights were the first spring migrants of the year Little Ringed Plover and Chiffchaff. Other birds included Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Brambling, 3 Water Rails, 2 Grey Wagtails, flyover Crossbills, 6 Buzzards, 25+ Tree Sparrows, 2 Peregrines, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Yellowhammer & 2 Spotted Redshanks.

13th March 09 - The Brecks Grand tour - Another good tour with female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker showing well, then the pair chasing each other through the woods. Also 3 pairs of Crossbills, including 2 birds perched for 10 mins, Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper. Moving on we saw Yellowhammer, up to 4 Woodlarks, 3 Common Buzzrds, Red Tailed Hawk, Sparrowhawk and a brief male GOSHAWK which came up to see off the former species. At Lakenheath we saw GREAT GREY SHRIKE, 3 Yellow-Legged Gulls, another Buzzard, 1-2 Meally Redpolls with 10+ Lesser Redpolls and finally at another site 1-2 Hawfinches, a flock of 50 Redwings, Mistle and Song Thrush.

11th March 09 - The Brecks Grand tour - another good tour in sunshine, the highlights being 2 male GOSHAWKS one displaying distantly the other a lot closer, good views of a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers and 6 Hawfinches to finish the day including a displaying male. Other birds included Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Marsh Tit, Red Tailed Hawk, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, yellowhammer, a few Crossbills mainly in flight, siskin, mistle thrush and a colony of 30+ Tree Sparrows.

8th March 09 - The Brecks Grand tour - We scored well with the the target birds getting good views of a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, male GOSHAWK displaying and 2 Hawfinches at the end of the day. Other birds included 3 Nuthatches, Green Woodpecker, fly over female Crossbill, Yellowhammer, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, 2 Red Tailed Hawks, Buzzard, 3 Woodlarks, Stonechat, a Mealy Redpoll with 9 Lesser Redpolls, Yellow-Legged Gull, 20+ Siskin, 2 Treecreepers, Marsh Tit and Mistle Thrush.

7th March 09: Minsmere - A nice early spring tour in sunshine, en route I saw a very pale Barn Owl. On the scrapes we saw Whooper Swan, 3 Smew including a drake, 10+ Mediterranean Gulls in full plummage, Avocets, small flocks of both Dunlin and Black Tailed Godwits and both Cettis Warbler and Bearded Tits, but unfortuantely heard only. Up on the heath we saw at least 6 Dartford Warblers, including some nice males. Island mere produced up to 10 Marsh Harriers, Goldeneye and a female Scaup.

4th March 09: Glandford - A suprise visit to Paul's reserve 'Natural surroundongs' produced eye popping views of the 1st winter male SIBERIAN THRUSH initially found stunned and wet in the morning it was dried out and then released in good health in the afternoon. A very unexpected and welcome bird.

3rd March 09: NW Norfolk - A morning out produced the Juv ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD, ring tail Hen Harrier, 30+ Crossbills and another GREAT GREY SHRIKE.

2nd March 09: The Brecks Grand tour -  An excellent tour with the highlights being a male Hawfinch, 3 Crossbills perched, prolonged views of 1-2 GOSHAWK displaying, Red Tailed Hawk!, 2+ Yellow Legged Gull, 2 CASPIAN GULLS, GREAT GREY SHRIKE and a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Other birds included, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Siskin, mistle thrush, redwings, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Sparrowhawk, a buteo sp. and yellowhammer.

1st March 09: NW Norfolk - 2 Barn Owls were seen hunting on the way to the coast, on the sea 2 Long Tailed Ducks, lots of Mergansers and goldeneye, common scoter and Shag. Also 2 Marsh Harriers, Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer.

28th Feb 09: Owl Tour - A bit light on the ground for owls today, but a lovely day. Started off with Little Owl, 7 Mandarin, a big flock of Redwings and Fieldfares and a bonus Hawfinch. Moving on we saw 2 Barn Owls, 2 Marsh Harriers, 7 Grey Partridge, 4 Hen Harriers including a fine male, Pink-feet, Brent Geese and finally a Tawny Owl flew over the car at dusk. 

26th Feb 09: Owl Tour - A cracking start with good prolonged views of a LONG EARED OWL on a day roost. Following this we saw the head of a Little Owl in his roost hole, heard only Tawny Owl and had good views of 2 hunting Barn Owls. Other birds included, fieldfare, redwing, the Juv Glaucous Gull, a flock of 20 Eider, Red Throated Diver, Brent, Pink-footed and Egyptian Geese, male Marsh Harrier and a ring tail Hen Harrier.

22nd Feb 09: Owl Tour - Another good tour with 2 Little Owls, 3 Short Eared Owls, 4 Barn Owls and a brief flight view of a Long Eared Owl. Other birds seen included the juv Glaucous Gull, 9 Mandarin including 4 drakes, 60 Snow Buntings, Red Throated Diver, Pink Footed Geese, 300+ Brent Geese, Grey Partridge, Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers, sparrowhawk, Yellowhammer and at least 5 Woodcock.

21st Feb 09: Cley area - A tour in pleasant sunshine, started off with brief views of a Dartford Warbler, 2 Stonechats, Yellowhammer and 4 Lesser Redpolls (one perched). Moving to the coast we saw a small flock of Pink footed Geese, 50+ Snow Buntings, the juv Glaucous Gull, a close Red Throated Diver, Peregrine, 3 Marsh Harriers, fulmar, 200 Dunlin, Ruff, 30+ Black Tailed Godwits, 42 Avocets, 1000+ Golden Plover and c1000 Brent Geese. Earlier in the day I saw a Barn Owl on the way to the coast.

19th Feb 09: The Broads and beyond - Another look at the flock of dabbling ducks gave further views of the female Ring-Necked Duck and 2 female Scaup also a Kingfisher. At strumpshaw there was no sign of the penduline tits just 2 Marsh Harriers, singing Cetti's Warbler and a flyover Lesser Redpoll. Elsewhere, finally a great view of a LONG EARED OWL on a day roost.

18th Feb 09: The Broads - An interesting day, with a bit of luck I found a large flock of Tufted Ducks and Pochard containing the female RING-NECKED DUCK and 2 Scaup male & fem. The birds were lost to fog before i could pick out anything else. Also saw a large flock of siskin. In the afternoon a brief walk on the north norfolk coast produced a pair of Ruddy Ducks and a hunting Barn Owl, on the way home a Tawny Owl flew over the car just as it was getting dark.

17th Feb 09: Owl Tour - A pretty good tour with brief views of the Little Owl in his roost hole, 6 Mandarin including 4 drakes, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, lots of Redwings & Fieldfares, Mistle Thrush, Glaucous Gull, Brent Geese, Pink-feet, 2 Barn Owls hunting very close, in the same field a Short Eared Owl, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, kestrel and 2 Hen Harriers both ring tails.

16th Feb 09: The Broads - A very lucky morning, the first two sites produced little except up to 50 Siskins, treecreeper and a song thrush in full song, spring is coming. At Buckenham one of the resident Peregrines did me a favour by putting up nearly every bird on the reserve. In the melee 4 teal landed fairly close and one was the GREEN WINGED TEAL, also seen were 2 Ruff, stonechat and 2 Marsh Harriers. Moving on to strumpshaw I manged to re-locate the PENDULINE TIT away from the fen hide which is the only place it has ever been seen from. I casually scanned a clump of reed mace and on the 2nd or 3rd reed head there it was, amazing.

15th Feb 09: NW Norfolk - A productive morning with 2 Barn Owls on the way to the coast, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Red Throated Diver, 10 Long-tailed Ducks, 4 Eider, Red Breasted Mergansers, lots of Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, first Kittiwake of the year, Marsh Harrier and to finish off a Black Necked Grebe, not a very common bird in Norfolk.

13th Feb 09: The Broads & NE Norfolk - 2 brief trips out produced, Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher, Cetti's Warbler, treecreeper, 2 Marsh tits, Bearded tit heard only, Barn Owl and to finish off, a CATTLE EGRET showed very close to the road feeding in a ploughed field.

11th Feb 09: The Broads - Good views of 1-2 Bitterns were had along with Marsh Harrier and a singing Cetti's Warbler.

10th Feb 09: The Broads - A couple of hours close ot Norwich produced 3 Barn Owls, Marsh Harrier, Golden plovers, treecreeper and c40 Siskin.

