Norfolk!

[thebeard]

I'm planning a few days in norfolk later this year, when the weather is warm and nice. I will be travelling by bicycle from kings lynn to sheringham, hoping to stop off at snettisham, titchwell, holme and cley.

Planning to go around may, and was wondering if anyone had any idea what i might come across. I'm mainly doing it for birds, as well as other wildlife, and obviously due to the time of year i'm not looking for any rarities really!

Is there anywhere in particular i should go? anything i should look out for? and anywhere cheap and comfy to stay?

cheers

[pammosley]

Hi, we`re off to Norfolk in the summer, so I`m watching this thread with interest We haven`t been before so a new adventure! We are going to be based around Hickling Broad but hope to travel to different reserves as well. Hopefully Swallowtail butterflies will be about, Marsh Harriers, Bearded Tits, Bitterns & Fen Orchids.

[Tringa]

Have a look on the websites of the reserves eg - Snettisham, Tictchwell, Cley, Holkham. Most have a list of seasonal highlights.

However, Norfolk is such a good place you'll be spoiled for choice.

Try the Peddars Way close to and through Brancaster Staithe for close views of mud exposed at low tide.

The last time I was in north Norfolk (admittedly many years ago) the fields just close to the River Burn at Burnham Overy Mill were good for barn owls

There was also a very good fish and chip shop at Wells next the Sea.

Oh, and the Red Lion at Stiffkey is definitiely worth a visit.

Dave

[JeffH]

I've been a regular visitor to the north Norfolk coast for many years now - it's only about 55 miles from home and some years ago we spent a week in a cottage in Brancaster, during which I cycled pretty much the whole of the coastline between Hunstanton and Cley.

Moving from west to east I'd suggest the following places to visit:-

1. RSPB Snettisham - check out their website for seasonal highlights.

2. Hunstanton cliffs - from near the old lighthouse - great for sea viewing.

3. Holme Dunes Nature Reserve - always worth a walk through the pines by the sand dunes but do call in at the visitor centre for details of what's about.

4. RSPB Titchwell - here again check out their website for seasonal highlights but the new state-of-the-art 'Parrinder' hides are excellent (I was there last week).

5. Brancaster Staithe - well worth calling in here. Always lots of waders in the muddy creeks. Be sure to take some mixed bird food and scatter it on the edge of the mudflats - you'll have waders coming within a few feet

6. Burnham Overy Staithe - the harbour here is another good spot for waders and there's a nice raised walkway with good views over the mudflats.

7. Wells-next-the-Sea - as Dave (Tringa) says, there's a good chip shop here. In fact there are two almost side-by-side but make sure you go to French's

8. Morston Quay - another good spot for waders on the mudflats and creeks. You can also take a seal trip from here out to Blakeney Point - well worth doing.

9. Blakeney - check out the harbour. You can also walk out to Blakeney Point from here but be warned it's some 3 miles (each way) of hard walking on loose gravel and on a hot day be sure to take plenty of drinks with you.

10. Cley - the birdwatcher's Mecca - so much to see/do here that I can't do it justice in a few words.

That should keep you busy for a few days - have a good trip

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls & Avocets)

[darrenm]

You should be able to produce a very impressive list of species at any time of year on the Norfolk coast but spring and autumn are the best for rare species but anything can and does turn up at any time of the year along that length of coastline. Took a tent and camped for a few months along that coastline some years back and spent it Birding along that coast and had a superb time.

If you are up for it try walking to Blakney Point from Cley in late April early May and you stand the chance of seeing something very special and even if you dont you should produce a very impressive day list. September can also be good and have seen bushes just dripping in Flycatchers and Redstarts and Wheatear everywhere you look.

In the Winter try Holkom for large flocks of Geese in and around the fields by the car park, on the beach Snow Bunting, Shore Lark , and Rock Pipit including the darker Scandanavian form are a good chance.

If you get your timing right and a fall occurs you will be in Birding heaven and have seen superb falls of Goldcrest, Robin and Blackbird along that coast in the past and there is always the chance something rare has tagged along with them.

Read everything you can get your hands on and the Where to Watch birds in East Anglia is a must.

[thebeard]

excellent stuff guys, certainly some stuff to ponder.

my mouth is watering already (for the wildlife AND the fish and chips )

[darrenm]

The Lincolnshire Coast can also produce some 1st rate birding and wildlife experiences and much of that coastline is very underwatched compared to Norfolk but Norfolk has the advantage of being very well known by Birders and Wildlife watchers and is very well watched.

With Norfolk a good tip is to plan in advance for the species you are after and getting the timing right and hopefully they come together and all of us have had off days and missed things by seconds or being in the right place at the wrong time but thats part of the joys of Birding. Dont get too upset if you miss anything that you wish to see or hear about while there because you will get to see other species you hadnt expected and its always a nice trade off.

With the walk from Cley to Blakeney take plenty water and energy snacks like others have said and it can be a total crippler in Summer or on a hot spring day. A friend determined to see his first Wryneck some years back did it with a new knee injury and we ended up nearly having to carry him back all the way, it wasnt a good day and he was laid up for weeks after.

Try reading the historical accounts of Birding on the Norfolk Coast too if you can find them and you will be blown away by what has been found there in the past. Another superb read is Guardian Spirit of the East Bank by Moss Taylor, about the life of Richard Richardson who was maybe one of the best Birders who has ever lived in the UK and who did much to establish Cley has a Birding Mecca.

There is always the chance you will also find your own rare species on the Norfolk Coast and it is best to expect the unexpected but keep your eyes on the weather forecasts and after a good Easterly blast of wind at the right time of the year it can be a Birding goldmine.

Enjoy the trip and post a report of your adventure here and looking forward to reading it.

[thebeard]

cheers darren. i might give blakeney point a miss, as i don't want to cripple myself as i'll be on my bike! not sure what'll be about there at that time of year too.

Much planning and reading is neccessary, i've had a look at a few books which i'll get before i go. can't wait!!!