Another Stunning Day on the North Norfolk Coast During One Of Our House Parties

The view from our wonderful House Party house on the North Norfolk coast.

A blast from the past post about a day during one of our Norfolk House Parties an annual event that always produces great birds and lots of fun! Please see our tours pages for details of tours coming up we would love you to join us!

Always a thrill to see a Kingfisher and we often see them here from or near the house.

We set out, after breakfast, east along the seawall from our base at Burnham Overy Staithe. This is one of our favourite walks anywhere, the big sky, marshes and lots of birds make for magical experience. A Kingfisher buzzed between the boats by our back door, mirrored in the millpond water. Progress was slow as we stopped, stopped and stopped again as new birds popped into view. A breeding plumaged Grey Plover stood on the saltmarsh, what a stunning bird, yards away a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper posed in the creek. A Lesser Whitethroat climbed up through a hawthorn bush as allowed us great looks in the scope. Whinchat and Wheatear flicked along the seawall as Marsh Harriers and Common Buzzards hunted the fields. Out in the dunes we watched Common and Sandwich Terns on the beach below and a Yellow-legged Gull was new for our fast growing list. Barry picked out an Arctic Skua offshore. A large dark warbler half ran, half flew between clumps of bushes but refused to give anything like a good view, very frustrating!

Wonderful to see Honey Buzzards migrating along the Norfolk coast.

As we headed back west along the seawall Alan saw some raptors soaring quite high. These birds of prey were quickly in the scope and what a shock we had, Honey Buzzards! These rare migrants were circling with a Common Buzzard, perfect for comparison; everyone was able to watch these raptors as they very slowly drifted west, wow! The five Honey Buzzards were keeping company with the Common Buzzard perhaps it was also a migrant? We had not moved far when Alan picked up another bird of prey coming in over the dunes to our right. It was flying head on and at first we could not work out what it was, then it turned, Goshawk! This was certainly a bird we had not expected to see here. Luckily the hawk slowed and soared over the saltmarsh allowing us all brilliant views of this juvenile bird. Suddenly Barry was shouting "Red Kite!" amazingly a Red Kite had come from no-where to mob the Goshawk, brilliant to compare these two birds of prey flying so closely. If this wasn't enough a feisty Kestrel joined in mobbing the hawk, dwarfed by the muscular hawk. Just amazing birdwatching. Three more Common Buzzards soared over us as we watched the dog-fight over the marshes. We were left breathless and thrilled.

A juvenile Little Stint at RSPB Titchwell - a wonderful reserve always full of birds.

After lunch we visited RSPB Titchwell where, as always, we enjoyed a feast of great birds in the sunshine. Again progress was slow as we walked along the footpath adjacent to the lagoons and marshes, so many birds to watch. So many waders feeding on the fresh-marsh and we enjoyed wonderful views of juvenile Little Stints and juvenile Curlew Sandpipers along with Ruff, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot, Avocet, Spotted Redshank and more!

Out on the beach we watched an Eider duck on the sea as Gannets cruised past and plenty more waders on the beach. A pair of Swallows was nesting in an old world war two pill-box just behind the dunes, lovely to watch.

A Hobby hunted over the reserve as we walked back to car-park scattering the waders and more Marsh Harriers were quartering the reed-beds. Keeping the bird of prey theme going!

In the evening we celebrated our amazing day full of great birds in style at the White Horse, which over-looks the marshes as the sun was setting, perfect end to a wonderful day.

Please email us here for details of any of our tours or to book your place....

info@birdwatchingtrips.co.uk

We look forward to enjoying great birds and great fun with you soon!