Birdwatching sites in Norfolk

One of Britain's finest birdwatching Counties. Here we feature some of Norfolk's best birdwatching sites with what to see, map, sounds and video to aid your visit. We highly recommend the excellent Best Birdwatching Sites in Norfolk by Neil Glenn


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Berney Marshes

Berney Marshes RSPBis part of the larger Breydon Water reserve and provides an area of wet grassland, intertidal mud and saltmarsh in the Norfolk Broads.

Breydon Water

It's quite possible to spend a couple of days here and still miss something. Med gulls on the beach, scarce waders on Breydon water and perhaps a 'mega' in Great Yarmouth cemetery?.....

Blakeney National Nature Reserve

To birders, 'The Plantation' , 'Yankee Ridge', 'The Hood' and halfway house will no doubt be familiar names, as this four mile shingle ridge has produced some of Britain's rarest birds.

Blickling Hall and gardens

Stunning early 17th century Jacobean house set in an historic park with many beautiful woodland and lakeside walks. Blickling is one of the best places in Norfolk for all three British woodpeckers.

Brancaster Marsh

Somewhat off the main Norfolk birding trail, Brancaster marshes offers a perfect  getaway from the potential crows of nearby Titchwell, but offering much of the same habitat.

Buckenham Marshes

Buckenham Marshes boasts the only regular winter flock of bean geese in England (November to February), together with white-fronted geese and up to 10,000 wigeons...

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Cley Nature Reserve

Lying on the beautiful north Norfolk coast (AONB), Cley has a well deserved international reputation as one of the premier birding locations, with an amazing list of rarities...

Dersingham Bog

Superb mixture of lowland heath, mire and woodland managed by Natural England with woodlark, tree pipit and churring nightjars in summer.

East Wretham Heath

Probably the best site in Norfolk to see / hear woodlark, with a excellent range of Breckland habitats and a great days birding....

Felbrigg Hall & Gardens

Another excellent birding site owned by The National Trust. Perhaps not the rarities, but plenty of lovely quiet walks in 520 acres.

Friary Hills Blakeney

National trust site giving excellent views across Blakeney marshes. The raised scrub, gorse and woodland attracts many migrants in spring and Autumn....

Goodestone Water Gardens

Wonderful garden in spring and especially summer, with a splendid array of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Kingfisher is almost guaranteed. Take a camera....

Hickling Broad

Situated in the upper stretches of the River Thurne, Hickling is the largest of the Norfolk Broads. A National Nature Reserve and home to Bittern and Swallowtail butterfly...

Holkham NNR & Hall

A splendid reserve that will benefit from a whole day's birding. A wonderful array of varied habitats, ranging from coastal pine woods (with a list of rarities that is legendary) to recently breeding Spoonbill. Waders, geese and winter shorelark, the list goes on....

Holme Bird Observatory

Established in 1962 ,the reserve covers 13 acres of pine and scrub covered dunes. This strategic position is a key migration point allowing the observation study of the various streams of migrants arriving, leaving or passing through the county.

Holme Dunes

Excellent at any time of the year and another great rarity 'hotspot'. Holme Dunes are managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust....

Holt - Cromer Ridge

An area of 'high' ground running from Holt in the West and terminating at Cromer cliffs, the Holt-Cromer ridge has a range of varied habitats and includes Sheringham Park NT. Some of Norfolk's rarest birds have been recorded and is probably the best place in the county for Firecrest.

Horsey Mere

In summer the mere has breeding, reed warbler, bearded tit, bittern and marsh harrier, but it is in winter that Horsey comes into it's own,

How Hill

The How Hill Trust, based in the Edwardian thatched mansion, was founded in 1984, and works in partnership with the Broads Authority, owners of the adjacent National Nature Reserve....

Kelling Heath

One of The areas in Norfolk for resident woodlark and summer visitors such as nightjar In recent years Dartford warbler have also bred.

Kelling Watermeadows (Quags)

If you're looking for relative solitude away from the popular birding sites, then Kelling water meadows may just be the place for you....

Lynford Arboretum

The best site in Norfolk for the illusive hawfinch. Other birds include crossbill, woodlark and nightjar...

