Norfolk - Spring Migration

Date: 26th - 29th April 2021 (FULL) and 7th - 10th May 2021 (SPACES)
Leaders: Ashley Saunders (April) or Jason Moss (May)

Itinerary

DAY ONE
The tour meets in the evening at our accommodation bases in Great Ryburgh, North Norfolk at 19.00 for a drink and chat about the birding ahead before dinner.

DAY TWO

A walk out along the seawall at Burnham Overy Staithe will be on the agenda this morning, one of the best areas for birding in Spring on the North Norfolk coast. Of course, resident Bearded Tit, Pied Avocet and Marsh Harrier always feature and shorebirds at this time include Whimbrel, Common Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff and occasional Common, Green and Wood Sandpipers as well as the more usual Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Red Knot, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Grey and Golden Plovers, Ringed Plover and Eurasian Curlew. Terns are just starting to arrive and this is a great spot to see the tiny Little Tern and more regular Common. In the dunes, Ring Ouzel parties are regular in spring, and we might also find migrants such as Northern Wheatear, Lesser Whitethroat and Whinchat. Raptors can often be passing on fine days, and the grazing marshes hold the last remaining winter visitors. In the afternoon, heathland and scrub will be checked for incoming warblers such as Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Common Whitethroat while Lesser Whitethroat and Garden Warbler are possible along with resident Dartford Warbler and Woodlarks may be singing.

DAY THREE
Titchwell as ever is brimming with birds at this time and the sea can still be good here even now. Large flocks of Common Scoter hold one or two Velvets while Common Eider still linger and the beach holds Sanderling coming into rusty summer plumage. Ruddy Turnstone and Grey Plover too look resplendent, though it is the immaculate black Spotted Redshank that often steals the show! Common Cuckoo or Eurasian Hobby may pass through here and Montagu’s Harrier is regular in spring, and we may get chance to observe this magnificent raptor as they quarter the cornfields. At Chosley, we should be able to hear the jangling song of Corn Bunting and seek the first Turtle Doves of spring, and perhaps we will call in at Holme if a party of Ring Ouzel or a Common Redstart has dropped in. Local birding can be good around Great Ryburgh in spring and with plenty of daylight, a post-dinner walk should reveal hunting Barn Owl and with special access to the local nature reserve bird hide available to our groups, you may see Common Kingfisher or Little-ringed Plover.

DAY FOUR

Flexibility is important on this tour and we will spend today birding wherever the weather conditions and birds permit. Breckland is brilliant in the springtime, and a full day exploring the forests and heaths could well be on the cards. Woodlark should be singing above the woodland clearings and we'll look for other secretive species such as Stone Curlew, Firecrest and possibly Hawfinch. Eurasian Siskins are common breeders, and we should also add other woodland birds such as Marsh Tit, woodpeckers and European Nuthatch. Tree Pipit, newly arrived, deliver their fantastic song flight from the tops of young conifers and in good years, flocks of Common Crossbills can be everywhere. Lakenheath Fen is a remarkable reserve, and one which will warrant half a day of exploration. It is a fantastic place to see Great Bittern, Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit, but also one of the best places for seeing Common Cuckoo, Cetti's Warbler and Eurasian Hobby. In recent years, rarities such as Red-footed Falcon have appeared around this time and the reserve is a wonderful place to spend time listening to the songs of our summer migrant warblers. If time permits, we will also visit spots for two scarce Norfolk breeders - Common Redstart and Common Nightingale.

Additional Information

ACCOMMODATION

The Blue Boar Inn, Great Ryburgh

WHATS INCLUDED
Three night’s en suite accommodation, meals from dinner on day one to lunch on day four, transport, services of leaders and reserve entrance fees.

NOT INCLUDED
Transport to/from Norfolk and any additional overnight stay that might be required, drinks and any items of a purely personal nature

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
King’s Lynn

Tour Reports

2013a 2013b 2014 2015 2016 2018a 2018b 2019

Testimonials

“I thoroughly enjoyed the style of leadership; it was infectious and I think I have improved as a bird watcher as a result. The company was also very good and made for a fun and interesting holiday” L. A. Kent

" Thanks for a great holiday which I enjoyed very much. I really enjoyed the fact that we explored so many, contrasting habitats. The accommodation was good and friendly and the leader was extremely helpful but the exceptionally good views of Stone Curlew and Ring Ouzel were the highlights for me. B. M. Sussex

" As ever Ashley had up to date information on where to look for birds and did his best to make sure the whole group saw them. I have enjoyed every Oriole Birding tour I have been on and no doubt will continue to do so" B H Cumbria

" Sharing in the ringing of Tawny Owls, clambering over bedroom furniture to see Wryneck, watching Rough-legged Buzzard hover and plunge from height, a wealth of good birds and a well written report; it must be Oriole.Thanks for a great trip! " M T Yorkshire

" This was more than everyday bird watching... The holiday was great value for money, having everything included was very helpful and Ashley gave just the right amount of information to each participant. Each participants special interests and requirements were remembered, the booking process was easy and very friendly, the attention to detail very impressive and the small groups size just perfect so that even the most inexperienced could enjoy the tour. The move to the new hotel proved to be a good one as the quality of meals was excellent. People keep coming back, so you must be getting it right, and the small, personal touches such as the hand written notes to each participant before departure make a big difference" J S Buckinghamshire.

" We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. As ever, the birds and the small group were the principal highlights depsite some poor weather. Ashley was his usual brilliant self in the field buy finding and making sure all in the group got to see pretty much everything, but his people skills are also second to none" M & G S Kent

"We enjoyed our trip with Oriole Birding! And we appreciated Ashleys care to ensure everyone saw the birds well" P & B W, Seattle

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