Iconic species
Discover a landscape alive with nature
Bird life
Norfolk is often called the ‘birdwatching capital of Britain’ and this is especially true on the coast, where you can spot many rare, threatened and migrating species. Wading birds such as curlew, pied avocet, knot and lapwing can be seen at nature reserves along the coast, with little egret, spoonbill and bearded tit visiting our wetlands. Marsh harriers are also commonly seen scanning for food over reedbeds and grazing marshes.
At dawn and dusk you’ll see barn owls hunting, and make sure to listen out for the honking of pink-footed geese overheard – spectacular flocks or ‘skeins’ of thousands of birds make their winter homes in coastal fields and marshes.
Snow bunting (an artic songbird) also visit over winter, identifiable by their distinctive white plumage. In summer, the little tern is a special visitor to our coast. This seabird is so rare that there are only 1,900 breeding pairs in the country.
Plants and animals
Some of our most popular coastal species are grey and common seals, which are often seen popping up to say hello in the shallows or resting on our beaches in colonies.
Equally impressive but perhaps less well-known is the rare and endangered natterjack toad, which lives in sand dunes and heaths. Look out for a yellow stripe down its back and watch it run, rather than hop!
Visitors to the Norfolk Coast might also spot deer, badgers and otters – and perhaps even a water vole or two along our riverbanks if you’re lucky.
Our plant life is just as interesting, with sea lavender and samphire growing on saltmarshes and pyramid orchids displaying pink flower spikes in sand dunes in the summer.
