North Norfolk coast - Last week of March (1 Viewer)

Managed to get a week off work have decided to spend 4 days staying at Brancaster Staith (last week in March)

As relative beginner birdwatchers we would welcome advice on how to get the most out of 4 days birding in this area.

Is this even a good time of year to visit?

What especially interesting birds could we expect to see?

It was a "spur of the moment" idea as a gap with work opened up!

Many thanks for any help

Cheers

Tim

TimF said:

Managed to get a week off work have decided to spend 4 days staying at Brancaster Staith (last week in March)

As relative beginner birdwatchers we would welcome advice on how to get the most out of 4 days birding in this area.

Is this even a good time of year to visit?

What especially interesting birds could we expect to see?

It was a "spur of the moment" idea as a gap with work opened up!

Many thanks for any help

Cheers

Tim

Click to expand...

You have to go to Titchwell and Cley, try and get round to Hunstanton where you should get to see Fulmar.
Holkholm Gap is another favourite place to go, anything can turn up there, including a Firecrest recently.
I have posted my last trip lists (courtesy of simonc) for you to peruse.

Hi Tim,

Brancaster Staithe is my favourite place in the UK, (not just for birds either) and a walk along the footpath from Staithe to behind the church in Brancaster, then along the road towards the golf club and along the beach should yield some goodies. See my recent post in 'Hows your 2004 Yearlist Going'

There are some cracking pubs and restaurants in the area as well!!

Thanks Roger and Darren


Staying at the White Horse in Brancaster Staith so sounds like it will be nice to leave the car for a change and just walk from the Hotel.

Any ideas if a problem re time of year - i.e. will the wintering birds have left and the summer migrants not yet have arrived/passing?

Tim

You could see anything Tim.

I saw 90 species last year in mid april

Hi Tim

aside from Cley/titchwell which could be quiet at this time of year, try places such as Holme Dunes, Gun Hill, Thornham Point, Blakeney Point and Burnham Overy etc for early returning migrants

A day over on the east coast for the Cranes at Waxham/Horsey and migrants too could be interesting

An early morning visit to the grounds of Holkham Hall should give you a chance of lesser spotted woodpecker. Walk through the main entrance and turn right, then follow the drumming. Also Egyptian geese live here.

Where do you start?

The obvious places are Titchwell and Cley but near to Titchwell it is always good to pop around the corner and look around Choseley Barnes. TF757421 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for the map. At the moment there is a Pine Bunting plus up to 26 Lapland Buntings there also. There are also quite a few Corn Buntings there as well. You sometimes get good views from raptors whilst looking in that area and it is only a couple of miles from Titchwell. Well worth a visit.

If you do go to Hunstanton don't miss checking out the ski jet ramp area for Purple Sandpiper TF667400 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for the map (although you have a fair chance of one at Titchwell in the rocks at the front of the boardwalk).

Not far from there is the Golden Pheasant site at the Wolferton Triangle TF673278 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map. One for later in the year when the Nightjars arrive. If you look to the right of the arrow on this map you will see an area named as Cat’s Bottom. IMHO one of the best Nightjar and Woodcock sites in the country. If you want info on this place you only have to ask.

Not that far away you have Massingham Heath (TF773222) http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for the map, where currently there are 3 Rough legged Buzzards showing exceptionally well.

If you were going for Goshawk you should give Mayday Farm a thought (TL795835) http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for the map. I can give you info on this site as well if you want.

Just down the road you have a Great Grey Shrike showing by the memorial at Elveden on the A11 TL787776. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map. You also have nearby Lynford Arboretum TL823943, http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map, where both Crossbill and Hawfinch can be found

There are many more places nearby. It is possible that you could also go after the Stone Curlew at Weeting Heath TL757881 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map, which is not far away as they may just have arrived at the end of March.

Going from Brancaster towards Cley you should give the area around Burnham Overy Staithe a look over then just past where the B1155 joins the A149 there is a small layby that is worth stopping at and checking the fields towards the sea. Holkhams Lady Anne’s Drive is next (you have to pay to park here) TF891447 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map. You should check the fields either side of the drive down to the bottom of the car park (currently there is an American Wigeon making the odd appearance there). When you get out of the car carry on and take the boardwalk, which takes you onto the sandy area. In front you could see all manner of waders and also at the moment there are a few Shorelark there. From here you should park up to have a walk to Holkham hall monument. When you drive out of Lady Anne’s drive go straight across the main road and a few hundred yards on your right there is a car park. Once parked up walk out of the car park and to your right up to the large gates. There is a narrow gate on the left. Go through this and go to your right, looking around the trees as you do. Eventually you will come to the monument and there is a possibility of Lesser Spotted Woodpecker around here. Normally you would also get Tawny Owl in the Cedar tree to the right of the monument but they may have relocated, as I haven’t heard anything about them this year.

Next could be Wells Wood TF913455, http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map, although it may well be quiet at that time of year. Stiffkey is next, TF965440, http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map. There are a few paths that can be explored here looking towards the sea. Plus a small wood to the right that last year held a Yellow Browed Warbler.

Cley is next and needs no introduction but not to far from there is another area worth checking out, Salthouse TG082442 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map.

If you do go after the Cranes one of the best places to go if you don’t want to go to the Stubbs Mill Roost TG438221 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map, (which is a long walk) is in-between West Somerton and Horsey Mill. There is a dirt lay-by on the B1159 at TG463209 http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.s...&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=824 Click here for map. The last hour before dusk is best as not only could you get the Cranes flying but Hen & Marsh harrier should be seen plus I have never missed seeing a Barn Owl here. Stubbs Mill Roost is the best place to go as all manner of raptors can be seen here including Merlin, and I have also seen Bittern in flight here. Whilst here you should check out Martham Broad which you can see on the last map you clicked into. You can get stunning views of the raptors here.

There are loads more places to visit and I’m sure Tim or other people will tell you about them.

If you want any further info on any of the sites just ask, I will be only too glad to help.

Hope that helps.

Wow!!! - Thanks for the info!

Looks like 4 days will be very easy to fill!

Reader - printed out your post to take with us - Think I better work out a logistics plan to fit everything in.

Thanks again


Tim

Tim

I think I'll be printing that off!! If you intend to go to Norfolk alot can I recommend Best Birdwatching Sites in Nofolk by Neil Glen

What an excellent reply Reader,

Hi Tim, I'd certainly 2nd both Martham Broad & Horsey. There is a pay & display car park at Horsey Mill with a circular walk detailed on the wall of the wc building.

Only other places I can maybe think of (though you may consider these a bit too far from north norfolk) is Winterton Dunes for another coastal site. If you want to go inland to a quiet spot then one of the Yare valley sites such as Strumpshaw or Wheatfen are worth a look.


As pete says ....if you can, get a look at Best Birdwatching Sites in Norfolk by Neil Glen ... ISBN 0-9533840-4-7