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Norfolk, early November 2025

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Crossbill at Holme N.O.A. The volunteer at the NWT vistors centre said that 15 Crossbills has been seen that morning. Despite walking round three times, I did not managed to see any Crossbills nor did I talk to anyone who has seen any.  Fortunately, a couple I had talked to earlier in the day, spotted one on a branch and call me over. Click, my first Crossbill! Two days later, I went back to Holme.  Crossbills could be heard near the NWT VC but the wind was moving the trees too briskly for them to be found.  I sat in the 'drinking pool' hide, hoping for a Coal Tit, and, out of the blue,  a male Crossbill landed on a tree branch near the hide. The best sort of luck. Snow Bunting, West Runton Snow Buntings are winter visitors to the UK, arriving from their Arctic breeding grounds as temperatures drop. These birds are often seen along coastlines, estuaries, and upland areas, where they feed on seeds and small invertebrates. In Scotland, a small population also breeds on...
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White tailed Eagle G466, Poole Harbour Oct 2025

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The white‑tailed eagle was once native to much of England but had been absent from the southern coastline for many decades. A reintroduction scheme on the Isle of Wight (led by the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Forestry England) has been releasing young eagles in recent years. Poole Harbour has emerged as an important area for these returning eagles: rich in fish and water‑birds, the harbour’s estuarine system gives the eagles good foraging and roosting opportunity. G466 is a female white‑tailed eagle, translocated to the Isle of Wight in 2020 from a nest near Uig on the Isle of Skye. After spending time in Scotland and then returning south, she became a regular at Poole Harbour from 20 November 2021. She has paired with male G463 in the Wareham Channel area of Poole Harbour. Their territory covers roughly 125 km ² , centred on the Wareham Channel and stretching to the Purbeck Coast and Wareham Forest This year, the pair became the first WTEs to breed in southern England, pr...
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Devon, October 2025

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A week in Devon in October. Unfortunately the weather was constantly cloudy due to an anticyclone sitting on top of the UK. Trip to Portland Bill I really enjoy excursions to Portland Bill, it has a unique 'feel' than reflects its unusual geography.  This time I was looking for the Red-backed Shrike near the Pilot Inn.  I appeared to have 'just missed it' but I did get brief and distant views of a Wryneck in the quarry.  Parking at the bill is very expensive, so I joined the PB bird observatory, for their free parking. Female Blackcap in the quarry Wryneck in the quarry One of the many Stonechat in the area Ringed Plover, Grey Plover and Sanderling at Ferrybridge Seaton Wetlands The marsh level was low, so much so that the exit stream looked positively unhealthy (black).  All the usual suspects present. Jurassic Coast cruise I was hoping for a few seabirds but the sea cruise was cut short due to the rolling swell.  We did see a small pod of Common Dolphin, a rea...
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Norfolk, September 2025

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Minus the Shrikes! Sculthorpe Moor Visited twice, once with the Ely u3a group. Holme Cley Snettisham Very early morning Spectacular. Really too dark for photography. Winterton-on-Sea
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