North Norfolk Trip: 3rd September 2026

With the school holidays at an end and the weather cooler,  it's time for a trip to the coast. For the last few days reports of Pied Flycatcher, Wryneck and Little Stint amongst others have been popping up along the coast so there were high hopes for something interesting. So it was up by 5 am and off by 5.20 to be at Kelling just after sunrise.

And as always the wind directions shifted over night and on arrive it was apparent that there was little going on! Walking down to the Meadows produced a single ChiffChaff and a very noisy Buzzard. 

Buzzard (Digiscoped)

The pool held Teal and Mallard. Three Mute Swan were also present but little else. A search for Whinchat was unsuccessful but did produce three Stonechat.

Welcoming sign!

Walking back I spotted five Cattle Egret had dropped in along the edge of the pool. Talking to local birders they were excited by the numbers but having had 101 at Welney two days before   it didn't seem too exciting.

Cattle Egret (Digiscoped)

Cattle Egret and Mallard (Digiscoped)

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S389435605

I moved on to Cley arriving before the centre opened so parked up and headed out to Bishop's Hide. I was surprised to find that I had the place to myself and only four people came in during the time I was there.

The pool in front of the hide was busy with the usual wildfowl and there was a group of at least eighteen Spoonbill on the far side. Some of the young were still busy asking for food.

Spoonbill (Digiscoped)

Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit were present in good number with one Godwit ringed but only able to get the left leg (L:R^G). There was also six Little Stint mixed in with Dunlin and Ruff.

Full sightings list:https://ebird.org/checklist/S389435340

By ten o'clock my stomach told me it was time for breakfast so I adjourned to the Centre for a sausage and breakfast roll and a latte. A visit to Cley Spy resulted in the purchase of a new
travel scope (Hawke) which I gave a good testing over the next few hours!

After breakfast I wandered over to the other hides but there was little to add.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S389416674

I moved down to the beach, which was pretty quiet not only of people but birds but did find a Razerbill in post breeding plumage.

Lunch was taken at Stiffkey, sitting in the hut looking out over the marshes and then walked down to the whirligig. This area has the reputation for being good for migrants but was very quiet but did have one moment of excitement when I got the briefest glimpse of a harrier that looked like a Monty or Pallid. Sadly too short a look to decide!

Curlew: Stiffkey Marshes

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S389364338

Final stop was Titchwell RSPB. My recent visit have not been great with large crowds everywhere and over zealous volunteers. So I was a bit tentative about this visit. However the place was so quiet it was unbelievable! Empty hides, no queues and the beach deserted! 

I had the highest number of Avocet I've every counted with at least 349 birds present. There was also good numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Greylag and Black-headed Gull, and a single Spoonbill.

Black-tailed Godwit

There was a nice little collection of Dunlin but no sight of the Curlew Sandpiper reported. On the beach were eleven Ringed Plover as well Oystercatcher  and Curlew.

Ruff

Dunlin

Amongst the Greylags was a single Barnacle Goose.

Barnacle Goose

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S389435097

Week commencing 16th August 2026

 Tuesday 18th

Day spent at Welney doing the nest box checks and other duties. Plenty of Ruff and Snipe on the main lagoon. At the back were three Green Sandpiper  and later in the day a single Glossy Ibis and a couple of Little Egret. 

The Swallows and House Martins are beginning to collect in large numbers and there were a few Sand Martins mixed in.

A single Golden Plover was at Lyle and a Hobby was resting on one of the gates and a Water Rail was showing at Friend's.

There was an impressive number of Yellow Wagtails gathered in front of the Main Hide feeding.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384667479

Wednesday 19th

Rain over night only the second rain we have had for a while. The weather is now much cooler and more pleasant but we need a lot more rain.

Went out to the new pools at Burwell Fen. I was surprised to see how low they have got in the last few weeks but where the water was it was up to the bellies of the Highland Cattle who seemed to enjoy standing in the pools that remained. While the water levels were low at least the mud areas look very inviting for migrant waders fingers crossed.

Walking slowly along the centre path I was able to get a good luck at the various parts of the pool. Three Green Sandpiper were feeding on the far side and there was a good number of Lapwing in the area. A couple of Black-headed Gull were also present but no wildfowl seen at all. A group of eight Swift were feeding over the water

On reaching the cattle pen areas a scan produced a single Yellow Wagtail and a number of Whitethroat.

