Norfolk is famous for their native crabs & mussels, but Winter can be one of the best times to visit Norfolk. The county comes alive with wildlife, especially the thousands of birds who visit every year during their migration. As a result, it’s one of the best places in the UK to witness wildlife - here’s what you might be able to spot:
Grey seals
In December and January especially, grey seals surface to give birth to and look after their pups, who remain on the beaches for up to three weeks before taking to the waters for the first time. So many grey seals can be found here that Norfolk has nationally important numbers of this exciting marine mammal, which can be spotted both on the beach and in the water as they surface after diving for fish.
Horsey Beach and along the coast there is a hotspot for seals at this time of year, just be sure to keep your distance from them!
Geese
One of the greatest wildlife spectacles you can witness in the UK during winter is the arrival of huge skeins of pink-footed geese. Over a third of the world’s population spend the winter in Norfolk, and you can see them in flight at dusk and dawn, when they fly between inland farmland, where they feed during the day, and remote parts of the coast, where they roost by night. As well as the pink-footed geese, brent, greylag, Egyptian and Canada geese can also be spotted.
Head down to Martham Broad & Marshes to spot good numbers of geese, along with wintering ducks, hen harrier, merlin and even barn owls.
A whole host of mammals
With the trees bare of leaves and the fields ploughed, winter can be the best time of year to spot many mammal species, such as grey squirrels, woodmice and voles. Although hares are often hard to spot if they’re hiding away, you may be able to spot one on the move loping across open farmland. Explore The Brecks & Thetford Forest and see what you can spot!
Winter ducks
Ducks are present at their highest numbers during the winter, and there is also a bigger range of species to discover at this time of year. The cold spells bring in species such as smew and goosander, as well as scoter and red-breasted mergansers around the coast. Winter is also the best time of year to see the ducks flaunt their brightest colours, from the golden eyes of the goldeneyes to the shining blues on the wings of the mallards.
Check out our holiday homes available in Norfolk & nearby Suffolk below, so that you could enjoy Norfolk in Winter whenever you want.
Have you heard about our new development at Caldecott Hall in Great Yarmouth? Register your interest to buy or bring a caravan to our brand new caravan park & we’ll keep you updated.
Got a touring caravan? We’ve got year-round pitches at Brick Kiln Touring Park near to Thetford Forest, so you could go explore nearby nature at any time of year!
What are you favourite places to visit in Norfolk? Share your pics of the wildlife and nature with us on Social Media!