Birdwatching
Throughout North Norfolk the excellent coastal and countryside habitats are too much of a temptation for many of the rarest species, including Redshanks, Bitterns, Warblers, Shrikes, Spoonbills, Buzzards and many, many more. It is a magnet for birds and therefore birdwatchers, and a wonderful place for children to learn, with the excellent and informative centres and staff at the reserves.
Beeston Common - a Sight of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), one of the many areas in North Norfolk that is perfect for those that enjoy bird watching, this stunning landscape is home to many species, including in Winter wading birds such as the Woodcock and Snipe. Spring is great for Warblers and the Autumn sees many Finches and Thrushes feeding on various shrubs.
Titchwell Marsh RSPB - this specially created bird watching centre is one of the most popular in Norfolk, springtime is great for watching Avocets and Marsh Harriers in the marshes and reed beds. In summer, you can watch flocks of bearded tits and in winter there are many birds of prey to see (Harriers, Merlins, Peregrines and the short eared owl).
NWT Cley Marshes - Perched on the North Norfolk coast, NWT Cley Marshes has a well-deserved reputation as one of the UK's best bird watching sites. The pools and scrapes attract water birds in their thousands, and no matter what the season, there is always something to see.
Holt Country Park - situated on the edge of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is a Green Flag award winner. When you walk in to the tranquil woodland, dominated with Scots pines and native broadleaves, it’s easy to understand why. The rich ground flora supports an abundant display of wildlife including goldcrests, greater spotted woodpeckers and deer.
Pensthorpe - you can see wetlands, hedgerows, woodland, water meadows, river banks, species-rich farmland, breck and heath – all vital for a species-rich countryside. Habitat management includes varying shorelines and encouraging localised flooding at our wader scrape, this helps provide suitable breeding habitat for waders such as avocet, lapwing and redshank.