Birding further afield

Each month we venture further afield to bird watching sites that are typically one to two and a half hours drive away. Chosen with regard to habitat and the time of year - shorter trips on shorter Winter days, then venturing further as the days lengthen.  

Razorbill   Kittiwake

 Over the year there will be several visits to the coast, possibly including North Norfolk, the Dee Estuary and sites on the east coast from Gibraltar Point in the south to Filey Brigg in the north.

Spotted Flycatcher

We visit the dales and moors of the Peak District, the fens and heaths of Norfolk and Suffolk and some very productive inland sites, often reclaimed from gravel workings or mining activities, that have been developed as wetlands.

Black-tailed Godwits

During 2008 our outings include: Snettisham and the west Norfolk coast in search of early migrants, Little Paxton where we hope to find Nightingales and Turtle Doves, a Suffolk weekend looking for Stone Curlew and Golden Oriole, and then making our way to the coast, we spend a day at Minsmere RSPB and the adjacent Dunwich Heath.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Later trips to Bempton, Spurn Point and a September boat trip before returning to Norfolk as Winter migrants begin to arrive and the last of the Summer migrants make their way south from northern Europe.

 Finally winter geese and swans attract us to Martin Mere WWT, and in December we visit Leicestershire's Eyebrook Reservoir - a Winter favourite, and Rutland Water with a good chance of Smew, Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian or Black-necked Grebes and a Red Kite or two.

............. birds - but not just birds.