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Discover a wetland wilderness packed with superlatives.
Leaving Eastwood at 9am on Monday, we drive east to arrive in The Broads in time for a pub lunch. In the afternoon, we shall visit Buckenham Marshes, an RSPB reserve which is one of the country’s largest corvid roosting sites. As the massing flocks of Rooks and Jackdaws gather in their tens of thousands, turning the wires and bare trees black, the noise is impressive and reminiscent of a distant football crowd, and must be “one of the most astonishing spectacles you’ll ever witness”, according to the RSPB website. The reserve is also the only place in England where Bean Geese regularly spend the winter. From here it is a short drive to our accommodation at Amber Lodge, near Acle. This charming former rectory, set in four acres of grounds, amongst tranquil open countryside with far reaching views, has a bar, a restaurant and en-suite rooms with TV and tea/coffee making facilities.
On Tuesday, we explore the nearby Broads, which at this time attract many wildfowl including Bewick’s and Whooper Swans, Pink-footed and White-fronted Geese and Smew, as well as flocks of Golden Plover. In addition to all these ‘ordinary’ birds, a unique feature of the area is the small resident population of Common Cranes, and we shall make a special effort to find these magnificent birds, before ending the day at a viewpoint near Hickling Broad, which overlooks the largest raptor roost in East Anglia, where we should see numerous Marsh and Hen Harriers and hopefully, Merlin and Sparrowhawk as well as Barn and Short-eared Owls.
On Wednesday, we begin with a visit to the nearby Strumpshaw Fen RSPB reserve, where possibilities include Bittern, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Cetti’s Warbler and Bearded Tit. Returning west, we shall stop off at a wood which is the best site in Britain for the secretive Golden Pheasant and time permitting, we shall also visit Lynford Arboretum on the look out for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Hawfinch. We leave the area around 5pm, hoping to be home by 7.30pm.
Cost £210
What the price includes:
Your share of return transport costs from
the Nottingham area, two nights half board en-suite accommodation and the services of
your guide.
Deposit: £35
Single supplement: £25
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