With work taking a priority over the festive period, time with nature has been largely confined to Norwich city centre for a couple of months. With regular Waxwing, Goosander, Goldeneye, Peregrine, Red Kite, Kingfisher, Grey Wag and this guy it’s been pretty good.

Birding still proves largely elusive but lovely to catch up with Rob Smith💙💛 in the broads today. 2 Smew, 16 Cattle Egret (including 10 on the tern raft on Barton Broad!!) and the roadside Whoopers at Sutton the highlights.

Still at least 3 chunky Mealy Redpoll amongst Lessers at Whitlingham this morning. Great views as they fed at eye level at times, but tough to photograph in terrible light. Great White Egret now a regular fixture. Duck numbers much reduced since my last visit.

Sheringham to Weybourne and back again this morn: White-tailed Eagle, 4+ Lapland Bunt, 4 Snow Bunt, 2 Corn Bunt, Twite, 2 Grey Partridge and 25+ Red Kite. Springlike! Should’ve been a Wheatear.

Birding around the Cley square today with Rob Smith💙💛. Red-breasted Goose and Long-billed Dowitcher were great but this Spoonbill really stole the show as it fed a few metres in front of Avocet Hide. Nice to see Drew Lyness, Jake Gearty and Chris Mills too.

Herps and a roast dinner stole the show on David Bratt’s birthday in the Cley square, but nice to find a last gasp distant Ring Ouzel on Pinfold Hill (📸 Rob Smith💙💛)

With Norfolk’s population all but gone, it was nice to stumble across this Nightingale this morning a bit further afield. They really are the best.

Out and about in the Cley Square earlier this week. Migrant passerines frustratingly thin on the ground but a diverse selection of smart north-bound waders. Add Glossy Ibis, Short-eared Owls and the banter of @BigDicksPipit and there’s worse ways to spend a couple of days.

Gentle stroll around Happisburgh with Danie Hadley produced a single Spotted Flycatcher and a reasonable number of hirundines and Swifts. Easy to be fooled by the shrikes and better on the news services… it’s not easy out there.

Stunning evening up on the heath with Danie Hadley and friends. A dusk chorus of Nightjar, Turtle Dove, Woodlark, Barn Owl and Dartford Warbler. Silver-studded Blues roosting next to the path.

Afternoon from Stiffkey Campsite Wood to Garden Drove with Rob Smith💙💛 and David Bratt produced an astonishing afternoon arrival of birds with 30+ Pied Fly, 20+ Redstart, 15 Willow Warbler, 16 Wheatear, 7 Whinchat, 2 Spot Fly and a smattering of Sylvias. Birds everywhere!

First proper twitch of the year with the Asian Desert Warbler in Winterton North Dunes with Rob Smith💙💛 . Redstart and Cuckoo also in the dunes and found my first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn along Low Road on the way back to the car.

A few common migrants and a bit of vismig between West Runton and Sheringham today. Highlight was undoubtedly 6 Bearded Tits high east with purpose.

Quality morning on my adopted costal patch between West Runton and Sheringham. Superb flight views of Richard’s Pipit, Yellow-browed Warbler, Short-eared Owl, Song Thrushes everywhere and Redwing and Skylark piling in off the sea.

Secret filming uncovers illegal killings of rare birds in England

Cromer to Overstrand this morning with Danie Hadley Notable increase in Song Thrush, Goldcrest and Robin, SEO west along the cliff top and a couple of Brambling amongst a steady movement of Chaffinch east.

Black Redstart, Velvet Scoter W, 2500 Starling W, 3 Chiffs and a Blackcap the best of it between West Runton and Sheringham in the sunshine this morning.

Decided to have a change of scenery and try and see the Buckenham Lesser Yellowlegs today. No luck with that. 2 Water Pipits, 3 White-fronts and Green Sandpiper. Of course a Barred Warbler was found at Beeston Bump 🤷 Serves me right.

Will Walmsley.bsky.social

West Runton to Sheringham. This Western Bonelli’s Warbler caused an adrenaline rush. Freshly arrived and calling like mad from brambles before it showed well briefly in the hedgeline and then disappeared. Hats off to Mark Clements for the photo. Pleased he got there so quick!