Hitchin & Letchworth Local Group > Coach Trip to Holme Dunes (Norfolk Wildlife Trust)
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Coach Trip to Holme Dunes (Norfolk Wildlife Trust)

Last updated on: 20 October 2026
Sanderling in a sandstorm! Image: Stephen Prower

On Sunday 18 October, our coach trip headed to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve at Holme Dunes where The Wash meets the North Sea.

Sea watching from the viewpoint. Image: Jane Havercroft
A lively sea from Holme Dunes. Image: Jane Havercroft

A cold strong north easterly wind off the sea greeted us as soon as we stepped through the dunes. This made sea watching rather challenging so we tucked ourselves in between the pine trees. Between the mountainous waves we could see a few Common Scoter plus Oystercatcher on the shore.

Sanderling feeding on the beach. Image: Stephen Prower
Marram grass stabilising the dunes. Image: Stephen Prower
Sanderling. Image: Stephen Prower

From the path towards Thornham we could view the Broad Water, reedbeds, saltmarsh and muddy channels. Sightings here included Curlew, Cettis Warbler and Bearded Tit.

Boardwalk towards Thornham. Image: Jane Havercroft
Bar-tailed Godwit in Flight. Image Martin Johnson
Walking along the beach for Snow Bunting, Sanderling and Shore Lark
Grey Plover. Image Martin Johnson
Muddy creeks and saltmarsh near Thornham Channel. Image: Jane Havercroft
Curlew at Thornham Harbour. Image Martin Johnson


Once the tide went down, many of us walked along the beach towards Thornham channel and some were rewarded with views of Shore Lark and close views of Snow Bunting and Sanderling. A squally shower that blew sand horizontally into everything (scopes, mouths and clothing) drove us off the beach and back to the hides and visitor centre.

Shore Lark. Image Martin Johnson
Shore Lark. Image Martin Johnson

The three hides look out onto Christie’s Pool and Hun Pool. There was much excitement for those who saw the Jack Snipe and Marsh Harrier and even more joy when it was confirmed that one bird was a Hen Harrier.

Teal. Image Martin Johnson
Broad Water from the path to Thornham. Image: Jane Havercroft

Throughout the reserve we saw evidence of autumn bird migration including Redwing and Meadow Pipit arriving and a lone Whinchat leaving.

It was a bracing but rewarding day out. We saw a total of 81 species including 2 heard only.

Thanks to Mark G and Helen for leading and to Allan, our able coach driver from Richard Taylor Travel , for negotiating the narrow lanes to the reserve. Appreciation also to Norfolk Wildlife Trust for looking after this special landscape. Also thanks to Martin J and Stephen P for the bird photos, Stephen P and Jane H for the landscape photos and to Jane H for the trip report.

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