The coast and adjoining wetlands of North Norfolk have a virtually legendary essence to them, in all probability being the centre of British birding circles. That is for an excellent cause, as the world gives gorgeous birding alternatives. Therefore it was solely a matter of time till I visited this space, and fortuitously this time got here on a visit to England final winter.
I stayed in Sheringham for 2 nights, giving me one-and-a-half days of birding within the space. I first did some seawatching close to Sheringham, which is seemingly probably the greatest spots in England with the appropriate winds, which weren’t blowing after I was there. It was nonetheless first rate nonetheless with a number of Northern Fulmars, a distant Purple-throated Diver, and several other possible Purple-necked Grebes being highlights. On the promenade in Sheringham, I spent just a few moments watching the tamest Ruddy Turnstones I’ve seen in my life, approaching me after I stood nonetheless as an alternative of flying off, as any sane turnstone would! When a automobile pulled up, home windows let down, and a few crumbs of bread abruptly hovering out of the automobile, I realised why. In all probability very unhealthy for these waders to eat bread and fairly annoying that they’re being fed, however I nonetheless couldn’t resist the great photograph alternative.
I spent more often than not on the wetlands at Cley-next-the-sea, which to start with is a very cute title for a village. Birding was actually enjoyable right here, and though I didn’t see any rarities, the golden daylight made even watching a Frequent Redshank memorable, its pink legs actually glowing. Redshanks have been tolerably plentiful, and some Eurasian Curlews have been additionally round, which made the scale distinction between these birds very apparent. The curlew was additionally shut sufficient for me to marvel on the pattering of its particular person feathers. Like with many different birds, it’s so fascinating how the very organized and structured patterns of particular person feathers lead to such good camouflage as quickly because the fowl is at a slight distance amongst similarly-coloured vegetation.
Each infrequently, the waders and several other different birds within the reeds erupted as a Western Marsh-Harrier quartered low above the bottom. Harriers are such a chic group of birds and this species is not any exception. That is the one harrier species by which I discover the feminine extra fantastically marked, with its cream head colouration being a beautiful distinction to the deep brown remainder of the plumage.
One fowl that appeared to not be perturbed by any disturbance have been Bearded Reedlings. I used to be lucky to return throughout these birds a number of time, which I discovered very shocking as I had solely seen them twice ever earlier than! The primary time, two males have been feeding simply two or three metres from the elevated path, however have been just about unattainable to {photograph} or observe effectively due to slightly sturdy wind. The subsequent morning nonetheless, I got here throughout one other two males earlier than the wind picked up, which I may observe for over 20 minutes as they fed among the many reeds, one particular person even hopping throughout a frozen expanse of water. This was one of the lovable fowl sightings I’ve had in current months, particularly as I centered the scope on these birds and had a virtually my entire view taken up by the silky black teardrop-shaped feathers and delightful wing markings. General, I’m unsure why I solely noticed males, though I used to be not complaining given their stunning colouration.
On each days, an enormous group of a number of thousand Pink-footed Geese got here in to relaxation, providing a really dramatic spectacle. It was very imposing to have teams of geese stretching throughout the sky practically from one aspect of the horizon to the opposite, because it gave a really uncommon sense of the area within the sky as they flew about, the air stuffed with their calls. I assume this was since you normally would not have bodily reference objects within the sky unfold out on the identical time; it nearly felt as if the sky was means nearer than it normally did which is after all foolish, however both means it was the primary time I’ve seen such an enormous flock of geese.
I’d love to go to this space once more throughout migration season, when there are in all probability no less than as many birders as birds round. This was really a really enjoyable half about birding right here, as practically each particular person you got here throughout was carrying binoculars and will let you know if there’s something fascinating about. I can solely think about the place turning right into a birding mecca when all the good birds are on passage, just like Heligoland after I was there throughout autumn migration just a few years in the past.
