To see many more of my bird and wildlife photos from Cley and elsewhere, please visit my website: https://nitter.cf/t.co/4pt3k3tDSB
Cley-next-the-sea, Norfolk
Joined December 2013
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Cley Square's third-ever Isabelline Wheatear at Kelling Quag was found in the last hour of the day, so caused a bit of a dash for those able to get there before darkness fell. (More pics as usual at cleybirds.com.)
After failing to show for us last Wednesday, the Happisburgh Rose-coloured Starling was much more obliging today. We had to wait only 2 minutes before it popped up on its favourite wire by the beach carpark.
Norfolk's first twitchable Nutcracker since 1968 - here at Mundesley eating a Wasp! I'm sure he'd much prefer some peanuts (unsalted of course), so do try to take some along if you're visiting. Huge thanks to finder Neil Cooper.
Rufous-tailed Robin, Flamborough Head, 22nd Oct. My 2nd in Britain, but the views an upgrade from Norfolk 2011 and nice to get some pics despite the viewing challenge because of its popularity! Massive thanks to the locals for sharing again.
Desert Wheatears are such gorgeous birds! Amazingly, since my 1st in 1978, I've now seen 18 in Norfolk, six of them on the Cley Square beach, including this one-day wonder on the Eye Field fence yesterday afternoon. (More pics at cleybirds.com.)
There were apparently TWO Dusky Warblers in Blakeney Point plantation yesterday, but they are notorious skulkers and I found it more than troublesome enough to glimpse one!
... but it was somewhat eclipsed by someone else's excellent find of this gorgeous Desert Wheatear on Wells beach. We had to buy two parking tickets today! (More pics as usual on my cleybirds.com.)
The Walsey Hills fire looked pretty dramatic but fortunately burnt only mature gorse and none of the important habitat. The wind was blowing the right way and the fire brigade quickly had it out.
This Queen Eider was one of several highlights on my weekend trip to Shetland! (More pics as usual at cleybirds.com.)
Some autumn Red-backed Shrikes can be delightfully confiding, but this bird at Stiffkey this afternoon definitely wasn't one of them! Perseverance eventually paid off though and I obtained some brief nice views.
A drake American Wigeon coming out of eclipse amongst the growing Wigeon numbers on Cley's Arnold's Marsh was a surprise this morning. Ringed too, though not close enough to read it. My 16th in Norfolk & 9th at Cley! More pics on cleybirds.com.
This Lapland Bunting was a great find at Salthouse yesterday. They're much less regular here than they used to be. This was my first anywhere in Norfolk since distant views of one at Weybourne on one occasion in February 2024.
Steve Gantlett retweeted
Enough is enough
These awesome rare birds that are just clinging on as species are being shot by thugs who get a thrill out of killing these birds
Boycott Malta now until their Govt mobilizes and stops this evil
A rare and highly protected Black Stork was shot down on Tuesday just outside Buskett, as it was being filmed by birdwatchers.
This is the reality migrating birds face in Malta.
birdlifemalta.org/2026/09/hi…
Steve Gantlett retweeted
Malta should be subject to sanctions until it stops allowing the massacre of migrating birds.
These birds don’t belong to Malta, or to anyone. They move back and forth between Africa and Europe; Malta is just a staging post.
It’s an outrage.
Hundreds of Turtle-doves. Protected birds shot. Just two police units.
Today’s bird-fall brought thousands of migratory birds to Malta and into the sights of hunters.
Despite the Turtle-dove quota being reached and the season closed, shooting continued.
birdlifemalta.org/2026/09/me…
A bit damp in the typical Shetland weather, but what a bird! I never expected to see Egyptian Nightjar in Britain! Thanks again to the generous hospitality of the Shetland birders, especially the finder @RogerRiddington.
Some nice views of the Spotted Crake at Titchwell yesterday afternoon. They used to be much more regular in Norfolk, but this was the first I have seen here for 12 years – and that was in EXACTLY the same spot!
I've seen all 7 of the Melodious Warblers recorded in Norfolk apart from the 2 in 1957, with the views gradually getting better & better, until Wednesday's bird on Blakeney Point (the 3rd there) surprisingly gave really nice views. (More pics on cleybirds.com.)
The lovely Long-tailed Shrike has more or less finished his moult and looks very smart now, and he's singing too. So I'm obvs pleased that delaying my visit paid off. This pic taken this am. Better views than South Uist 26 years ago! (More pics on cleybirds.com soon.)
Steve Gantlett retweeted
Just when you thought you’d seen, read, and heard it all. As a species, we are losing our soul. In fact, we may have already done so. W
