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
I would go with the planning before you set off. Norfolk has so many different places to visiting for wildlife walks and birding.
Have a great time.
Craig
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein
hi Craig
Thank you for answering my questions. We arrive on Friday to Manningtree to pick up our other car, and we are free and easy after that.
We will consider our plans as to what you have suggested to us here too.
Not been to Snettisham (and Cley!) yet so must make that effort to visit here, so much to consider here
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi-
Pensthorpe isnt really a bird reserve per se IMHO- it's more a bird park and isnt that exciting in winter. Pentney and Tottenhill gravel pits would probably be better- ( theres a Long tailed duck at Pentney today ) maybe after Sculthorpe in the morning.
Hi Craig
Will do, and thank you for wishing us a good time - we will make the best of the long weekend we have going for us
Unknown said: I would go with the planning before you set off. Norfolk has so many different places to visiting for wildlife walks and birding. Have a great time. Craig
Fair point regarding Pensthorpe Seymour.
Plus it isnt cheap to get into either!
C
Hi Seymour
Again we will take the areas on board and look forward to seeing waht we can in the time we have.
Once we have our normal car back it will mean another trip to Manningtree and it opens the doors to another visit to Norfolk so we are flexible once more - for another day or so.
Lots to think about at the moment and study!!
Hint-
the route I detailed out above is easy to follow if you buy a small Road map of East Anglia / OS Map from a local NORFOLK petrol station ( costs about £3-99) The Shell garage on the A47 just East of Wisbech has a selection.
For Pinkfeet the fields inland east of the A149 ( near Anmer/ Docking road ) and south of Sandringham are normally reliable. Park carefully .
I will look into purchasing a decent map of the local patch of East Anglia
No worries as long as we get a decent one rather than rely of the large AA one we have!
See above for Norfolk birding routes in the NW
North West Norfolk Winter days out birding
1- Start at first light at Dersingham Bog- come in from the scissors X roads carpark and check the woods, walk down to the heath and check around the pond. Walk back. Drive on to Snettisham and check the pits then onto Hunstanton lighthouse for seaduck. Lunch and afternoon at Titchwell RSPB
2- Holme GC for seawatch then along to Titchwell for the morning. After lunch drive east and check sites depending on local info.
3- Drive to Lynford Arboretum for as close to first light as possible then work back towards Welney and then north via Denver to Flitcham or Snettisham
4- Drive to Cley early and after mid morning coffee drive south to Sculthorpe NR and loop back via Flitcham or Snettisham etc.
S.