Birds to See in Norfolk in March

157 species matching this filter.

All birds in Norfolk

Norfolk in March is a superb destination for birdwatching, with 161 species recorded across its diverse mosaic of coastal marshes, estuaries, reedbeds, and arable farmland. As winter visitors linger and early spring migrants begin to arrive, birders can enjoy an exciting overlap of species — from flocks of Barnacle Geese and Eurasian Wigeon on the coastal reserves to the first Garganey of the season appearing on freshwater pools. Iconic sites such as the North Norfolk coast, the Broads, and the Wash provide world-class habitats that support this remarkable variety of birdlife.

Resident

(119)
Avocet

Avocet

Recurvirostra avosettaLC

A common year-round resident, iconic at reserves like Titchwell and Cley, sweeping its upturned bill through shallow brackish lagoons.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

Present year-round along Norfolk's sandy shores and tidal flats, with numbers peaking in winter at sites like Titchwell and Snettisham.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Tyto albaLC

An uncommon but iconic Norfolk resident, hunting over farmland, marshes, and field margins at dusk. The county supports a healthy breeding population.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Barnacle Goose

Barnacle Goose

Branta leucopsisLC

A rare resident of uncertain provenance — some are feral birds, while genuine wild Arctic migrants may appear in winter.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Bearded Tit

Bearded Tit

Panurus biarmicusLC

An iconic resident of Norfolk's extensive reedbeds, particularly at sites like Titchwell, Cley, and the Broads. Listen for its distinctive pinging call.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Found year-round on coastal marshes and wet grasslands, with large flocks at sites like the Ouse Washes and Cley.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Blackbird

Blackbird

Turdus merulaLC

A common and abundant resident of gardens, hedgerows and woodland, with numbers swelled by continental migrants in autumn.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Blackcap

Blackcap

Sylvia atricapillaLC

An uncommon year-round resident; breeding birds are joined by continental wintering birds visiting gardens for berries.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleusLC

A common and familiar garden resident throughout the county, readily using nest boxes and bird feeders year-round.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Brent Goose

Brent Goose

Branta berniclaLC

Winters in large flocks on the north Norfolk coast, grazing on saltmarshes and eelgrass beds. Most numerous from October to March.

Uncommonly spotted

Aug–Jun

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Pyrrhula pyrrhulaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of hedgerows, scrubby woodland edges and mature gardens across Norfolk.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Buzzard

Buzzard

Buteo buteoLC

A common resident frequently seen perched on roadside posts or soaring over Norfolk's farmland and woodland throughout the year.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Canada Goose

Canada Goose

Branta canadensisLC

A common year-round resident found on lakes, rivers, and grazing marshes across the county. Breeds readily on Norfolk's waterways.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Corvus coroneLC

An abundant and adaptable resident found across Norfolk's farmland, towns, and coastline throughout the year.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret

Bubulcus ibisLC

A rare but increasingly recorded resident, often seen alongside livestock on grazing marshes as this species expands its range northward.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cettia cettiLC

An uncommon but increasing resident of Norfolk's reedbeds and dense waterside scrub. More often heard than seen, with its explosive burst of song.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Chaffinch

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebsLC

A common and familiar resident of woodlands, hedgerows and gardens throughout Norfolk, with continental birds augmenting numbers in winter.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybitaLC

A common resident heard year-round, with numbers boosted by Continental migrants in autumn. Frequents woodlands, gardens, and scrubby hedgerows.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Periparus aterLC

An uncommon resident favouring coniferous plantations in the Brecks and Thetford Forest, visiting garden feeders in winter.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Crane

Common Crane

Grus grusLC

A rare but increasing resident of the Norfolk Broads, where a reintroduced population breeds in secluded marshes and wet grasslands.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Common Gull

Common Gull

Larus canusLC

Common throughout the year on farmland, playing fields and coastal marshes. Winter flocks often mix with other gull species.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Kingfisher

Common Kingfisher

Alcedo atthisLC

An uncommon but dazzling resident along rivers, Broads, and drainage ditches throughout the county.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant

Phasianus colchicusLC

A common and conspicuous resident of Norfolk's farmland, hedgerows, and woodland edges. Widely released for shooting across the county.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Redpoll

Common Redpoll

Acanthis flammeaLC

An uncommon resident most often seen in birch and alder woodland, with numbers increasing during autumn and winter as northern birds arrive.