9th Feb 09: NW Norfolk - A customised tour with a photogrpaher, we saw some good birds again today. Starting off with a big finch flock containing mainly chaffinches but also c30 Brambling, 10+ Yellowhammer and a Tree Sparrow. Also Redwing, Fieldfare and Mistle thrush. Moving on we saw a reasonable flock of 1,000+ Pink Feet in the air, 3 Water Rails all fairly confiding, Spotted Redshank, both Godwits, Goldeneye, Red Breasted Mergansers, Black Brant with Brent Geese, c25 Twite, 4-5 Barn Owls through the day, Short Eared Owl and 3+ ring tail Hen Harriers.

7th Feb 09: The Broads - An unexpectedly good tour in sunshine, the highlight was the PENDULINE TIT seen at stumpshaw fen, a rare bird in Norfolk being only the 17th record. Other birds included 10+ Common Cranes, 2 Barn Owls, Bullfinch, Peregrine, and 30+ Snow Bunting. Geese were well represented with 3 Taiga Bean, 1 Tundra Bean, c1000 Pink Footed, 1 White Fronted, Grey Lag, Canada and feral Barnacles and a Ross's. Finally at the raptor roost, 40+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harriers, Merlin, 7 Bewick's Swans and 3 more Common Cranes. Also 3 Chinese water dear were seen.

6th Feb 09: Minsmere - Another good winter tour in gloomy weather, we saw 27 Bewick's Swans on the way into the reserve. Arriving at the centre there were literally hundreds of birds around the feeders. Out on the scrapes we saw 4-5 Smew including a drake, Water Rail, Marsh Harriers, Knot, Dunlin, GREEN WINGED TEAL with common teals, 5 Whooper Swans, 2 Goldeneye, Water Pipit and Bearded Tits. On the sea, 40+ Common Scoter and a few Red Throated Divers. In the woods, Green Woodpecker, Marsh Tit, 40+ Siskin and Bullfinch. On westleton heath on the way out we saw Stonechats and a few brief views of Dartford Warblers.

5th Feb 09: Titchwell & Dersingham - A difficult tour in snow and fog but some good birds were still seen. We saw 2 imm male GOLDEN PHEASANTS at wolferton triangle followed by good close views of the GREAT GREAT SHRIKE on the bog at dersingham. Titchwell produced 2 water rails, close flight views of a Bittern, 10+ Beared Tits 6 showing very well, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Marsh Harrier, Red Breasted Merganser, lots of waders on the beach and one of the group saw a Jack Snipe briefly.

4th Feb 09: Owl Tour - Another cracking day for weather and birds, started the day with Little Owl in his roost hole, a suprise female Hawfinch which gave prolonged views, a skeen of 600 Pink Feet, golden plovers, fieldfares and redwings. Moving on we saw Grey Wagtail, Marsh Tit, Barn Owl and Tawny Owl all before midday. On the coast we saw Nuthatch, Treecreeper, 500+ Brent Geese, more pink feet, Marsh Harrier and 2 Short Eared Owls. At a raptor roost we saw another 2 Barn Owls, 4 Grey Partridge and male Hen Harrier. Back inland we rounded the day off with 2 Woodcock and unfortunately only I got a brief glimpse of the Long Eared Owl in flight at dusk.

3rd Feb 09: NW Norfolk - A lovely sunny day with some good sightings, some of my best ever views of Bearded Tits were had with 5 birds including 3 males feeding down to a few metres, also 2 Spotted Redshanks, Water Rail, 7 Avocets, 8 Brambling, Goldeneye, R-b Mergs, Marsh Harrier, Bar-wit, Grey Plover, 6+ Marsh Tits, Bullfinch, 2 Barn Owls, good views of a calling Willow Tit, 20+ Linnets, Woodcock and to finish the day a LONG EARED OWL which flew along a country lane just a few meteres away from where we were standing.

1st Feb 09: Owl Tour - A bitterly cold windy day with heavy snow showers and a -5C wind chill factor !! During the day when we could venture out of the car we had very brief views of 2 Waxwings in flight, a Little Owl in his roost hole, Tawny Owl on a day roost, Marsh Tit, Treecreeper, Pink Footed Geese, Brent Geese, Black Brant, male & fem Hen Harriers, Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, Woodcock, 2 Barn Owls hunting and a brief flight view of a probable Long Eared Owl at dusk.

31st Jan 09: The Broads - A very cold but productive tour, the hightlight was the incredibly close view of a BITTERN at the edge of a reedbed. It appeared just in front of the hide then skulked through the reeds climbing up by holding onto bunches to support its weight then took flight, truely magical. We also saw 3 Common Cranes, 20+ Marsh Harriers, Hen Harrier, Barn Owl, Fieldfares, Redwings, Mistle Thrushes, Buzzard, c160 Bewick's Swans, 7 Whooper Swans, lots of Pink Footed Geese, 30+ White Fronted Geese and a Peregrine.

26th Jan 09: NW Norfolk - A reasonably productive day with a GREAT GREY SHRIKE, flyover calling Crossbill, 50+ Linnets, 50+ Skylarks, a Bittern in flight, 3 Bearded Tits, Bar Tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Golden Plover and whilst looking at 5 Twite a good sighting of John Craven filming for country file !!

24th Jan 09: Minsmere - A very good winter tour to Suffolk, before the tour 36 Bewick's Swans, a pair of Barn Owls and 2 Bullfinches were seen. At minsmere we saw lots of tits and finches around the feeders including Marsh tits. Walking along the north wall 5+ Bearded Tits showed well, on dunwich heatha  male Dartford Warbler and a male Black Redstart in the car park. On the scrapes we saw 4 Smew including a drake, 5+ Marsh Harriers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Avocet, 2 Water Rails, a Bittern in flight, 3 Whooper Swans, female Scaup and a Barn Owl.

21st Jan 09: West Norfolk - Another good day produced, 3 Goosander including 2 drakes, 3 Mealy Redpolls with Siskins, 30+ Goldeneye, bullfinch, marsh tit, Buzzard, 10 Velvet Scoter, common scoter, 20 Red Breasted Mergansers, very obliging Water Rail, Spotted Redshank, Mediterranean Gull, male Merlin eating a sanderling, c20,000 Pink Footed Geese coming into roost, Marsh Harrier and 2 Barn Owls.

20th Jan 09: North Norfolk - A good day out produced, Kingfisher, 4 Bullfinches, 3 Barn Owls, Little Owl, 2 Purple Sandpipers, Razorbill, Guillemot, the Juv Glaucous Gull, 3 Snow Buntings, 3 Marsh Tits, Willow Tit, 12 Brambling, Water Rail, 20+ Siskin and 30 Linnets.

18th Jan 09: River Glaven - A late hour just south of Holt produced the BLACK BELLIED DIPPER, Little Egret and Barn Owl.

17th Jan 09: OWL Tour - A good effort with Little Owl and Barn Owl seen first in the west of Norfolk, then a roosting Tawny Owl, followed by Short Eared Owl and 3 more Barn Owls in the north of the county. Other birds seen included, 6 raptors, Buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, marsh Harrier, Peregrine and 6 Hen Harriers including a fine male. Also 5 Brambling, a flock of 200 Fieldfares, 3000 Pink Footed Geese, at least one Black Brant with a 100+ Brent Geese and 12 Grey Partridge.

16th Jan 09: North Norfolk - A customised tour today started well with good views of a Hawfinch and the juv Glaucous Gull. Moving on we picked up Treecreeper, Black Brant with 100+ Brent Geese, Pink Footed Geese, c50 Common Scoter and 4 Red Breasted Mergansers. We finished the day at the warham greens roost where we had excellent views of at least 6 Hen Harriers 5 females and 1-2 males, Marsh Harrier, 3 Barn Owls often showing down to 20m and a Short Eared Owl which also came very close.

15th Jan 09: The Broads - An excellent if some what cold tour, geese were well represented with ROSS'S, c2000 Pink-Footed, 8 Taiga Bean, c60 White-Fronted, Barnacle, Egyptian, Canada and Grey Lag all seen. Other birds included Mealy Redpoll, Brambling, c50 Siskin, stock doves and 11 Common Cranes during the day seen very close in a farmers field. We finished the day at the roost seeing 42 Marsh Harriers, 5 Hen Harriers including a male, Barn Owl and 6+ Cranes.

14th Jan 09: Holkham - A fairly quiet tour except the constant noise of geese, some c30,000 Pink Footed Geese present most of the day, other birds included c50 Snow Buntings, treecreeper, Short Eared Owl and 12 Grey Partridge.

