Karl J
Saturday 14th February 2004, 17:47
The Horsey area in Norfolk lies along B1159 and is approx 10 miles from the seaside town of Gt Yarmouth. Being at the eastern edge of the well known NWT Hickling Broad nature reserve it has similar possible sightings to it's neighbour, but is often a much quieter option for a days outing.
An excellent area for Marsh Harrier all year but with bigger numbers (and Hen Harrier & poss Merlin) in the winter time, Hobby in summer. Common Crane is another local speciality, with an ordinarily resident population of up to about 20 or so. Added to that the wintering ducks, geese, thrushes and seawatching / possible migrants on the dunes and Bearded Tit, warblers & hirundines in the reedbeds.
Martham Broad NR - There are a few parking spaces at West Somerton staithe, by the phone box (TG468 201) and by walking ~100 yds back to & down the far end of Staithe Road (cul-de-sac) the footpath splits 2 ways. Take the right hand path which leads to Martham Broad NR skirting the edge of the dyke along the way, the footpath gives good views of the broad for the wintering ducks (Teal, Wigeon, Goldeneye etc) & grebes and over the adjoining reedbeds (Cettis' & other warblers, Stonechat etc & harriers) a small wooded area & surrounding farmland provide other habitats.
Along the main road - several convenient laybys on both sides of the road provide good viewpoints for wintering Pink-footed Geese, plovers, thrushes such as Redwing & Fieldfare in the fields and possibly White-fronted or other geese & Whooper Swans in the fields and Cranes / raptors in flight.
Horsey Mere - a picturesque windmill & mere owned by the National Trust with a pay & display car park (TG456 223). On the toilets hut (WC only open in summer) an info board describes a circular walk of approx 2 - 3 miles, going via the reedbeds which can be good for Bearded Tit and Cettis' Warbler all year, through a couple of marshy fields (very marshy in winter) and also includes an excellent watchpoint for the winter harrier roost (at about TG447 230, an area of grass obviously flattened down) also a reasonable area for smaller passerines in the quiet churchyard & small wooded area in the hamlet of Horsey. Lots of hirundines are attracted to the reedbeds in summer and can be seen busily swooping around, as are other summer visitors such as Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat etc and Hobby. An excellent spot for a sit down & bit of dinner with a wide viewpoint over the mere & surrounding reedbeds is signposted as the Viewing Area, follow the footpath across the small dyke from the car park .
Horsey Dunes - Also run by the National Trust, Parking area at the end of a rough track (TG464 242), access is on to the beach though this can get a bit busy at weekends & several worn down paths run along the top of the dunes which provide an elevated area for scoping out to sea. The bushes at the bottom of the inland slope are worth looking for migrants & passerines, as is around the old pill box along the top of the dunes, about half a mile east of the car park.
An excellent area for Marsh Harrier all year but with bigger numbers (and Hen Harrier & poss Merlin) in the winter time, Hobby in summer. Common Crane is another local speciality, with an ordinarily resident population of up to about 20 or so. Added to that the wintering ducks, geese, thrushes and seawatching / possible migrants on the dunes and Bearded Tit, warblers & hirundines in the reedbeds.
Martham Broad NR - There are a few parking spaces at West Somerton staithe, by the phone box (TG468 201) and by walking ~100 yds back to & down the far end of Staithe Road (cul-de-sac) the footpath splits 2 ways. Take the right hand path which leads to Martham Broad NR skirting the edge of the dyke along the way, the footpath gives good views of the broad for the wintering ducks (Teal, Wigeon, Goldeneye etc) & grebes and over the adjoining reedbeds (Cettis' & other warblers, Stonechat etc & harriers) a small wooded area & surrounding farmland provide other habitats.
Along the main road - several convenient laybys on both sides of the road provide good viewpoints for wintering Pink-footed Geese, plovers, thrushes such as Redwing & Fieldfare in the fields and possibly White-fronted or other geese & Whooper Swans in the fields and Cranes / raptors in flight.
Horsey Mere - a picturesque windmill & mere owned by the National Trust with a pay & display car park (TG456 223). On the toilets hut (WC only open in summer) an info board describes a circular walk of approx 2 - 3 miles, going via the reedbeds which can be good for Bearded Tit and Cettis' Warbler all year, through a couple of marshy fields (very marshy in winter) and also includes an excellent watchpoint for the winter harrier roost (at about TG447 230, an area of grass obviously flattened down) also a reasonable area for smaller passerines in the quiet churchyard & small wooded area in the hamlet of Horsey. Lots of hirundines are attracted to the reedbeds in summer and can be seen busily swooping around, as are other summer visitors such as Reed and Sedge Warblers, Whitethroat etc and Hobby. An excellent spot for a sit down & bit of dinner with a wide viewpoint over the mere & surrounding reedbeds is signposted as the Viewing Area, follow the footpath across the small dyke from the car park .
Horsey Dunes - Also run by the National Trust, Parking area at the end of a rough track (TG464 242), access is on to the beach though this can get a bit busy at weekends & several worn down paths run along the top of the dunes which provide an elevated area for scoping out to sea. The bushes at the bottom of the inland slope are worth looking for migrants & passerines, as is around the old pill box along the top of the dunes, about half a mile east of the car park.