SNETTISHAM RSPB

Prepare to be stunned by wader ‘spectaculars’

With a vast expanse of mud in the Wash giving feeding potential to hundreds of thousands of waders, ducks and geese, the incoming tide moves them en masse, allowing folk the chance to watch huge murmurations of waders at Snettisham RSPB. Species like Knot, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and godwits become something of a close encounter, from the sea wall or the hides, and in winter, early morning and evening can be a time to watch thousands of Pinkfooted Geese move between their feeding grounds and their roost on the Wash.

The hides were badly damaged in 2013 when a surge tide washed over the flood bank and ripped them apart, but fortunately through donations from several sources, money was found to replace them.

The reserve can be a 12-month experience with many records of rarer birds turning up like Red-necked Phalarope, and Whiterumped, Broad-billed, Pectoral and Baird’s Sandpipers. Not so rare but very interesting was a Sanderling with a flag on its leg showing it had been ringed in Mauritania.

Other waders possible include Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, not forgetting flocks of Blacktailed Godwits. Pallid and Montagu’s Harriers have been spotted with Hen in winter and Marsh Harrier now all year. Rough-legged Buzzard is a good find in winter but who would believe a Snowy Owl out here in 2018?

Both Caspian Gull and Tern have been found plus Black Tern, all three egrets, Spoonbill, winter ducks, like Smew and geese like Black Brant in with the dark bellied Brents. Passerines, like Yellow-browed and Marsh Warblers, Richard’s Pipit and Great Grey Shrike during migration periods can make a visit interesting.