West Norfolk Local Group

From The Chair

We are privileged to live in a unique area of the British Isles. It is an environment rich in habitats and species but in common with many other places there are threats to that environment that must be resisted. Our objective is to raise awareness of the wildlife and natural beauty of west Norfolk, to conserve it wherever appropriate and to share it with you whether you live in Norfolk or are just visiting.

From your base in west Norfolk you may visit The Wash as the high tide covers the mud flats to watch the synchronised flights of countless waders. Many thousands of knots, oystercatchers and dunlin are pushed toward the edge of the mud as the water rises until they flow into the sky and perform their acrobatics before pouring down onto another spot where they feel more secure. It is truly a spectacular sight not be missed. This is just one of the spectacles of Norfolk.

Throughout the year we arrange guided walks around the coast and countryside and in the winter we invite knowledgeable speakers to give talks at the Methodist Hall, Hunstanton on a variety of wildlife topics. These walks and talks are open to all members of NWT and to non-members for a small fee. We are always pleased to welcome new members and visitors to the area at our walks and talks, so why not come and join us.
Dr. Clive Wakes-Miller

Our Local Area

West Norfolk probably has as wide a range of habitats as any equivalent area in Britain with the added bonus that they are accessible and all within a few miles of each other.

The Coast
Scanning the inshore waters of the North Sea often provides a sighting of Common Scoter with rafts sometimes numbered in thousands and for the careful observer there may be a few ‘Velvets’ amongst them. Divers, grebes and auks appear and disappear amongst the waves with frustrating ease with confusion added by the bobbing heads of seals. Terns & gannets may be seen making their characteristic plunges in pursuit of fish.

The north coast is fringed at low tide with extensive sandy beaches some of which, in warm weather, provide a wonderful place for families to sunbathe and picnic. On such occasions after just a short stroll away from the access points you will find the beach largely deserted. A walk along the strand line will provide evidence of the many life forms within the sea. Sea-weeds of course are ever-present and sometimes a leathery ‘Mermaid’s Purse’, the egg-case of ‘dog fish’ or Tope and after a particular combination of tide and storm, banks containing millions of wrecked razor shells may be found. Ventures into the sea for a closer look at the marine wildlife will be rewarding but need to undertaken with considerable care as the tidal flows around the sand banks cause strong currents. In winter, groups of Sanderling race along the water’s edge and the occasional flock of Snow Buntings feeds toward the back of the beach.

Behind the sandy shoreline there are varying combinations of dunes and marshes. The dunes are particularly fragile and access into them should be limited to those places where it is clearly permitted and attention should be paid to any signs giving guidance or imposing restrictions. The flora and fauna of the dune slacks and the salt and fresh marshes could easily occupy a keen amateur naturalist for a whole season. Green Hairstreak Butterfly, Natterjack Toad and Marsh Helleborine are amongst the many species of the dune slacks.

The saltmarshes are subdivided by muddy tidal creeks occupied by a variety of wading birds now including the snow-white plumaged Little Egrets that are easily spotted in contrast to the cryptically coloured Curlews feeding amongst the flora of the marsh. Depending on the particular location the saltmarsh may be coloured in summer with a crust of Sea Lavender’s purple-pink blossom and the purple flush of Seablight foliage. The unusual Sea Heath forms mats on the dryer parts and on any larger areas of intertidal mud the edible Marsh Samphire grows, often in neat but natural rows. Large numbers of Wigeon and geese occupy the fresh marshes in winter.

The inland boundary of the marsh is sometimes formed with slightly larger areas of brackish or fresh water and beds of phragmites reed. These areas are attractive to wildfowl and provide nesting places for their predator, the Marsh Harrier. As the breeding season approaches a lucky visitor may hear a Bittern booming from the reeds or at the end of the season see dispersing Bearded Tits flash over the reed heads. Around the edges or where the reed is cut short the feathery pink flowers of Ragged Robin will show.

At Holme the north coast bends south-west into the Wash and the marshes and dunes give way to the cliffs of Hunstanton. This brief 1.3 km strip of cliff rises to the modest height of 18 metres and is unusually formed of white chalk over red chalk and carstone. Although only a relatively small area of cliff face exists it provides a breeding place for a small colony of Northern Fulmars. Over the last 100 years or so, erosion has caused the cliff line to recede some 30 metres and the process is continuing. South of Hunstanton the yellow beach sands are briefly overcome by shingle before disappearing into the vast intertidal areas of dark mud and sands of the wash. As the autumn tides rise here, there may be seen some the most dramatic displays of bird activity in the world.

