Autumn Birdwatching Tours

This is a very exciting time for Bird watching in Norfolk. Last year we found both the Northern Harrier the American form of Hen harrier (3rd record for UK) and a Bonelli's Warbler (12th record for Norfolk) on these tours.

Migration gets under way in August and carries on all through the autumn into early November. Waders usually take the stage first with Curlew Sandpipers and Little Stints plus the odd rarity, last year we had both Pectoral & Buff-breasted Sandpipers visiting from America.

If the wind blows from the north west Seabirds take over and large numbers of Shearwaters, Skuas, Gannets, Auks and Gulls can be seen. On one day last year all 4 skuas were seen in good numbers plus Sooty Shearwaters, Leach's Petrel, Sabines Gull and literally thousands of Gannets and Kittiwakes flooded past.

If the wind comes from the east with rain or mist, large falls of songbirds can occur. With Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers and Wheatears making up the common component along with scarcer birds such as Red Backed Shrikes and Wrynecks from the near continent. Though just about anything can turn up, with Yellow Browed and Pallas's Warblers coming all the way from the Far East and the odd mega like last years Alder Flycatcher from America. As the Autumn wears on the Geese return to Norfolk to over winter, including roughly a third of the world's population of Pink Footed Geese.

August Day Tours

I will be running Rare Breeding Bird Tours (Birds of Prey) and Wader Identification tours during this time as well as day tours to the main Norfolk sites please see the tours Itinerary.

Autumn Migration Tours

The tours are based in Wells-next-the-sea, this is a small town centrally situated on the north coast of Norfolk and has many shops and restaurants. Accommodation is based at a couple of small inexpensive B&B's but you can easily upgrade.

Depending on availability it will be possible to do any 2, 3, 4 or 5 days as you wish.

Five Day Migration Tours

The 5 day tours run from Wednesday morning through to late Sunday afternoon with accommodation from the Tuesday evening (except for the second tour).

14th – 18th September 25th – 29th September 26th – 30th October

Three Day Migration Tours

The 3 day tours run from Friday morning through to late Sunday afternoon with accommodation from the Thursday evening (except for the third & fifth tour which run Wednesday to Friday).

2nd – 4th September 9th – 11th September 21st – 23rd September
7th – 9th October 12th – 14th October 21st – 23rd October
4th – 6th November    

Migration Weekend Tours

Run in conjunction with the longer tours, the tour will run from Saturday morning through to Sunday afternoon with accommodation from Friday evening.

September 3rd – 4th Holkham & Cley
  10th – 11th Titchwell & Holkham
  17th – 28th Cley & Holme
October / November 1st – 2nd Titchwell & Cley
  8th – 9th Holkham & Cley
  22nd – 23rd Titchwell & Holkham
  29th – 30th Holme & Cley
  5th – 6th Nov Titchwell & Holkham

Wader Spectacle Day Tour

This tour will be based at Snettisham and will only run when the highest spring tides occur. This will enable us to see the spectacle of huge numbers of waders pushed up onto the reserve from the wash. The tours will run on August 17th & 31st, September 2nd & 30th and October 1st & 29th.

Day Tours

Any of the above depending on availability will be possible as a day tour.

Prices

5 Day tour from £375 per person including accommodation based on Bed and Breakfast, all guiding and transport

3 or 4 days  from £75 per person per day
Weekend tour from £150 per person
T: 01603 440967
M: 07824 705343
E: stuart@birdtour.co.uk
Bird watching tours in Norfolk and beyond