Uncommonly spotted

Sep–May

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

Melanitta nigraLC

Present year-round off the Norfolk coast, with large rafts gathering offshore. Most conspicuous during autumn and winter passage.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Shelduck

Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadornaLC

Common year-round on estuaries and coastal mudflats. Breeds on dunes and marshes, with large moulting flocks in summer.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Common Snipe

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon year-round resident of Norfolk's wet meadows and reedbeds, often flushed from marshy edges with a zigzagging flight.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Common Starling

Common Starling

Sturnus vulgarisLC

A common resident boosted by huge continental flocks in winter, forming spectacular murmurations over reedbeds.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Coot

Coot

Fulica atraLC

A common resident on Norfolk's broads, lakes, and gravel pits. Large winter gatherings form on open water across the county.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Curlew

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

Common on coastal marshes, estuaries and farmland throughout the year. Numbers swell in winter with continental arrivals.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Dunlin

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

Present year-round on estuaries and saltmarshes, with large winter flocks on the Wash. Breeding numbers in the UK have declined sharply.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Dunnock

Dunnock

Prunella modularisLC

A common year-round resident, skulking through hedgerows and garden undergrowth. Its thin, warbling song is heard in every Norfolk parish.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Egyptian Goose

Egyptian Goose

Alopochen aegyptiacaLC

Norfolk is a stronghold for this established resident. Commonly seen on parkland, lakes, and grazing marshes throughout the county year-round.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eider

Eider

Somateria mollissimaNT

A rare resident along the north Norfolk coast, often seen bobbing on the sea off Titchwell or Holkham. Numbers remain small year-round.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Bittern

Eurasian Bittern

Botaurus stellarisLC

Norfolk's reedbeds are a national stronghold for this secretive species; listen for its booming call at reserves like Bittern.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Collared Dove

Streptopelia decaoctoLC

A common year-round resident in towns, villages, and farmyards. Its monotonous cooing call is a familiar sound across Norfolk.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Jay

Eurasian Jay

Garrulus glandariusLC

A common resident of woodlands and mature gardens, often noisy in autumn when caching acorns.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Nuthatch

Eurasian Nuthatch

Sitta europaeaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident of mature deciduous woodland and parkland, often visiting garden feeders in well-wooded parts of Norfolk.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Haematopus ostralegusNT

Common year-round along Norfolk's beaches and saltmarshes, its piping calls a familiar sound on the north coast.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Siskin

Eurasian Siskin

Spinus spinusLC

An uncommon resident most visible in winter when flocks visit alder and birch trees, often alongside redpolls in riverside woodland.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Skylark

Eurasian Skylark

Alauda arvensisLC

Sings its soaring flight song over Norfolk's open farmland and coastal marshes. A year-round resident, though numbers swell in winter with continental arrivals.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodiaLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, breeding at key reserves like Holkham. Feeds in shallow marshes year-round.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Eurasian Tree Sparrow

Passer montanusLC

A rare resident, now very localised in Norfolk farmland. Often found near stubble fields and farmyards with supplementary feeding.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Wigeon

Eurasian Wigeon

Mareca penelopeLC

Common on coastal marshes and grazing meadows, with large winter flocks at sites like Cley and Holkham. Present all year.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Eurasian Woodcock

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A secretive resident of damp woodland, boosted in winter by Continental arrivals; best seen at dusk on roding flights in spring.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Jun

Eurasian Wren

Eurasian Wren

Troglodytes troglodytesLC

One of Norfolk's most widespread residents, found in gardens, hedgerows, and reedbeds. Remarkably loud for its tiny size, singing year-round.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Goldfinch

European Goldfinch

Carduelis carduelisLC

A common and colourful resident seen year-round in gardens, hedgerows and weedy fields, often in lively flocks outside the breeding season.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Green Woodpecker

European Green Woodpecker

Picus viridisLC

An uncommon resident found in parkland, woodland edges and churchyards, often heard giving its loud laughing call.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

European Herring Gull

European Herring Gull

Larus argentatusLC

A familiar year-round resident along the coast and in towns. Readily scavenges at harbours, landfill sites and seaside resorts.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

European Robin

European Robin

Erithacus rubeculaLC

A familiar year-round resident of Norfolk gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands, often singing from prominent perches even through winter.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Firecrest

Firecrest

Regulus ignicapillaLC

A rare resident and passage migrant, found in sheltered coastal scrub and conifer stands, mainly in winter months.