Maids Cross LNR

A small local nature reserve overlooking RAF Lakenheath airfield. Thickets of hawthorn with a good population of Nightingale

Nunnery Lakes Thetford

Situated to the south of Thetford between the Rivers Thet and Little Ouse, Nunnery Lakes is owned and managed by the BTO.A series of lakes created by old gravel workings, and a rich variety of Breckland habitats lie within a relatively small area....

Pensthorpe

For many visitors experiencing birds such as bearded reedlings, avocets and turtle doves ‘up close and personal' is something really special.....

Ranworth Broad

Norfolk wildlife trust reserve situated in the middle stretches of the River Bure marshes NNR. Boardwalks and a floating visitor centre are well worth a visit........

Rockland Marshes RSPB

Rockland Broad is an area of open water located just north of the village of Rockland St. Mary, Norfolk. The broad lies within the Broads protected area.

Roydon Common

Raptors including hen harrier in the winter, hobby, nightingale and woodlark in the summer. Roydon common has year round bird interest....

Salthouse Heath

Situated one mile from the coast road, Salthouse heath is one of the best sites in Norfolk for both nightingale and nightjar.....

Santon Downham

Although strictly in Suffolk, the main birding areas lie within the county of Norfolk. Superb site for crossbill, woodlark, mandarin and perhaps, lesser-spotted woodpecker....

Scolt Head

The saltmarshes are considered to be the finest in the UK and are the best documented and researched in the world.....

Snettisham RSPB

The RSPB's Snettisham reserve gets you close to the wild heart of The Wash - the UK’s most important estuary for wildlife.......

Stubb Mill

Spectacular roosting site for some of Norfolk's and indeed the UK's rarest birds. Common crane, Hen harrier, merlin are all possible here...

Strumpshaw Fen

Reedbeds, woodlands and orchid-rich meadows. Marsh harrier, bittern, kingfisher, cetti's warbler, water rail, lesser-spotted-woodpecker....

Surlingham Marshes

Small RSPB reserve with a circular walk around reedbeds, fens and pools. Marsh harrier, kingfisher, water rail and cetti's warbler, with reed and sedge warblers in summer. Winter flooding attracts bittern, gadwall and shoveler....

Swanton Novers

Famous for it's Honey Buzzard's and other birds of prey. A special raptor viewing area was established at Swanton Novers in the 1980's.....

Syderstone Common

Norfolk wildlife trust reserve of acidic heathland with alkaline pools. Woodlark, and scrub birds along with nightingale in summer..

Thompson Common

140 acres of 300 plus shallow pools with mixed and varied water plants, it is one of the most important sites in Europe for water beetles and UK dragonflies.

Titchwell RSPB Reserve

Situated on the stunning north Norfolk coast, Titchwell Marsh is one of the RSPB's most visited reserves. It has something for everyone, from beginners, to seasoned birdwatchers on the lookout for a rarity...

Warham Greens 

Lying East of Well-next-the-Sea, Warham greens consist of a series of shallow wet pits excellent for migrant waders whilst the hedgerows have turned up many rarities....

Weeting Heath

One of the star areas of Breckland, weeting heath reserve is the place to see the mysterious and crepuscular Stone curlew, as well as woodlark and hobby...

Welney WWT Reserve

With it's stunning new visitor centre, heated observatory and fabulous spectacles of winter wildfowl, Welney should not be missed...

Wells Woods NNR

One of The birding spots during migration periods with annual rarities. Regular barred warbler, Firecrest etc along with ever present woodland species...

NORFOLK


Browse a range of New and used Avifauna for the English county of Norfolk.


Also you may wish to view a wide selection of suitable field guides  by

clicking here


The Norfolk Bird Atlas

Details accounts of summer and winter distributions from extensive fieldwork conducted between 1999-2007. There is a double page spread for each bird, covering over 180 species commonly found in Norfolk, and an additional 63 scarcer or rate changes in distribution since the last Norfolk atlas. Superbly illustrated by local artists and photographers.

The Norfolk Cranes' Story

This book tells the story of how cranes bred at Horsey in Norfolk, and how they were protected and studied there. The cranes' story starts with their arrival at Horsey in 1979. Their first nesting attempt was in 1981 and the first chick fledged in 1982.
Their guardian at Horsey was – and is – John Buxton. Much of what we know about cranes in the UK was contained in John's memory and notebooks.