Whitethroat (Digiscoped)

On the way back I was able to locate two Ringed Plover, one of which was a juvenile on the pool and five Ruff flew over, circled a couple of times then moved on! 

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S384911416

 

Week commencing 9th August

 Monday 10th

An evening visit to Burwell Fen in hope of hearing a Quail that had been reported the day before. It was a warm evening with a bit of a breeze which made it very pleasant. The new pools were looking good with a good amount of water but good areas of exposed mud. 

The pool by the bridge had two Ringed Plover on the edge and a single Green Sandpiper. 

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Ringed Plover

The pool towards Pout's Hall had good water levels but other than Mallard and a single Little Egret little else. The main pool by the path to the cattle pens had plenty of Black-headed Gull, a couple of Herring and Lesser Black Backed Gull. There was also a couple of Green Sandpiper as well as Lapwing and another Little Egret.

While walking along the path towards the old barn area I put up a juvenile Cuckoo. Sadly no Quail was heard but at least it was good to see the Little Owl back on its wood pile in the horse, now goat, field. 

Full sightings list:https://ebird.org/checklist/S382056360

Tuesday 11th

Reed Warbler

Another hot day at Welney! Swallow nests and the second brood House Sparrow checked and a new Swallow nest located in Rb Hide.

There was a good number of Snipe feeding on the main lagoon as were a couple of Green Sandpiper and good numbers of Ruff. 

Snipe

An adult and one young Avocet were also present as were a large number of Greylag.

Two Wood Sandpiper dropped in in the early afternoon and a single Hobby was being mobbed by Swallows.

Full sightings list:https://ebird.org/checklist/S382263651

Week beginning 2nd August 2026

 The weather continues to be incredibly hot and dry. Last Sunday we had a very short but hard downpour that did very little for the garden. Temperatures continue to by in the high 20s and today (Tuesday) got to 30 degrees. 

Tuesday 4th August

In early to work as it was going to be another hot one! Water samples collected and pack ready for collection and then off to cover the sight to check the remaining swallow nests and to see if we have any new broods in the boxes. Five nests on the go, one nest with newly hatched chicks and the others with young in various stages of development. Box 10 has another three House Sparrow eggs in.

On the main lagoon there were two young Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper. A Single Avocet was also present as were a large group of Ruff. Two Lesser Black Backed Gull were hanging around all day. A very obliging Snipe was on the little island in front of the main hide.

Little Ringed Plover

Snipe

Later in the afternoon our wander pair of Glossy Ibis were present and showing well in towards South Wing.

Glossy Ibis

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S379944794

Thursday 6th August

Morning spent at Ixworth Estate today. It was fairly cool in comparison with the weather in the last few weeks especially as I was in the forests for most of the morning. Sadly it was very quiet for birds with most hiding away as they recover from the breeding season. Highlight of the walk was a juvenile Spotted Flycatcher. I was hoping to see more but that was it! A couple of Treecreeper and a Willow Warbler were also nice spots.

A poor shot of a Treecreeper

A Slightly better shot of a Treecreeper

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S380529399 

and 

https://ebird.org/checklist/S380529752

Week beginning 26th July

 Sunday 26th July

Into Welney this morning to finish of a job. Having done the deed I wandered over to the Main Hide for a little birding. On the main pool were two, then three Green Sandpiper and a single Wood Sandpiper showing very well indeed. It was a shame that I hadn't brought my camera! Also on the pool were a number of Ruff, Avocet and a single Black-tailed Godwit.

Nelson-Lyle had nothing on it and was dry although the pump is on. Hopefully it will be more attractive shortly. Lyle Hide a good sized flock of Ruff, a single Avocet and two Lesser Blacked-backed Gull. Friend's was dry and empty of bird life.

A group of eleven Little Egret were on the far side of the reserve by one of the herds of cattle.

Full sightings list here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S376598307

Tuesday 28th July

Day spent at Welney doing box and swalllow nest checks and other bits and pieces. The main pool held five Green Sandpiper, six Snipe and a single Wood Sandpiper. Two Glossy Ibis dropped in for a while and there were good numbers of Ruff.

Green Sandpiper (Mobile phone photo)

Snipe (Mobile phone photo)

 

Week commencing 20th July 2026

 Tuesday 21st July

Day spent at Welney checking bird boxes and swallow nests. The few boxes with second broods of House Sparrows have now been empty. Whether we get any further broods we wait and see. The swallows continue to do ok but the number of eggs per nest is down on last year (6 per nest on average in 2025, 4 in 2026.)

Most of the birds sighted were outside the Main Hide. Two Great White Egret were visible as were six Little Egret. Single Green and Common Sandpiper were feeding along the edge and three Ringed Plover, one a juvenile, were on the mud to the left of the hide.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375165741

Wednesday 22nd July

A cooler morning saw us out at Burwell Fen. I haven't been as regular as in the past and very little has been reported from here for a while so was unsure what we would find. The far Reach Lode side is now dry and a quick scan only revealed Lapwing. The new pools on the Burwell Lode side were still present and not dry, however other than a single Green Sandpiper and the usual wildfowl were present. 

The pool towards Pout's Hall was still present, which seems to indicate that water is being added. However there was little on the pool other than two Little Egret. 

Heading back to the bridge I heard and then saw a small group of Bearded Tit were flitting through the reeds along with young Reed Warblers.

Reed Warbler

Bearded Tit

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S374982617

Thursday 23rd July

Job to do at work at Welney and then spent some time birdwatching as a visitor! Two Glossy Ibis were on the main pool along with Ruff, Avocet and Common Tern. A Little Ringed Plover appeared and was feeding on the far side.

Gloss Ibis

Little Ringed Plover and Common Tern (Bred on my Tern Raft!)

Down by the junction to Friend's and Lyle Hide I came across young Cuckoo. It was moving around the trees calling in a way I've never heard before. I recorded the call using Merlin but it did not recognise the call as coming from a cuckoo.

Recording can be heard by clicking here.

Cuckoo (Juv)

Also down there was a very obliging Reed Warbler posing in the reeds with a beak full of insects. 

Reed Warbler

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S375350669

Week commencing 3rd May

 Monday 4th: 

A leisurely start saw us out to Burwell Fen this morning. Plenty of warblers calling and singing and at least three  Cuckoo calling and showing well. Four Swift passed through but no great numbers of Swallow or House Martin.

A female Marsh Harrier was carrying a branch and dropped into the reeds by the main pool.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S332423068

Wednesday 6th

Up early this morning and out to Burwell Fen parking at Cock-up Bridge. Crossed to the Burwell Lode via the central path. Very little on the main pools which are being covered by growth. The new pools were much more productive with good numbers of Tufted, Shoveler and Gadwall. The pool further along the bank was even more productive with a very tempting muddy area that had attracted two Greenshank and four Wood Sandpiper. Also present were at least seven Snipe.

Wood Sandpiper

Greenshank

Willow, Garden and Lesser Whitethroat were all present along the Lode.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S333879815

Week commencing Sunday 19th April

 Monday 20th

Out to Burwell Fen this morning. After parking the first bird I heard was a Corn Bunting calling from its usual place at the top of the tree at the entrance of the car park.

Corn Bunting

Plenty of Whitethroat calling and flitting around throughout the whole of the walk as were Blackcap, Cetti's and ChiffChaff. Of the new migrants Grasshopper and Garden Warbler were present as was a number of Willow Warbler.

Although not seen Cuckoo were calling from a couple of different locations and Bittern were also booming. At least two Common Crane were in the usual place off Harrison's Drove, bugling on occasion.

The reeds were once again, after a quiet winter, alive with calling Sedge and Reed Warbler.

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

While coming down Burwell Lode at least two Lesser Whitethroat were calling.

At Pout's Hall three Common Tern were present, two of which were occupying the tern raft.

Common Tern

Common Terns on the Tern Raft!

Also present at Pout's Hall was a solitary Great Crested Grebe.

Great Crested Grebe

The new pool created by the recent peat work held a good number of Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler. Four Tufted Duck were also present as were three Little Egret, four Redshank and a single Oystercatcher.

Oystercatcher

Wednesday 22nd

Spent a couple of hours this evening checking out the new pools created last year by the peat recreation work. The pool half way along Burwell Lode towards Pout's Hall produced two Greenshank and a single Green Sandpiper as well as three Snipe.

The lower pool by the path from Cock-up Bridge to the location of the old barn had a good number of Shoveler, Teal and four Pochard and a single Wigeon.

Cuckoo was calling and four Swallow were hawking over the water.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S325640155

Thursday 23rd

A good long walk around Ixworth Park this morning. Headed off towards the cross country course and then up into the woods before heading for lunch at the Porter's Lodge.

