North Norfolk a few pointers required as to where and when to go?

[MCracknell]

I'm going on Saturday for a week staying in Stiffkey. I'm going with my very young family so I won't be able to spend all day birding and wondered if someone could give me a few tips as to where and when to visit the various sites. My birding is going to consist of a couple of hours a day throughout the week and I'd like to have some idea of whether I should be visiting places at high/low tide dawn/dusk etc. so I can get the best quality birding i can into the limited time available to me. I'm pretty familiar with the area in general, from memories of summer holidays with my parents in the not so distant past so I know the place names at the least.
I'd like to track down the Lesser Yellowlegs at some point (sounds like it is very local to where I am staying and would be a new tick for me), obv I'll go to Cley and Titchwell, I was thinking of maybe Holkham Gap for Shorelarks,Holme, the Pine woods at Wells (are they worth a visit?), Blakeney Point might be a bit too long a trip unless I'm really lucky with the weather and can drag the family along with me.
Really looking forward to my trip any suggestions at all would be welcome. Thank you

[dbradnum]

The yellowlegs at Stiffkey is best at low tide, when the water level in its favourite channel is very low. See post #7 in <this (http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=28153)> thread for directions, if you need them.

Not sure if you'll get Shore Lark at Holkham - they won't be around much longer, assuming they're still there now.

As you're probably aware, Titchwell is generally best at high tide when the sea and shore birds are up closer, viewing from the platform at the end of the path.

[postcardcv]

All the places you've mentioned should be good even if you only get an hour or so there. Places like Titchwell and Cley and people friendly and you should be able to take the little ones with you without any problems - my 7 month old and I spend a lot of time at Titchwell. If you are only going to get a few hours it might be worth going on one of the guided walks - call the visitors centre for details and to book up - 01485 210779.
The yellowlegs is well worth a visit, though not a place you'd want to go with a push chair.
Holkam is a great place to go, you can have a walk though the woods and look out from the hides, then head through the dunes to the beach.depending what age your's are, they'll love it there, loads of open space to run around in. Also a walk round the park can be good, fair chance of all three woodpeckers, best to head towards the monument.
I doubt that Blakeney Point would produce much, and it's quite a walk...

I see that you're from south Benfleet, I come that way quite a bit as my in-laws live there. Have just started to find some local birding spots there, it's quite a good area.

[MCracknell]

Thanks postcardcv for the norfolk info, yes there are some good spots locally to South Benfleet, our local RSPB group has an excellent website that gives details of good local spots (how to get there, where to park, where to walk etc.) www.southendrspb.co.uk and go to 'where to see birds'. The whole site is packed with good info, latest local sightings etc. etc. Enjoy your Essex birding when you visit.

[Andy Wilson]

...and when you have finished at Cley Marshes try The George in the village. They have a family no-smoking room and the food was very enjoyable back in February. Could keep the family happy! They also have a huge hand-written book listing bird sightings over many years which is worth a browse over a pint of Woodforde's Wherry.

[simon]

Good high tides for Snettisham on Sat/Sun afternoon get there at least 2 hours before high tide for a spectacular sight
Apr 9 Sat 06:48 6.72m 18:45 7.23m
Apr 10 Sun 07:20 6.72m 19:23 7.2m
Apr 11 Mon 07:52 6.61m 20:01 6.96m