Norfolk Spring birding tour - Norfolk Spring Migration

This action packed Norfolk spring birding tour sees us exploring the acclaimed North Norfolk coast. Spring in North Norfolk is an exciting event, as thousands of birds hurry northward to their breeding grounds as far away as the Arctic Tundra. We visit the full range of habitats and observe a vast spectrum of migrants from warblers to shorebirds, with the chance of course to pick out something extra special from the throng!

Spring is not only a great time for observing such birds as Common Nightingale, Eurasian Spoonbill, Ring Ouzel and Grasshopper Warbler, but has in the past produced an array of rare or uncommon species. These have included Hoopoe, Wryneck, Woodchat Shrike, Alpine Swift, Red-rumped Swallow, Black Kite, Citrine Wagtail, Purple Heron, Temminck’s Stint and many more! Eurasian Hobbies will hopefully be back and will provide added raptor interest and regular migrants include Little Gull and Garganey.

We often include a full day birding in the Brecks where we can find Stone Curlew, singing Firecrest, Woodlark and sometimes Hawfinch and Northern Goshawk too, while the woodlands resound to spring birdsong. All this and more makes this a great time to be birding in one of the UKs best counties – with Marsh Harriers displaying overhead, Bearded Tits ‘pinging’ as they zip across the reeds and Great Bittern’s ‘booming’ on the marshes, can you really afford to miss out on this exciting Norfolk spring birding tour?

DAY ONE
Check in from 1500. The Briarfields staff will be on hand to welcome you and the bar is open all day for coffee/drinks and light meals if required. Collection from King’s Lynn station can be organised by prior agreement. Meet and greet in the bar at 6.30pm with your guide.

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 even Montagu’s Harrier sometimes occurs. At Choseley, we should be able to hear the jangling song of Corn Bunting and small groups of Grey Partridge give their grating calls from the field margins. Perhaps we will call in at Holme if a party of Ring Ouzel or a Common Redstart has dropped in. In the afternoon we may well head east along the coast to Cley. Coastal fields often hold one or two Whimbrel at this time of year while Little Terns fly through the surf along the beach and the last Brent Geese of winter are still waiting to head in the other direction. Perhaps a furtive Temminck’s Stint or summer-dressed Curlew Sandpiper will add an edge of quality to our day. Of course if there are any rare birds around we will try our best to fit them in—on past May tours these have included Caspian Tern, Red-footed Falcon, Stilt Sandpiper, Lesser Grey Shrike and Black-winged Stilt.

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.

ACCOMMODATION

Briarfields Hotel at Titchwell with all rooms en suite.

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

“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 despite 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 Ashley’s care to ensure everyone saw the birds well”

P & B W, Seattle

The whole holiday was well organised and expertly led. The small group was definitely a great advantage.

MH, UK