Norfolk Day-Trip

[Ruby]

Hi All,

I'm hoping to organise a day-trip to Norfolk next week.... itinerary goes something like...

1. Lakenheath (as early as possible) for potential Golden Orioles
2. Weeting (maybe, but probably not) for Stone Curlew and Wood Lark.

...but where then??

I was thinking of driving up to the coast and visiting Waxham and/or Horsey - I could probably be there by late morning if I didn't go to Weeting...

I've never been to either place and would like to go at some stage, but wondered whether any of you guys with a bit of local knowledge would recommend anywhere else instead??


Rgds... Ruby

[tom mckinney]

Lakenheath and Weeting are absolute musts.

As for where to go next, take your pick. I'd head up to the north coast. Cley, Kelling Quags, Walsey Hills. If you're a fitter person than me maybe even a trek out to Blakeney Point - you've probably got enough time with the longer days. Then finish the day on Salthouse Heath for Nightingale.

Waxham and Horsey are better in winter and the Cranes are apparently very difficult to see at this time of year - never been for them in Spring.

Have fun!

[POP]

Ruby,when you have finished birding in the Brecks head for Titchwell always a good days birding there.

John

[Ruby]

I was lucky enough to pop into Weeting a week or so ago and managed to see Stone Curlews from the west hide.... Spent some time scanning the field without any joy, then spotted an odd-looking lump of ground about 150m out... scoped it and 2*SCs obligingly stuck their heads up - unmistakable views of their unique eyes!! Unfortunately (trying to take a photo!!) lost them from the scope and never found anything again in the next hour or so...

Woodlarks (East hide) were more obliging and gave really good views as they foraged for food in front of the hide.

Anyway..... All in all, I could potentially give Weeting a miss if I was in a hurry to get elsewhere....

[pduxon]

I'd go to Titchwell but if you don't fancy the drive then both Welney and Ouse Wash are close to Weeting and Lakenheath

[Tim Allwood]

I reckon Waxham is the best spot in Norfolk Ruby.....but I'm biased. The birds in a mile long stretch of coast last year beat anywhere else in Norfolk hands-down but it is more of a migrant spot and some days it's quite barren. If you really want to be sure of seeing birds try the usual spots like Titchwell, Cley, Hickling Broad, Salthouse Heath, Salthouse Marsh, lots of good spots in the Brecks (try Mayday Farm area) Blakeny Point can turn up anything at this time. Waxham and Horsey are gorgeous for a bit of peace and quiet and your own birds - although the RedFoot bought a few twitchers in......

Just to whet the appetite we had our own Spoonbill, Rough-Legged Buzzard, Wood Sand and 'Iberian'- type Chiffchaff in an hour last weekend

[Ruby]

Just to whet the appetite we had our own Spoonbill, Rough-Legged Buzzard, Wood Sand and 'Iberian'- type Chiffchaff in an hour last weekend

Was that Waxham Tim??

[pduxon]

try the usual spots like Hickling Broad,

Tim

thanks for you advice a while back to go to NE Norfolk. It was great fun AND very quiet. One of the locals I was chatting to at Horsey reckons Hickling has gone down hill. Any views? It was quiet although the two cranes being flown over by Marsh Harriers was amazing

[Tim Allwood]

Hickling is great Pete....

....and it turns up the birds still :bounce:

glad u enjoyed NE Norfolk but sshhh! don't tell everyone ;)

[pduxon]

Hickling is great Pete....

....and it turns up the birds still :bounce:

glad u enjoyed NE Norfolk but sshhh! don't tell everyone ;)

the birders were much more relaxed and friendlier!!

[Ruby]

Hi All,

Just thought that I'd let you know how my day trip went.....

Left home at the crack of dawn and arrived at Lakenheath by 07:15... Orioles had been heard calling from a couple of spots along the river.

Found a good spot right at the end of the 2nd stand of poplars where a bird seemed to be calling quite regularly and didn't seem too far in!! Stood around for 30 mins or so and was rewarded with a 10sec view of a female perched up on a dead tree branch.

Very lucky, I think - and the best view I was likely to get, so headed back to the car and off to Titchwell (decided Waxham was too far - save it for another day!!)

The R-b Shrike had been seen that morning, so was obviously still around...

First port of call was the Fen hide and found the RBS after about 5 mins - just perched up on the hedge about 80m or so in front of the hide. It entertained us all for 10-15 mins as it moved from one prominent perch to another, before flying away (it imagine it may well have returned but I moved on)

Failed to see Sammy - which was a bit of a disappointment, but I understand from BF and a few people I spoke to that he is often not very co-operative.

Fantastic views of summer plumage Turnstone, Grey Plover and Dunlin, plus a nesting Avocet just about 10m in front of the Parrinder Hide.

Quite nice views of some Marsh Harriers too and a nice end to the day was good views of a Bearded Tit (still a favourite bird of mine) on the way back to the car-park.

Golden Oriole and Red-backed Shrike - two fantastic lifers, and well worth the 7 hours or so in the car!!