East of England - Beds, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk and Suffolk

[Neil Rigby]

We are creating the definitive list of top birding sites in UK and Ireland.

Here are the nominations for East of England.

Bedfordshire = The Lodge
Cambridgeshire = Wicken Fen
Essex = Rainham Marshes
Hertfordshire = Rye Meads
Norfolk = Titchwell
Suffolk = Minsmere

Please feel free to post your comments or counter proposals.

[Merlin]

I'm surprised there wasn't a bigger debate for the Norfolk slot. So I'm going to upset the apple cart and suggest Cley Marshes should have it. (as he runs away to get his steel helmet)

[Norfolk Snipe]

Originally Posted by Merlin

I'm surprised there wasn't a bigger debate for the Norfolk slot. So I'm going to upset the apple cart and suggest Cley Marshes should have it. (as he runs away to get his steel helmet)

Imho niether of them should win lol. It shoud be Holme NWT!

But that might be because I work there.

[Neil Rigby]

Originally Posted by Norfolk Snipe

Imho niether of them should win lol. It shoud be Holme NWT!

But that might be because I work there.

This is the debate Guys! I'm just getting it going!

Nothing is set in stone yet!

...anyway, let's thrash it out and find out which one get's the nod.

[Norfolk Snipe]

Originally Posted by Neil Rigby

This is the debate Guys! I'm just getting it going!

Nothing is set in stone yet!

...anyway, let's thrash it out and find out which one get's the nod.

sounds good

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by Neil Rigby

This is the debate Guys! I'm just getting it going!

Nothing is set in stone yet!

...anyway, let's thrash it out and find out which one get's the nod.

OK then I DEMAND Cley Marshes gets top spot. (now wearing steel helmet)

[Dennis]

In my opinion as a non-bias scotsman, Cley Marshes gets the nod! I had the pleasure of visiting both Titchwell and Cley back in May and I was spoiled for choice. I found that Cley had a better variety of species hence the reason for my vote. At one point I had a Collared Pratincole flying 10 feet past my face and a Little Egret about 6 feet in font of me wading through a pool. As I was walking to the hide, I had 2 Spoonbills flying over my head and a flock of Bearded Tits flicking through the reeds beside me. On my other side, I had several Reed Warblers, a calling Cetti's Warbler and a couple of hovering Marsh Harriers.
There are far too many species to name but every direction I seemed to look in, I had a differant species of bird. Then to top things off, we had a Barn owl sitting on a post as we left the reserve.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by Dennis

In my opinion as a non-bias scotsman, Cley Marshes gets the nod!

AHHH the army grows, I shall continue my struggle until Titchwell is a mere footnote in the history of birding, Today Cley Marshes tomorrow the WORLD !!!
(now donning kevlar vest)

[Norfolk Snipe]

Why I say Holme is the best is because I find Titchwell and Cley always have to many birders and I'm not able to find the birds mysef. Don't get me wrong I don't mind being told what the bird is but I would like to be able to id some myself.

Holme on the other hand has very few birders unless you go to the obs but I never do. Holme also has a good rareity record with birds like Black-winged Prat, Black-throated Thrush, Pallas Warbler, Ictrine Warbler, Black-eared Kite, Lesser Yellowlegs, Greenish Warbler, Surf Scoter, Sardinian Warbler and American Wigeon (those are records from 2003 to now). here are some more rarities before 2003 from holme-

Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Rock Thrush
Yellow-breasted Bunting
Ruppell's Warbler
Lesser-crested Tern
Fan-tailed Warbler
Collard Flycatcher
Nutcracker x4
Marsh Sandpipers
Glossy Ibiss

[Merlin]

I can agree with you about too many birders. I know some people are only trying to help, but I find it most annoying when you enter a hide and they point out everything of note on the scrape it ruins the visit, its like being told the result before you watch the match.