Norfolk Spring Tides

There a few places in the UK where you can experience the sights and sounds of nature any better than the North Norfolk coast during the Spring tides that start in earnest from this month onward.

During a Spring Tide most if not all of the estuary is consumed by the sea and submerged underwater. Out on the mud and sand flats you’ll see thousands of wading birds feeding at low tide, as the tides rises, the mud and sand flats disappear underwater and the birds are suddenly forced to move closer into shore by the incoming sea.

They then take off, fly in vast flocks towards you on the beach. A place that provides a safe refuge in which to rest until the falling tide allows them back onto the tidal flats. Its an event that really has to be seen to believed, so many waders and geese, it’s just incredible.

The noise, power and grace of all these birds moving in harmony is really hard to describe in words. I hope the following images in someway try and portrait this event in natures calendar. I’ve used slow shutter speeds, wide angles and close in compositions to try and convey what I’m writing.

Norfolk is also a stronghold for Barn Owls. There is something very special when you’re watching a wild Barn Owl hunt over a field and then it heads towards you. For me it’s always a great privilege to see a Barn owl, they are one of my favorite species that have fascinated me since I was a small boy. You just never know where or when they will turn up and they are absolutely silent giving you no clue to their presence.

Norfolk also has a really healthy population of Brown Hares. I have many locations for both Barn Owls and Brown Hares in Norfolk all found by myself over many years. Some of these locations have both species that share the same habitat.

I run a number of one day workshops in Norfolk. To see all the dates and information of these then click on the following link.