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A really enjoyable few days watching wildlife in Norfolk, in a friendly group, and with two very knowledgeable guides who knew the area well and the best places to spot wildlife, and helped us see an impressive list of wildlife - highlights for me were close up views of bitterns, bearded tits, barn owls, cranes and red deer. We all stayed in comfortable accommodation in a guest house on a farm, and for some of the best wildlife viewing were able to drive a few minutes from the guesthouse. Naturetrek were very efficient and helpful, and managed my last minute booking, getting me all the information promptly. It was a very well organised trip, and everything went very smoothly.
C.A. Cheshire, Oct 22
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Norfolk - Autumn in the Broads
Tour Code: GBR267A 3-day birdwatching break to the Norfolk Broads, and adjacent coastline, based at a delightful guesthouse overlooking the Calthorpe Broad Nature Reserve.
3 days
from
£525 (land only)
£525 (land only)
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Norfolk in autumn is all about bird migration and the return of its wintering species. The marshes, wet meadows, dunes and woodlands that edge the county’s coastline from Kings Lynn to Great Yarmouth are justly famous for the sheer variety and number of birds they attract throughout the year. In the autumn, especially if the wind is blowing from the east, an exciting range of waders, waterfowl and passerines – including regular rarities – stop to rest and feed here, whilst as the season advances, huge flocks of geese, ducks and wild swans arrive to winter, along with mixed flocks of finches, thrushes and other birds.
On this 3-day birdwatching break, we will be based in a delightful guesthouse in the heart of the Norfolk Broads which overlooks the Calthorpe Broad National Nature Reserve between the villages of Hickling and Sea Palling. From here, we will enjoy the best of east Norfolk’s autumnal birding highlights, focusing on the wetlands of the Broads and the adjacent coastal marshes and migrant traps, including visits to such iconic reserves as Hickling Broad and the Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve.
- Explore the Norfolk Broads & adjacent coastline
- Migrant warblers, chats, flycatchers, finches, thrushes & waders
- Chance of something unusual such as Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike or Yellow-browed Warbler
- Common Crane, Avocet, Bearded Tit, Bittern & Great Egret all possible
- Includes an evening visit to a raptor roost in search of Marsh & Hen Harriers, Merlin & Barn Owl
- Based in a delightful guesthouse overlooking the Norfolk Broads
- Led by an expert Naturetrek naturalist
Grading
Grade A (Easy) - There will be no serious or strenuous walking on this tour, with each walk covering no more than a two or three miles on mostly gentle terrain.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Norfolk Broads
Day 2
Norfolk Broads
Day 3
Winterton Dunes & depart for home.
What's Included?
- Accommodation:
We will be staying for two nights at the delightful Dairy Barns guesthouse close to the Calthorpe Broad National Nature Reserve between the villages of Hickling and Sea Palling. All rooms have private facilities. See the detailed tour itinerary for more information.
- Food:
Breakfasts and dinners are included in the cost. Lunches (either in the form of a pub lunch or a picnic) and drinks are not included.
Reviews
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We went on a three-day birdwatching/wildlife tour in the Norfolk Broads. As soon as we arrived we were welcomed by very generous and friendly hosts into their converted barn with private rooms, a coffee lounge, a dining area, and a bar/meeting area. There was endless tea and coffee/biscuits, the meals were very generous and my partner who is vegan was well catered for. The tour guides met us in the coffee lounge and after introductions we headed out for the evening. We had the most incredible views of owls, cranes, harriers and a variety of other wildlife at sunset, before heading back for an evening meal. The next day we had an optional pre-breakfast walk where there were more cranes and seals. After a generous breakfast we set out for the day where we saw four types of deer, lots of ducks and wader and various other wildlife, On the final day we had a rainy pre-breakfast walk (the only bad weather we saw) followed by (after breakfast) a trip to Great Yarmouth to see waders, a larger seal colony and a real treat - two bitterns. Throughout, our guides were excellent, impeccable in their bird and wildlife knowledge but also clearly passionate for their specialist field, the local area, and in sharing this enthusiasm with others at all levels. There was huge excitement for more common birds as well as for the real rarities. This was a great advert for Naturetrek tours and we wouldn't hesitate to go again.
M.S. Oxfordshire, Oct 22 -
A weekend trip staying in a converted barn complex, very comfortable and friendly. Out all day bird watching with a very experienced guide. Saw 35 Cranes in fields and flying, quite special, and lots of geese, waders and sea birds. Beautiful scenery especially early am and dusk with misty scenes and pink footed geese calling. Spectacular views of seals on the beach. We have had many holidays using Naturetrek all over the world and have always been very satisfied with the arrangements, booking and guides. Would we use them again definitely yes.
C.E. Essex, Oct 21 -
Spectacular flights of cranes and geese lit by the morning sun rising over the sea and rosy sunsets over farmland when going to roost. Rutting deer, gatherings of seals, all three egrets and a leisurely bittern fly pass. A few rarities to add to the numerous waders seen. Misty moist mornings provided atmospheric scenery aided by the odd hare, Chinese water deer or barn owl sliding into view. Comfortable attractive accommodation on perfectly located farmsite providing tasty breakfasts, evening meals and a bar with locally produced ales. Well organised, personable and extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife in the area. We always appeared to arrive just at the right time for the next wildlife spectacular yet never felt rushed or timetabled. A very rewarding and relaxing three days for us thanks to Mike [tour leader].
D.I. Somerset, Oct 21
Dates & Prices
2024
Departures
Availability
Cost
Mon 9th Sep – Wed 11th Sep
6
£525
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£525
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£140
Mon 14th Oct – Wed 16th Oct
6
£525
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£525
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£140
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Mike Crewe
Tour Leader: Mike Crewe
Born and raised in Oxford, Mike has lived most of his life in East Anglia, with a short stint in West Sussex and a spell in the USA. He has been a birdwatcher ‘since birth’ (so he says!) and initially took up a career in horticulture, which kick-started an interest in plants. Over time, Mike has evolved into an all-round naturalist with interests in all branches of natural history, working a short time for the British Trust for Ornithology and as an environmental consultant before taking up wildlife tour guiding in 1996. Indeed, he first led walks for local wildlife trusts and bird groups as long ago as 1982 and has continued as a professional guide since the late 1990s, except for six years in the USA, where he worked as Program Director for the famous Cape May Bird Observatory in New Jersey.
Now settled back on the Norfolk coast, he lives with his wife, who is also a professional birdwatching guide. He has served as a committee member on the Suffolk Birds Records Committee, edited various natural history newsletters and bird reports and recently authored two identification guides on the flora of Breckland. Most recently, he has taken on a role as Assistant Editor for British Birds magazine and serves as the Norfolk tutor for the national ‘Identiplant’ training scheme. Somehow, he also manages to find time to maintain two identification websites on the flora of East Anglia and the wildlife of Cape May County, New Jersey!
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