13th Jan 09: Holme & Titchwell - A good winter tour with 8 Long Tailed Ducks, fulmar, bar tailed Godwit, Rock Pipit, 100+ Brent Geese, Marsh Harrier, yellowhammer, c50 Pintail, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Avocet, Jack Snipe, 20 Goldeneye, Eider, Red Breasted Mergansers, 23 Snow Buntings, Short Eared Owl and Hen Harrier.

11th Jan 09: Saddle Bow - An hour in west norfolk produced 2 female Smew, male & fem Goosander, pair of Goldeneye and Green Sandpiper. But not the hoped for Killdeer !

10th Jan 09: Natural Surroundings - A couple of hours at Paul's reserve near Glandford produced, Barn Owl, c50 Siskin, Nuthatch, 2 Bullfinches, Snipe, lots of finches and tits at the feeders due to freezing temperatures, Redwing, Fieldfares and a flyover Little Egret.

8th Jan 09: Gull Day - A quick jaunt up to Cleveland produced excellent views of the GLAUCOUS WINGED GULL only the 2nd record for britain. Also an adult GLAUCOUS GULL standing a few feet away. On the way home a quick stop at Blackborough end tip in Norfolk added a juv/1st winter ICELAND GULL.

4th Jan 09: NE Norfolk - Another prodcutive morning with 2 Hawfinches, Nuthatch & Treecreeper. Moving onto the coast, juv GLAUCOUS GULL, 700 Brent Geese, Knot, Dunlin & a flock of Ruff.

3rd Jan 09: Holkham - A good tour today seeing, 2 Barn Owls, 120 Snow Buntings, a Water Pipit with Rock Pipits, 2000 Common Scoter, Brent Geese, 8 White Fronted Geese and 25,000 Pink Footed Geese, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 6 Crossbills including a nice red male percehd for several minutes, Grey Wagtail, Redwing, Peregrine, Short Eared Owl and 3 Hen Harriers.

2nd Jan 09: The Broads - A productive morning with a white morph ROSS'S GOOSE in with 10,000 Pink Footed Geese, 12 Taiga Bean Geese, 45 White Fronted Geese, along with Egyptian, Greylag and Canada Geese. Keeping with wildfowl 135 Bewick's Swans and 7 Whooper Swans were also seen. Other birds included Marsh Harrier and 15 Waxwings.

2008

27th Dec 08: NW Norfolk - Customised tour in a freezing easterly wind, we saw 18 Snow Buntings, 43 Dunlin, Ruff, 6 Avocets, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, common scoter, goldeneye, eider, male Brambling, 2 Grey Partridges and a Little Owl.

24th Dec 08: Westleton - 24 Bewick's swans just north of this suffolk village in fileds by minor road.

19th Dec 08: North Norfolk - A customised tour produced, 4 Lesser Redpolls including a bright pink male, 6 Siskin, Marsh Tit seen in the hand, 2 Red Throated Divers, 2 Barn Owls, Short Eared Owl, 1-2 Merlins, Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harriers, Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Partridge and 5,000+ Pink Footed Geese coming into roost.

17th Dec 08: The Broads - A good tour with 10 Taiga Bean Geese, 30 White Fronted Geese, a few 100 Pink Footed Geese, Canadian, Egyptian and Grey lag Geese. Also 30 dubious Barnacle Geese and a Ross's Goose. A flyover Water Pipit was also noted. At the raptor roost, 5 Common Cranes, Barn Owl, 20+ Marsh Harriers, 10 Yellowhammers, 5 Lesser Redpolls and 4 Chinese water deer.

16th Dec 08: North Norfolk - The highlights were proabbly the Black Throated Diver and Peregrine seen. Other birds included 45 Eider, 7 Red Breasted Mergansers, 6 Goldeneye, 2 Marsh Harriers, 7 Snow Buntings, Barn Owl, 5 Bullfinches, 4 Marsh Tits and a dubious Golden Pheasant.

15th Dec 08: North Norfolk - Today was dominated by the rescue of a Marsh Harrier found in a very sorry state, it allowed approach to within 10 feet. I waited around and helped a lady from the rspca catch it with a big net. It was a young bird and appeared to be starving to death. Fingers crossed it will make it. The afternoon produced a roosting Tawny Owl, 2 Short Eared Owls one of which perched in a tree for over an hour, 2 Hen Harriers including a nice male, a Merlin, Sparrowhawk, 2 kestrels, common buzzard, Marsh Harrier, 200 Brent Geese and several 1,000 Pink Feet coming into roost. 

10th Dec 08: Holkham - A very wintery tour in a bitterly cold NW wind. Started with a Black Brant feeding with dark bellied brents, out in the bay a nice flock of 120 Snow Buntings and a Red Breasted Merganser on the sea. On the freshmarsh we saw kestrel, sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Pink Footed Geese and overhead 2 Waxwings in flight. After lunch we saw a Short Eared Owl at close quarters hunting from posts. Moving on to Warham Greens we finished the day with 3-4 Hen Harriers including a good close male, also a Peregrine and several 1,000 Pink Footed Geese coming into roost.

8th Dec 08: North Norfolk - A late afternoon sortie produced the following, Male Hen Harrier, Short Eared Owl and 15,000+ Pink footed Geese coming into roost.

6th Dec 08: Blackborough - On the fishing lake south of the village, 1st winter CASPIAN GULL, adult Yellow Legged Gull, along with Great Black Backed, Lesser Black Backed, Herring, Black headed & Common Gulls. Also Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Redpolls and 4 Bullfinches.

3rd Dec 08: West & North Norfolk - The highlight was finding my own drake Smew at Tottenhill gravel pits, as far as I know, only the 4th record for norfolk this year. Other birds seen included Little Owl, goldeneye, pintail, Hen Harrier, 2 Marsh Harriers & c10,000 Pink Footed Geese seen going to roost.

1st Dec 08: North Norfolk - A quiet morning included a seawatch at sheringham, 30+ Red Throated Divers, a few Eider, 2 Kittiwakes, 5 Gannets, fulmar, Razorbill & Guillemot were seen. Moving on to Felbrigg there were 13 Mandarin Ducks present including 8 drakes. Wells harbour yielded a Shag and some tasty chips! Finally Warham greens produced the goods with 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Short Eared Owls, Barn Owl, Marsh Harrier, c10,000 Pink footed Geese coming into roost nearby, 25 Little Egrets and 300+ Brent Geese.

29th Nov 08: Cley - An hour in the cley area produced 3 Snow Buntings, Marsh Harrier, Stonechat, pair of Bullfinches and 2 Red Throated Divers

28th Nov 08: West Norfolk - The highlight was probably the GREAT GREY SHRIKE I found near Denver Sluice. Other birds seen included 500 Whooper Swans and a few Bewick's Swans, 3-4 Bullfinches, Grey Wagtail, 30 Yellowhammers and lots of Gulls of the common 5 species.

25th Nov 08: Titchwell & Holme - Customised tour in a very cold northerly wind, managed to see Water Pipit, 4+ Marsh Harriers, Hen Harrier, 2 Bearded Tits, 5 Avocets, lots of ducks including Pintail, huge numbers of gulls and waders including Bar Tailed Godwit, Knot, Grey Plover & Sanderling. Also 10+ Eider, Woodcock and a Barn Owl hunting.

24th Nov 08: Sheringham - A morning sea watch produced GLAUCOUS GULL, 2 Velvet Scoter, up to 200 Eider passing west, Kittiwakes, ad Little Gull, 50 Common Scoter, fulmar, 20 Pintail and Gannets. On a reserve near fakenham, 2 Bullfinches, 1-2 Willow Tits, 3-4 Marsh Tits and finally a Woodcock flushed at Warham Greens.

23rd Nov 08: Norwich - A suprise Woodcock flew over the street close to my house.

22nd Nov 08: Holkham - A difficult tour cut short by gale force winds and blizzards straight from the arctic, the highlight was the Short Eared Owl seen hunting late morning. In wells woods a tit flock contained 2 Treecreepers, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Other birds seen between blizzards included, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk and a few Pink Footed Geese.

21st Nov 08: Sheringham - A morning sea watch produced 3 Great Skuas, 3 Velvet Scoters, 40+ Kittiwake, 7 Goldeneye, 3 Red Breasted Mergansers, 40+ Gannet, guillemot, razorbill and 30 Common Scoter.

