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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

This, elusive, juvenile Spotted Crake has been delighting patient visitors to RSPB Titchwell since it was found by Mark Ward at 13:10 on Thursday. Possibly fresh in, it was initially flighty and showed very well as it explored the closest edge of reeds beside Island Hide. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Connecting with a new bird for me in Norfolk is always special and doing so on nearly the furthest part of Blakeney Point, yesterday, was even more fulfilling. This fabulous Melodious Warbler is only the seventh recorded for the county. Congrats and thanks to finder Andy Stoddart. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

This White-rumped Sandpiper, that I encountered this morning, is one of two present at RSPB Snettisham in the past couple of days. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

What a great morning watching Britain’s first Western Reef Heron strut his stuff at Caernarfon Castle Harbour today. #BirdingUK

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

While I’ve seen 13 stunning European Bee-eaters and found a male Blue-headed Wagtail, my photographic highlight in a spring migration spectacular in Norfolk today was actually this fine second calendar year, male Pied Flycatcher at Sheringham. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

A couple of reports of Spotted Flycatchers returning to regular breeding sites in Norfolk today inspired me to go out and find one too. I marvel at these super long-distance migrants, the last I saw was wintering in South Africa in February and was roughly 8,000 miles away! #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Continuing my “gorgeous summer visitors” theme, here’s an action shot I took of the local Sedgeford Hoopoe, feeding avidly on leatherjackets this morning. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

The chance to look for an “April” Lapland Bunting, refound by Mike Buckland out at Burnham Overy Dunes yesterday, was too enticing an opportunity to miss. On arrival I soon glimpsed it, but then it flew - leading to four hours more searching. This late pm photo was rich reward. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Congrats and thanks Trevor Girling for finding this stunning Ross’s Gull yesterday morning and breaking news live. A first for Norfolk for me and undoubtedly Bird of the Year so far! Thanks too, Matt Lonsdale, for relocating in a field inland, shortly after it left the coast. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Continuing the subject of gorgeous summer visitors, grab your sunglasses! 😎 This male Yellow Wagtail at Titchwell this evening certainly caught my eye. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

It dawned on me today that another thing I really like about Spring Migrants is they usually offer double the value. Not only are most visually beautiful, they usually have gorgeous voices too! Don’t you find the call of a Whimbrel taking off sends tingles down your spine? #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

I absolutely love the return of summer migrants and, while I celebrate every one with huge enthusiasm, some feel extra special. I’m sure we all have our favourites. For me catching the first distant snatch of a Grasshopper Warbler reeling is hard to beat. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

I visited a cold, windy, Welney yesterday, hoping to see the Red-crested Pochard that had recently arrived. It took a focussed hour scanning to find, finally drifting out of its distant reedy hideout before sailing right below me at Lyle Hide. Phew, what a cracker of a quacker! #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

Shorelarks have been few and far between in Norfolk this last winter, so I was delighted to join Mike Buckland and search two out at Great Yarmouth North Denes last Monday, after they hadn’t been reported there for 13 days. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

After nearly a month away in South Africa, it was great to be back birding on the North Norfolk Coast again today. This imposing 2W Glaucous Gull, between Waxham and Horsey, was my primary target and posed beautifully when it finally flew in. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Water Pipits are always great birds to watch closely as they go about their business. This one at Cley today was picking small red worms from the muddy fringes. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

As 2025 closed, I embraced the challenge of seeing as many different bird species as possible, in Norfolk, this January. The variety has been surprising and provided me a huge total of 173 species - quite possibly a new county record? The fitting finale - five fabulous Shags. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 28/12/2025

Common Crossbills have been performing well in Norfolk this year, since they started arriving in July, but this lovely male, at Dersingham Bog today, surely has to take top billing! #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

It was great to discover that the Hume’s Warbler found by Roger Skeen at Holme NOA, yesterday, was still present this morning when I visited. I’d seen one a month earlier at Warham, but this one was rather more obliging as it showed better and also called more frequently. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

A rare trip south of the Waveney border delivered stunning views of my fifth shrike species in East Anglia this year. This adult, male, Red-tailed (“Turkestan”) Shrike showed remarkably well in calm, sunny conditions, in the great company of some fine, old, Suffolk birding pals. #SuffolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Luckily, the Greater Short-toed Lark, found by Nathan Pickering at Snettisham late yesterday evening, was relocated at dawn before vanishing for several hours. A teasing glimpse late-morning stimulated further relocation efforts, with rich rewards for those who braved the rain. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

This fabulous Lesser Grey Shrike at Winterton Dunes in East Norfolk today was another great find by Barry Jarvis. I don’t recall seeing one in this intriguing plumage before. Thoughts on a postcard please… #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

While White-rumped Sandpipers have become a regular bird at Snettisham RSPB Reserve in late July, adults in breeding plumage are much rarer. So it was very rewarding to relocate this pristine bird at high tide yesterday evening. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

A reverential, hushed silence was observed by all as we waited with bated-breath for an adult Great Grey Owl to come in to feed its two young. Thanks Jari Peltomaki for providing another spellbinding Finnature experience!

