Snettisham is it worth going (1 Viewer)

[canonman]

Hi all
Got 4 days down the Norfolk coast at the end of the week near Hunstanton. We are going to Titchwell and Brancaster. I was wondering if it was worth going to Snettisham as I have looked and there are no high tides this weekend. Do you only see a large amount of birds when there is a high tide and is it still worth visiting. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Andy

 

[redeyedvideo]

I'm sure others may have different ideas but I'd say the best time to visit is in the Autumn when Knot and other waders will be there in good numbers. It could be almost bird-less at this time of year, on the other hand you may just be lucky and find something.

The costal park is good for warblers and a Little Bittern was found (by a birder who is sadly no longer with us) just north of there some years back, 1996 was it?

 

[Lavenderblue]

I went to Snettisham a couple of days ago actually for the first time. I saw a few birds - lots of plovers (grey, ringed etc) a few tufted ducks and loads of whitethroats in the bushes on the walk to the reserve......and that was about it.

I personally would head down the coast a bit and go to Cley-next-the-sea, its a lovely place and I always see loads when I visit there.

 

[Robert S J Smith]

If your staying in near Hunstanton Holme is worth a visit.

 

[DaveN]

If your staying in near Hunstanton Holme is worth a visit.

I'd agree with that. Holme is probably my favourite place to go when I visit Norfolk.

 

[coal tit]

i there

i have only ever been to snettisham once and more or less just arriveing at the site
i was immediately attracted to a bird singing in the under growth a lot of the time
the bird kept in cover but haveing patience this time payed off and the bird came
out into the open a number of times and i was rewarded with my first marsh warbler
once you have been to the norfolk coast a beautiful area and especially for birds you will want to go back for more i use to go in may and loved seeing some of the wadeing birds in summer plumage i live in derbyshire and occasionally get onto one
of these birds on passage but the coastline there is magical for birds that is why
birdwatchers love it so if you want to get up close and i mean close for i have on
a number of occasions when there is to stand on the beach at titchwell or where
there is accessible sand and wait for the tide to come in you can stand along the waterline mind where you put your feet as you are walking backwards and just watch the sanderlings come running across in front of you at close range as they
feed on the waters edge they are a joy to watch almost like clockwork toys in their
actions some in full summer plumage and i have seen some still in winter plumage and this is in may they are always on the move on one occasion i had been eating
some sandwiches and i had some crusts left over after the saltwater had softened
them along came the sanderlings and gobbled them down not really bothered
about me at all so from 10ft to 15ft i was able to watch them through my scope
the turnstones were to shy to get that close but when you get close views like
that you never forget them mind the winds are always blowing so it always pays to make sure you have plenty of jumpers etc i hope you enjoy yourself there as much
as i did and would still do if i could get there.

coal tit

 

[coal tit]

hi andy

and i would also like to add to that do be careful of the tide getting around the back of you which it can cunningly do with speed when comeing in sometimes and stay close to the shore


all the best
coal tit.

 

[Mari E]

I went to nsettisham at the completely wrong tide due to the lack of tide tables for the 2nd January 2011 when I was researching in 2010.

You won't see many waders as you do in winter but if you do decide to go, go at the highest tide during your visit! You only get to see miles and miles of mudflats if you go at low tide(which I did!)

 

[SueBryan]

Snettisham Coastal Park which is the stretch north of the main beach car park leading towards Heacham is the favoured area in Spring of local birders. A very early morning visit is most productive if you walk on the inner of the two sea banks and then back through the bushes. At this time of year you will hear and see Grasshopper Warblers as well as all the common migrant warblers. Whimbrel will be on the fields amongst the Curlews along with many ducks, geese etc. Snettisham Coastal Park is often ignored as most visitors seem to head for the RSPB section (south of the main car park) which is better in the winter months. Snettisham CP as well the adjoining Heacham section is good for Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail passage too. Keep an eye out for Redstarts near the Heacham end of the Country Park.

Good birding
Sue

 

[Geoff Brown]

Come around the Wash to Frampton Marsh RSPB if you are able too. It will not be a wasted trip from the birding point of view. There is plenty to see here bird-wise at all times of the year. Also at the latest count up to twelve water voles are often easily seen.