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Winter (November to March)
A visit during this period provides the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildfowl, birds of prey and waders, plus many other wintering specialities and resident birds.
Offshore waters provide the opportunity to see Divers and Grebes, as well as sea-duck such as Common and Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck, Eider and Red-breasted Merganser. Moderate on-shore winds will produce Gannets, Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Guillemots, whilst early November storms often produce large numbers of Little Auks, along with a few Arctic, Great and Pomarine Skuas and maybe a late Shearwater or Petrel. During such storms it is not uncommon for Little Auks or even an occasional Grey Phalarope to be found sheltering on a coastal pool somewhere along the coast.
Large numbers of Geese occur in winter, with Pink-footed Geese by far the most numerous with up to 100,000 birds regularly wintering in the area. The sight and sound of thousands of the birds passing overhead as they move from field to field being a truly magnificent experience, and undoubtedly one of the major highlights of a visit to the area in winter. Brent Geese are abundant, and smaller numbers of White-fronted Geese and Taiga Bean Geese also occur, with the latter being the only wintering population in England. In addition the geese flocks always contain an unusual species of goose or two with Barnacle, Tundra Bean, Black Brant, Pale-bellied Brent and Greenland Whitefront occurring annually in very small numbers. Also Snow Goose, Ross's Goose, Red-breasted Goose and small race Canada Geese have occurred in recent winters.
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Brent Goose Barnacle Goose with Pinkfeet Bewick's Swan |
The numbers of dabbling-ducks such as Pintail, Gadwall, Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal are at their peak during this period. Small numbers of Pochard and Goldeneye occur on coastal pits and lakes, as do the occasional Scaup, Smew and Goosander, and there is also a small population of Mandarins present at one site in the County. Whooper and Bewicks Swans occur both in their stronghold in the Ouse Washes and in smaller numbers around the Broads.
The mudflats are alive with thousands of waders including Knot, Sanderling, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Dunlin, Turnstone, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover and Redshank. Coastal pools and grazing marshes play host to Avocets, Black-tailed Godwits, Ruff, Golden Plover, Snipe and Lapwing. Purple Sandpiper and Spotted Redshanks also winter in small numbers.
Birds of Prey are at their most numerous during this period, Hen Harriers, Merlin and Peregrine hunt the coastal marshes and fields, and can also be encountered at regular roosting sites too. Marsh Harriers are now a regular sight over reedbeds in the winter and at one Broadland roost, a minimum of 30 birds can be seen in the air at one time. Towards the end of the period, resident Common Buzzards become an increasingly regular sight soaring over suitable habitat and during March migrant birds also begin to pass through, as does the odd Red Kite.
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Hen Harrier Curlew Bar-tailed Godwit |
The coastal reedbeds are home to such species as Bittern, Bearded Tit, Cetti's Warbler, Water Rail and Reed Bunting, and both Short-eared and Barn Owls can be seen hunting the fields and marshes.
Dartford Warblers are hopefully looking set to establish themselves on an area of heathland in the county, and by March the song of the Woodlark alerts us to their presence on heaths and in forest clearings.
Siskins and Redpolls occur within suitable woodland, with the same habitat providing the chance to see all three Woodpeckers, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Marsh & Willow Tits. Both Crossbill and Hawfinch can be seen at selected sites, as can Golden Pheasant.
Another major highlight of a trip to Norfolk is the growing wintering population of Common Cranes. Up to 30 are recorded and small flocks can often be encountered in roadside fields during the day, and in the evening they can be seen flying to roost. Little Egrets, once a rare bird in the county, are now a regular site on the coastal marshes.
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Common Crane Little Egret Shorelark |
Shorelarks, Snow Buntings, Lapland Buntings and Twite occur in small flocks on the saltmarsh or shingle ridges. Tree Sparrows and Corn Buntings are most evident in winter as they often join the finch flocks that form at this time of year, and Bramblings can often be seen within such flocks too.
Other birds of note that can be encountered at this time of year include Mediterranean Gull, Rock and Water Pipits, Jack Snipe, Grey Wagtail, Stonechat, Fieldfare and Redwings, and small numbers of both Chiffchaff and Blackcap are now choosing to overwinter during our milder winters.
Waxwings occur most winters, sometimes in sizeable flocks, Great Grey Shrikes regularly overwinter, as do Rough-legged Buzzards, and there is always the chance of a Glaucous or Iceland Gull having taken up residence on a local beach, harbour or landfill site.
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Snow Bunting and Lapland Bunting Great Grey Shrike Waxwing | |