Rarely spotted

Oct–May

Fulmar

Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialisLC

Breeds in small numbers on the north Norfolk chalk cliffs, notably at Hunstanton, present year-round.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Gadwall

Gadwall

Mareca streperaLC

A common resident of Norfolk's broads, marshes, and gravel pits. Breeds widely and numbers increase in winter with continental arrivals.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Regulus regulusLC

A resident of coniferous and mixed woodland, with numbers swelling in autumn as Continental birds arrive along the Norfolk coast.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Golden Plover

Golden Plover

Pluvialis apricariaLC

Present most of the year on Norfolk's farmland and coastal marshes, forming large winter flocks often mixed with Lapwings.

Uncommonly spotted

Jul–May

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Larus marinusLC

A bulky, powerful gull present year-round along the coast and at harbours, often dominating other gulls at feeding sites.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Cormorant

Great Cormorant

Phalacrocorax carboLC

Common and widespread year-round, found along rivers, the Broads, and the coast, often seen drying wings on posts.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great Crested Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Podiceps cristatusLC

Present year-round on the Broads and larger lakes, performing its elaborate courtship display in spring.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dendrocopos majorLC

An uncommon resident of woodlands, parks, and mature gardens, often betrayed by its loud drumming in spring.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Great Tit

Great Tit

Parus majorLC

A bold and familiar garden visitor year-round, readily using nest boxes. Its loud 'teacher-teacher' song rings out from Norfolk's woods and hedgerows.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

Ardea albaLC

An increasingly regular sight on Norfolk's marshes and Broads, this tall white heron is present year-round but remains uncommon.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

An uncommon but regular visitor to freshwater margins and ditches, most frequently encountered during autumn passage.

Uncommonly spotted

Feb–Dec

Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Chloris chlorisLC

A common year-round resident of gardens and hedgerows, though numbers have declined significantly due to trichomonosis disease.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Greenshank

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on coastal pools and estuaries, most conspicuous during autumn passage.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Ardea cinereaLC

A familiar year-round resident, commonly seen standing motionless at marshes, rivers, and Broads waterways.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Partridge

Grey Partridge

Perdix perdixLC

A declining resident of Norfolk's arable farmland and field margins. Increasingly hard to find despite conservation efforts on estates.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Grey Plover

Grey Plover

Pluvialis squatarolaLC

Found year-round on Norfolk's mudflats and saltmarshes, with numbers peaking in winter. Favours the north coast estuaries and the Wash.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Grey Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

Motacilla cinereaLC

An uncommon resident, scarcer in Norfolk than in western Britain. Found near streams, weirs, and waterways, bobbing its long tail constantly.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose

Anser anserLC

A common resident found year-round on marshes, broads, and farmland. Norfolk hosts both feral and genuinely wild wintering birds.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

House Sparrow

House Sparrow

Passer domesticusLC

A common year-round resident of Norfolk's towns, villages, and farmyards. Sociable and noisy, nesting in holes in buildings and dense hedges.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Jackdaw

Jackdaw

Corvus monedulaLC

A common and sociable resident, nesting in church towers and old buildings across Norfolk's towns and villages.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Kestrel

Kestrel

Falco tinnunculusLC

A common resident hovering over roadside verges, farmland, and coastal marshes throughout the year.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Kittiwake

Kittiwake

Rissa tridactylaVU

Present year-round but scarce, often seen from shore during seawatches. UK populations have declined dramatically in recent decades.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscusLC

A common year-round presence along the coast and at inland tips, often seen soaring over fields and marshes throughout Norfolk.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Linnet

Linnet

Linaria cannabinaLC

A common resident of farmland, heathland and coastal scrub, often gathering in large flocks on stubble fields outside the breeding season.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Little Egret

Little Egret

Egretta garzettaLC

Commonly seen along marshes and waterways year-round, often stalking shallow pools on Norfolk's coastal and inland wetlands.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Little Grebe

Little Grebe

Tachybaptus ruficollisLC

A resident of sheltered ponds, lakes and slow rivers year-round. Its distinctive whinnying call is often heard from dense waterside vegetation.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Little Owl

Little Owl

Athene noctuaLC

A rare and declining resident, sometimes spotted perched on fence posts in open farmland. Introduced to Britain, it favours old farm buildings for nesting.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Aegithalos caudatusLC