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Another priority target on our Finnish trip was the elusive Three-toed Woodpecker. Remarkably, this nominate race adult male chose a telegraph pole to drum from, while deep in a 1,000 acre old growth forest.

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

A fabulous private birding trip to Finland last week enabled me to catch up with several longed-for world lifers, as well as a hatful of other Scandinavian specialities. At the very top of my list was Ural Owl. With expert guiding by Jari Peltomäki of Finnature, we soon scored!

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

What’s in a name? Would a Rosy Starling, by any other name, smell as sweet as this beauty in Melton Constable today? #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

When this beauty dropped in out of the blue I was pleased to capture the moment. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

The number of Temminck’s Stints at Cley NWT has been slowly building over the past week, with ten or more present yesterday and today. This one came a little closer than the others, presenting a rare opportunity not to be missed. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 06/05/2025

In recent days, small numbers of elegant, migrating, Wood Sandpipers have been pausing to refuel, at favoured Norfolk wetland habitats, before continuing north to breed. Usually only glimpsed along distant reedy fringes, few are as obliging as this bejewelled beauty. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

Welcoming back summer migrants is always a pleasure but I was delighted to find a singing male Spotted Flycatcher today, who has just returned to a regular territory in North Norfolk. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

A memorable encounter from southern Thailand was this spectacular female Orange-breasted Trogon perched close to the main track at Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary on the 19th of March.

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

Spectacular world-lifers were coming thick and fast at Doi Inthanon, in northern Thailand, but when this adult male Siberian Blue Robin hopped out, it stopped me dead in my tracks.

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

A visit to Pak Thale was long overdue, so I thought I’d pop over and see what I could find. This little chap made it all worthwhile this morning.

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

I hoped I might catch up with the long-staying Black-necked Grebe at Welney WWT Reserve today, but had no idea it would show quite so well. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

I felt privileged to attend the matinee when this 1st Winter drake Scaup gave a highly polished performance in the evening sunlight last week. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

We were all caught “Waxwing lyrical” today when this surprising first for the Norfolk winter chose a sunlit neon stage to perform on. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

When birding in Holland it usually pays to get your ducks in a row…

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Still elated by the “Brileider bonanza” we set our sights on other Dutch delights. Next up, was the Pygmy Cormorant at Natuurpark Lelystad on Flevoland. She turned out to be an obliging little stunner too and put in another stellar performance!

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

The seductive lure of this near-mythical Spectacled Eider on Texel was finally too great and, inevitably, I cracked. While late to the party I’m so pleased to have joined the club!

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

While elusive throughout January, a couple of days of strong sunshine has encouraged our local Woodlarks to return to their territories. This singing male was still finding his voice, though apparently already paired, when I photographed him this morning. #Norfolkbirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

These are some of the 24 Lesser White-fronted Geese, from the Swedish reintroduction scheme, that are currently visiting Snettisham Coastal Park in NW Norfolk. Seven appear to be metal and colour-ringed, though the majority aren’t ringed, including five 2CY birds. #norfolkbirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

A late afternoon visit to Whitlingham Country Park, in Norwich, surprised me with a lone Russian White-fronted Goose in failing light, as well as a stunning 1W, year tick, Caspian Gull and much better views of the local Red-necked Grebe.

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

It’s always a challenge to catch up with the interesting geese in the local Pinkfoot flocks, so this Lesser White-front was great to see at Kings Lynn today.

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

A few days in south-west Cornwall over Christmas have given me the opportunity to catch up with some interesting local birds. None, though, were as spectacular as the Pied Crow, of unknown origin, that I bumped into at the Little Trethewey Wesleyan Chapel this morning.

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Joining the festive spirit, this moulting adult Great Northern Diver was enjoying a pre-Christmas dinner of crabs in Newlyn Harbour today.

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Right on cue, we welcomed our first young Glaucous Gull of the winter to Old Hunstanton yesterday. I caught up with the handsome fellow today as he remained faithful to the unfortunate seal pup carcass he’s claimed as his own. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

This sprightly Siberian Chiffchaff at Titchwell is the first of this form I’ve seen and heard this year and, in the bright sunlight last Friday, it was feeding actively, just inside the sallows. #NorfolkBirding

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

This sublime Penduline Tit at Titchwell RSPB took some digging out but I was pleased to relocate it, with Mark and Tracey Bradbury, at Patsy’s Pool, four hours after it was initially reported. #NorfolkBirding #RareBirdsUK #RBA

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Jim Lawrence @jimlaw.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Today’s Arctic winds brought a huge cold-weather movement of waders and ducks west along the North Norfolk coast as well as a further sprinkling of Little Auks. Among the many waders, several Common Snipe among the Dunlin flocks caught my attention. #NorfolkBirds

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