NORFOLK

HIGHLIGHTS: A Pallid Harrier was in the Holkham area (from 24th). Seaducks included 310 Long-tailed Ducks off Holme and 115 Velvet Scoters, two Black-throated Divers, two Great Northern Divers, six Slavonian Grebes and two Red-necked Grebes off Titchwell. A Black-necked Grebe was at Thorpe Marshes, with a Red-necked Grebe and Black-necked Grebe at Filby Broad. There was a huge count of 117 tundra Bean Geese at Breydon Water (15th). Up to 40 Shore Larks were at Holkham Gap, with 31 at Brancaster (7th), 25 at Titchwell (14th) and six at Blakeney Point (26th). The Lesser Whitethroat remained at Holme Dunes (to 14th). Great Grey Shrikes were south of Swaffham (11th-19th), at Nar Valley Fisheries (13th-18th), Grimes Graves (from 26th), Cockley Cley Wood (from 27th) and Sparham Pools. The Rough-legged Buzzard remained at Haddiscoe Island. Several Glaucous Gulls remained, mostly at coastal sites. The Iceland Gull remained at Mautby Lodge. A Hooded Crow was there (to 18th) and at Aylmerton (26th).

BREYDON WATER: Highlights included a Great White Egret, taiga Bean Goose (16th-18th), Glaucous Gulls (11th and 18th), Goosanders (3rd and 24th) and a Guillemot (11th). Marsh Harriers, Buzzards, a Hen Harrier, five Peregrines, 12 Short-eared Owls and three Barn Owls hunted. There were eight Stonechats and a Kingfisher. Maxima included 12 Great Crested Grebes, 58 Little Egrets, 4,000 Pinkfeet, 330 Whitefronts, 12 dark-bellied Brent Geese, 17 Barnacle Geese, 131 Shelducks, 10,000 Wigeon, 631 Shovelers, 2,000 Teal, 138 Pintails, 163 Bewick’s Swans, 878 Avocets, 72 Oystercatchers, 12,300 Golden Plovers, 22,300 Lapwings, 54 Grey Plovers, 37 Knot, 877 Curlews, 75 Bar-tailed Godwits, 910 Redshanks and two Spotted Redshanks. Numbers of Black-tailed Godwits were well down.

NOA HOLME BIRD OBSERVATORY: Maxima included a Merlin, Waxwing, Greenshank, Great Skua, Razorbill, Guillemot, Avocet, Goosander, Ruff, Lapland Bunting, Shag, Peregrine, Bearded Tit, two Spotted Redshanks, nine Snipe, three Rock Pipits, 40 Twite, 18 Eiders, six Red-throated Divers, two Black-throated Divers, four Great Northern Divers, two Red-necked Grebes, five Slavonian Grebes, two Cetti’s Warblers, two Red Kites, 40 Fieldfares, two Bramblings, four Scaup, four Goldeneyes, 21 Red-breasted Mergansers, ten

Fulmars, 25 Siskins, 65 Snow Buntings, nine Velvet Scoters and 11 Stonechats. NOA REDWELL MARSH: There was a Barn Owl, Water Rail, 60 Teal, 15 Snipe and two Chiffchaffs. CLEY AREA: Highlights included two Glaucous Gulls, a Siberian Chiffchaff, Smew, Lapland Bunting, Spoonbill, five Velvet Scoters, two Long-tailed Ducks, 135 White-fronted Geese, four tundra Bean Geese and a Slavonian Grebe. Pete Allard, Sophie Barker (Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association, www.noa.org.uk) and Robin Chittenden. For the latest bird news, please phone 09068 700 245. Calls to 09068 700 245 from a landline or mobile phone cost 65p per minute plus your telephone company access charge. Service provided by Birdline East Anglia. For enquiries please call 0330 333 6946 or 07941 333 970, www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk