A Few Days In Norfolk
Towards the end of January 2019, over the spring tide period, I spent a few days on the north Norfolk coast and each morning visited RSPB Snettisham for the wader roost. arriving before dawn ready to photograph the birds at first light. Then later, refreshed by, I was spoilt for choice by the numerous other superb wildlife locations around the Hunstanton area.
The weather was poor; dank, dark, dismal and dull. But it was a good break which I much enjoyed.
The first photograph below shows the knot at the RSPB reserve at Snettisham assembling into a large flock as the flood tide drives them from their feeding grounds in the mudflats of The Wash. The flooding sea can be seen in the background and the sandy beach is lit by the low dawn sun.
As the tide approaches high water, the knot come ashore to roost alongside the banks of the man-made freshwater lagoons formed from gravel pits close to the beach and where the birds gather in huge flocks to wait for the tide to ebb. From time to time they take off suddenly: sometimes it’s caused by a raptor overhead but on other occasions it appears seemingly without cause. Whatever the reason, the sight of so many birds moving in unison and the sounds made by their synchronised wings provide an unforgettable wildlife experience.
When the tide begins to ebb and the mud is again uncovered, the knot begin to leave the gravel pits in order to return to their feeding grounds. They usually go in dribs and drabs with relatively small numbers leaving together, rather than lifting off all together as a single flock.
On one of the mornings as I left the beach area with the ebb tide well underway, I stopped to take the picture below which shows the mud being exposed by the regressing sea water, the small temporary rivers that result and with some of the birds that have left the pits beginning again to feed.
On one of the mornings as I left the beach area with the ebb tide well underway, I stopped to take the picture below which shows the mud being exposed by the regressing sea water, the small temporary rivers that result and which provide for some of the other birds that have left the pits, such as little egrets and bar-tailed godwits, enabling them again to feed.
The land around Hunstanton is mainly a farming area and there are many birds which feed on the rich agricultural soil including the beautiful red-legged partridge shown below.
A little south and east of Hunstanton near to Fakenham the Hawk and Owl Trust nature reserve at Sculthorpe Moor is home to numerous raptors as well as woodland birds including the bullfinch which can be photographed high in the trees from an elevated hide as it comes to join a wide range of other species making good use of the bird feeders in the bad weather.
The north Norfolk coast is a great wildlife location which is often full of surprises. It rarely disappoints.