A charming year-round resident, often seen in noisy family flocks moving through hedgerows and woodland edges across Norfolk.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Magpie

Magpie

Pica picaLC

A common year-round resident, frequently seen in Norfolk's gardens, hedgerows, and farmland edges with its bold black-and-white plumage and long tail.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mallard

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchosLC

Abundant and widespread on virtually any freshwater habitat, from the Broads to village ponds. Present all year.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

Poecile palustrisLC

An uncommon resident of mature deciduous woodland. Despite its name, favours drier woods rather than marshes; declining nationally.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Anthus pratensisLC

A common resident found on coastal marshes, heathland and rough grassland year-round, with numbers boosted by winter arrivals.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Turdus viscivorusLC

An uncommon resident of parkland and open woodland, often singing from tall treetops from late winter onwards.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Moorhen

Moorhen

Gallinula chloropusLC

Abundant on ponds, ditches, and the Broads year-round, often seen picking its way along muddy margins.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Cygnus olorLC

A familiar sight on the Broads, rivers, and coastal marshes year-round. Breeds widely across Norfolk's waterways.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Northern Gannet

Northern Gannet

Morus bassanusLC

Seen offshore year-round, often spectacularly plunge-diving for fish. Passage numbers peak in autumn off the north Norfolk coast.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Northern Lapwing

Northern Lapwing

Vanellus vanellusNT

Common year-round on farmland and marshes, with large winter flocks gathering on the coastal grazing marshes.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Northern Pintail

Northern Pintail

Anas acutaLC

An elegant dabbling duck found on coastal marshes and flooded fields. Numbers peak in winter at sites like Cley and Holkham.

Uncommonly spotted

Aug–May

Northern Shoveler

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeataLC

Common year-round on shallow marshes and flooded fields. Numbers peak in winter when continental birds boost the resident population.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinusLC

A rare but year-round resident, seen hunting over coastal marshes and increasingly around Norwich Cathedral's nesting site.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Pink-footed Goose

Pink-footed Goose

Anser brachyrhynchusLC

Huge wintering flocks gather on north Norfolk's marshes and sugar beet fields. Numbers peak from October to March at sites like Holkham.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Pochard

Pochard

Aythya ferinaVU

An uncommon year-round resident on deeper lakes and broads. Numbers have declined nationally, making Norfolk sites increasingly important.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Red Crossbill

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostraLC

A rare resident of conifer plantations such as Thetford Forest, with numbers fluctuating markedly in irruption years.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Red Kite

Red Kite

Milvus milvusLC

An uncommon but increasing resident, now seen soaring over farmland and woodland edges across the county year-round.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Red Knot

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Flocks gather on the Wash and north Norfolk mudflats, peaking in winter. An impressive sight when thousands wheel in tight formation.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Alectoris rufaNT

An uncommon but year-round resident of arable farmland and field margins. An introduced species now well established across Norfolk.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

Common year-round on saltmarshes and wet grasslands, its distinctive call a constant feature of Norfolk's coastal reserves.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Emberiza schoeniclusLC

A common resident of reedbeds, ditches and marshy areas throughout Norfolk, often forming large winter roosts in phragmites beds.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Charadrius hiaticulaLC

Breeds on shingle beaches and sandy shores year-round. Nesting sites along the north Norfolk coast are vulnerable to disturbance.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Rock Dove

Rock Dove

Columba liviaLC

Feral populations inhabit Norfolk's towns and coastal cliffs year-round. Most birds are of mixed domestic ancestry.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Rook

Rook

Corvus frugilegusLC

Abundant across Norfolk's arable farmland, nesting in noisy rookeries in tall trees. Large flocks gather on ploughed fields throughout the year.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Present year-round along Norfolk's rocky groynes and shingle shores, busily flipping stones and seaweed for invertebrates.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

An uncommon year-round resident of Norfolk's freshwater marshes and scrapes, with numbers boosted by passage birds in spring and autumn.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Sanderling

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Found year-round on sandy beaches along the north Norfolk coast, often in small flocks racing along the tideline.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Asio flammeusLC

A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's coastal marshes and grazing levels, hunting low over open ground from October to April.

