A superb cross-section of habitats, scenery and birdlife makes this early spring tour ideal for those making their first visit to Norfolk. For the more seasoned birder, it is timed specifically to coincide with two of our most sought-after and elusive UK residents, mighty Northern Goshawk and diminutive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Northern Goshawk display on fine, clear mornings from late February to early April so this is primetime to look for pairs over their woodland territories. We are totally reliant on the weather, but have several sites where we could see this impressive bird. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker are calling and drumming at this time of year, and with the foliage still not on the trees, we have a fighting chance of connecting with this most elusive of birds. The ancient oak woods in Holkham Park are our prime site, and a variety of woodland birds occur here with Mediterranean Gull often present on the lake. Out in Holkham Bay, beautiful Shore Lark could still be feeding furtively out on the saltings and there is also the possibility of Snow Bunting. Offshore, thousands of Common Scoter gather and could include Velvet Scoter or Long-tailed Duck, while Red-breasted Merganser, Common Eider and Red-throated Diver are likely. Raptors here often include Peregrine or Merlin while both Barn and Short-eared Owls sometimes hunt over the fields. Lingering Pink-footed and European White-fronted Geese might also be expected on the marshes here and Marsh Harriers are already displaying. In Breckland, the vast tracts of pine forest are home to flocks of ‘chipping’ Common Crossbills and we may find this species coming to drink along with Lesser and Mealy Redpolls, Eurasian Siskins and Bramblings. Wood Lark are often song-flighting over the clear fell areas and we should get some great views of this subtly beautiful songster with its cascade of fluted notes. Great Grey Shrike sometimes appears and there is always the chance of Northern Goshawk drifting over the conifers. At Lynford flocks of finches and Redwings feeding under the trees will be checked carefully for the superb Hawfinch which winters here in small numbers. Tiny Firecrest is best looked for in evergreen understorey and may already be in song, something which also helps us locate the elusive Willow Tit in these habitats. On the later tour, we have a very good chance also of connecting with the localised Stone Curlew. Titchwell never fails to produce plenty of birds and as well as the resident Bearded Tits we may find early Sand Martin, Northern Wheatear, Common Chiffchaff, Garganey or Sandwich Tern. At nearby Choseley we will search for flocks of Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting with Little Owl and Tree Sparrow also likely.
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Introduction
