#coastal path

Holywood, County Down.

Grey Heron @ Titchwell Norfolk RSPB by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Herons are often seen stood as still as a statue on their long thin legs in shallow waters of ponds and lakes patiently waiting for their next meal to swim by. These tall birds spend most of their time alone feeding mainly on fish but can be tempted by the occasional tasty mole! When feeling particularly lazy the heron will visit gardens with ponds for a quick and easy snack.

Turnstone in Summer Plumage.. by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Tidal creek at Brancaster Staithe on North Norfolk coast ..The Turnstone can be spotted fluttering around large stones on rocky and gravelly shores, flipping them over to look for prey. It can even lift rocks as big as its own body! Although a migrant to the UK, it can be seen all year-round as different populations arrive throughout the seasons.

Morston Salt Marshes..Norfolk Coast. by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Norfolk Walk Morston Salt Marshes from Morston Quay This short route explores parts of the Mortson Salt Marshes that are accessible on foot. The route starts from the visitor centre (Grid ref. TG006442) which is signed from the A149 Cromer to Hunstanton road in the centre of Morston village. The walk is subject to tides and maybe wet underfoot. Times of tides are available locally and the walk not attempted on a rising tide as there is a danger that you may be cut off or stranded. It must also be stressed that this walk should not be attempted in mist or poor visibility as the lack of landmarks on the marshes can be disorientating

Morston Salt Marshes..Norfolk Coast. by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Norfolk Walk Morston Salt Marshes from Morston Quay This short route explores parts of the Mortson Salt Marshes that are accessible on foot. The route starts from the visitor centre (Grid ref. TG006442) which is signed from the A149 Cromer to Hunstanton road in the centre of Morston village. The walk is subject to tides and maybe wet underfoot. Times of tides are available locally and the walk not attempted on a rising tide as there is a danger that you may be cut off or stranded. It must also be stressed that this walk should not be attempted in mist or poor visibility as the lack of landmarks on the marshes can be disorientating

Morston Salt Marshes Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Morston lies within Blakeney National Nature Reserve, which also includes Blakeney Point and Stiffkey Marshes. With its big skies, haunting marshes, meandering tidal creeks and wide open sandy beaches, it is one of the largest areas of undeveloped coastal habitats of its type in Europe.

RSPB Titchwell Marsh..Avocet..Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
RSPB Titchwell Marsh sits on a beautiful stretch of beach along the north Norfolk coastline. Inland, saline and freshwater lagoons are full of wildlife throughout the year. Swathes of reedbeds are home to diminutive birds and majestic raptors while nearby woodlands fill the air with birdsong. Titchwell is the perfect place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of life, enjoy quiet walks, relax in unspoilt landscapes and experience wildlife up close.

Sanderling on the Beach @ Titchwell Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Sanderlings breed in the Arctic, visiting the UK in the winter and passing through on migration during spring and autumn. The distance they travel varies, but individuals have been known to make 32,000 km annual round-trips to their breeding and wintering grounds.

Blakeney Hotel in North Norfolk. by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Blakeney Hotel with its coastal, quayside location has magnificent views across the estuary and salt marshes to Blakeney Point, which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Mallard Duckling @Ttchwell RSPB Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Titchwell Marsh..Located on the north coast of Norfolk, between the villages of Titchwell and Thornham, Titchwell Marsh is blessed with diverse habitats that include reedbeds, saltmarsh and freshwater lagoons where avocets, bearded tits and marsh harriers nest. There’s also a wide sandy beach here, which offers extensive views across The Wash.

Sanderling on beaches all around the Wash. by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
A small pale, almost ghostly, wader that is frequently seen running in the tide edge on beaches all around the Wash, rather like a group of clockwork toys. Its distinctive running action arises from the fact that, unlike other waders, it has no back toe, only the three forward facing ones.Sanderling are primarily winter visitors to The Wash, but the first birds can arrive back as early as July and some do not leave until May, so a few birds can be present almost year round..

Sanderling on the Beach @ Titchwell Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
The Sanderling scampers about the waves looking for marine crustaceans, fish and even jellyfish to eat. It visits the UK in winter from its Arctic breeding grounds, but can also be seen as it passes through on migration during spring and autumn.

Gregarious, graceful and grumpy!..The Avocet. by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
With their distinctive black and white pattern, sweeping up-turned bills, and long blue legs, these unusual-looking, but beautiful birds, are fascinating to watch. They provide a spectacular show …

Blakeney National Nature Reserve Norfolk.. by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
River Glaven..The River Glaven flows for 17 km through one of the most beautiful valleys in England. Rising from tiny headwaters in lower Bodham and Baconsthorpe, the main river begins just below Selbrigg Pond where three streams combine at the outfall. Thereafter, it descends through wooded hills of glacial debris and passes through lush countryside and picturesque flint villages. Finally, the river meets the sea behind Blakeney Point. The Glaven is surrounded by arable land, coniferous plantations, grazing meadows and wetlands. The river is a haven for wildlife.

RSPB Titchwell Marsh..Avocet Norfolk. by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Avocets are such beautiful waders always a delight to see..

Sanderling Coastal @ Titchwell RSPB Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
The sanderling is the sandpiper most often encountered near where the waves crash. To make a safe identification of an adult sanderling outside of spring, note what the sanderling does not have: streaks, spots, or brown markings. Adults are smooth and silvery above and clear white below. Often, a blackish shoulder patch is visible

The Beach @ Titchwell Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Titchwell is generally known for the RSPB nature reserve which comprises the large swathe of saltwater marshland and freshwater lagoon. This important habitat is a twitchers paradise with its reedbeds and marshes home to avocets, bearded tits and marsh harriers. But Titchwell is also home to an oft overlooked sandy beach. Backed by low sand dunes and the reserve beyond Titchwell is home a wonderful expanse of pristine beach. At low tide, what is already a quiet spot can feel pretty much deserted as the sand extends for what seems like miles in every direction

Mallard Ducklings @ RSPB Titchwell Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
The ducklings stay in the nest for at least 10 hours while they dry and get used to using their legs. Then, usually in the early morning, the female leads them to water. Bad weather may delay this exodus, but the sooner the ducklings get to water to feed, the better their chances of survival. They cannot survive without their mother, and take 50-60 days before they fledge and become independent.

Blakeney Quay @ Dusk Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
The River Glaven in the eastern English county of Norfolk is 10.5 mi long and flows through picturesque North Norfolk countryside to the North Sea. Rising from a tiny headwater in Bodham the river starts 2+1⁄2 miles before Selbrigg Pond where three small streams combine..

Cley next the Sea Village Norfolk by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
Witness the amazing springtime migration of birds on this ornithological wander along the North Norfolk coast..There are few journeys more incredible than the annual migration of birds, and the north Norfolk coast is one of the best places to see this in action. The low, creekriddled shore is dotted with nature reserves where resident and passing birds seek sanctuary amid a watery landscape of reedbed and saltmarsh. Cley Marshes.

Morston Marsh …Blakeney Harbour NT by Adam Swaine
Via Flickr:
A rich area for wildlife Morston lies within Blakeney National Nature Reserve, which also includes Blakeney Point and Stiffkey Marshes. With its big skies, haunting marshes, meandering tidal creeks and wide open sandy beaches, it is one of the largest areas of undeveloped coastal habitats of its type in Europe..