20th Nov 08: The Brecks - A good tour with 3 Hawfinches seen late in the day, 3 seperate sightings of Crossbills, the highlight a perched flock of 16 with a few red males, a flyover flock of 5 and a single, also a mixed redpoll flock showed well with 12 Common Redpolls and 3 Lesser Redpolls. Other birds included 5 Marsh Tits, 2 Treecreepers, 6 Nuthatches, Kingfisher, siskin, redwings, mistle thrush & sparrowhawk,

17th Nov 08: Walberswick - Walking along the shingle bank we saw 12 Snow Buntings, a flock of 20 Twite, Woodcock, Kingfisher, Marsh Harrier and Stonechats.

16th Nov 08: Sheringham - A short sea watch produced, Gannets, 12 Common Scoter, 10+ Red throated divers, 15 Pink Footed Geese, Razorbill and suprisingly 24 Snow Buntings flying west.

15th Nov 08: Holme & Titchwell - From gore point Long Tailed Duck, Black Throated Diver, 3 Fulmar, Common Scoter, 100+ Grey Plover & 200+ Bar Tailed Godwits. From the beach at Titchwell Velvet Scoter, 6 Snow Buntings, Red Throated Diver, Red Breasted Merganser, Eider, Knot & male Goldeneye.

12th Nov 08: Whitlingham Norwich - A very nice female RING NECKED DUCK was seen along with Pochard & tufted ducks on great broad in the country park.

10th Nov 08: North Lincolnshire - A wet day out, amazing views of the STEPPE GREY SHRIKE and DESERT WHEATEAR both seen down to 5-6 feet! The shrike was suprisingly different to great grey in colouration, wing pattern and bill size and colour. Not many other birds seen apart from 4 Whooper Swans, Short Eared Owl, Redwings and Fieldfares.

6th Nov 08: Customised tour of North Norfolk - The highlight was probably the 4 Short Eared Owls seen, 2 at close quarters hunting & sparring in the air together. Other birds included an unexpected male Ring Ouzel with 200 Fieldfares, ringtail Hen Harrier, 6 Marsh Harriers, Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawks, kestrel, Woodcock, one flock of several thousand Pink Footed Geese, large numbers of redwings & Blackbirds and a few Mistle thrushes.

5th Nov 08: Customised tour of Holkham - Quieter than recent days with a notable reduction in the number of birds around, we did manage 2 treecreepers, 2 male Bullfinches, 4 Lesser Redpolls, Common Redpoll, siskin, lots of goldcrests, Redwings, Fieldfares, mistle thrush, chiffchaff, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Short Eared Owls hunting and a ringtail Hen Harrier. Before the tour I had 20 WAXWINGS fly over muckleburgh hill then a flock of 50 in Kelling village.

4th Nov 08: Muckleburgh Hill - While looking for the very elusive dusky warbler I managed to see 2 treecreepers, bullfinch, yellowhammer, 10 Bramblings and had a brief view of the RED FLANKED BLUETAIL. Later on lots of fieldfares, redwings, 2 Taiga Bean Geese and a Barn Owl finished the day.

3rd Nov 08: North Norfolk - Much better views of the RED FLANKED BLUETAIL were had today at Muckleburgh Hill followed by an excellent sighting of a LONG EARED OWL.

2nd Nov 08: Holkham - An excellent tour with PALLAS'S WARBLER, my 10th YELLOW BROWED WARBLER of the autumn and FIRECREST all seen in the dell along with 2 Common Redpolls, Crossbill, Siskin, Chiffchaff & Treecreeper. Amazing numbers of thrushes & Goldcrests were noted including 100's of blackbirds. Earlier we had seen 20+ Snow Buntings and Rock Pipit out by the dunes. To finish off we watched 2 Short Eared Owls hunting for half an hour, a ring tail Hen Harrier and several thousand Pink Footed Geese close to lady annes drive.

1st Nov 08: NW Norfolk - A good tour with lots of birds, driving from wells west we had a flock of 5,000 Pink Footed Geese at the west end of Holkham. Holme was our first port of call where we saw 2 Shags, Woodcock, Common Scoter, Goldeneye and a fall of Goldcrests. At Titchwell we had cracking views of Bearded Tits with up to 6 birds seen, quite a few waders and Brent Geese on the beach, a Water Pipit with lots of Meadow Pipits from the hide and 30+ Pintail. Heading back west we had a male Hen Harrier over the coast road. Burnham Overy Staithe produced 13 WAXWINGS and finally Burnham Deepdale gave us brief views of a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER and trees literally dripping in goldcrests.

31st Oct 08: Warham Greens & Muckleburgh Hill - A morning and afternoon, 2 woodcocks were the highlight of the morning along with Redwings, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Song thrushes, yellowhammer & Greenshank. In the afternoon we had a few brief but good views of the RED FLANKED BLUETAIL and a Barn Owl.

30th Oct 08: The Brecks & Holme - A cracking day out, first I picked out the AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER amongst 300 golden plovers, also 2 Stone Curlews were located in another part of the brecks. At Holme the Waxwings had disappeared but 2 PALLAS'S WARBLERS more than made up for it, one we found ourselves the other had been trapped and ringed earlier. The supporting cast was made up of 6 Crossbills including a nice red male, Snow bunting, Short Eared Owl, Bullfinch and Garden Warbler seen in the hand, Chiffchaff and Blackcap.

27th Oct 08: The Brecks - A wasted journey for an escaped Ferruginous Duck at Lynford Gravel Pits, also saw Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Egpytian Geese, a Kingfisher, Nuthatch and 20 Redwings. Elsewhere a count of 24 Stone Curlews was very nice.

26th Oct 08: The Broads - An excellent afternoon tour to the raptor roost, we saw a Bittern in flight, 5 Lesser Redpolls, sparrowhawk, kestrel, 2000 Pink Feet and 4 Chinese water deer. We were then treated to the spectacle of 36 Marsh Harriers in the air together and 34 Common Cranes coming into roost.

24th Oct 08: Minsmere - No wind ! For the first time in what seems like weeks. The rarest but probably least exciting bird was the GREAT WHITE EGRET on island mere. More interestingly we saw 25 Lesser Redpolls and a Short Eared Owl late in the day. Other birds included, 3 Marsh Tits, Treecreeper, Bearded Tits, 4 Marsh Harriers, Sparrowhawk, 8 Black Tailed Godwits and heard only water rails and cetti's warblers.

23rd Oct 08: Titchwell - Another tour with gale force winds from the wrong direction! We managed to see Common Buzzard, 3 Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill, 6 Avocets, 2 Bearded Tits briefly in flight, 2 Greenshanks, Water Pipit, the first Chiffchaff for several weeks, 10 Snow Buntings, 5 Spotted Redshanks and a complete surprise, a family of 5 Goosander nearby.

22nd Oct 08: Holkham - Another sunny day produced, 12 Snow Buntings, 7 Crossbills, juv Hobby seen very well, Common Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harriers, 20+ Little Egrets, Redwings and to finish the day a fine Short Eared Owl.

21st Oct 08: Titchwell - A windy but sunny tour, birds seen included, Purple Sandpiper, Common Scoter, Red Breasted Merganser, Gannets, brief Bearded Tit, 18 Spotted Redshanks, 100+ Bar Tailed Godwits, Water Rail, stonechat and 2 Water Pipits close to the hide.

19th Oct 08: Titchwell - Some good birds today, a suprise Juv Dotterel with a flock of 200+ Golden Plovers got us off to a good start, also 2 Spoonbills, 19 Bearded Tits including a flock of 16 birds, Purple Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Slavonian Grebe, 6 Snow Buntings and 15 Spotted Redshanks. 20 species of wader seen today.

18th Oct 08: Holkham area - An interesting tour in glorious sunshine, out in the bay we had a late Swallow and 2 Rock Pipits, over the pines, 6 Crossbills, Juv Hobby, Sparrowhawk, kestrel, 2 Marsh Harriers, 30+ Redwing and Wheatear. Late on we had a group of 27 Grey Partridge, 1,000+ Pink Feet and a Merlin.

13th Oct 08: Titchwell & Burnham Overy - A productive tour today produced, excellent views of 2 Bearded Tits, Cetti's Warbler, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spoonbills, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting, 20+ Siskins, Wheatear, Rock Pipit, 2 Redwings, 12 Brent Geese, 1,000+ Pink footed Geese, visible migration of 250+ chaffinches and a GREAT GREY SHRIKE.

12th Oct 08: Cley - A brief stop yielded the WILSON'S PHALAROPE which showed very close in front of the hide, the first in Norfolk for 14 years.

