Welcome To The Kingfisher Wildlife Diaries – John Bailey
August 13th 2009
The Wondrous North Norfolk Coast
I spent a day taking a would-be bass fisher along the North Norfolk Coast from Stiffkey to Salthouse. A wondrous stretch of shoreline of some ten miles in length and only, perhaps, twenty-five miles from your apartment at Kingfisher. For anybody interested inwildlife, this area just bristles with opportunity and it's no surprise that fifty percent of the people I saw walking were carrying either binoculars or birdscopes.
The Cley Reserve is obviously important and it's central to the whole area. The Reserve is brilliant run by my old mate Bernie Bishop and the new headquarters overlooking the marshes are well worth visiting.
Then, of course, you've got the seal boats operating primarily out of Morston. There are several competing factions here and I'd be in deep and hot water if I recommended any of the families over the others. The boats pretty well ply the same route backwards and forwards around Blakeney Point and what makes one visit superior to another is generally the quality of the commentary. There's no doubt some of the boatmen know a bit more than others! If you happen to chance upon a boatman called Mike, then you're probably in good hands!!
Take the coastal path, it's well signposted.
Look for the big scrape on the marshes where the River Stiffkey runs into the sea between the village of that name and Morston. Really exotic waterfowl.
Pop into the Pinkfoot Gallery in Cley just opposite Picnic Fayre on the corner. Presents for everyone and some really great food afterwards to eat on the marshes. Ask for Johnny Picnic (!) or his gorgeous wife, Victoria.
Cley beach is a great place to visit. At the moment, the sea is crystal clear and warm enough to swim in. Lie there long enough and you will see the seals just yards from the shore. Perhaps you will see the mackerel hunting whitebait and the gulls and terns screeching above. As the light drops a little, watch the marshes behind you. You are almost sure to see a barn owl.
Evening time, perhaps you'll be dropping back to your apartment through the charming Georgian market town of Holt. Try Butler's Restaurant in Apple Yard. (01263 710790) If the evening is warm enough, enjoy a meal out in the garden.