Cost:
£549.00
Deposit:
£100.00
Single Room Supplement:
None
Tour Code:
Intermediate with average 5 miles walking per day
Group Size:
Eight plus Leader
Garganey
Ring Ouzel
Sedge Warbler
Common Cuckoo
Bearded Tit
Date: 25th - 28th April 2022 (SPACES) and 8th - 11th May 2022 (SPACES)
Leaders: Gary Elton
 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.
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| Additional Information |
ACCOMMODATION
The Blue Boar Inn, Great Ryburgh
WHATS INCLUDED
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
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| Tour Reports |
2013a 2013b 2014 2015 2016 2018a 2018b 2019
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| 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
" 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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