Birds New to Norfolk

Contains accounts of the discovery and identification of all the birds new to Norfolk, from historical accounts of the most common birds to the latest rarities.

Birds in Norfolk

Not only can one find the greatest variety of bird species in Norfolk as well as view spectacular mass migrations, but it is also one of the best spots to find rare birds and infrequent visitors to Britain. This celebration of the county's avian scene offers research and statistics about the different types of habitats and the resident and visiting bird populations of each, together with almost 200 atmospheric watercolour illustrations by James McCallum.

Broadland Birds

  • ASIN : B000896JI0
  • Publisher : Country Life; First edition (1 Jan. 1924)
  • Language : English
  • Hardcover : 
  • 172 pages

Bird watching on Scolt Head

  • ASIN : B001PYK8T8
  • Publisher : Country Life; 1st edition (1 Jan. 1928)
  • Language : English

The Natural & Unnatural History of Norfolk's Birds

  • Publisher : Blue Sky Publications (1 Jan. 1993)
  • Language : English
  • Hardcover : 63 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0952216450
  • ISBN-13 : 978-0952216452

Birds of Norfolk 1967

  • ASIN : B0006BXPEQ
  • Publisher : Jarrold; 1st Edition (1 Jan. 1967)
  • Language : English
  • Hardcover : 148 pages

North Norfolk's Wildlife

  • Publisher : Red String Publishing; 1st edition (1 Jun. 2009)
  • Language : English
  • Hardcover : 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0952245914
  • ISBN-13 : 
  • 978-0952245919

The Peregrines of Norwich Cathedral

  • Publisher : Red Hare Publishing (27 Aug. 2015)
  • Language : English
  • Paperback : 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 191000118X
  • ISBN-13 : 978-1910001189
  • Dimensions : 24 x 0.6 x 22.5 cm

Birds of Norfolk

This is the standard avifauna for the county of Norfolk, and was the first in the recent Helm series of county avifaunas. After extensive introductory chapters, the bulk of the book comprises the detailed species accounts, which give a comprehensive overview of the status of every species. This landmark volume was first published in hardback in 1999, and reprinted with revisions in paperback in 2000. This is a hardback reprint of the paperback edition.

Robert Gillmor's Norfolk Bird Sketches

Artist's sketches are the building blocks for their final work. These drawings give the viewer a real insight into the workings of an artist's mind. This beautifully produced book includes a mixture of sketching styles. Robert has separated them into three groups: the very quick, loose, mono notes to record vigorous action, then more considered drawings of birds that are not particularly active, and watercolour or pencil studies of birds that remain still, either preening or feeding etc

East Anglia and Its Birds

The book includes descriptions of the various areas of East Anglia, and the effect that has on the types of birds seen in them. Also includes separate chapters on various areas, plus biographies of past naturalists, and a list of species that have occurred in East Anglia.

Saga of Swans & Harrier over the Fen

  • ASIN : B0007J8B78
  • Publisher : Routledge and Kegan Paul; 1st ed. edition (1 Jan. 1949)
  • Language : English
  • Hardcover : 180 pages

The Norfolk bird atlas

144 page paperback published in 1986. Tetrad atlas shows breeding status of Norfolk's birds

Rare and Scarce Birds in North-east Norfolk

  • Publisher : Wren Publishing (25 Jun. 2019)
  • Language : English
  • Paperback : 104 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0954254570
  • ISBN-13 : 978-0954254575

Rare Birds in Norfolk up to and including 1997

ASIN : 1898918503

History of the Birds of Norfolk

ASIN : B001OX5DTK

  • Publisher : H. F.& G. Witherby; 1st Edition (1 Jan. 1930)

Norfolk Bird Life

Norfolk Bird Life
Ronald Gaze. Paperback 1949

Titchwell Marsh and Snettisham nature reserves

  • ASIN : B007VSC110
  • Paperback : 13 pages

Cley Marsh and Its Birds

Cley has been described as' the Mecca of ornithologists for the last 140 years', and Billy Bishop was warden of the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust Nature Reserve at Cley from 1937, eleven years after it had been started, until his retirement in 1978. His memoirs are a fascinating account of a world which has changed dramatically, from the days of the Gentleman Gunners whose great objective in life was to shoot the rarest birds for their collection, but who had an unrivalled knowledge of their subject, to the modern methods of conservation and management of habitat. Billy Bishop has some marvellous stories to tell, both of past characters, gunmen and wildfowlers, and of the birdwatchers and photographers of today.

