BIRDING IN THE UK: GREAT PLACES TO SEE BRITISH BIRDS
By Glynn Burrows, Norfolk Tours UK
We are so fortunate in the UK, within a relatively small area, we can go from mountains to the sea, from city centres to forests and from saltmarshes to inland waterways, there are so many wildlife habitats that the number of species of birds to be found is amazing.
ON BIG BLEND RADIO: Glynn Burrows, owner of Norfolk Tours, discusses the vast and diverse birding opportunities throughout the British Isles. Watch here in the YouTube player or download the episode on Podbean.
One of my own favourite areas is The Norfolk Broads, which is an area of outstanding beauty, created by the flooding of medieval peat diggings. The peat was dug and transported by river, into the towns and cities and, when the area was dug out, the rivers flowed into the low-laying areas forming large ponds or lakes. These are called “Broads” and are now a haven for wildlife of all sorts.
With The Broads being inland waterways, there are a great selection of waterfowl, including Ducks, Geese, Coots, Grebe and of course, Swans, but my favourite are the Kingfishers as they are so elusive. These small birds sit by the edge of the water, usually on a branch, waiting for their prey and the most common way that they are noticed is by the bright blue flash as they dart across the water.
Moving out to the coast, we are very fortunate in the UK, to have every sort of coastline you could wish for. Salt marshes, cliffs, sandy beaches, rocks, and, an often-overlooked habitat, industrial buildings. Even though industry has been a great destroyer of nature, it is amazing just how many birds make factories and abandoned buildings their home. Many such sites are very well guarded and have very few staff on site, so, with the massive buildings with the many angular girders and overhanging sheets of steel, they offer uninterrupted shelter and some great nesting places.
There are many reserves along our coastlines and some of the most amazing colonies of birds are along the rocky cliffs and on the many islands which surround the UK. Some of these islands are protected and people are not allowed on them, but taking a boat trip to see them from the sea is a great experience. One such place is off the Southern corner of Anglesea in Wales, where Puffin nest on a deserted island, just offshore. A trip from Beaumaris takes in some fantastic scenery and then, past the lighthouse, around the island to see these amazing little birds with their distinct bright orange beak.
Heading inland, we have a wide selection of birds of prey which are becoming more common these days. Sparrowhawks, Buzzards, and Red Kite are an almost daily site and these majestic birds are doing a good job in reducing the numbers of some of the nuisance birds, such as Pigeons. Other birds which used to be less common but are now appearing regularly are Magpies and Jays. They are closely related and have become regular visitors to many gardens.
Up in the Highlands of Scotland, we have Osprey and even some species of Eagle, but these are very elusive, so not the sort of thing you will see around every corner.
As we are also on a major migration route, we do get a large number of overwintering wildfowl, and waders. Whooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan, Pink-footed Geese, many species of Gull, Sandpiper, Plover, Fieldfare, Redwing, and many of our more common, but equally worthy of note, such as the Robin, Bullfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Blackbird and Thrush.
Although a visit to the UK at any time of the year for birding will be an enjoyable experience, in the Autumn or Spring such visits can be a birder’s heaven, as there are just so many birds passing through and sometimes, the quantities they come along in are just unbelievable. If you are fortunate enough to see a murmuration, you will never forget it and we often get to see these sights on the East Coast, with birds coming together, ready to head South after Winter.
If you would like to arrange a birding vacation or if you would just like to include some birding with other things during a visit to the UK, do get in touch. I can arrange a trip that suits your requirements.
Glynn provides customized, private tours and also helps his clients trace their English family history. Past guests have visited and experienced stately houses and gardens, castles and churches, ruins and villages, birding and wildlife, World War II airfields, and general area taster tours too. Accommodations can be in all types of establishment, from character buildings such as windmills, thatched cottages and castles, self-catering or five star luxury – just say what you want and it can be arranged. Nothing is too much trouble for Glynn!
Visit www.Norfolk-Tours.co.uk
