Snow buntings/Shorelarks in Norfolk

[kilbey252]

Hi all

Anyone know of a good location to see and photograph Snow bunting and Shorelark in Norfolk?? I'm hoping to head over to the North Norfolk coast in Feb and have heard that there's a beach somewhere that the snow bunts are fed regularly and are quite approachable (is it Cley??).

Any other good locations would be much appreciated too as I don't know the area at all. I'm assuming that Titchwell and Snettisham are must visits for photographing waders and wildfowl!?!

Thanks all

Dave

[oxycera]

Salthouse, not far from Cley

[PMG]

Yup Salthouse - spent my birthday last year sat in front of a group of snow buntings and 'lappies' in fact spent three days sat very happy on Salthouse beach - the last day before we left to come home - the birds were actually around us - within two and three foot off - it was magic to just watch them

Pauline

[kilbey252]

Thanks both! That sounds incredible. Is it a regular haunt for them then and is it straight forward to find them? Just checked on Google maps..... it's not that clear from their map but guess there's an obvious beach to head for???

[PMG]

Originally Posted by kilbey252

Thanks both! That sounds incredible. Is it a regular haunt for them then and is it straight forward to find them? Just checked on Google maps..... it's not that clear from their map but guess there's an obvious beach to head for???

If they are in the same place as last year then its down to the car park (think there is only one beach car park at Salthouse - plenty other beach parking in other villages) but at Salthouse as I recall its drive down the road towards the sea and the car park is on your right directly in front of the shinle ridge - the birds were on the left after walking 30 yards or so - don't go over the ridge to the seaward side and beach - stay on the car park side after parking up. There was a little bit of a puddle/flooded area too that birds were washing in - good action shots from here provided you can get the light behind you. Take some hulled sunflower seed with you and throw it down where you want the birds to be - unless other photographers are already there - in which case just join in with them - good luck - its a fantastic experience

Pauline

[kilbey252]

Great, thank you! Just need the weather now.......

[aeshna5]

You shouldn't have too much trouble with Snow Buntings, but there's hardly any Shorelarks around anywhere in the UK at the moment according to BirdGuides- it was a species I always reliably used to see at Holkham Gap.

[rlchew]

Salthouse currently has a small flock of Snow Buntings although you have to be patient as they can be flighty due to walkers, dogs, etc. Pauline's description of the location is excellent.

These chaps were photographed at Salthouse on Boxing Day .... much better than watching Christmas TV!





I think there is again a much larger flock of Snow Buntings on the beach at Caister too (north east Norfolk).

I agree with aeshna5 regarding Shorelarks. There are not many reports this winter but both Salthouse and Holkham Bay are good locations to try your luck.

Don't forget to look out for Lapland Buntings too.

Richard

[Pete Collins]

I agree with aeshna5 and Richard about the beach at Holkham being a good site for Shorelarks, but want to add that it's good for Snow Buntings too. I've seen the two species together there on occasions.

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

I agree with aeshna5 and Richard about the beach at Holkham being a good site for Shorelarks, but want to add that it's good for Snow Buntings too. I've seen the two species together there on occasions.

And certainly in the past, Twite too, though sadly these are much scarcer now.