where to go in March?

[dav56]

I have a weeks holiday to take in early March and would like to take it in the UK. As a very amatuer photographer and birdwatcher, could you please advice me of the best place to go to see plenty of birds at this time of the year.

Thanks
Dave

[VinceS]

Minsmere, Suffolk might be a good option. It is worth checking the RSPB and the WWT websites for special species at different reserves at different times of the year. It then depends on how far you want to travel. Reserves do offer good opportunities for photography.

Vince

[naturelover]

i am going to be funny here go to March cambridgeshire,when i read your post where to go in march. i thought it was my town march ha ha ha.

[Dae]

I'm going to be spending our bit of march holiday near chichester, west sussex, to spend some time at the pagham harbor nature reserve, which I adore. But I also second the WWT & RSPB sites, if I lived closer to them I'd be there all the time.

[epops]

Originally Posted by naturelover

i am going to be funny here go to March cambridgeshire,when i read your post where to go in march. i thought it was my town march ha ha ha.

what a lovley little place up the road from wimbligton then i love it all round there

[solus]

Dave: you can't go far wrong with North Norfolk! Loads of top birding locations in easy reach of each other, including Hunstanton, Holme, Snettisham, Titchwell, Holkham, Wells, Cley, Salthouse.... oh, and if you're a masochist, there's always the hike from Cley along the shingle to Blakeney Point: great exercise for the leg muscles if nothing else!

[dav56]

Thankyou for all of your answers, I will let you know where I book and hope to post a few photos when I return.

[John]

Early March is a bit too early for the migrants so you will more or less be looking at our resident and winter visitor birds.

If you are using a whole week away my suggestion would be using it to cover both Norfolk and Suffolk.

Solus' suggestions are spot on but that can easily be covered in three to four days. You could also work your way down the east coast taking in Stubbs Mill (Hickling Broad) for the Crane and Marsh Harrier Roost (upwards of 30+ Cranes and possibly up to 100 Marsh Harriers). Here you could also see Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin and Sparrowhawk as well as almost certainly Barn Owl.

A few days around Minsmere, Dunwich, Blythsburgh and Walberswick should see you with some more good birds as well as good photography opportunities.

Finally on your way back to Staffs you could call into Lackford Lakes then Lynford Arboretum (the latter for Hawfinch).

John

Originally Posted by dav56

Thankyou for all of your answers, I will let you know where I book and hope to post a few photos when I return.

[dav56]

Thanks John,

Looks like I had better start booking some b&bs in Norfolk and Suffolk ready for my trip.

Originally Posted by John

Early March is a bit too early for the migrants so you will more or less be looking at our resident and winter visitor birds.

If you are using a whole week away my suggestion would be using it to cover both Norfolk and Suffolk.

Solus' suggestions are spot on but that can easily be covered in three to four days. You could also work your way down the east coast taking in Stubbs Mill (Hickling Broad) for the Crane and Marsh Harrier Roost (upwards of 30+ Cranes and possibly up to 100 Marsh Harriers). Here you could also see Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin and Sparrowhawk as well as almost certainly Barn Owl.

A few days around Minsmere, Dunwich, Blythsburgh and Walberswick should see you with some more good birds as well as good photography opportunities.

Finally on your way back to Staffs you could call into Lackford Lakes then Lynford Arboretum (the latter for Hawfinch).

John