Snettisham - when to go? (1 Viewer)

[James_Owen]

Hi folks,

A little advice please. I'm keen to get the girlfriend out to see something spectacular in November so we're aiming for a high tide at Snettisham. That means picking either the 2nd or 3rd weekend of the month. Having never been myself and not knowing a great deal about the site, I note that one weekend the high tide is around 9am, and the other 3pm.
We'll likely have two mornings in Norfolk, but I'm wondering, between the two, which high tide would do us best for the wader spectacular?

Hopefully I'll have pictures and a report afterward, let you guys know how it went.

 

[MattM]

I'd definitely go for a morning one if you can, James. It's early enough that you'll also get birds moving inland for the day.
It's well worth the trip, but leave yourself plenty of time, because it's quite a long walk from the car park down to the viewing areas.

 

[John P]

Hopefully someone more local will be along with the full SP, but to the best of my knowledge you need to pick the really big tides which normally occur around the equinox.

I note however that the RSPB are going along on the 26th November, so they must be expecting to see something.

clicky >> Snettisham RSPB

It's well worth a visit.

 

[James_Owen]

Thank you, thought as much about the mornings being best but I really rather wanted to check. I've already booked a B&B for the second weekend in November, one of the few dates we can get away, so that's one decision made.
If anybody else has any tips on where to be around the place, that would be gratefully received.

For what it's worth, the plan is to do Snettisham in the morning and then go wherever the rarities take us, hopefully bumping into the big flocks of Pinkies along our way.

 

[MattM]

If you can manage to work your way along to Holkham by about an hour before dark, you can watch thousands and thousands of Pinkfeet coming in with the sunset behind them (assuming it's clear, of course!). There are loads of good vantage points on the higher ground slightly inland where you can pull in and watch them. Well worth it.

 

[James_Owen]

Ah, yes Holkham, know it well from summer holidays and I picked up a Spoonbill there this year.

 

[Helenelizabeth2]

I would try to get there before dawn if you can. You can then witness the thousands of Pink Feet fly off the wash to their feeding grounds as the sun rises - a really thrilling sight. With a high tide then pushing the waders in you should be in for a great couple of hours birding.