Cley Marsh and Its Birds

Billy Bishop published his memoirs in 1983 after more than 40 years as warden of the reserve.(see hardback) In this new edition his son Bernard who succeeded him continues the story of the marsh up to 1996 the 70th anniversary of the reserve.

Cley Year, The: A Birder's Guide

Hill House Press 1997. Paperback Pictorial Cover. First Edition. "The Cley Year" A Month by month review of this fabulous reserve. A comprehensive site guide, maps and an up-to-date check list are included along with many evocative line drawings of Cley birds. Cley is an area of amazingly diverse habitat. Few places in Britain can boast such superb scenery or a more remarkable list of common, scarce and rare birds. This book is the perfect guide to birdwatching at Cley.

North Norfolk Summer Sketchbook

North Norfolk Summer Sketchbook is a collection of paintings, drawings and observations made over many years of study by James McCallum who graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1996 with a masters degree in natural history illustration.

Guardian Spirit of the East Bank

The story of a legend. Richard Richardson was a remarkable ornithologist and bird artist, a well know figure for many years at Cley. This book features many fascinating and amusing anecdotes from his many friends on the East Bank. There are also also many extracts from Richard's birdwatching notebooks between 1939 & 1970.

A Check-List of the Birds of Cley

  • Publisher : S.J.M. Gantlet]; 3rd ed edition (1 Jan. 1986)
  • Paperback : 75 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0950990302
  • ISBN-13 : 
  • 978-0950990309

Notes on the Birds of Cley, Norfolk

  • Publisher : Hyperion Books; Revised edition (11 May 1992)
  • Language : English
  • Paperback : 127 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0951226339
  • ISBN-13 : 978-0951226339

The Birds of Blakeney Point

Few places in Britain, or indeed anywhere, have as long an ornithological history as Blakeney Point. The Point has always been known for its colony of Common Terns but was `discovered' in the 1880s as a haunt of autumn Bluethroats and subsequently acquired a reputation as a rich hunting ground for bird collectors. Early rarity credits from this era include the first British Pallas's Warbler and Yellow-breasted Bunting and the first English Arctic Warbler.

Blakeney Point and Scolt Head Island

  • ASIN : B001IUOPA2
  • Publisher : Norfolk (1 Jan. 1971)

Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Blakeney Point

  • ASIN : B001AZO1S6
  • Publisher : 
  • The National Trust (1 Jan. 1969)
  • An Annotated Checklist of the Birds of Blakeney Point, Norfolk (Paperback)
    D. J. B WHITE (Author)

The Long, Wild Shore: Bird and Seal Seasons on Blakeney Point

Wild Shore explores the seasons on the North Norfolk coast. It uses the famous landmark of Blakeney Point as its focus – a place steeped in history and renowned for its colonies of seals and nesting birds. Individual chapters explore the lives of Common and Grey Seals and well-known breeding birds such as Little and Sandwich Terns, Oystercatchers and Ringed Plovers. T

The birds of Great Yarmouth

128 page paperback. Full systematic list for area with line drawings.

  • Publisher : Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists Society; 1st ed edition (1 Jan. 1990)
  • Paperback : 128 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0950113034
  • ISBN-13 : 978-0950113036

Observations On The Fauna Of Norfolk 1879

  • ASIN : B0010JNL0G
  • Publisher : Jarrold & Sons (1 Jan. 1879)
  • Language : English
  • Hardcover : 239 pages

Birds Beasts and Fishes of the Norfolk Broadland

  • ASIN : B00086F4A2
  • Publisher : David Nutt; 1st Edition (1 Jan. 1895)
  • Language : English
  • Hardcover : 
  • 396 pages

Birds of the Norfolk Broads

Publisher : Jarrold Publishing; Revised edition (1 July 1985)

  • Language : English
  • Paperback : 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 : 0711701806
  • ISBN-13 : 978-0711701809

The Birds of Sheringham

An authoritative and detailed study of the birds found in the Sheringham area, including Weybourne, the Runtons and Felbrigg Great Wood, with illustrations by wildlife artist Bryan Bland.

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