A friend came up to do some birding this weekend so I took him around my patch of North west Norfolk.
With a minimum of driving and visiting a half dozen sites on a roughly circular route we started at Hunstanton, moved east along the coast via Titchwell then swung back inland and ended at Snettisham.
Our highlights were Barn Owl- at least 6, a single Little owl, over 1,000 scoter including a dozen Velvets, Red breasted Merganser, Red throated diver, Scaup, Fulmar, Ruff, Knot, Spotted Redshank. 3 Peregrines, 2 buzzards, 8 marsh harriers ( no sparrowhawk anywhere though) . Several flocks of Snow Buntings totalling over 50 birds , 30 Twite and 2 Shore larks. Despite snow and some sites being frozen over our total was about 90 species.
He's probably coming back in April for more :)
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Blimey! I'd be coming back too! Wow! What a fabulous list! Many there I haven't seen too! Really must get to Norfolk one day!!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
seymouraves said: A friend came up to do some birding this weekend so I took him around my patch of North west Norfolk. With a minimum of driving and visiting a half dozen sites on a roughly circular route we started at Hunstanton, moved east along the coast via Titchwell then swung back inland and ended at Snettisham. Our highlights were Barn Owl- at least 6, a single Little owl, over 1,000 scoter including a dozen Velvets, Red breasted Merganser, Red throated diver, Scaup, Fulmar, Ruff, Knot, Spotted Redshank. 3 Peregrines, 2 buzzards, 8 marsh harriers ( no sparrowhawk anywhere though) . Several flocks of Snow Buntings totalling over 50 birds , 30 Twite and 2 Shore larks. Despite snow and some sites being frozen over our total was about 90 species. He's probably coming back in April for more :) S
In winter this is a good route, if you have several days, break it up into chunks. First light at Snettisham RSPB car park for barn owl, check the nearest pit for Goldeneye. Move north and check Hunstanton lighthouse and look out for seaduck, move to Thornham and walk the raised bank towards Holme NOA checking the fields for finches and buntings. Do Titchwell and grab lunch. Check Choseley barns for finches.
Hi Seymour
Looking forward to my own up and coming trip to Norfolk. It has felt forever since we have visited before.
Great list back in February 2010 by the way! Something to be proud of if you are a person who keeps species lists of birds.
I would like to investigate Hunstanton a bit further than we did last time - though it was fabulous to see the Turnstones so close up and personal.
Since Dave has Friday off work we have an extra day to play with, and gives us more time to look around the area.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi guys,
I have just got back from a few days stay in Norfolk.
Headed for Cley reserve and was not disappointed. The Brent geese flocks alone were fantastic to witness. Plenty of Snow bunting on the beach as well as Corn bunting. Highlight was a pair of Grey Phalarope. Also Ruff, Golden Plover, Dunlin, Marsh Harrier, Snipe, Bearded Tit to name a few.
Also caught sight of the Cranes at Lakenheath fens and Crossbills in Thetford forest.
Looking to try back there again soon and visit Snetisham and Titchwell around a Spring tide to see the Knot flocks
Thanks
Craig
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein
Hi Craig
Great listings there, Craig...snowbuntings wow wow wow!!!
What do you think would be the best options for our up and coming visit to Norfolk?
Hi-
the best bet is always to check with birdline Norfolk about 11am each day. Do a good reserve somewhere early then decide on your next move based on the info. Another method is to start at the west end and work to the east over the duration of your stay.
If you know roughly where you will stay (east / west etc) I can give you a rough itinerary.
I still recommend Neil Glenn's Nofolk site guide.
Thank you for your advice, and I will look into the birdline Norfolk - what is the tel no/website link for contact?
We are staying at a B& B at Hunstanton for definate like we did last year.
We have the Norfolk Walks Guide by John Brookes as the nearest book for advise at all.
Hi,
I've seen the Brooks book it's not great for birding.
Standard itinerary for visitors with no Birding guide is as follows;-
From Hunst I'd check the sea from the lighthouse for sea duck, grebes, fulmar etc then visit Holme golfcourse ( walk out by the toilet block to the beach) and check the sea; Possible Long tailed duck, snow bunting, knot ,turnstone.
I'd then drive to Thornham and walk the raised bank towards Holme;Common waders, skylark, pipits, possible lapland bunting,
Titchwell;Avocet, Ruff, wigeon, teal, sanderling, godwits. Possible red throated diver, scoter, grebes, spotted redshank, water pipit,
Later possibilities would be Choseley barns; possible corn bunting, yellowhammer.
On a second day I'd go direct to Salthouse and check the area west of the car park. Possible snow bunting, common waders.
Then go to Cley NWT at 10 oclock; Common waders, marsh harrier, bearded tit. (I personally DON'T walk all the way around.) I do the hides close to the Reserve centre around Pat's pool, then drive to East bank and walk down to the beach IF there is news of birds there. If not I drive to the beach carpark and walk (east) along to North Hide.
After lunch I'd go inland to Sculthorpe reserve near Fakenham; Common woodland species inc Marsh tit, GSWP, siskin, possible brambling, water rail.
Then drive back NW to Hunstanton, possibly via the farm hide at Flitcham; Thrushes, grey partridge, possible Little owl, raptors.
For a change try a trip down to Welney stopping off at Denver sluice near Downham market ( price is steep at Welney if you arent a member) Winter swans, goosander, possible kingfisher, barn owl.
or maybe drive in to Lyndford arboretum for woodland species.
Hi Blackbird,
Cley is a great reserve for a mix of species as I have mentioned and Blakeney point is only a short drive from there. Further on still nearer to the wash is both Titchwell and Snetisham.
A small drive to Fakenham is Pensthorpe reserve with a good mix of species cconsisting of wildfowl, woodland and Reed birds (there is a entrance fee to this reserve).
Cley and Blakeney point alone would be an all day outing. Then maybe try Titchwell and Snettisham the following day.
Thank you Seymour
I will take note of what you have suggested here, and we will try to follow what you have mentioned to us here
It will take us a couple of hours or so to find our way about the area. First we travel to Manningtree, get our 'courtesy car' and travel to Hunstanston to the B&B and fit in our plans from there on.
This time we will study our maps before we go ... that is the best way!