September is one of the most eagerly awaited months in the birding calendar, and Norfolk is a destination synonymous with autumn migration as birds begin heading south towards continental and African wintering grounds. Migration in autumn is a more leisurely affair, with birds in less of a hurry than spring, and the numbers are swollen by the recently fledged juvenile birds. Weather is of course everything, and our exact destinations on this Norfolk autumn birding tour will be influenced largely by wind direction and to incorporate as always the best of what has been seen locally. As well as visiting the main reserves we will visit a number of smaller sites such as Wells, Stiffkey, Warham, Salthouse, Kelling and Burnham Overy. Wafting easterly winds accompanied by poor visibility created by mist or rain are the ideal conditions for producing large falls of continental migrants, namely Yellow-browed Warbler, Common Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Northern Wheatear, Whinchat and a variety of common warbler species. It is on the back of these arrivals, however, that rarities often occur and we will hope for a few goodies during the tour which in past years have included Red-breasted Flycatcher, Red-backed Shrike, Pectoral Sandpiper, Rose-coloured Starling, Greenish Warbler and others.
It will be the pine belt at Wells and Holkham and the coastal scrub at Warham that will attract our attention should an arrival occur, and the supporting cast can often include Spotted Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Tree Pipit and the first groups of Redwing, Eurasian Siskin, Lesser Redpoll and Brambling, while Common Crossbill and Firecrest are always likely here at this time of year.
On the freshwater scrapes at Cley and Titchwell, a mass of shorebirds will await us with up to twenty five species including huge flocks of Dunlin, many smart juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint, Wood, Green and Common Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Whimbrel, Ruff, Little Ringed and European Golden Plovers and Black-tailed Godwit. Yellow-legged, Mediterranean and Little Gulls occur while a Eurasian Spoonbill may drop in to join the many Little Egrets now resident.
Should the wind turn Northwesterly and strengthen, we may position ourselves in the shelters along Sheringham seafront to witness seabird passage off the North Coast. A variety of terns, gulls, divers, grebes and waders may pass, as well as all four skuas, Manx & Sooty Shearwaters, Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, Black-legged Kittiwake and if we are really lucky, a Leach’s Storm-Petrel. You should expect to walk on average five to six miles per day on this autumn migration tour of Norfolk, and see up to 130 species on this Norfolk autumn birding tour.
DAY ONE
Arrive at Briarfields Hotel at Titchwell at 1400. After check in, you will be met by your guide for an afternoon birding session on the North Norfolk Coast exploring the RSPB reserve at Titchwell and its environs. Anything can turn up here, but we are especially hoping for shorebirds. Migration will be in full swing and we can expect species such as Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff and Pied Avocet to be present in good numbers. Smaller numbers of Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and even a Jack Snipe can also be expected while this is a prime time for vagrants such as Pectoral or White-rumped Sandpipers. On the beach, species such as Bar- tailed Godwit, Grey Plover and Sanderling should be present. Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier and Water Rail are resident and a passing Peregrine is likely to cause panic over the marsh. Little Egret and Eurasian Spoonbill are both regulars here, sometimes being present in good numbers. On previous tours, we have encountered Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Icterine Warbler and Spotted Crake. Offshore, Terns will be passing and these in turn are likely to attract marauding skuas, searching for an easy meal. Arctic Skua is the most likely, but the three other species are also encountered, albeit in small numbers. The first returning wildfowl are present and these could include Brent Goose, Eider, Red-breasted Merganser and Common Scoter. The gull roost in the evening can be a great opportunity to find and study Yellow-legged and Caspian Gulls. Return to the hotel for dinner, and a chat about the rest of the weekend.
DAY TWO
Today we may visit the Cley area, where a fantastic range of migrant waders and returning wildfowl can be noted. Green, Common and Wood Sandpipers can often be right outside the hides, and we should also find Spotted Redshank, and perhaps Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Little-ringed Plover. Late summer flocks of Eurasian Spoonbills from the Norfolk breeding colony are often on the pools here, and the afternoon light is just superb. Weather permitting, we may check off the beach for Arctic Skua, terns and gulls too. Of course, during autumn migration the key is to remain flexible – good birds can turn up in almost any corner of the county and we may find ourselves visiting Witerton Dunes or Holme if a Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike or Red-breasted Flycatcher tempts us!
DAY THREE
Our day begins, at the excellent, but rather understated area at Stiffkey. Brent Goose should be arriving in good numbers and several species of common shorebirds can be expected. The trees in and around the campsite are good for Pied Flycatcher, Firecrest and commoner warblers. Yellow-browed and Barred Warblers are annual here and the occasional Icterine Warbler turns up. The coastal path and its sueda bushes, often hold good numbers of migrants including finch flocks, pipits and more warblers and chats. Wryneck is a regular visitor here and on past visits we have encountered Little Bunting, Tawny Pipit, Red-backed Shrike and Blyth’s Reed Warbler. We will also visit Stiffkey Fen, an area of open water that often attracts large numbers of wildfowl and shorebirds such as Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and Common Snipe. The afternoon sees us heading for Wells Woods and/or Holkham Pines, where more migrants could include Yellow-browed, Icterine and Barred Warblers, while this is a great place to witness numbers of Redstart and Pied Flycatcher in fall conditions. Mediterranean Gull is sometimes noted in the flocks in the nearby fields. Many rare birds have been noted here including Radde’s and Dusky Warblers, Olive–backed Pipit, Rustic Bunting and Britain’s first Red-breasted Nuthatch. Although this particular feat is unlikely to be repeated, the area usually turns up something of interest and we have recorded Red-breasted Flycatcher and Yellow-browed Warbler on previous tours. The whole area can be full of warblers, crests and thrushes when an arrival is taking place, and is also a superb spot for finding the less common migrants such as Pied & Spotted Flycatchers and Common Redstart.
DAY FOUR
Burnham Overy Dunes will be our main destination today. This wonderful and varied area of habitats offers a really good cross-section of species, from waders and wildfowl on the estuary, to reedbed species and returning wildfowl, all the way up to major county rarities! The dunes are the place to start, and pockets of scrub here can produce some extremely good birds in favourable conditions. Lapland Bunting, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Redpoll and Yellow Wagtail are frequent in the open areas, while the dune edge can turn up a Richard’s Pipit or perhaps a repeat of the 2017 Isabelline or Desert Wheatears! Barred Warbler regularly turn up in the brambles, but more likely are good numbers of Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroat and the odd Garden Warbler. Whimbrel, European Golden Plover and Common Greenshank will be on the marsh, and Eurasian Spoonbill and Great White Egret are both frequently found in the area. We may walk right through to Holkham pines, and search the tit flocks for Yellow-browed Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and other migrants. The tour concludes around 1500 with transfers back to King’s Lynn station and Titchwell.
ACCOMMODATION
Briarfields Hotel at Titchwell with all rooms en suite.
WHATS INCLUDED
Three nights en suite accommodation on a bed breakfast and evening meal basis, packed lunches, transport in Norfolk, all guides and reserve entrance fees.
NOT INCLUDED
Transport to/ from Norfolk, travel insurance, drinks and any items of a purely personal nature.
Tour Description: A 3-day tour focussing on autumn migration and searching for scarce and rare birds. You will explore the North Norfolk Coast and should be able to walk up to 6 miles in a day.
