Norfolk in high summer, as always, has something to offer, and its array of rare breeding birds which are available at this time are quite extraordinary. Several of these are not only very rare but difficult to find elsewhere, and it is these sought after species that we will be looking for on this three day break. It should be pointed out however that we do not aim to see these birds at all costs, and the welfare of the bird will always come first. Starting out in Breckland on our first day, we visit the RSPB reserve at Lakenheath Fen where the Black Poplar stands are home to one of Britain’s rarest breeding birds, the Golden Oriole. Though very elusive, we know the habits of these birds and may well be lucky with a sighting. Grasshopper Warbler breeds while other species could include Garganey, Common Crane, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Turtle Dove and Common Cuckoo. Eurasian Hobby is a speciality and several birds can often be seen hawking for dragonflies over the lagoon. Nearby on the open sandy heathlands the cryptic Stone Curlew occurs, and we will look for this mainly nocturnal member of the African thick-knee family at Weeting Heath reserve where Wood Lark, Tree Pipit and Little Owl are also likely. At Lynford Arboretum, a range of woodland birds may be found including that tiny gem, Firecrest, singing high in the Douglas Firs. Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler and Grey Wagtail are also found here along with the typical woodland species such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Treecreeper, European Nuthatch and Marsh Tit.Weather permitting we will take an evening excursion to a local heathland to look for European Nightjars. Eurasian Woodcock are numerous and should be seen on their ‘roding’ display flights, while Barn and Tawny Owls are both possible. Just a short drive from our base we will visit the raptor watchpoint at Great Ryburgh in the beautiful Wensum Valley. Honey Buzzard is the speciality here, and breeds most years, with three—five birds often present in the area. Other raptors here also include Common Buzzard, European Sparrowhawk, Eurasian Hobby and Marsh Harrier, with Red Kite and even Osprey appearing regularly in recent years. The other raptor we will be looking for locally is the superb Montagu’s Harrier, which we hope to see floating over the rape fields perhaps to a backdrop of calling Common Quail. In addition to this feast of rare birds, we spend time on the coast at both Cley and Titchwell reserves as the wader passage is beginning with the first Spotted Redshanks, Green and Curlew Sandpipers plus exciting residents such as Bearded Tit, Pied Avocet and Great Bittern might be seen. Throw in Dartford Warbler and the chance of Eurasian Spoonbill or Roseate Tern and you have an action packed few days in North Norfolk!
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Introduction
