Birds and Bird Watching
West Norfolk is constantly alive with birds. Holme, Burnham Overy,
Thornham,
Hunstanton,
Heacham,
Dersingham and
Snettisham are a small selection of the great many West Norfolk
locations from which to visit the numerous bird reserves available.
The
RSPB reserve at Titchwell has both fresh and salt water lagoons and
extensive reed beds with avocets and other waders among the many species.
Come and enjoy the wonderful nature that Titchwell Marsh has to offer! It's
a are wonderful reserve with great trails and hides that allow you to get
close up to nature. The reserve also runs a series of guided walks and
events throughout the year. Titchwell Marsh is a great place for the whole
family to visit - anytime of year.
As is Snettisham Coastal Park and nearby RSPB reserve which provides an ideal environment for many migratory species. There are a variety of natural habitats along this stretch of coast, including the flat Fenland in the West, the freshwater Boards in the East, the dry Brecklands of the South and the coastal dunes and marshes of the North. Individual habitats attract their own particular bird species.
The Winter is the busiest time of
the year for bird watching in Norfolk. With over a third of a million birds
Wintering here there is always something of interest going on. More than 40%
of the world's bird population can be present at this time - this amounts to
an incredible 90,000 birds.
As well as the obvious RSPB Bird
reserves, Norfolk is home to many other specialist reserves. Notable among
them is Pensthorpe, the
natural nentre of Norfolk and host of BBC Springwatch. With
171 recorded wild bird species and many more that are part of the Pensthorpe
Conservation Trust‘s captive breeding and educational programmes,
Pensthorpe is an ideal
location for both birdwatchers and casual observers. The Reserve is
regionally recognised as a breeding site for many species of limited
distribution in the UK.
Holkham National Nature
Reserve is managed by Natural England in partnership with the
Holkham Estate and is arguably one
of the most important reserves in England. It is famous for the rare and
unusual birds it attracts and is a must to see for both the enthusiastic or
first-time birdwatcher, whatever month of the year.
