Norfolk Bird Watching Main Tour Sites
All the nature reserves that form our guided tours have an excellent reputation for bird watching throughout the year. During the winter months we generally record between 65 - 75 species each day. The Spring & Autumn are excellent for birding in Norfolk with our daily total reaching 85 - 95 birds and often over 100. Occasionally we visit nearby sites if a good bird has been found and we also may make a short detour to look for local birds of interest should clients wish to see species such as Corn bunting or Tree sparrow etc.
The following notes are a brief insight into the nature reserves we visit and the birds we see. This is to provide information to help our clients decide on the tour/s you would like to join. The tour leader visits each of the main four sites regularly throughout the year, this helps him determine where birds are likely to be and what species might be expected in certain weather conditions and at different seasons of the year.
Holkham Pines
Holkham Pines and Marshes is the ideal bird watching site in Norfolk with an unequalled variety of habitat that will produce well over 100 species a day. Thousands of Pink-footed Geese winter here with thousands of other wildfowl attracting Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard, The Pine Woods are great for scarce migrants including Yellow-browed and Pallas’s Warbler, and Red-breasted Flycatcher.
Holme Dunes
Holme Dunes is a Norfolk Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve and is a great migration hot spot with a fantastic list of scarce and rare birds. The variety of habitats creates a wonderful range of species and it is quite possible to see over 100 species in a single day. Since leading tours to Holme the company has found the following birds: Richard’s Pipit, Yellow-browed, Pallas’s, Greenish and Arctic Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Osprey, Hawfinch, Black Kite, Whiskered Tern, Long-tailed Skua, & Lapland Bunting.
Hickling
Hickling Broad Nature Reserve is probably the best site in the Norfolk Broads providing great views of species such as Cetti’s Warbler, Bittern, Bearded tit, Marsh Harrier and Common Crane. The raptor roost during the winter is one of Norfolk’s many spectacular sights with over 40 Marsh Harriers often recorded.
Lynford Arboretum & Thetford Forest
Lynford Arboretum & Thetford Forest is the best woodland site in Norfolk and is renown for having a resident population of the elusive Hawfinch (see right). The tours rarely fail to see the Hawfinch during the winter and flocks often reach double figures. Other birds seen at Lynford include Firecrest, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Willow Tit. The forest also has areas of breckland which are home to Stone Curlew, Woodlark and Goshawk. During the appropriate times of year the tour will visit sites for these species.
We may also be visiting Cley and Titchwell both of which need no introduction and the fabulous Suffolk RSPB reserve at Minsmere.