Fenland & Farmland
The great area of farmland within west Norfolk must not be overlooked by any visitor interested in wildlife. Our farmland is composed of many different habitats according to location and season. In the Fens of the south-west the land is flat and the soils very dark, the fields are quite large and their boundaries are formed with ditches rather than hedges. The natural flora present may be limited to the ditches but the avifauna present, particularly in winter, is fairly widespread and will reward a visit. During the day the fields are scattered with groups of Mute Swans and flocks of Bewick and Whooper Swans. The muddy edges of ditches provide feeding grounds for the occasional Common Sandpiper and other waders and those with more water and herbage are frequently occupied by Grey Herons. The larger drains and rivers bear numerous Great Crested Grebes and Dabchicks and provide a hunting place for Kingfishers and on the waters around Denver Sluice you may see Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander.

Much of the water drained from the fens flows into the the Old and New Bedford Rivers and in winter the excess water is deliberately flooded onto the intervening grassland forming the Ouse Washes. Where the water recedes sufficiently in summer cattle graze some of the grassland and hay is cropped. The many resident breeding bird species are joined in the winter floods by tens of thousands of wildfowl and waders. Bank, Short-tailed and Water Voles are present in good numbers and nearly half the aquatic plant species of Britain are to be found in the Rivers and ditches.

In the north and central parts of west Norfolk the farmland cloaks low rolling hills, the fields are not overly large and there are many hedgerows and blocks of woodland. The minor roads often have verges up to five metres wide some of which are mowed once or twice a year but many others are allowed to follow nature’s course and as the year progresses these are occupied by increasingly tall flora. In summer these verges are truly alive with insects: Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Painted Lady and Ringlet are amongst the many butterflies commonly seen; a closer look will reveal a variety of Hover Flies feeding on the nectar of the umbellifers present. On a sunny afternoon stoats may be seen dashing across these roads often carrying prey and at dusk it is not unusual to find a Barn Owl hunting along the verges. In the autumn a careful look through the hedge into a field may reveal a mixed flock of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Black-headed Gulls and as winter deepens you are likely to find a flock of many thousands of geese, possibly all Pink-footed Geese but always worth checking for a rarer species amongst them. In spring before the crops grow up too high there are many Brown Hares to be seen and still a good number of Grey Partridges. Many field edges boast a red splash of poppies and carpets of poppies measured in acres may still be found.

Heathland
West Norfolk still retains some important areas of heathland and fortunately substantial parts are contained within the NWT reserves of Roydon Common NNR and East Winch Common. The heaths of west Norfolk together with the associated wet and wooded areas are fascinating places for the all-round naturalist. Although at first glance some appear only to have heather a more careful look will reveal, especially in the damper areas, a much richer flora including Marsh Gentian, Bog Asphodel, Southern Marsh Orchid and sundews. In summer dragonflies abound: hawkers, chasers, skimmers and darters and so of course the Hobby must surely follow. In spring, as dusk closes in, the churring of Nightjars will be heard at Dersingham.

Ancient woodland and parkland
Just inland from the Wash coastline you will find the ancient woodlands of Ken Hill and The Sandringham Estate and rather further east lies Houghton Hall with some 4500 acres of parkland. One may struggle to find truly great trees outside such places. Large mature broad-leafed trees host a multitude of species of invertebrates and so attract many other creatures. Great and Lesser Spotted woodpeckers and Tree Creepers occupy the canopy and where a suitable understorey exists Woodcock nest on the ground below. In autumn these places are rich in fungi.

Reserves
Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserves within west Norfolk are:

• East Winch Common
• Grimston Warren
• Holme Dunes NNR
• Narborough Railway Line
• Ringstead Downs
• Roydon Common NNR

The RSPB, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, The Hawk and Owl Trust and the National Trust also have reserves in west Norfolk. When visiting any of the many reserves in west Norfolk please seek the advice of the local warden regarding the species present and any restrictions on access to prevent disturbance or habitat damage. Not all sites have resident wardens but contact information for the local warden is usually sign-posted.

Travel to and around west Norfolk
Apart from road access, west Norfolk may be reached by rail through King’s Lynn via Cambridge from the London terminals of King’s Cross and Liverpool Street or via Ely from Birmingham.

