A 1-day tour looking for winter birds on the North Norfolk coast

Winter in North Norfolk

Winter is a great time for birdwatching in Norfolk. Large numbers of birds come here to spend the colder months, including wildfowl, waders, birds of prey and owls. In December, numbers of geese are at their peak, including large numbers of Pink-footed and White-fronted Geese. Sometimes a rarer goose may be mixed in with them, and in some years it is a good time to find Tundra Bean Geese in the flocks. In 2023/24 we had a long-staying Red-breasted Goose in with the Brent Geese too. There is always a good selection of ducks and waders to see too at this time of year.

Our over-wintering Shorelarks are always one of the highlights of the season here, and should be back in residence by this time, and there may be flocks of Snow Buntings too. It is a good time for raptors and we may go to a site to watch for Hen Harriers and Merlin coming in to roost at dusk. In some years we may have a Rough-legged Buzzard around for the winter.

There are always lots of birds to see at this time of year and this is the perfect opportunity to take a break from Christmas shopping and get out in the fresh air to do some birding!