Ruff Stuff! Photo by Marc
There’s nowhere quite like the North Norfolk coast in winter, especially when the weather plays ball! Clear skies, crisp air, and birds everywhere you look. What a day it was on our Birdwatching Trips Norfolk tour, day 2.
We kicked off with a lovely, relaxed early-morning walk straight from our cosy base, the Lighthouse Inn in Thornham – literally a stone’s throw from Thornham Harbour and its stunning saltmarshes. Flocks of Pink-footed Geese and Brent Geese were lifting off their roosts, heading inland to feed. Black-tailed Godwits wheeled overhead, flashing those striking black-and-white wings. The star moment? A gorgeous male Ruff dropped right in front of us – perfect timing! All around, Marsh Harriers quartered the marsh while a Barn Owl ghosted silently across the reeds. Magic.
Back for a hearty breakfast, then off to Holkham for the main event. A couple of quick lay-by stops overlooking the fresh marsh gave us brilliant views: singing male Yellowhammers, small flocks of Barnacle Geese and Russian White-fronted Geese, plus a group of Spoonbills – always a thrill!
Wonderful to see Spoonbills, photo by Marc
Driving through the parkland, we enjoyed hundreds of Fallow Deer grazing peacefully. In the car park, Nuthatches called and showed well, while Red Kites and Buzzards soared overhead. The feral Barnacle Geese flock was impressive (lots ringed too). Sadly, the drake Ferruginous Duck had moved on, but 68 Pochard on the lake more than made up for it.
After a delicious lunch along Lady Anne’s Drive, we spent the afternoon wandering the fresh marsh, pine forest, and nearby beach. Thousands of Golden Plover, Lapwing, and ducks filled the sky, flushed repeatedly by a majestic Peregrine powering through. A Great Northern Diver and over 400 Common Scoter bobbed up and down on a relatively calm North Sea. A careful count of the Russian White-fronted Geese came to an incredible 685 birds! One stood out with a black neck-ring. We traced it back and discovered it was exactly 10 years old, with sightings in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Latvia. What a traveller!
The group also picked out a flock of Tundra Bean Geese, a new bird for some of us, while 9 stunning Spoonbills fed nearby in their fine spring plumage. They stole the show and gave us the perfect high note to end an unforgettable day.
Just add a Yellowhammer to your day for a colour pop, photo by Marc
North Norfolk in winter never disappoints. Who’s joining us next time?