For those who like to see wildlife at a walking pace, west Norfolk is traversed in a north-south direction by the ancient Peddars Way from Castle Acre to Holme and in an east-west direction by the Nar Valley Way from King’s Lynn to Castle Acre and the North Norfolk Coast Path from King’s Lynn to Burnham Overy Staithe via Holme.

West Norfolk is famously accessible for cyclists. For those who are comfortable using the internet, suggested cycling itineraries are available at www.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk . Itineraries are also available there for those preferring to use public transport within the area.

About the Group

West Norfolk Group Activities in 2009

Walks
Outdoor events for the year began on a brisk and breezy January morning at RSPB Snettisham where around 20 people turned up for our walk to the beach. On the way we were fortunate to see a very obliging waxwing perching on a bush close to the path providing good views to all of us. From the beach we saw thousands of waders including, knot, dunlin and oystercatcher that had gathered on the mud in front of the saltmarsh. Soon large groups began to rise up and swirl around in spectacular fashion as the tide receded and they spread out to feed on the newly exposed mud. Stopping off at the Sanctuary Hide on the way back we were lucky enough to see a purple sandpiper on the shingle just in front of the hide. In February we gathered at Thornham harbour for a walk along the costal path to NWT Holme Dunes. On the way we saw golden plover, lapwing, curlew and ruff feeding in the flooded fields beside the path. From the beach at Holme we looked for wintering ducks and divers on the sea before finishing with a visit to the hides for a look over the grazing marsh. Our final outing of the winter was to Sandringham Country Park in March where, in addition to siskin, crossbill and redpoll we found the first signs of spring with chiffchaffs singing in the trees and some frogs spawning in one of the ponds.

Spring outings began with a very well attended visit to admire the bluebells at Foxley Wood, Norfolk’s largest remaining area of ancient woodland. NWT Field Officer John Milton showed us around and told us a bit about the history and management of this wonderful area. In May we were at Cley Marshes and in June at RSPB Lakenheath where we were fortunate enough to see a female Golden Oriole on its nest and the male coming in with food for the chicks. In July we had an evening visit to Dersingham Bog were we heard nightjars churring and managed a few brief glimpses of birds hawking for insects as dusk fell.

The year continued with a return visit to Snettisham in September and a very popular Fungus Foray at Ken Hill Woods in October where local expert Tony Leech identified 32 species. Our final outing of the year was to Holkham on a bright and sunny November day where the highlight was seeing a nice group of eight shore larks on the beach.

Talks
In January Dr Ian Burrows transported us from a cold English winter to the exotic location of Papua New Guinea and its wildlife with his fascinating talk. In February our AGM was followed by an illustrated talk on ‘A year at Holme’ by warden Garry Hibberd giving us an update on what has been happening on the reserve over the past year. In March Jeff Baker of the BTO helped us to sort out those ‘Little Brown Jobs’ with his very informative talk on the tricky subject of warbler identification. Our final talk of the winter by Anthony Foottit, former Bishop of Lynn, was something a little different; a fascinating talk entitled ‘The Significance of Flowers’.

Our autumn/winter program this year began with a talk by Richard Porter on the problems and challenges of conservation in the Middle East entitled ‘Wars, Wetlands and Wildlife’. In October NWT field officer Bill Boyd gave us an illustrated talk on the heathland re-creation work that the Trust is carrying out at Grimston Warren. Other events in this winters program will include a talk on Amphibians and Reptiles by John Baker, a Christmas social in December and talks on ‘An Atlantic Odyssey’ and ‘The Sacred Bee’ in the new year.

Talks venue & format
Talks are held at the Hunstanton Methodist Hall on the corner of Austin Street and the A149. A limited amount of off-street parking is available at the hall with further parking available on the neighbouring streets. The hall has level access from the car park and neighbouring streets. The hall is warm in winter and seats about 90 people. Talks usually start at 7.30pm and finish between 9.30pm and 9.45pm with a break of twenty to thirty minutes in the middle. Talks are illustrated with conventional slides or digital images and there is an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation.

Donations & Charges
For our walks we invite those attending to make a donation. For our talks the charge is £1 for NWT members and £2 for non-members and this includes tea or coffee and a biscuit.

Useful links

www.moths-of-holme.info

www.norfolkseaquest.co.uk

Contact Us

Events Organiser: Michael Batchelor 01485 534116