Rarely spotted

Oct–May

Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Turdus philomelosLC

A common resident heard singing from gardens, parks, and woodland. Numbers increase in autumn and winter with migrants arriving from the continent.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Sparrowhawk

Sparrowhawk

Accipiter nisusLC

A year-round resident across Norfolk's woodlands, hedgerows, and gardens, often glimpsed dashing low through cover in pursuit of small birds.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Spotted Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare but year-round presence on Norfolk's coastal lagoons and estuaries, often seen wading elegantly alongside Redshanks.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Stock Dove

Stock Dove

Columba oenasLC

A common resident of farmland, parkland, and woodland edges. Nests in tree holes and old buildings throughout the county.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Stonechat

Stonechat

Saxicola torquatusLC

An uncommon year-round resident favouring coastal heathland and gorse-covered commons along the Norfolk coast.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Tawny Owl

Tawny Owl

Strix alucoLC

A secretive resident of mature woodland, more often heard than seen. Seldom encountered away from wooded areas.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Treecreeper

Treecreeper

Certhia familiarisLC

An uncommon resident spiralling up tree trunks in mature woodland and parkland throughout the county.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Tufted Duck

Tufted Duck

Aythya fuligulaLC

Uncommon but present year-round on lakes, gravel pits, and broads. Often seen diving alongside Pochard on open water.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Water Rail

Water Rail

Rallus aquaticusLC

A secretive resident of Norfolk's reedbeds and marshes, more often heard squealing than seen. Present year-round at sites like Cley and Strumpshaw.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Western Marsh-harrier

Western Marsh-harrier

Circus aeruginosusLC

A common resident raptor, quartering reedbeds and marshes year-round. Norfolk is a UK stronghold for this species.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Whooper Swan

Whooper Swan

Cygnus cygnusLC

A rare resident, with small numbers wintering on the Broads and coastal marshes. Most likely seen at sites like Welney.

Rarely spotted

Year-round

Woodpigeon

Woodpigeon

Columba palumbusLC

An abundant and familiar resident found in woodlands, parks and gardens across Norfolk, with huge autumn influxes from the continent.

Commonly spotted

Year-round

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer

Emberiza citrinellaLC

An uncommon but year-round resident of farmland hedgerows and field margins, declining but still found across rural Norfolk.

Uncommonly spotted

Year-round

Breeding

(11)
Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rusticaLC

A common summer breeder nesting in farm buildings across the county, arriving in March and lingering into November.

Commonly spotted

Mar–Nov

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

Emberiza calandraLC

A rare and declining breeding bird of open arable farmland, most likely encountered in the Breckland area from late winter to midsummer.

Rarely spotted

Feb–Jul

Eurasian Stone-curlew

Eurasian Stone-curlew

Burhinus oedicnemusLC

A rare and secretive summer breeder on the Breckland heaths, arriving in March and departing by September.

Rarely spotted

Mar–Sep

Garganey

Garganey

Spatula querquedulaLC

A rare summer breeder on freshwater marshes from March to September. Norfolk's wetlands are among its few regular UK breeding sites.

Rarely spotted

Mar–Sep

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Charadrius dubiusLC

An uncommon summer breeder at Norfolk's gravel pits and reservoir margins, arriving in March and departing by September.

Uncommonly spotted

Mar–Sep

Mandarin Duck

Mandarin Duck

Aix galericulataLC

A rare breeding visitor to wooded lakes and rivers from February to June. A naturalised species, scarce but increasing in Norfolk.

Rarely spotted

Feb–Jun

Northern Goshawk

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilisLC

A rare breeding resident in Norfolk's larger forests, particularly Thetford Forest. This secretive raptor is slowly recolonising after historical persecution.

Rarely spotted

Feb–Jul

Red-crested Pochard

Red-crested Pochard

Netta rufinaLC

A rare breeding visitor to shallow lakes and broads from March to August. Norfolk is one of its few regular UK breeding areas.

Rarely spotted

Mar–Aug

Sand Martin

Sand Martin

Riparia ripariaLC

An uncommon summer breeder, nesting colonially in sandy riverbanks and quarries. Arrives in March and departs by September.

Uncommonly spotted

Mar–Sep

Wheatear

Wheatear

Oenanthe oenantheLC

An uncommon summer breeder found on short-cropped grassland and dunes, with passage birds often seen along the coast in spring and autumn.

Uncommonly spotted

Mar–Oct

Woodlark

Woodlark

Lullula arboreaLC

A rare breeder on Breckland heaths, delivering its beautiful song flight from February; some birds linger into October.

