Outstanding birding in Norfolk
Outstanding birding in Norfolk including Caspian Tern
We picked up Sue, Dave and Harry on Friday morning and headed towards Norfolk. Horsey Mill in the Norfolk Broads was our destination for a very special bird. Despite the bad weather it didn't disappoint, though the Red-footed Falcon did look rather fed up in the pouring rain.
Red-footed Falcon
In fact, heavy rain seemed to be the cue for great birds. Whenever the rain started, the best birds appeared, including Common Crane on the ground and in flight also in the Horsey area. A late evening vigil at Thornham Harbour was more than rewarded when an amazing Caspian Tern appeared. Quite unbelievable! Cue for excited shouts and frantic phone calls to share our amazing find with others.
Our Caspian Tern
Equally amazing was that the bird was still there when we returned the next morning.
And even more incredible was that it was showing well at Titchwell RSPB when we visited there after a welcome breakfast. Three times we encountered 'our' tern find, this was becoming excessive, but we still soaked up the views.
How close do you like your Caspian Terns??
It was great that so many people were able to enjoy our charismatic BB rarity and they all lined up along the path with bins, scopes and cameras, this time in sunshine.
Here's our group enjoying 'our' tern!
but there were plenty of other birders to share it with.
Tern twitch
Of course, there's plenty more to see at Titchwell RSPB in the shape of breeding Bitterns, Bearded Tits and of course, the iconic Avocet to name but three.
The iconic RSPB symbol of bird conservation success, the Avocet
The futuristic Parrinder Hide, with its opening windows, bean bags for cameras and field guides on hand, makes birding here even more pleasurable.
The view from the outside
and here's the view through the round window...
The great birds just kept on coming, including Norfolk classics such as Yellowhammer and Reed Buntings.
A little bit of bread and no cheeeese!
Obliging Reed Bunting
Of course, the more birding time you put in, the luckier you become, but this weekend we seemed to be exceptionally lucky. Our patient watching in various locations was finally rewarded with views of Montagu's Harrier.
And right up until the last moment, we enjoyed some amazing bird spectacles including close up views of not just Stone Curlew adult birds but even their chicks too!
The birds really stole the show this weekend, and we all had an amazing time. Big thanks to Sue, Dave and Harry for making this such a fun weekend, we hope you guys enjoyed it as much as we did!
For more details of our birding trips, why not email us on
info@thebiggesttwitch.com