Birdwatching in North Norfolk

Norfolk is often described at the birdwatching capital of Britain. With rare visiting birds and a wealth of nature reserves, north Norfolk is ideal for birdwatching all year round.

Bird watching through the seasons

North Norfolk is a birdwatchers' paradise with rare birds often paying a visit due to north Norfolk’s proximity to the European continental mainland, and there is a wealth of nature reserves to get up close to unique species.

In Spring, watch birds of prey dancing in the sky and at nature reserves you can see wading birds with their colourful breeding plumage pass through on their way to the Arctic. Reedbeds, woods and hedgerows are filled with the songs of the newly-arrived swifts and warblers. Local speciality species seen in Spring include breeding marsh harrier, little egret and avocet. Look out for scarcer birds including osprey, spoonbill, ring ouzel and firecrest, to name a few.

Summer is the time to look for spotted redshanks and wood, green and common sandpipers. You may catch sight of a pectoral sandpiper and red-necked phalarope.

Autumn birdwatching is dominated by migration with large numbers of geese and ducks returning for the winter and thousands of thrushes and finches migrate, returning from their summer breeding grounds. Robins, starlings and goldcrests arrive for winter and there may be sightings of wryneck.

In Winter, north Norfolk is famous for the largest and most varied concentrations of geese in the country. The pink footed geese arrive from their breeding grounds in Iceland and Greenland to spend the winter here. You will also see birds of prey, especially hen harrier, peregrine, merlin and short-eared owl. A sight not to miss is the spectacular raptors coming in to roost in the Broads.

All year round, north Norfolk is a fantastic place to visit for spectacular sights of unique and common birds. It's also a great place for children to begin to learn about birds. With nature reserves and child-friendly visitor centres, you'll find all you need to get started.