New for me at this location was a single Mistle Thrush. Increasing number of Willow and Garden Warbler along the walk.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S325935348

Saturday 25th

Local walk this morning crossing over the bridge and on to the scrub land by the Lode. It was good to hear a Grasshopper Warbler reeling from near the reeds and it continued to do so while I was  there. Good numbers of Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S326872669

Week commencing 13th April 2026

 Monday 13th

Spent the morning checking out my local patch for spring migrants. I was surprised to hear a Little Ringed Plover calling as I approached the bridge at the railway station. It seemed to circle the area a couple of times before heading off towards Wicken still calling all the time. This was a new species for my local patch which was a great way to start the day.

Whitethroat were calling from a number of locations although proved elusive to see. Cetti's, Blackcap and Chiffchaff were all present but still no Swallows!

Skylark continues to sing from over Soham Mere and the local Song Thrush was also singing.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S321033169

Bluey Update

The Blue Tit that has been roosting in the camera box started building it's nest on the 30th March and continued to build and perfect up until 13th April.

On checking the recordings this morning a single egg was present in the nest.

Bluey Update: Thursday 16th April

Camera check this afternoon showed that Bluey now has three eggs. She has been very good at keeping them covered but this afternoon (time) she had left them uncovered.

Thursday 16th: 17.25: Three Eggs Uncovered.

Ixworth Park: Thursday 16th

Waking/Birding Route around Ixworth NT

Dropped off this morning at the gates of Ixworth Estate to walk the perimeter of the estate. Plenty of birds singing in the woods with Blackcap being present throughout the walk along with the near constant song of Chiffchaff. 

Blue Tit were present in large numbers with good numbers of Great Tit and a few Long-tailed Tit. Throughout the walk I made quite a few recordings of bird song with Merlin. I did get a couple of strange results, one being Bitten!

At the end of Lady Katherine Woods in a small clearing I got a fleeting glimpse of a male Common Redstart. Merlin had picked up a brief call earlier but I had dismissed it so it a bit of a surprise to find one even for the briefest of glimpses.

Spent a little while watching a cheeky Grey Squirrel. Its partner was in an old woodpecker hole but wouldn't poke its head out for a photo!

Cheeky Squirrel

Nuthatch were calling throughout the walk and I'd get the occasional glimpse of one as it flew over the tree tops.

Sitting looking over the Rotund I watched a Red Kite drift over followed shortly be two Buzzard and a further two after that.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S322401115

Week commencing 16th February 2026

 Monday 16th

Stayed local this morning and walked to College Woods. Other than the usual the highlight of the walk was a couple of Buzzard over the fields.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S301270248

Thursday 12th February 2026

A cold grey morning that got colder as the day went on saw us out at Burwell Fen. I haven't been out here for a while so it was a pleasant surprise to see that they have started work and what I can only surmise is another bund around Hallard's Fen to the left of the cycle way. This area has a small pond for most of the year but if they are planning to flood this area then it will greatly enhance the environment. Hopefully it is part of the peat recovery scheme that saw the creation of the wetland area near to Cock-up Bridge.

Construction of the Bund around Hallard's Fen

The Tree Pool contained a good number of Gadwall and Teal with two Cormorants on the log.

Cormorant (Digi-scoped)

At the far side of the pool were two Great White Egret and they were joined by a third shortly afterwards. Two Egyptian Goose dropped in  by the tree.

Egyptian Goose (Digi-scoped)

Pout's Hall area contained another large group of Gadwall along with good numbers of Teal, Shoveler and Coot. Mixed in with them were four Pintail, three males and a single female.

Pintail (Digi-scoped)

Shoveler (Digi-scoped)

On the far side a Buzzard was loafing on a fence post and a Red Kite slow flew over.

Buzzard (Digi-scoped)

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S299706756

Tubney Fen

Popped into Tubney Fen on the way home. Only four Teal in front of the hide so took a walk round the back of the area to find a good number of Wigeon, Gadwall and a couple of Little Grebe.

Full sightings list: https://ebird.org/checklist/S299705833

Tubney Fen looking towards the hide.

Friday 13th

Another cold and grey morning! I decided to stay local and walk the scrubby area behind the station. As we crossed the bridge I spotted a Great White Egret that had been reported in the same location a week or so ago. As we approached it took off and flew onto Angle Common.  

Great White Egret(mobile phone)

Full sightings list:https://ebird.org/checklist/S299906602