Birdwatching near Muckleburgh, Weybourne, Blakeney, Brancaster, Cley, Cromer, Holme, Holt,
Pensthorpe and Titchwell Marsh.
Converted coastal defence Pill Box just along the coast from Muckleburgh that doubles up as a bird watching hide.
The coastline adjacent to Muckleburgh is ideal for walking and offers excellent views of the coast and the unspoilt Norfolk countryside.
Birdwatching near Muckleburgh, Weybourne, Blakeney, Brancaster, Cley, Cromer, Holme, Holt, Pensthorpe and Titchwell Marsh.
Norfolk is undoubtedly the finest county for birds and birdwatching with extensive ornithological facilities available all along the coast.
A wide variety of habitats and the relatively unspoilt countryside result in a rich and diverse birdlife.
The number and species are boosted by regular migrants, the county's location making it ideal for rarities from the Continent.
The Muckleburgh Military Collection is ideally situated near some of the best sites along the North Norfolk coast and is
available to those wishing to view the birdlife from the location itself.
Converted coastal defence Pill Box just along the coast from Muckleburgh that doubles up as a bird watching hide.
A varied selection of photos taken by Moss Taylor on the site of the Muckleburgh Military Collection
Website - Norfolk Bird Guide
Sandwich Tern
Adults from the breeding colony on Blakeney Point and Scolt Head fish for sandeels offshore at Weybourne before returning to the colonies to feed them to their young.
Stonechat
A few pairs of Stonechats have bred at Weybourne Camp for at least the last 40 years. In 2010 a colour-ringing programme was started to follow the movements of the breeding pairs and their young. This male, ringed with pink over white on the left leg, bred on the camp in 2010, was seen at Wolferton in west Norfolk in November and returned to the camp in spring 2011, where he successfully raised three broods of young with the same female as in the previous year.
Wheatear
This adult male is one of the many Wheatears that pass through Weybourne Camp on their spring and autumn migration from and to wintering areas in West Africa. Many of the Wheatears that migrate along the north Norfolk coast in spring are bound for breeding grounds in Greenland.
Red Kite
In recent years, the Red Kite has become an annual, if scarce, visitor to north Norfolk. The presence of one over Weybourne Camp results in mobbing by the local Rooks, as happened with this bird that flew over in spring 2009.
Meadow Pipit
The open grassy areas on Weybourne Camp provide an ideal habitat for breeding Meadow Pipits that construct well-concealed nests in the long grass.
Oystercatcher
This female Oystercatcher chose the tank demonstration area as the site for her nest scrape and clutch of three eggs in 2011. Despite frequent disturbance by the tanks, she successfully hatched at least two of the eggs but whether the young survived the attentions of the local stoats is unknown.
Swallow
For at least 40 years, the old war-time pillboxes have provided nest sites for Swallows, this male was one of the breeding birds in 2011.
Whitethroat
One of the most threatened bird habitats in Britain is scrub due to the general 'tidying up' of the countryside. Patches of unkempt bramble and rank vegetation provide the perfect habitat for Whitethroats, such as this breeding male in 2011.
Goldfinch
Thanks to the provision of sunflower kernels and niger seed at garden feeding stations, Goldfinches are now one of the commonest and most widespread British birds. Flocks of fifty or more gather to feed on Weybourne Camp in late summer on the seed heads of hawkweeds, ragwort and teasels.
Comma
The Comma butterfly is on the wing in spring and autumn, at the latter season feeding on the juice of ripe blackberries. The butterfly gets its name from the white comma-shaped mark on the underwing.
Green Hairstreak
The Green Hairstreak is the only green British butterfly. The upperwings are brown but when resting on spring bramble or gorse bushes, the green on the underwing provides perfect camouflage with the fresh green leaves.
Common Blue
he Common Blue is the most widespread and familiar blue butterfly in Britain. On Weybourne Camp it is common amongst the grassy areas immediately behind the beach, where it seeks out Bird's-foot Trefoil, on which it lays its eggs from mid-May onwards.
Bird and Nature Reserves in North Norfolk
Nature reserve and geographical landmark.
Location: TG000465 - Blakeney, 8m E Wells-Next-The-Sea
Road: A149
Admission: Free
Telephone: 01263 733471
Features: A paradise of nature due to its isolation, and a noted geographical landmark - a shingle spit. Seals breed on the sandbanks
off the spit and it is a summer home and nesting place for terns. Good for passage migrants, including many scarce and rare species.
Brancaster Staithe - National Trust
Beach and dunes reserve.
Location: Brancaster, between Wells and Hunstanton
Road: A149
Facilities: Parking
Admission: Free
Telephone: 01263 733471
Features: Four miles of tidal foreshore and salt marsh with superb birdlife and birdwatching. Part of North Norfolk Heritage Coast.
Information centre and cycle hire.
Cley Marshes - Norfolk WT
Freshwater marshes with reedbeds and saltmarsh.
Location: Cley-Next-The-Sea 8m E Wells-Next-The-Sea
Road: A149
Facilities: Parking, Toilets, Disabled Facilities, Visitor centre, Gift Shop
Admission: Charge (reduced for members of Norfolk WT)
Telephone: 01603 625540
Features: A well placed visitor centre and excellent birdwatching hides give views across the famous Cley Marshes.
The oldest Wildlife Trust reserve in the country has an international reputation as one of the finest bird-watching sites in Britain.
Tel: 01263 740008
Holme Bird Observatory Reserve - NOA
Coastal bird reserve and observatory.
Location: Holme-Next-The-Sea, 18m N Kings Lynn
Road: A149
Bus: From Hunstanton
Train: Kings Lynn
Facilities: Parking, Visitor Centre with shop and refreshments.
Admission: Entry is either day permit £3-00 for adults (under 16 free) or free to NOA members.
Telephone: 01485 525406
Features: At the western end of the North Norfolk Coast, hides and is involved in bird ringing and migration counts Spring and Autum.
Mercury vapour moth trap. Birdwatching guided tours by arrangement.
Website: www.noa.org.uk
Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park and Nature Reserve
Endangered and exotic bird collection.
Location: 1m SE Fakenham
Road: A1067
Bus: Fakenham, 0500 626116
Facilities: Parking, Toilets, Disabled Facilities, Shop, Restaurant
Admission: Charge
Telephone: 01328 851465
Features: Europe's finest collection of endangered and exotic waterbirds. This two hundred acre nature reserve is haven for all kinds of
British wildlife. Woodland, meadow, lakeside and river nature trails and watergardens. There is an Audio-Visual centre and
children's adventure play area.
Titchwell Marsh - RSPB
Coastal wetland reserve.
Location: TF749436 Titchwell, 5m E Hunstanton
Road: A149
Bus: Request stop Wells - Hunstanton, 0500 626116
Facilities: Parking, Toilets, Wheelchair access, Shop, Refreshments
Admission: Charge (free to members)
Telephone: 01603 661662
Features: Popular and productive RSPB reserve on the North Norfolk Heritage Coast. Habitats include the sandy beach, reedbeds and
shallow lagoons. Marsh Harriers hunt over the reeds and winter sees the arrival of many ducks and geese. Paths and hides are
all wheelchair accessible.
Telephone : 01263 588210 - Shop : 01263 588284
Email : info@muckleburgh.co.uk
