North Norfolk Coast 14th April 2022

 At 0700 on 14th April, my good friend Matt Stewart and myself arrived at Wells-next-the-Sea for a mornings walk which would take us along a small section of the North Norfolk Coast path and some beautiful inland lanes which are often overlooked by birders and walkers.

Our Route 

Beginning at Wells, Matt and I walked east along the North Norfolk Coast path to as far as the car park at Greenway, Stiffkey.  We walked along Greenway to Stiffkey for a coffee break, and to plan our next move. 

North Norfolk Coast path between Wells and Stiffkey.  Blackcap and Whitethroat here.

We then walked along Bridge Street leaving Stiffkey behind us and onto Wighton Road.  The initial long climb was a challenge, but worth it as once we reached the brow of the hill the views of this rolling landscape with its narrow lanes was spectacular.  

Wighton Road, Stiffkey. Looking towards Warham

The long descent towards Binham Road at Warham was equally beautiful, and not the typical landscape a visiting stranger to Norfolk would expect to see in that Norfolk is certainly not flat.  At the bottom of the descent we stopped for a while to take in the lovely babbling stream which passes through the meadows and under the road bridge and ford.  

Viewed from Wighton Road where Water Rail seen

Continuing our walk, we entered the beautiful village of Warham where once again we stopped to take in the stream where on one of the trees over the water a rope and tyre was suspended, a typical idyllic scene where children may play on a hot summers day.. We departed Warham and headed North along the Stiffkey Road, another gentle climb, reaching the coast road and crossing onto Cocklestrand Drove. We continued along the Drove until we met the North Norfolk Coast path, turning west and back to Wells, by which time walkers, families, and some beautiful dogs, were out enjoying the warm sunny conditions. 

Birds

From the start of our walk the ubiquitous and ever-noisy Oystercatchers and Redshanks were calling on the saltmarsh with one Redshank watched performing song-flight.  North of the sea wall on the scrape, good numbers of Avocet present on the shoreline and in bushes and scrub closer to the path both Cetti's and Sedge Warblers sang, with the latter performing its conspicuous song-flight.  Both Blackcap and Chiffchaffs were singing in suitable habitat.  

Approaching Stiffkey, another Blackcap singing, this time on an outer branch and in full sun, beautiful. Two Whitethroats were found in song. This beautiful Sylvia species is known colloquially in Norfolk as 'Nettlecreeper', a very apt name for this skulker.

On the saltmarsh, at least 6 Spoonbills seen with one group of 3 preening birds quite close to us.  Little Egrets were seen, including one close bird searching muddy creeks for food.  A distant male Marsh Harrier hunted over the saltmarsh. 

Little Egret on saltmarsh 14th April (Photo by Matt Stewart)

A short coffee break at the Greenway car park at Stiffkey was spent watching a delightful male Swallow flying around us and collecting mud for the nest.

Following our short coffee break Matt and I headed into Stiffkey village for a light breakfast. Whilst walking along the River Stiffkey a Little Owl seen briefly in flight.  Whilst in the beautiful surroundings of Stiffkey stores Greenfinches were heard in song.

Before leaving Stiffkey we stopped at the bridge on Bridge Street to look at the River Stiffkey, whilst here I witnessed behaviour by a Blackbird which I have never seen before since becoming interested in birds in the mid 1960's.  A female Blackbird was flying close to the surface of the water and very briefly skimmed the surface, then continued flying to a branch when it washed and preened itself.

Having left Stiffkey we continued along the gentle climb on Wighton Road accompanied by singing Blackcap whilst in adjoining fields an Oystercatcher fed and a male Marsh Harrier hunted above crops.

When the Wighton Road levelled out into open rolling countryside Linnets were the dominant species as they danced along the taller sprays of hedgerow.  Another Whitethroat was found in song.  The road then descended towards a ford over a babbling stream, here, I very briefly saw a Water Rail in flight between dense cover.  

Matt and I then walked along the Binham Road towards the beautiful village of Warham where another Whitethroat was singing in roadside hedge.  Leaving Warham on the Stiffkey Road a further Whitethroat was singing.

We crossed the coast road and walked along Cocklestrand Drove where several Butterfly species were seen including a couple of  Common Blue and a lovely Brimstone too.

 

The final part of the walk began at the Cocklestrand Drove/North Norfolk Coast path junction. We walked west along the North Norfolk Coast path where Whitethroat was again encountered.  To our right on the saltmarsh a calling Whimbrel was seen well as it flew away from us to settle on the marsh. Avocets were seen on the return walk with 3 birds crossing the path in front of us, such beautiful and delicate looking birds. In a nearby bush a Sedge Warbler sang then launched himself into his conspicuous display flight to advertise his presence.

As we entered Wells at the end of our walk, lots of visitors were enjoying themselves along the harbour wall either fishing for crabs, or having fish and chips, and of course lots of beautiful dogs to say hello to.

We arrived back at the car park having walked 10.5 miles.  I must thank Matt Stewart , firstly for driving me to Wells, and secondly, for his great company.  Thank you so much Matt, we will do it again soon.