The tour meets at Briarfields Hotel, Titchwell at 18.00 for a drink and chat with your guide about the wildlife watching ahead before dinner. 

 

In West Norfolk we will head to a site to look for the very scarce Black Darter dragonfly. The acid pools where it breeds are also home to Emerald and Large Red Damselflies while Keeled Skimmer is also likely. Wood Lark, Tree Pipit and Stonechat share the same habitat. Also in this part of the world, we now have the chance to find the Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly at it’s only known site in the county – a rare treat indeed! Some coastal birdwatching could take us to Snettisham if the tides allow, where vast numbers of returning Arctic shorebirds will already be on passage. Titchwell is another option too, with the freshmarsh hosting increasing numbers of summery Black-tailed Godwits as July wears on, and there are often Spoonbills and a host of other waders, as well as a selection of common odonata, to see too. If we are lucky, we may have chance to connect with the declining Turtle Dove in West Norfolk today. 

 

Today we visit a location where we have the chance to study the two very similar Emeralds at close quarters. Both Emerald and Scarce Emerald Damselfly may be seen together – but they are not easy to separate! This is where the expertise of your tour leaders really comes in handy! Lakenheath Fen is a must visit location where very large numbers of odonata may be observed. This includes two rare species, the Variable Damselfly and Scarce Chaser which could both still be flying. Both Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Emperor, Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker and Black-tailed Skimmer can also be expected. Birding can be good here too, with excellent chances for Bittern, Bearded Tit and Kingfisher with Crane an outside possibility. Banded Demoiselles are sure to be jinking over the water of the River Little Ouse and the washland often hosts a Great White Egret or Garganey. 

 

This morning we visit an ancient woodland in mid-Norfolk to look for one of its most recent colonists, the regal Purple Emperor butterfly. It can be found here alongside its woodland courtiers, the Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral. Purple Hairstreak is also quite easy to find given fair weather, and we should enjoy good views with the aid of a telescope.  Heading back towards the coast we spend some time exploring the heaths, where a colony of Silver-studded Blues should be seen and Grayling can be found. Dartford Warbler is a good bet here, and in some years Common Crossbill and Woodlark can be seen. A crop of Viper’s Bugloss around the car park is particularly attractive to the two species of ‘little skipper’ and we will hopefully get the chance to study them closely. In nearby woodland, we also have a good chance to find the White-letter Hairstreak as well as often large numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary, including the valezina form of the female where all the orange pigment is replaced by a metallic greenish-blue and grey. We will also spend some time birding, mainly visiting Cley which can be superb for waders at this time. A range of shorebirds and terns can be expected, along with Bearded Tit, Avocet and Marsh Harrier. It must be stressed that a wet tour will involve some of the sites from the itinerary being dropped in favour of a more birding related itinerary.

 

ACCOMMODATION
Briarfields Hotel at Titchwell with en suite rooms throughout.

 

WHATS INCLUDED
Three nights en suite accommodation on a bed, breakfast and evening meal basis, packed lunches on days two – four, all ground transport in Norfolk, services of leaders, and reserve entrance fees.

 

NOT INCLUDED
Travel to/ from Norfolk, travel insurance, drinks and items of a purely personal nature.

 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
King’s Lynn

“The long list of birds and bugs were particularly enjoyable despite the inclement weather. Both of the guides were excellent”
R W, Devon

 

 “I had a great weekend. Ashley and Adrian went out of their way to make the trip so enjoyable and despite the weather, we saw so much”

 

“This was an excellent trip and even the rain didn’t spoil it.  The food was great, the accommodation excellent and the guides very helpful and knowledgeable. All in all very enjoyable”

 

“I enjoyed the holiday very much, every minute in fact – the guides were very helpful, made sure everyone had good views and certainly knew their stuff. The accommodation and meals were of a much higher standard than expected which made the tour great value for money too”

 

“As usual Ashley was excellent and every aspect of the tour was most enjoyable”

 

“Oriole are just right for me, friendly, good company, and not too intensive”

 

“Yet another enjoyable and successful trip”

 

“A really enjoyable tour in every way and I would definitely participate on another of your holidays and recommend others do so too”

 

“We were very fortunate to have such kowledgeable and hard working guides who put so much effort into finding everything for us. The group size was just right and I would have no hesitation in going back to Norfolk with you as I thoroughly enjoyed everything about my first visit there. The hotel was very comfortable and the staff welcoming and I have very fond memories of my holiday”

 

“Just to say thank you for taking Liz and myself about Norfolk in July. Very interesting and the one species I wanted Scarce Emerald Damselfly we saw a number of. The accommodation was excellent and we were well looked after, even staying an extra day. It is good that you have somewhere like this!”

 

“I had a fantastic time and a really good holiday. I loved the small group and friendly atmosphere and Ashley and Adrian were excellent guides”