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| Welcome to RSPB Titchwell Marsh - the visitor centre and shop |
With heavily overcast skies and strong westerly winds,
conditions ŵere hardly auspicious for an early-October visit to RSPB Titchwell
Marsh, near Hunstanton, in North Norfolk.
Serious birders were lamenting the absence of north and north- easterly winds which
was held responsible for the paucity of drift-passage passerines such as redstarts,
whinchats, wrynecks and rare warbler species (not to mention bluethroats
and red-flanked bluetails).
Even so there was plenty of interest - with sightings which included yellow-browed
warbler, a late cuckoo and a superb range of waders and wildfowl.
Hats off to the RSPB for creating and providing access (including state-of-the-art
hides) to such an impressive array of different habitats - reedbed, saltmarsh, copse
and both freshwater and saltwater lagoons.
The reserve also has the benefit of stretching to coastal dunes, thence to the
shoreline and the vastness of the North Sea.
There are two feeding stations - one for birds, one for people - plus a shop where the range of products includes not just bird-related gifts, toys and
greeting cards but also a selection of books plus ‘scopes and binoculars - not
just RSPB-branded kit but also such high end brands as Swarovski and Zeiss.
Also in the shop is a board listing bird sightings of the day as contributed by
staff and visitors.
Courses and workshops - suitable for all levels - are held throughout winter
and autumn, covering such subjects as wader identification and photography.
RSPB Titchwell Marsh is a real showcase - undoubtedly one of the most
impressive in the society’s portfolio of 200-plus reserves.
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| Gadwall - an underrated duck that is common at Titchwell in autumn and winter |
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| This helpful noticeboard helps newcomers to get their bearings |
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| As does this more modest signage |
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| A bit of boasting by the RSPB - but who can blame it? |
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| Black-tailed godwit - a species that always enjoys a good scratch |
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| Can anyone spot the bearded tit? |
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| Even if they are no longer alive, these trees still provide important (and attractive) habitat |
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| For RSPB staff only - this hide is where the breeding season progress of bearded tits is monitored |
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| It's always useful to know the direction of the wind |
It's not just about the birds at Titchwell Marsh
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| A plug for nearby RSPB Snettisham where geese are the main attraction in winter |
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| Sleek stylish and a great place to watch waders and wildfowl - the two Parrinder hides |
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| Somewhere here there could just be a bittern or a Cetti's warbler | |
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| You never have to look far to find dunlin |
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| Externally the Fen hide may look modest |
But inside it is mightily impressive
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| If there are no birds outside, this interior mural helps compensate |
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| Feeding station for humans - the restaurant is always busy inside and outside |
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| Time for a history lesson about the reserve's military heritage |
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| A feeding pause for this trio of golden plover as they admire the view |
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