The Birds of Norfolk

Summary

An excellent migrant spot in spring and autumn

Location

A fantastic site, especially during spring and autumn. Park on the A149 on either side of the road by the minor road to Burnham Thorpe. Walk north along the hedged wide path keeping an eye out for Yellowhammers and checking for migrants in all the bushes. In September 2008, both Red-backed and Great Grey Shrikes were present along this first stretch.

After half a mile you reach the sea wall (a raised grass bank). Once up on the bank to your right is a large reed-lined pool - if the water level is right this can be excellent for passage waders and also Bearded Tits and warblers in the reed bed. On your left is a large area of salt marsh and tidal creeks, good for waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit and Grey Plover, and Brent Geese are present from Autumn to Spring.

After checking both sides of the bank head north to the dunes. The large patch of bushes at the end of the sea wall is always worth checking for migrants. You now have a choice either walk right (east) towards Holkham, which will take you through a large dune system excellent for migrants, or turn left (west) towards Scolt Head with more dunes including Gun Hill also very good for migrants and in spring and summer Little terns in the channel between here and Scolt Head island.

Target Species

Spring and Autumn migrants