From autumn to early spring before the breeding season, the North Norfolk coastline becomes the setting for one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the UK.
Great skeins of pink-footed geese fill the skyline in a perfect “V”. Before you even see them, their captivating sound lifts the spirit. As they fly inland from their night-time roosting sites on the salt marsh, we track them by Land Rover to stubble fields where they feed undisturbed on sugar beet tops.
Using a classic Land Rover as a mobile hide from which to wildlife-watch, we find the best location to observe the largest concentration of geese in the UK, a true wonder of nature. The trip also provides the chance to see other farmland birds and mammals in their natural habitat.
In the afternoon, the focus is on Brent geese. During the 30-minute walk to remote saltwater creeks, the first geese fly overhead. At our destination, we observe them in their thousands. On the ground, other waders walk into view while above the marsh, a peregrine or harrier might put on a display as it captures an afternoon snack.
Far from the maddening crowd, the sights, sounds and smells of the landscape take over. There’s nothing better than sitting down to listen to the cacophony of such a spectacular multitude of one species, while the calls of redshank and curlew also echo around you, the clouds race overhead and the salty air revives the senses. This is a unique opportunity to stop and observe nature at its very best.
Trip Information
What to take: Clothing suited to the weather + a pair of wellingtons; just in case!
What’s provided
Equipment: Camera bean bags, spare binoculars.
Food: Picnic, tea, coffee, fruit, cake and water. Dietary requirements catered for.
Trip length: 8.00am -4.00pm
Departs From: Tickety Boo Cottage
Cost: £220.00 (one person) | £160.00 (second person) | Max 2 people per trip
Deposit: £80.00 per person (payable at time of booking)
