Redwing & Goldcrest at County Hall

No time for any recreational birding this week, so it was nice to see a Redwing perched high on top a tree by the steps to the upper car park at County hall, Norwich today at 4.20pm. It flew calling "Pitzzz" and north. Goldcrest heard too.

Redwing at Morrisons, Gorleston

As I was walking to Morrisons supermarket by the entrance at 11.35am today, (a very early lunch as I was visiting the Sixth form college over lunchtime for a work promotion) a Redwing flew in and fed on a few berries by the berry tree standing south west of the inland entrance of Morrisons supermarket, Gorleston.

The Big Freeze continues

Another bitterly cold day compounded by a freshning north- east wind. Fallowfields again failed to reveal anything significant early morning, but 6 fine Fieldfare flew north right over the house as I was walking up to the front door! Late morning, at Hamilton Dock, the purple patch continues with the majestic Great Northern Diver was seen half way out, it began to swim closer but some birdwatchers arrived and halted its advance. In the north- east corner bay, 2 Sanderling seen (my first for this year and for a while at this location) plus a Purple Sandpiper. 6 Brent Geese flew over the eastern edge of the dock flying south. Whilst on the rocky ledge, 2 Ringed Plover seen. Arriving at Oulton Broad, a 2 hour vigil in the bitterly cold was literally bitterly disappointing (I am still await my first sighting of a large white- winged Gull on OB) with lots of Gulls except the sought after Glauc seen (missed the message yesterday as my phone was on charge) and 6 close Great- crested Grebes relatively close in, plus a single Dunlin flew west directly over the edge of the Boulevard the only avian crumbs on offer.

Redwing in Garden

A look around Fallowfields, covered in snow first thing this morning failed to reveal any Woodcock, however a flock of 12 Greenfinch were seen and they were later seen on the garden feeding on the sunflower seeds we had put out. At 10.57am, a Redwing was seen to fly in from the east and perch in a bush on Fallowfields, a minute later it flew to the large tree in the back middle of the garden before flying to the back bush of the right back of the garden. It flew off a minute later. I have since then put a fresh supply of apples (the previous ones are covered by 6 inches of snow!) out in the hope that it might return.

The Big Freeze: Please feed the birds!

In this current severe weather it is crucially important to keep feeding your garden birds. Providing bird feeders full of peanuts, sunflowers seeds for Tits and finches particularly greenfinches, sunflower hearts, niger seed and fat balls for LT Tits and Sparrows. Don't forget to feed ground feeders such as Dunnocks, Chaffinches, Song Thush scattering mixed wild bird seeds and dried meal worms (but please make sure these are suitable for birds and NOT for fish!) If you can put out apples Thrushes will be very grateful. Don't forget to put out fresh water for the birds to drink and bathe. Putting out fatty scraps (but please avoid food with any salt in it) is also a good idea. You will rewarded with visits from a whole host of birds and you never know you might be likely and see something unusual like a Woodcock, Snipe or Brambling!

Fieldfare at the Library

At Great Yarmouth Library this lunchtime looking out from the staffroom 12.30-12.45pm, I saw a fine Fieldfare feeding off red berries near the top of the large red berry bush just east of the Library.

Wow! 50,000 views!

50,000 views and counting thanks to everyone for viewing the blog!