Where to go in East Anglia?

[rainmaker]

I'll be visiting north East Anglia for a few days the week after next, predominantly to go walking in th'hills (or flats ) and to do a bit of spotting wildlife.

Anyone got any good suggestions for places to visit? Apart from Snetterton, I've never been!

Ta

[coasty]

If you are anywhere near wells next the sea its a good place... Beware of east anglia the roads are slow and journeys take longer than you think,.....

[Pete Collins]

All along the North Norfolk coast is great for bird watching -several reserves, the best probably being the RSPB's Titchwell Marsh (few miles east of Hunstanton). There are one or two places where you can take boat trips to see seals, too (Blakeney, Morston, Wells-next-the-sea).

As for walking, you could try sections of the Norfolk Coastal Path and the Peddars Way long-distance paths, though I've not done them myself. If you search on the internet, you should be able to find something out about them.

And coasty is right about the roads!

[rainmaker]

Cheers you 2

I might well haveto take the misuse seal watching - I really do like the idea of that

[tufftie]

Minsmere RSPB reserve and Dunwich Heath are both really good for wildlife There's also a reserve in Norfolk where you can see raft spiders ..i'll give a friend a call later and see if she can remember the name of it!

[Adam Cheeseman]

If you're lucky, the White-crowned Sparrow might still be at Cley-next-the-sea. Otherwise there is an impressive flock of Snow and Lapland Buntings on the beach at Salthouse just west of the beach car park. Birdwise there are many sites all along the Norfolk coast, some better than others. Lynford Arboretum near Mundford is good too, with a reasonable chance of Hawfinch and Crossbill.
For big flocks of Whooper Swans try checking the fields between Welney and Lakenheath. I had a 500+ flock at Shippea Hill Station just east of Littleport the other day.
Holkham is good for large flocks of wild geese and Barn Owls too.

Cheers,

Adam

[Gill Catton]

There are so many good spots along the north coast of Norfolk, you'll be spoilt for choice! Have a lovely time I'm very jealous!

[JeffH]

Originally Posted by rainmaker

I'll be visiting north East Anglia for a few days the week after next, predominantly to go walking in th'hills (or flats ) and to do a bit of spotting wildlife.
Anyone got any good suggestions for places to visit? Apart from Snetterton, I've never been! Ta

Hi rainmaker

When you say "north East Anglia" I presume you mean the north Norfolk coast and as Pete, Adam and Gill have already said, there are a number of reserves worth visiting along that stretch of coast, including the RSPB reserves at Snettisham (good for large flocks of waders and geese at this time of year) and Titchwell.

Moving further east (and time permitting), the Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserves at Holme Dunes (lovely walking here amongst the sand dunes and pines); Cley Marshes and Salthouse Marshes are well worth a visit.

If you get as far east as Cley village check out the Cley Bird Club log book in Arkwrights Beach Rd cafe for up-to-date information re sightings.

Further south the WWT reserve at Welney is well worth a trip at this time of year with several thousand Whooper and Bewick swans there at the moment plus thousands of ducks. Best time to go is mid-afternoon as the swans start to come in from the surrounding fields just before dusk to roost on the reserve overnight. Also, there's a floodlit feed at about 6/6.30pm and the sight of thousands of white swans lit up in the darkness is quite a spectacle, even for non-birders.

Finally, moving even further south (into Suffolk) and as Tuftie says, Minsmere and Dunwich Heath are excellent sites, though personally I prefer Walberswick (slightly further north) for a 'wilder' experience.

Hope that helps and I hope you don't live up to your name while you're there!!!

Jeff

PS and if you want a challenging walk - try walking out to Blakeney point (and back). A hard slog along a gravel beach.

[rainmaker]

So much to do!

So little time

Cheers all - most appreciated

[baggy2508]

Hi.
I don`t know if this will get posted but have you tried to get hold of a copy of The Birdwatchers Yearbook as this give you ideas of places to try anywhere in the country.
Regards John B