11th Oct 08: Holkham - A tour in glorious weather, a very late Hobby was probably the highlight along with several thousand Pink Feet seen whiffling. Other birds included Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Razorbill, Grey Plover and 20+ Little Egrets. In the warm weather we saw lots of dragonflies and butterflies including Brimstone, small copper, Comma, emperor, southern migrant Hawker, Ruddy & Common Darters.

9th Oct 08: Cornwall - Couldn't resist a first for Britain! Excellent views of the american ALDER FLYCATCHER were had in Nanjizal valley, this constituted only the second record ever seen in europe. Other birds seen included Merlin, Grey Phalarope, 3 Arctic Skuas, Grey Wagtails, Raven and a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER.

8th Oct 08: Cley area - A good tour produced and unexpected Ring tail Hen Harrier from the east bank, flight views of Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers, 2 Greenshank, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Little Stints, Great Skua and Common Scoter. After lunch we hot footed it to Cromer after a tip off. It didn't look encouraging on arrival but a bit of persistance paif off and we had a superb fly by from the HOOPOE over the golf course and along the cliffs.

6th Oct 08: Customised tour to Holkham - A beginners day out in lovely weather, walked miles and saw lots of common birds, a flock of 15 Grey Partridges was a highlight along with, 3 Little Stints, Marsh Harrier, a few Brent Geese and several 1,000 Pink Footed Geese in the air at once. After the tour I looked in vain for the blyth's reed warbler, only hearing its chacking call.

5th Oct 08: Sheringham & Cley - A difficult tour in heavy rain, 7 Bonxies including one over the north scrape were the only highlights.

4th Oct 08: Holme & Titchwell - Very quiet today in strong SW wind. We managed Great Skua, Shag & Common Scoter at Holme. Moving on to Titchwell we saw Water Rail, Bearded tits, Marsh Harrier, 2 Eider, 20+ Pintail, Ruff, Bar Tailed & black Tailed Godwits, Knot, Grey Plover Sanderling & Dunlin. En route back to the B&B in Wells we saw 8 Barnacle Geese with a large flock of Pink Feet on Holkham Fresh Marsh.

3rd Oct 08: Titchwell - All eyes were on the sea today, excellent passage of 19 Pomarine Skuas including adults with full tail spoons. Also 74 Great Skuas, 8 Arctic Skuas, the first 3 Little Auks of the autumn, 2 Manx Shearwaters and a Slavonian Grebe. Other birds included Water Rail, Marsh Harrier and 2 Little Stints. After the tour I had a late hour at Cley which was very prodcuive with a LEACH'S PETREL, juv SABINE'S GULL, 10 Bonxies, Pomarine Skua, Kittiwake and Arctic Skua

2nd Oct 08: Holkham - Better weather today and a few interesting birds. Best bird was probably the Red Necked Grebe in the bay also 4 Great Skuas, Arctic Skuas, 3 Red Breasted Mergansers and 4 Redwings. Raptors were well represented with a juv Hobby, Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard and Kestrel. Late on the main interest was the 10,000+ Pink Footed Geese and 4 Barnacles in amongst them.

1st Oct 08: Cley area - Difficult tour with very strong westerly wind and heavy showers. Best bird was the very confiding YELLOW BROWED WARBLER in the garden at Natural Surroundings, I managed to whistle the bird in very close to give excellent views for everyone. Other birds seen included a Juv Merlin, Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 100+ Gannets, Marsh Tit, 2 Bearded Tits, Marsh Harrier, 4 Greenshanks, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 30+ Pink Footed Geese and a Wheatear.

30th Sept 08: The Broads & coast - Highlights were the 7 Common Cranes (4 adults and 3 young) seen close by in a filed along with 2,000+ Pink Footed Geese. Other birds seen included 5 wheatears, summer meets winter with a Hobby followed closely by 5 Redwings, also 9 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers and Spotted Redshank. Finally, a short sea watch produced a Great Skua, 7 Shags and 50+ Gannets.

28th Sept 08: Holkham & Burnham Overy - Started the day with excellent views of a GREAT GREY SHRIKE in the morning sunshine followed closely by a RED BACKED SHRIKE, also 10 Bearded Tits, yellowhammer, Marsh Harrier and a nice comparison of Bar tailed and Black tailed Godwits side by side. A suprise juv Dotterel was seen just into the dunes but soon flew inland calling as it flew over our heads. The Pink Feet are increasing day by day now well into the thousands and often new groups were seen arriving. In the west end of Holkham pines we saw our 4th YELLOW BROWED WARBLER and a Pied & Spotted Flycatcher. After several frustrating attempts we finally got 2 good but brief views of the RADDE'S WARBLER.

27th Sept 08: Weybourne, West Runton & Cley - good views of the LESSER GREY SHRIKE were had at weybourne along with 5 Wheatears and 8 Bearded Tits. Frustratingly only a brief flight view of the Blyth's Reed Warbler was obtained along with a Whinchat at west runton. Finally 2 YELLOW BROWED WARBLERS at walsey hills. 

26th Sept 08: Weekend tour began at Holkham - male & 1st winter Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, prolonged views of a YELLOW BROWED WARBLER, Siskins, 200+ Pink Footed Geese and a Peregrine were seen to the east of Lady anne's drive. After lunch we headed west seeing another Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher, Marsh Harrier, Lesser Whitethroat, 10+ Crossbills, first Redwing of the autumn and frustratingly a red throated pipit seen in flight but heard call by others.

25th Sept 08: 90 minutes at Flamborough ! - The fabulous adult BROWN SHRIKE was present along with RED BACKED SHRIKE, Corn Bunting, Whinchat, Wheatears and stonechats in the same hedge. Moving to old fall plantation a RED BREASTED FLYCATCHER, 2 YELLOW BROWED WARBLERS and Spotted Flycatcher were all seen.

23rd Sept 08: Seawatching at Sheringham - A very productive day produced 3 LEACH'S PETRELS, 15 Sooty Shearwaters, 5 Balearic Shearwaters, 14 Manx Shearwaters, 228 Great Skuas, Pomarine Skua, 8 Arctic Skuas, 2 Puffins, 15+ Kittiwakes, Little Gull, 33 Red Throated Divers, 2 Eider, guillemot & razorbill.

19th Sept 08: Customised Tour of North Norfolk - In glorious weather, 22 species of wader were seen including, Juv Red Necked Phalarope, Juv Dotterel, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 7 Little stints, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank. Also good flight views of a Bittern, Bearded Tits, 4 Marsh Harriers, 3 Common Buzzards, Water Rail, Arctic Skua, Lesser Whitethroat and a few Wheatears.

17th Sept 08: Yarmouth & Winterton - In the dunes both the WRYNECK and RED BACKED SHRIKE were seen along with 20 Redstarts, 8 Pied Flycatchers, Tree Pipit, Lesser Whitethroat, willow warblers, chiffchaffs, blackcaps, Spotted Flycatcher and numerous Wheatears. In the cemetery earlier 12+ Pied Flycatchers, 10+ Redstarts and 6 Spotted Flycatchers

16th Sept 08: Waxham & Winterton - The possible semi collared flycatcher was seen along with lots of Redstarts, Wheatears, a whinchat and pied & spotted flycatcher.

15th Sept 08: Titchwell & Burnham Overy - The Juv RED NECKED PHALAROPE was probably the best bird accompanied by 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints & a Spotted Redshank. Also a nice range of common migrants were seen including, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 10 Common Redstarts, 7 Wheatears, Spotted Flycatcher & Garden Warbler.

13th Sept 08: Hickling - A fairly productive morning, as we arrived an OSPREY appeared and hunted over the broad, almost certailny part of the days influx. On Rush Hill Scrape the 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS were still present, also Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little gulls, 2 Green Sandpipers, Hobby, 3 sparrowhawks and a party of 7 Bearded Tits including 3 males showed well. Earlier, on Yarmouth beach we had seen 3 Mediterannean Gulls .

12th Sept 08: Sheringham - A morning seawatch produced 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 1 Great Skua, 100+ Common Scoter, Little Gull and Whimbrel.

10th Sept 08: Titchwell & Burnham Overy - With the wind coming from the south west we weren't expecting many migrants, we did however have a brief flight view of a Bittern, superb views of 4 Bearded Tits including a male, 3 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, Arctic Skua, 2 Velvet Scoter with Common Scoter, Water Rail, Kingfisher and 3 Wheatears. Earlier I had seen 3 fairly late Swifts at Holme.

8th Sept 08: Sheringham - Very quiet after yesterday except for a Balearic Shearwater, 2 Manx Shearwaters,  10 Arctic Skuas, 4 Bonxies, 5 Little Gulls and a Kittiwake.

