Norfolk???? I know where the birds should be, but what about the furry critters!!!!

[PaulAshton]

I know where the birds are, you've all been there and done that and it's worth doing again and again.

But, what about the furry critters... what has norfolk got????

I want to try and spot a few deer next time I'm in norfolk... any ideas where to go and what species to find???????

[TonyC]

Muntjac around RSPB Minsmere.

Plenty of Hares in the fields alongside the A17 assuming you're coming from the north through Kings Lynn.

[Tim Allwood]

Chinese Water deer can be seen occasionally around east Norfolk - Waxham etc

Try Thetford Forest and environs for deer species including Red Deer

Strumpshaw Fen for Otter

Muntjac you will also bump into around Thetford perhaps

[Karl J]

Chinese water deer around the broadland marshes, they're a bit shy at times but maybe the best spot i've seen them is around strumpshaw / buckenham / cantley meadows, early morning or evenings.
But i have seen them in several other places round broads as well. I think (??) they're quite widespread

[David Bryant]

Muntjac are REALLY common in places! The road from the A11 to Santon Downham and the A11 verges North of the Fiveways roundabout are good spots. Roe Deer are ALWAYS in the fields either side of the A11 on Roudham Heath....... The Forestry Plantations around Hevingham are good for Roe & Red Deer: you can locate them by their smell!
Dunno if they're there THIS year, but Crome's Broad (How Hill) was AMAZING for Otters last year! Unmissable!

[Andrew03]

Saw a chinese water deer at Cley 2 weeks ago, which surprised me. Have seen them at Stubbs Mill in the winter.
Andrew

[PaulAshton]

I'll check out those locations, especially Cley at dusk as I'll be staying nearby.

Apparently reedbeds and river deltas are the place to find them. So I'm thinking Norfolk broads and any nearby significant reedbeds/river delta systems. I presume Cley has these properties.

[David Bryant]

Hi Paul!
Good luck with your 'critters', though Cley is not great for deer! Really, truly: I travel up/down the A11 EVERY weekend, and ALWAYS see at least two, usually three species between Roudham Heath and Mildenhall, often in broad daylight! The Muntjacs are sooooooooooo cute: they just peer at you from the side of the road! LOL!
But (as was said above) Stubbs Mill or the Horsey Gap 'raptor roost' path are pretty good for Water Deer too......
Have a great time! I take it you haven't been to Cley? It's magic, even nowadays with no Nancy's and no twitchers! LOL!