The Norfolk coast’s wonderful landscape and blend of habitats attracts birdwatchers all year round, but its draw significantly increases in the autumn.

Jutting out into the North Sea, the Norfolk coast is often the first landfall for struggling migrant birds in poor weather.

It provides them with an opportunity to rest, shelter and find food, before continuing their arduous journey south.

Our county’s coastline has long been known as a hot spot for rare migrant birds, and as such, attracted some of the early pioneers of British ornithology.

The marsh, which is now Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s nature reserve at Cley-next-the-Sea, was purchased in 1926, primarily for its resident breeding birds and winter wildfowl.

(Image: Lynne Warner)

Although, among local birdwatchers, it was already considered the jewel in the crown of the North Norfolk coast, particularly during autumn migration.

More ‘first records’ of rare vagrant birds have been found along this stretch of coast than anywhere else.

October is when rarity-hunting birdwatchers really start to twitch.

Any manner of unusual migrant bird, from as far as Siberia or North America, can turn up; and like a Martini cocktail, anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

The internet has allowed information on rarities and their location to travel fast, causing........

© Norwich Evening News