Rarely spotted

Feb–Oct

Non-breeding

(22)
Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Phoenicurus ochrurosLC

A rare non-breeding visitor, occasionally seen around coastal buildings and industrial sites from autumn through early spring.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Apr

Brambling

Brambling

Fringilla montifringillaLC

An uncommon winter visitor often mixing with chaffinch flocks in beech woodland and farmland, numbers varying greatly between years.

Uncommonly spotted

Sep–Apr

Common Merganser

Common Merganser

Mergus merganserLC

A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's rivers and broads, most likely between November and March. Favours larger freshwater bodies.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Mar

Common Raven

Common Raven

Corvus coraxLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor, increasingly seen over Norfolk as the species recolonises eastern England. Most records are from autumn and winter.

Rarely spotted

Aug–Apr

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Turdus pilarisLC

An uncommon winter visitor from Scandinavia, arriving from October. Roaming flocks feed on berries in hedgerows and open fields across Norfolk.

Uncommonly spotted

Oct–Apr

Goldeneye

Goldeneye

Bucephala clangulaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to Norfolk's broads and gravel pits from October to April. Often seen diving on open freshwater lakes.

Uncommonly spotted

Oct–Apr

Greater Scaup

Greater Scaup

Aythya marilaLC

A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's coastal waters and broads, most likely seen among flocks of Tufted Duck from November to March.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Mar

Greater White-fronted Goose

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifronsLC

A rare winter visitor to coastal grazing marshes and flood meadows from October to March. The Yare Valley is a key site.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Hawfinch

Hawfinch

Coccothraustes coccothraustesLC

A rare and elusive winter visitor, occasionally recorded in mature woodland and parkland, particularly during irruption years.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Hen Harrier

Hen Harrier

Circus cyaneusLC

A rare winter visitor to Norfolk's coastal marshes and reedbeds, with birds arriving from October and lingering into early spring.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Apr

Horned Lark

Horned Lark

Eremophila alpestrisLC

A scarce winter visitor favouring shingle beaches and saltmarshes along the north Norfolk coast, often associating with Snow Buntings.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Long-tailed Duck

Long-tailed Duck

Clangula hyemalisVU

A rare non-breeding visitor to offshore waters from October to March. Occasionally seen from coastal watchpoints along the north coast.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Merlin

Merlin

Falco columbariusLC

A scarce winter visitor to Norfolk's coastal marshes and open farmland, hunting small birds with dashing low-level flights from autumn to spring.

Rarely spotted

Sep–Mar

Red-breasted Merganser

Red-breasted Merganser

Mergus serratorLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to estuaries and coastal waters from autumn to spring. Often seen in harbours and tidal creeks.

Uncommonly spotted

Sep–Apr

Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

Gavia stellataLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor, wintering offshore and in coastal waters. Often seen flying low over the sea in small numbers.

Uncommonly spotted

Aug–Apr

Redwing

Redwing

Turdus iliacusNT

A winter visitor from Scandinavia, foraging in hedgerows and fields across Norfolk. Large arrivals sometimes occur on the coast in October.

Uncommonly spotted

Sep–Apr

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit

Anthus petrosusLC

An uncommon non-breeding visitor to rocky sea walls and saltmarshes along the Norfolk coast from autumn through to early spring.

Uncommonly spotted

Sep–Mar

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalisLC

An uncommon winter visitor to Norfolk's beaches and saltmarshes, often seen in small parties along the north coast from October to March.

Uncommonly spotted

Oct–Mar

Tundra Swan

Tundra Swan

Cygnus columbianusLC

A rare winter visitor to the Ouse Washes and Norfolk's flooded grazing marshes. Small herds arrive from Arctic Russia in November.

Rarely spotted

Nov–Mar

Twite

Twite

Linaria flavirostrisLC

A rare winter visitor to the Norfolk coast, occasionally found in small flocks on saltmarshes and shingle beaches from October to March.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Velvet Scoter

Velvet Scoter

Melanitta fuscaVU

A rare winter visitor, found offshore along the north Norfolk coast from October to March, often among Common Scoter flocks.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Water Pipit

Water Pipit

Anthus spinolettaLC

A rare winter visitor found at freshwater marshes and watercress beds, most reliably seen at coastal grazing marshes from October to March.

Rarely spotted

Oct–Mar

Passage

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Frequently Asked Questions