7th Sept 08: Cley - An unexpectedly brilliant tour, leaving norwich there wasn't a breath of wind but arriving at the coastguards we could quickly tell there was a serious passage of seabirds moving east. They were moving ahead of the squally showers and light North Westerly wind. Between 10-11.30am we saw 100's of Gannets, at least 30 Great Skuas, 20 Arctic Skuas, a juv SABINE'S GULL flew over our heads and to top it off a close in CORY'S SHEARWATER, a very rare bird in Norfolk. After this excitement we checked the rest of the reserve seeing Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers & 2 Little Gulls. Back at the coastguards late afternoon things had dramatically quietened down but we had the added bonus of a distant OSPREY seen inland from the visitor centre and a single wheatear.

6th Sept 08: Norfolk broads area - A fairly quiet tour, a sea watch produced 7 Arctic Skuas and a nice summer plumaged Red Throated Diver close in shore. Moving on we saw Lesser Whitethroat, Marsh Tit, 2 adult Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Green & 2 Common Sandpipers, Marsh Harrier and up to 10 distant Cranes

5th Sept 08: Titchwell - A good tour despite the weather, 3 Spoonbills, summer plumaged Red Necked Grebe, 6+ Arctic Skuas, wheatear, Hobby and 23 species of wader including the adult WHITE RUMPED SANDPIPER, 3 juv Curlew Sandpipers, avocet, little ringed plover, a few juv knots, both godwits together, spotted redshank, greenshank, green sandpiper and Common sandpiper

31st Aug 08: Burnham Overy Dunes - 4 Whinchats, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Wheatears, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Marsh Harrier and 2 Whimbrel

30th Aug 08: Sea Palling - 2 hours in the morning produced 2 Balearic Shearwaters, 3-4 Shags (not common in Norfolk), 50+ Gannets, 14 Common Scoter, Hobby, Arctic Skua and a few Gulliemots.

20th Aug 08: Minsmere - A fairly quiet tour produced a flight view of a Bittern, a Hobby, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, 9 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Greenshanks, Common Sandpiper & Ruff. We also saw 3 Red dear, several Hornets, dragonflies and lots of butterflies.

18th Aug 08: Hickling - An hour at Rush Hill scrape produced the Juv MARSH SANDPIPER, Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Green & 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Gulls and a Hobby

15th Aug 08: Raptor Tour - Another great day, started off with 6 MONTAGU'S HARRIERS including 3 new juvenilles, 2 females and a male. All showing well with the male coming very close on one occasion. Late morning we had a male HONEY BUZZARD circling virtually overhead. Other raptors included, 3 Marsh Harrier, 6+ Common Buzzard, kestrel, 3 Sparrowhawks and 2 Hobbys. In the afternoon we moved on to Cley where a nice selection of waders was seen including 2 Little Stints,  5 Spotted Redshanks, Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel & Knot, another Hobby was also noted.

9th-11th Aug 08: Cornwall weekend - en route we picked up Cirl Bunting, 2 Roseate Terns & Med Gull. From Porthgwarra we saw GREAT SHEARWATER, 10+ Balearic Shearwater, 80+ Manx Shearwater, Great Skua, Raven, Storm Petrel and a Peregrine. On the Scillonian Pelagic we saw, 2 GREAT SHEARWATERS, Sooty Shearwater, 300+ Storm petrel, GREY PHALAROPE, 5 Great Skuas and Arctic Skua.

2nd Aug 08: Customised tour of North Norfolk - Starting at Titchwell we saw 19 species of waders including the PECTORAL SANDPIPER, 10+ Curlew Sandpiper, 10+ Spotted Redshank, common sand, Bar tailed Godwit & LRP. Also a family of Bearded Tits at close quarters, Hobby and Marsh Harrier. Moving on we had a Yellow Wagtail, Turtle Dove and 4 Montagu's Harriers including excellent close up views of a male and a food pass to the female.

27th July 08: Raptor Tour - Another good day for raptors with, 4 MONTAGU'S HARRIERS a male, female and 2 Juvenilles all seen well and then the male HONEY BUZZARD displaying on and off for 20 mins. Other birds included Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, 3 Grey Partridges, a Tree Sparrow and a heard only Turtle Dove. After lunch we headed to Cley. Here we saw a Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Common Sandpipers, Knot, 3 Little Stints, Yellow Legged Gull and 3 Spoonbills.

26th July 08: Oriole Tour - Unfortunately no orioles today, brilliant close up views of a male Bearded Tit with 3 young was some compensation, also Kingfisher, Hobby & Marsh Harrier. In the afternoon we saw Spotted Flycatcher with young, no less than 19 Stone Curlews and 20+ Tree Sparrows.

25th July 08: Raptor Tour - Excellent day today, 5 MONTAGU'S HARRIERS including 2 females one seen on and off for over 90 mins, 2 Juvenilles seen well and a male put in a fairly brief appearance. Late morning we moved on and saw a GOSHAWK and got good views of 2 HONEY BUZZARDS for 20 mins. Other raptors included Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel. Also an unexpected Corn Bunting and 2 Grey Partridges. After lunch we headed to Cley. Here we saw 17 species of wader including the White Rumped Sandpiper, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper & Little Stint. Other birds included a Spoonbill and a Bittern in two long fly bys.

23rd July 08: North Norfolk - Fabulous close up views of a male NIGHTJAR were had in enough light to see the colouring of the feathers and cryptic markings, the bird hunted a few metres away just above head level.

22nd July 08: Cley - Adult WHITE RUMPED & PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, with Dunlin flock also Curlew Sandpiper, Knot, Spotted Redshank, 5 Spoonbills, 3 Yellow-Legged Gulls, Little Gull, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Barn Owl on the way home

20th July 08: Oriole Tour - We had a good prolonged flight view of a male Golden Oriole not too far away today, also Stone Curlew, 6 Tree Sparrow, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Hobby, Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher.

19th July 08: Raptor Tour - This tour is getting better by the day, excellent close up views of a male MONTAGU'S HARRIER were had along with on off views of 2 females for over and hour, a food pass was also seen and a female even flushed a Quail. Then 3 HONEY BUZZARDS showed very well for 45 minutes often flying in formation together !! Oh if only everyday could be like that. Other birds noted, 3+ Marsh Harrier, 6 Common Buzzards, Hobby & Turtle Dove. After lunch we headed to Cley where we saw 6 Spoonbills, Arctic Tern, 2 Yellow-Legged Gulls, 3 Whimbrel, 4+ marsh harrier, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Little Gulls and Essex Skipper.

18th July 08: Oriole Tour - Only a possible view of a female was had today, disappointing after seeing them on every tour so far this year. On the upside we had 8 Stone Curlews, 4+ Marsh Harriers, 2 Hobbies, Little Owl, Spotted Flycatcher, 4+ Tree Sparrows, Grey Wagtail, Marsh Tit, Treecreeper & Nuthatch.

13th July 08: Raptor Tour - After a very good oriole tour the same clients were very lucky to experience the best raptor tour of the year so far. Early on we had 3 MONTAGU'S HARRIERS, one female showing regularly for an hour, also another female and a male put in close appearances. Late morning we had brilliant close up views of 2-3 HONEY BUZZARDS for half an hour at least. The tour could have finished at 12 noon! We spent the afternoon at Cley seeing, 5 Bearded Tits, lots of Marsh Harriers, 5 Little Gulls, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank & LRP. After the tour, I finished with 6 Spoonbills and close views of Essex Skipper in front of North hide. A truely excellent day.

12th July 08: Oriole Tour - 2-3 male Golden Orioles seen well, perched and in flight, also one heard singing. Other birds included 2 Common Cranes, 5+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobbies, bearded Tit, Green Sandpiper, 2 Kingfishers, Little Owl, Spotted Flycatcher, Marsh Tit, 5+ Tree Sparrow and to round the day off 3 Stone curlews flew over our heads and landed close by in a field. A pretty good day!

11th July 08: Raptor Tour - A pair of Montagu's Harriers seen well, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, 4+ hobby, Sparrowhawk & Kestrel. Also Quail seen running accross the path twice, Turtle Dove, Yellowhammer, bullfinch, 4 Marsh Tits and 2 dubious Golden Phesants.

10th July 08: Fakenham - RED KITE just east of town

6th July 08: Oriole Tour - Before the rain we had good close flight views of two male & a female Golden Oriole, we also heard the 3rd male calling. Other birds seen included 2 Marsh Harriers, 2-3 Cuckoos, 6 Stone Curlews, Turtle Dove, Spotted Flycatcher & 10+ Tree Sparrows.

