Loading search...
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Norfolk - Winter Birding on the Norfolk Coast (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR299A day trip in search of the birdlife of north Norfolk's coastal wetlands.
£50
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
Can I help you?
Summary
The north Norfolk coast offers wonderful birdwatching opportunities throughout the year and, in winter, it provides a convenient refuge for birds escaping the harsher conditions on the continent. On this Day Trip, we’ll visit the marshes along the famous section of coast between Cley and Salthouse to enjoy a wide range of wetland birds. The likes of Avocet, Marsh Harrier, Little Egret, Bearded Tit and Cetti’s Warbler are present year-round and should ensure that there’s always something interesting to see. But winter also brings large numbers of waterfowl to the area and there’s something really special about being immersed in the sights and sounds of thousands of whistling Wigeon, piping Teal and yipping Brent Geese enjoying the local grazing marshes, while parties of Pink-footed Geese wander overhead between their feeding and roosting grounds. Waders enjoy the shallow pools and can include anything from Sanderling and Dunlin to Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot and even the odd wintering Ruff or Spotted Redshank. In most winters, parties of Snow Buntings busily search for seeds along the shingle beach, while a glance offshore in suitable conditions might also produce a few Eider, Common Scoter, Gannets, Guillemots or even a diver or two! And of course, being Norfolk, there’s always the chance of a real rarity turning up to enjoy, too! Aside from birds, a few mammals are regularly recorded here, including Grey and Harbour Seals, Brown Hare and Chinese Water Deer.
Led by naturalist Mike Crewe or John Willamson, these Day Trips will start at 9am at Salthouse and will cover up to 4 miles on foot over easy terrain. Please also allow up to £10 for car parking charges.
- Explore north Norfolk’s wonderful wetland reserves
- An abundance of wintering ducks and geese
- Norfolk residents such as Marsh Harrier, Avocet & Bearded Tit
- Chance of Snow Buntings on the beach and seabirds offshore
- Learn about the conservation work of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust
- Led by expert Naturetrek naturalist
Day Trip Location
Dates & Prices
2026
Tour Leader: John Williamson
Born in Norfolk, John has been birdwatching in the county for almost 40 years. He is currently the county liaison with the British Birds Rare Breeding Birds Panel, and has been involved in the production of the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report for over 25 years. More recently John has worked in wildlife conservation for over 15 years filling various roles with RSPB, Natural England and Norfolk Wildlife Trust. John has also travelled quite extensively to over 20 countries, many of which were visited on birdwatching or wildlife trips. His experience gained working within Norfolk on breeding shorebird protection along the North Norfolk coast from Scot Head Island to Stiffkey Binks for Natural England (including several years working on the Holkham Estate NNR), on monitoring CAP agri-environment schemes and barn owl projects with RSPB, and operating wildlife watertrails on boats at Hickling Broad NNR and at Ranworth Broad nature reserves for Norfolk Wildlife Trust means he has acquired a broad knowledge of the fauna and flora of the county. John also has his own environmental consultancy and has been working on a long-term bird monitoring scheme (15 years to date) in operation on a lowland organic mixed farm in North-west Norfolk. His interests extend to all forms of natural history but John also has an extensive understanding of the past history of Norfolk and is particularly well-versed in the areas of Broadland, North and North-west Norfolk.
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!
