Holidays > UK Holidays

With such an abundance of food it is no surprise that raptors and owls are relatively common. Both Marsh and Hen Harriers winter along the coast and Merlin are relatively easy to see. With so little daylight and the need for food, late afternoon is the time to look for hunting Barn Owls. The variety and numbers of waders using the coast at this time of year will provide us with an excellent chance to get to grips with wader identification. Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Golden and Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling and Snipe will be easy to see and there is the chance of finding harder to see species such as Jack Snipe and Purple Sandpiper.

Expected Birds

Below is a list of the birds that we can reasonably expect to see at this time of year in this location.
This is intended only as a guide and we cannot guarantee that we will see every species listed, however we may also see birds which are not listed

• Merlin
• Barn Owls
• Marsh Harrier
• Hen Harrier
• Bar-tailed Godwits
• Black-tailed Godwits
• Grey Plover
• Knot
• Sanderling
• Snipe
• Jack Snipe
• Purple Sandpiper
• Twite
• Snow Bunting
• Shorelark
• Lapland Buntings
• Redwing
• Fieldfare
• Brambling
• Little Auks
• Rough-legged Buzzard
• Waxwing
• Great Grey Shrike
• Pallas’s Warbler
• Egyptian Goose
• Pomarine Skua

Itinerary

Below is our planned itinerary for the trip, although we try our best to stick to our itineraries, occasionally it does become necessary to change things around a little bit due to the weather or the presence/lack of birds at particular sites during the time of our visit.


With such an abundance of food it is no surprise that raptors and owls are relatively common. Both Marsh and Hen Harriers winter along the coast and Merlin are relatively easy to see. With so little daylight and the need for food, late afternoon is the time to look for hunting Barn Owls. The variety and numbers of waders using the coast at this time of year will provide us with an excellent chance to get to grips with wader identification. Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Golden and Grey Plover, Knot, Sanderling and Snipe will be easy to see and there is the chance of finding harder to see species such as Jack Snipe and Purple Sandpiper.

The Norfolk coastline in winter plays home to several species of passerine which are perhaps easier to see here than anywhere else in the country. Twite and Snow Buntings are often present in the hundreds and Shorelark numbers can reach double figures. November is also the best month to see Lapland Buntings. More familiar species can also be seen in large numbers as they arrive from the continent these include Redwing, Fieldfare and Brambling.

As if all this was not enough, November in Norfolk can produce the chance of seeing some scarce and rare species. It is the month to catch up with Little Auks and if there is a northerly wind blowing we will spend some time sea-watching in the hope of seeing this beautiful little bird. There is also a chance of seeing rarer wintering birds as Rough-legged Buzzard, Waxwing, Great Grey Shrike or maybe even a late eastern rarity such as a Pallas’s Warbler.

Titchwell RSPB

The RSPB reserve at Titchwell is a well known site with an equally well deserved reputation. Beach, fresh water marsh, salt marsh and reed-bed in close proximity provide the chance of seeing large numbers of birds in a relatively small area. The sea should provide species such as Red-throated Diver, Eider, Common Scoter and Red-breasted Merganser with a good chance of Velvet Scoter as well. On the marshes flocks of noisy Brent Geese will be obvious and a selection of ducks and waders will be on show. Shorelarks are present at Titchwell most winters and often allow views down to a few feet. Whilst walking between the hides it is worth scanning the marsh towards Thornham as this is a favoured hunting ground for Hen Harriers and Merlin. The reed-bed itself can be viewed from the hide which should produce Bearded Tit and Water Rail with an outside chance of a Bittern.

Holkham Freshmarsh and Bay

This site lies just north of the main coast road, west of Wells-next-the-Sea and is the key site for wintering Pink-footed Geese in Norfolk. We shall spend some time searching the flocks for other species of goose. These could include: White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Bean Goose (both Tundra and Taiga), Brent Goose (including Black Brant and Light-bellied), Barnacle Goose, Egyptian Goose and in recent years Ross’s, Snow and Lesser Canada Goose. After checking the geese we may walk out into Holkham Bay where at low tide an exposed area of sand and vegetation provides ideal feeding grounds for Shorelarks, Snow Buntings and Twite.

Cley

As with Titchwell, the reserve at Cley can provide a huge range of species. We can spend time looking at wildfowl, waders, gulls and raptors. Other species possible at this time of year include Pomarine Skua along with divers, seaduck and auks and often a rarity or two.

We have visited Broads when bird numbers and weather have dictated.

This break will provide views of thousands of wild birds, in unspoilt and wild places. Not only will you see the birds on the ground but with flocks of geese, ducks, waders and thrushes passing overhead you will be able to witness the marvel of migration. Combine this with competent guides, good accommodation and food and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere it will be a weekend to remember. Please note this itinerary may be altered due to the weather or the presence/lack of birds at particular sites during the time of our visit.

Holiday date:

21st - 23rd November 2008

Holiday Cost:

£299.00

Cost to WWT Members

£284.05

Learn more about the WWT and become a member

Deposit:

£150.00

Please read our Terms & Conditions for more information about Deposit payments

Single Room Supplement:

£20.00

If you are travelling alone but willing to share we maybe able to find a roommate for you to reduce the cost.
Please see the booking form for more information

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

All ground transport to and around East Anglia, accommodation, meals (except lunch), entrances to reserves and services of a guide. Accommodation will be in a comfortable bed and breakfast/guest house/hotel as close to our birding locations as possible. All rooms are en-suite. For breakfast you will be able to choose from simple coffee and toast or full English. Evening meals will be a three-course meal. Evening meals will be a three-course meal if you wish and may be taken in our accommodation or in a nearby restaurant or public house.

What is included in the cost of your holiday?

All ground transport to and around East Anglia, accommodation, meals (except lunch), entrances to reserves and services of a guide. Accommodation will be in a comfortable bed and breakfast/guest house/hotel as close to our birding locations as possible. All rooms are en-suite. For breakfast you will be able to choose from simple coffee and toast or full English. Evening meals will be a three-course meal. Evening meals will be a three-course meal if you wish and may be taken in our accommodation or in a nearby restaurant or public house.

Other Information

Drinks, lunches and items of a personal nature are not included in the price. Lunches can be eaten in the field or in the mini-bus; daily stops are made for provisions but lunch time may vary as the birding will dictate. We often prefer to visit cafes to have a tea/coffee break and to warm up a bit if needed or sit out in the sun. Drinks, lunches and items of a personal nature are not included in the price. Please bring your own flask with coffee or tea if you do not want to take advantage of the stops at service areas or cafes, again no set time for breaks is possible and depends on where we are on the journey.
Please bring RSPB and WWT membership cards with you

Clothing & Equipment

Warm fleeces, fully water proof outer-wear and strong walking boots are essential. It is certainly advisable to pack extra clothing to provide layers against the cold. An essential piece of equipment is a good pair of binoculars. For watching more distant birds, guides will carry Leica/Swarovski telescopes, which are always available for everyone to use but bringing your own is strongly recommended.

Environment

Some muddy and uneven paths are encountered plus beaches with shingle and sand. Most places are flat but some slopes and banks are found on our travels. Boardwalks and hides are frequently used some have many steps up into them and can be slippery when wet. .

It's easy to book your holiday with Anser birding...

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01452 741591

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01452 741591

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