Birthday Birding in Norfolk

Our friends Neil and Julie asked if we could put together a days custom birdwatching for them and two friends in Norfolk. Of course we jumped at the chance. It was Neil's birthday and their friends, David and Laura, were over visiting from Texas, USA, so it was to be a special day.

We all met up in Norfolk and enjoyed a lovely meal at an old pub full of character and memrobilia from Lord Nelson, he actually used to visit this pub! David and Laura loved the historical feel to the pub and we all gazed at the many wonderful paintings of Nelson and his fleet in action at the battle of Trafalgur. Enough to give you an appetite, and we tucked into a lovely meal.



Early next morning we all ready to enjoy lots of great birds. But first Neil had an important job to do, open his birthday cards and presents! Stepping out into the Norfolk dawn we were greeted by a hard frost and clear sky, not a breath of wind, perfect.



We were soon in an area of stubble fields and hedgerows where there were plenty of birds. The previous day we put down lots of seed in the area and the birds had found the food. Chaffinches flew up into the hedge and amongst them were three lovely orange Brambling. Yellowhammers were every where and the males were stunningly bright yellow in the early morning sun. Both Red-legged and Grey Partridge where in the stubble, Pink-footed Geese and Golden Plover were overhead calling. Flocks of Linnet and Goldfinch added even more colour to the scene. We were just about to move on when a Hooded Crow flew in landed briefly on a hedge then dropped down into the stubble. These grey and black crows are real rarities here in Norfolk.



A short drive and we reached RSPB Titchwell, always a thrill to visit this amazing nature reserve packed with birds. We first took the Meadow Trail and quickly added lots of new birds to our already impressive list. In the trees Jays and Bullfinch called, above a Sparrowhawk soared, on the pools wildfowl and Little Grebes showed off in the glourious sun. Common Snipe showed at the waters edge and Redwing posed in the hawthorn bushes.

A welcome hot drink at the visitor centre, it was cold despite the sun, then we headed for the beach. Our progress was very slow indeed! A Cetti's Warbler exploded with song by the path, on a drained pool a Water Pipit fed with both Rock and Meadow Pipits, wonderful to compare these three species.

Pinging from the reeds announced the presence of Bearded Tits and we were very lucky indeed, not only did we hear them but we saw them! Not a glimpse as so often with this tricky to see species, but frame filling scope views! A gang of these colourful "parrotbills" showed off on the top of the reeds, absolutly stunning birds and we all soaked up prolonged views.

Marsh Harriers floated over the reedbeds, a Kestrel shared a perch with a Stock Dove, Little Egrets were in the creeks, masses of wildfowl and waders were packed on the lagoons. Avocets were feeding in the shallows with many Ruff and a lovely flock of Golden Plover roosting on an island.



We eventually made to the beach, via close up views of both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits with Turnstones and Knot on the last pool. The sea produced more good birds, Ruth spotted a Great northern Diver and Alan picked out a Long-tailed Duck close in-shore. Sanderling hurried along the waters edge and a Snow Bunting flew low overhead! Our list of birds was rocketing upwards.

Walking back towards the visitor centre our progress was again very slow as we kept stopping to admire more birds. A flock of 22 Snow Buntings flew over, hundreds of Brent Geese dropped in on to the lagoons, but the best was still to come. A Short-eared Owl was over a rough field but no sooner had Alan shouted the bird dropped out of sight. We waited and luckily the owl took to the air, but not for long, it landed again and this time in full view! We all had amazing views of this stunning, yellow-eyed, bird.



And all this before lunch! We headed into Hunstantion and knew just where to get a great meal. At Cafe Blah Blah we all tucked into lovely food and hot drinks enjoying a great laugh with Andrew and Jamie, always worth a visit here!

Next stop was the sea-front at Hunstanton where we set up the scopes and scanned the calm sea. New birds were soon added to the list with Red-throated Divers, Eider and Red-breasted Merganser showing well and Fulmars swept past us at eye-level, brilliant birds.

On again this to Holme NWT reserve and it has to be said it was rather quiet but we enjoyed a lovely walk through the pines. Of course we saw birds, Goldcrests right overhead, Little Grebes on the Broadwater. Offshore we enjoyed good views of a Red-throated Diver and Alan picked out an adult Mediterranean Gull amongst Common and Black-headed Gulls. A real surprise was the sight of two Stoats tearing along the beach towards us! This was a real thrill as David and Laura had mentioned earlier in the day that they would like to see a Stoat.

With the short daylight drawing to close we headed for home, but our day was not quite done, Neil spotted a Barn Owl and we screached to a halt, baled out, and enjoyed fantastic views of this ghostly bird, it even posed on a fence post for us.



Even then the day was not done, Neil and Julie treated us all to a wonderful meal in the evening and we toasted Neil's birthday and over one hundred birds that we had enjoyed on this amazing day. A huge thank you to Neil, Julie, David and Laura for their wonderful company on what has to be a perfect birding day.

We would love to arrange a custom birdwatching trip just for you, simply drop us a line and we can make all the arrangements.

info@thebiggesttwitch.com

We look forward to enjoying wonderful birds with you soon!