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Weekend and One Day Tours
From mid-November our winter tours get underway with this period being undoubtedly the best season in the county due to the sheer wealth and variety of birds that are present throughout the winter.
We will be running both weekend and one day tours (on either a Saturday or Sunday), which will take in a variety of sites and habitats so that you'll see a good range of the species that are present at the time of your visit. Midweek tours may also be available during this period so please check below for their availability.
We will also run half-day tours which will be based at the Cley Marshes Nature Reserve where a good range of marsh and water birds can be seen.
As we specialise in guiding individuals, couples or small groups who come together, we always tailor your tour around you, your interests and your ability. So when you book on to one of our winter tours you'll always be assured of receiving as much time and attention that you require with seeing and learning about the birds that we see, be able to visit the places that you want to go to and look for the birds that you want to see. You'll be able to spend as much time at one location as you desire and watch a particular species for as long as you like with no pressure to move on which you'll have as part of a larger group. Your tour will be specifically geared around your abilities and experience and conducted at your own pace, so hopefully you'll get the most out of your tour as possible and have an enjoyable and memorable experience in the process.
Geese, Waders, Ducks and Gulls at Cley NWT Reserve.
There are many highlights that make Norfolk a suberb county to birdwatch in during the winter time, but the indisputable attractions are the Geese and Waders that choose the area as their wintering grounds.
Upto a hundred thousand Pink-footed Geese winter along the coast and are truly the most spectacular sight and sound when large flocks of them fly overhead, an experience never to be forgotten. Also as amazing and memorable are the thousands of waders that are present out on the mudflats in the west of the county, which when take flight, are again a sight not to be missed.
Other major avian attractions in the county that are ever popular with birdwatchers include the wintering population of Common Cranes in the Norfolk Broads, the raptor roost sites, small flocks of Snow Buntings, and the majestic sight of a Barn Owl hunting over coastal fields.
Also with flocks of Brent, White-fronted and Bean Geese, many species of Ducks both on the freshwater pools and on the sea, where Divers and Grebes can also be found, Avocets, Marsh Harriers, Bearded Tits, Bittern and Little Egrets thrown in too, wintertime has so much to offer.
For more details of the birds which can be seen during winter, please see the seasonal summary in the Birds and Wildlife section, and the current sighting page too.
Pink-footed Geese flying across a Norfolk skyline are one of the memorable sights of a wintertime tour.
Please bring with you appropriate footwear which ideally should be suitable for wet and/or muddy conditions and waterproof and warm clothing. Binoculars are essential, but your guide will have a telescope for the use by the group.
Either we'll arrange to meet you at a specific location, e.g a reserve car park, or depending on the location of your accommodation, we can collect you in the morning so you can travel around with your guide during the day (maximum of four people).
Lunch is not included in the price, and whilst we prefer you to bring a packed lunch, the visitors centres at both Cley and Titchwell do serve food and drinks, or we can find somewhere else suitable to stop and eat, or just to get a hot drink if you need warming up!
Depending on the agreed itinerary, we will either collect you from your accommodation after breakfast, or meet at the pre-arranged venue at around 9 am, and given the short winter days we'll usually be out untill dusk.
Upon booking you may be asked for a small deposit, with the balance payable on the day, and naturally further information regarding any of our tours can be given upon request.
Snow Buntings. Wintering flocks are a popular attraction throughout the winter.
Selected itineraries/venues that you can choose from for either a one day tour or which can be combined for a weekend visit include:
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A morning around Cley Marshes Bird Reserve (Avocets, Marsh Harriers, Bearded Tits, Wildfowl etc) followed by an afternoon in the Holkham and Wells area (Geese and Raptors).
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A morning aroung Titchwell RSPB Reserve (Seaduck, Waders, Wildfowl, Bearded Tits etc) followed by an afternoon in the Holkham and Wells area (Geese and Raptors).
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A full day around the Holkham and Wells area (Geese, Raptors, Seaduck, Snow Buntings and woodland species etc).
Please note for non-members there will be entrance fees payable to reserves and/or parking fees applicable for some of the above locations.
Thousands of Gulls and Waders feeding on the exposed beach at low tide.
Cost of Tours:-
|
No. of places booked |
1/2 Day Tour |
Day Tour |
∗∗∗Special Offer for Dec - Feb∗∗∗
Weekend Tours |
|
1 |
£30 |
£60 |
£99 |
|
2 |
£25 each |
£50 each |
£80 each |
|
3+ |
£20 each |
£40 each |
£60 each |
|
Children under 16 |
Free* |
Free* |
Free* |
*Children under 16 can attend a tour for free when accompanied by a fee paying parent. Any applicable permit/entrance fees are still payable.
Tours are available over the Christmas and New Year Period.
2 Day Midweek tours (for the same cost as our weekend tours), may be available during December and January. Please contact us re availability.
The above costs are for guiding only and do not include lunch or any applicable permit/parking fees for non-members. If you require somewhere to stay during your visit please see our accommodation section for a range of local B&B's, Guesthouses and Hotels which are conveniently situated to allow you to be collected from them by your guide, so there is no need to arrange a suitable place for us to meet or travel around independently during the day.
Brent Geese. Flocks of these along the coast are yet another highlight of a Norfolk winter | 