5th July 08: Raptor Tour - Despite inclement weather we had good views of a male Montagu's Harrier and a brief but close view of a Honey Buzzard flying through the trees and then being mobbed by crows. Also 4 Hobbies, Marsh Harrier, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzards, Kestrel. Non raptors included Tree Pipit, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Little Gulls, Bearded Tit, Yellow Wagtail and Corn Bunting.

4th July 08: North Norfolk - LESSER YELLOWLEGS at cley, also Little Gull, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Buzzards, Turtle Dove and Grey Partridge

29th June 08: Oriole Tour - A male Golden Oriole perched in the open for a few minutes, showing uncharacteristically well, he was also heard briefly. Other birds seen, Bearded Tit, 4+ Hobbies, 5+ Marsh Harrier, 2-3 Cuckoos, Buzzard, Garden Warbler, Siskin, Turtle Dove, Grey Partridge and 6+ Tree Sparrows.

27th June 08: Oriole Tour - Brief but good views of a perched male Golden Oriole were had by everyone also brief views of a female and another male was heard. 2 Cranes in flight, 2 Hobbies, 5+ Marsh Harrier, Barn Owl, 2-3 Cuckoos, Grey Wagtail, Stone Curlew, Turtle Dove & 6+ Tree Sparrows.

25th June 08: Raptor Tour - Despite strong wings we had good views of a male Honey Buzzard for 10 minutes displaying briefly in that time. In the morning we had distant views of a male Montagu's Harrier. Other birds seen, lots of good views of Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobbies, Sparrowhawk, 4 Common Buzzards, Kestrel, Turtle Dove, Grey Partridge and a flyover Tree Sparrow.

23rd June 08: Norfolk Broads - good views of the female LESSER GREY SHRIKE were had and the close by male RED BACKED SHRIKE.

22nd June 08: Raptor Tour - Despite gale force winds we managed excellent views of a male Montagu's Harrier, also seen were 4+ Marsh Harrier, a brief Hobby, 3 Turtle Doves, Little Ringed Plover, 30+ Little Gulls and Red Crested Pochard

21st June 08: Oriole Tour - despite persistent rain managed reasonable flight views of a male Golden Oriole, also 6 Stone Curlews + a chick, 4 Spotted Flycatchers, pair of Grey Wagtails, male Firecrest, pair of Siskin, cuckoo, 2 Turtle Dove, a few Tree Sparrows and Grey Partridge

20th June 08: Raptor Tour - Undoubted highlight of the day was the HONEY BUZZARD on view for at least 20 minutes, most of the time displaying with up to 20 wing claps, a truely fabulous sighting. Other birds included 3 Marsh Harriers, 4+ Buzzards, turtle dove, Grey Partridge, barn Owl and a Hobby on the way home.

19th June 08: Cley - 5 species of tern on arnolds marsh, 3 very smart adult ROSEATE TERNS, 1 Arctic Tern, along with 20+ Common, 100+ Sandwich & 10+ Little Terns. Also noted a pair of Marsh Harriers

18th June 08: Oriole tour - reasonable views of a male Golden Oriole, a very smart and unexpected Red Kite, Bittern, Hobby, Marsh Harrier, a few cuckoos, nesting Grey Wagtails feeding young, a few Tree Sparrows and a Turtle Dove

17th June 08: SW Norfolk - Cracking views of a Male Golden Oriole feeding right out in the open for a few minutes, woodlark, a pair of Stone Curlews with 2 week old chicks + a lone adult, 10+ Tree Sparrows, Spotted Flycatcher with young fledging in front of our very eyes, Hobby & Marsh Harrier.

15th June 08: The Brecks - 2 Woodlarks, Spotted Flycatcher with young, 12+ Tree Sparrows, 2 Crossbills & Marsh Harrier.

14th June 08: Raptor Tour - A Male Montagu's Harrier was seen along with 4 Marsh Harriers, 8+ Buzzards, 3 Hobbies, 3 sparrowhawks and a few Kestrels. Other birds seen included Tawny Owl active during daylight, 3 Turtle Doves & yellowhammer.

11th June 08: Raptor Tour - A Male Montagu's Harrier was seen along with 6 Marsh Harriers, 8+ Buzzards, 4+ Hobbies and a few Kestrels. Other birds seen included Little Owl, Turtle Dove, yellowhammer & Bullfinch.

10th June 08: North Norfolk - 2 Honey Buzzards, 5+ common buzzard, marsh harrier, 3 hobbies, Spoonbill, Barn Owl, Little Owl and 2 Grey Wagtails.

7th June 08: Minsmere - Brief glimpse of the singing THRUSH NIGHTINGALE, also good views of Common Nightingale and another in song for comparison, not many other birds noted, just a few cettis warblers and 3 Little Gulls.

5th June 08: NW Norfolk - 2 good views of male Montagu's Harrier, 3 'Greenland' Wheatears, Corn Bunting, Turtle Dove, 50 Little Gulls, Red Crested Pochard, Ruddy Duck, 4 Marsh Harriers, Buzzard and 2 Bearded Tits.

4th June 08: SW Norfolk - Started the day with a very showey Barn Owl, then 2 Stone Curlews with chicks, 10 Tree Sparrows, grey partridge and male Firecrest. Highlight of the day for everyone, cracking close up views of a big dog OTTER, plus Grey Wagtail on the nest, Spotted Flycatcher, cuckoo, Little Owl, 3 Marsh Harriers and 5 Hobbies. Unfortunately no orioles though.

2nd June 08: West Norfolk - 2 Stone Curlews, 15+ Tree Sparrows, 8 Grey Partridges, bullfinch, marsh harrier, 3 hobbies, spotted flycatcher, singing firecrest, cuckoo, turtle dove and nesting Grey Wagtails.

31st May 08: Waxham - A very smart adult TAWNY PIPIT at the pipe dump and a singing lesser whitethroat.

27th May 08: Titchwell - A very productive afternoon with the bright fem CITRINE WAGTAIL, 2 Temminck's Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Garganey, Red Crested Pochard, 20 Little Gulls, yellow wagtail, 60 ringed plovers and en route to the coast a male Montagu's harrier.

25th May 08: Kelling Area - Cracking views of the singing Wood Warbler holding territory, Garden Warbler, 2 Common Sandpipers, Gannets and Fulmars in strong NE wind.

24th May 08: West Norfolk - A few hours produced, 2 Turtle Doves, yellowhammer, lots of stock doves, kingfisher, marsh harrier, 2 Grey Partridges and half a dozen Tree Sparrows.

21st May 08: Holkham & Buxton Heath - fly over Crossbill, greenshank, marsh harrier, woodlark and 3-4 Nightjars churring.

17th/18th May 08: Weekend tour - 2 RED FOOTED FALCONS, 3 Bitterns including a pair displaying in flight, 2 Cranes, marsh harrier, Garganey, 15+ hobby, Stone Curlew, little & Temminck's Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Med Gull, Little Gull, Cuckoo, Kingfisher, woodlark, nightingale (h), cetti's warbler, Firecrest, Spotted & pied flycatchers, 3 Golden Orioles and Bearded Tit - Not a bad effort !

14th May 08: Cley area - 5 Wood Sandpipers, a very close up Woodlark, brief views of garden warbler, Stonechat, Marsh Harrier, Sandwich Terns and late in the day a Black tern & Little Stint.

11th May 08: Holme & Choseley - 7 Dotterel, 6 Turtle Doves, 2 wood sandpipers, corn bunting, 2 Greenshank, whimbrel, Bar Tailed Godwit, cuckoo, yellow wagtail & lesser whitethroat. Before the tour male MONTAGU'S HARRIER from the car!

10th May 08: Westleton - A cracking 1st summer male SPECTACLED WARBLER, numerous Dartford Warblers and Stonechats

9th May 08: Minsmere - The highlights 2 singing Firecrests, one seen at extremely close quarters, Garganey & Bittern. Also seen were 4+ Garden Warblers, 4 Cettis Warblers, Nightingale, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 common sandpipers, 4 Knot, Little Gull, Bearded Tit & 3 Hobbies, a jolly good day out.

