A couple of years ago when we went to Canada, I had a conversation with a local Acadian birder. When he knew where we were from he asked if I had seen the White Crowned Sparrow at Cley-next-the-Sea some four or more years earlier.
When the Sparrow, a native of North America, arrived in North Norfolk in January 2008 it stayed for a while in gardens close to the church and lots of people came to see it; after all it was only the fifth time the species had been seen in Britain. Every visitor threw a coin or two in a bucket that was put towards the restoration of the stained glass north window in the church. In commemoration of the tiny avian provider a small panel within the window was given over to an image of the sparrow. It was this story to which the Canadian birder referred. Good acts of generosity have a wide audience.
A week or so ago I found myself on the green in front of the Three Swallows Pub … almost next door to Cley church. I called in and took a photograph or two of the now famed window. Whilst there I also saw the window in the east transect. This much earlier window details St Francis of Assisi surrounded by birds. I could see waders, Egrets, Herons, Owls and Wagtails among others. At his feet stands a Bluethroat; testament perhaps to the areas continued association with rare and migrant birds.
The Window
The Original
The other window
Letter From Norfolk 
Great post. I was tempted by that sparrow. It was just a bit too far for me, what with me not being a dedicated twitcher. Lovely that it’s commemorated in the stained glass window.
Thanks Malcolm – Cley church is worth a visit if you’re ever in the area.
Lovely photos and story. If the Canadian you spoke to was from Nova Scotia then the correct term is Acadian.
Thank you for putting me right. A stray ‘r’ managed to work its way in there. Now corrected. Pleased you liked the story.