8th May 08: Evening trip to Hickling - 2 Little Gulls, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, marsh harrier & 3 Whimbrel

7th May 08: Evening trip to Sea Palling - eventually had good views of male SUBALPINE WARBLER. Also Whinchat, 2 yellow wagtails & whimbrel

5th May 08: Customised tour of North Norfolk - Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Woodlarks, 5 buzzards, Ring Ouzel, Black Redstart, GREEN WINGED TEAL, 3 Black Terns, 2 Temminck's Stints, 2 Garden Warblers, Marsh harrier & male MONTAGU'S HARRIER.

4th May 08: Visited various sites in North Norfolk - 3 Black Terns, LRP, Temminck's Stint, Grey Wagtail, Hobby, Buzzard & 2 Greenshanks. After the tour saw Barn Owl, Redpoll, Cetti's warbler and Bearded Tit

3rd May 08: Holme & Choseley - 4 Dotterel, Red Crested Pochard, Whinchat, marsh harrier, buzzard, Grey Partridge, whimbrel, cuckoo, 15 Yellow Wagtails, Lesser Whitethroat & 15+ Corn buntings

2nd May 08: Holkham & Burnham Overy dunes - Barn Owl en route to the coast, 3 Ring Ouzels, Hobby,  2 Lesser Whitethroats, Grasshopper & cettis Warbler (h), 10+ Wheatear, marsh harrier, 2 buzzards, Greenshank, 3 whimbrel, Eider, 10+ Little Terns & 100+ Pink Feet.

30th April 08: Holkham & Choseley - 11 Dotterel, Little Owl, 5 Ring Ouzels, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Grasshopper Warbler (h), Wheatear, marsh harrier, 3 buzzards, whimbrel & 100 Pink Footed Geese.

27th April 08: Customised tour of North Norfolk - MONTAGU'S HARRIER, buzzard, marsh harrier, grey partridge, 8 Dotterel, Corn Bunting, 3 Wheatears, Ring Ouzel, Bearded Tit, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Marsh Tit, Yellow Wagtail & Little Tern.

26th April 08: Hickling - Grasshopper Warbler, Bittern showed very well, Bearded Tit, marsh harriers, 2 Little Gulls, Arctic Tern, first Swift of the year, 30 Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper & 2 Grass Snakes. A lunch break stop yielded the 13 Dotterel at Acle.

25th April 08: Minsmere - The stars of the day were the 4-5 Nightingales showing brilliantly often in full song. Also, Jack Snipe, 2 Hobbies, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, Bittern, numerous Cetti's Warblers, 2 Dartford Warblers, Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, 150+ Avocet, 2 Med Gulls, Wheatear, Grasshopper Warbler (h), Marsh Tit, Common Tern & Garden Warbler. On the reptile front, we had very close up views of an Adder.

24th April 08: Cley area - 2 woodlarks, Dartford Warbler, first cuckoo of the yr, 2 Bullfinches, 2 Shore Larks, wheatear, ruddy duck, greenshank & spotted redshank. Also of note a moribund Little Auk found behind the shingle bank at cley.

23rd April 08: Hickling - 8 species of warbler including 2 Grasshopper Warblers + 2 heard, 3 cetti's warblers and first sedge and reed warblers of the year. Also bearded tit, marsh harriers food passing and heard cranes & a bittern booming.

21st April 08: Winterton - Missed the lark by 15 mins but managed to see WRYNECK, HOOPOE, Hen Harrier, Wheatears and a Ring Ouzel nearby at Ormesby

20th April 08: Winterton - A late hour in the dunes produced good views of the male BLACK LARK, what a cracking bird !

16th April 08: Hickling - A cold evening, 5 Common Cranes, 5 Whimbrel, Bearded Tit, 10+ Marsh Harriers, first House Martin of the year and a Bittern booming 

15th April 08: A few hours on the north norfolk coast produced the GREAT GREY SHRIKE on Kelling heath and a summer plumage Water Pipit at Cley

13th April 08: The Brecks - Visited two sites seeing a female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, 1-2 Firecrests, 3 Hawfinches perched for 15 minutes in the pouring rain (unfortunately after the tour had finished), Brambling & Marsh Tit

12th April 08: The Brecks - Various sites seeing 2-3 Firecrests, a flyover Hawfinch, Stone Curlew, Brambling & Marsh Tit. Unfortunately the Lesser spot seems to have been bullied out (by a great spot) of the potential nest hole it was in 3 days previously.

9th April 08: The Brecks - A fairly productive morning again with bright sunshine, best birds a pair of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, the male excavating a nest hole with the female inspecting his work. Also summer plummage male Brambling, Willow Warbler, Stone Curlew and a Buzzard.

8th April 08: Minsmere - A lovely cold sunny morning, 2 Dartford Warblers, good views of Cettis warbler, Med Gull, Bearded Tit, 10+ Marsh Harrier, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and lots of sand martins and swallows. Also several Bitterns booming but none seen.

7th April 08: Norwich - drake Garganey & 10+ swallows on Colney Gravel Pits and 4 Siskins on Niger seed feeders in my back garden !

15th March - 4th April 08: Trip to North East India including, Darjeeling, Sandakphu trek and Kaziranga & Nameri National Parks. 

Highlights: Animals - 2 Tigers, Rhino, Asian Elephants & Capped Langur

Birds - Blue Naped Pitta, White Winged Duck, Satyr Tragopan, Greater Adjutant, 4 Fire Tailed Myzornis, 4 Ibisbill, Oriental Hobby, Scaly Laughingthrush, Swamp Francolin, Great & Wreathed Hornbill, Crested Kingfisher, 100+ flock of White Throated Needletails, Grey Headed Lapwing, flock of 5 migrating Black Bazas, Pallas's Fish Eagle, male Pied harrier, Rufous Necked Laughingthrush, Red Billed Leiothrix, Red Tailed Minla, Golden Breasted Fulvetta, Brown Parrotbill, Rufous Breasted Accentor, White Browed Rosefinch, Collared Grosbeak, 4 species of Green Pigeon, 5 species of Redstart, 8 species of Flycatcher, 13 phylloscopus type warblers and 6 species of sunbird.

9th March 08: Wacton common - Short eared Owl

19th Feb 08: a fairly quiet afternoon on the north norfolk coast the highlight being 3 different Barn Owls

16th Feb 08: Lynford Arboretum & Grimes Graves - A fairly productiove morning in the breks seeing, 2 Hawfinches, male GOSHAWK, Woodcock and GREAT GREY SHRIKE

9th Feb 08: morning walk from from Wells town to Burnham Overy town via the coastal path, a beautiful day, on the bird front saw 2 Buzzards, white fronted geese and a Short Eared Owl.

3rd Feb 08: Titchwell - 7 Lesser Redpolls, brambling, woodcock and Peregrine

26th Jan 08: Blythburgh, Thorpeness, Minsmere, Lowestoft, Waxham, Buckenham - A cracking day out, 22 Bewick Swans, GREAT WHITE EGRET, drake Smew, siskin, Firecrest, Black Throated Diver, Shag, Purple Sandpiper, GREY PHALAROPE, 9 Common Cranes and 4 Barn Owls

22nd Jan 08: Cantley & Buckenham Marshes - 70+ Taiga Bean Geese, 2 Peregrines and 100+ White Fronted Geese

20th Jan 08: Suffolk - North Warren, Minsmere & Southwold - 100+ White Fronted Geese, 8 Tundra Bean Geese, 80+ Barnacle Geese, Merlin & LESSER YELLOWLEGS

16th Jan 08: Holkham, Brancaster Staithe & Titchwell - 3 Barn Owls, White fronted and Pink footed Geese, 100+ Snow Buntings, Rock Pipit, 2 Black Brants, 20+ Twite, Woodcock, 4 Lesser Redpolls and siskin

12th Jan 08: Terrington Marshes - RICHARD'S PIPIT, Water, Rock and Meadow Pipits

9th Jan 08: Holkham Park - Excellent views of male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker

6th Jan 08: Year Listing day out - We visited Lackford Lakes, Santon downham, Lynford Arboretum, Pentney GP's, Roydon Common, Cley, Salthouse & Titchwell managing exactly 100 species. Highlights were Marsh Tit, 4 Bullfinches, 20,000 Starlings leaving the roost, Gosander, Ruddy Duck, 200+ Brambling, Scaup, GREAT GREY SHRIKE, Hen Harrier, WHITE CROWNED SPARROW, Barn Owl, Snow Bunting, Little Egret, Lapland Bunting, Pink Footed Goose and Spotted Redshank. There was talk of playing it cool when the mega news broke, but we managed to make a small detour to Cley while travelling between Roydon and Titchwell !

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The Bird ID Company
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Old Catton
Norwich NR6 7AY