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Description
Winterton Dunes is an extensive coastal acidic heathland featuring a variety of scrubs and trees spread throughout. For birders, the site is a fantastic place to find rare and scarce migrant birds, as well as enjoy some of the spectacular wildlife of the east Norfolk coast. It can be hard work at times, but persistance pays off at this site. Throughout the year, you could find Hagaskvetta and Gultittlingur in the dunes, alongside the usual common garden birds. Raptors frequent the fields inland of the dunes system including Brúnheiðir and Turnfálki.
In the winter, a sea-watch may reveal large numbers of Lómur as well as Hrafnsönd and flocks of passing Margæs. You may be lucky and encounter a Brandugla or Bláheiðir hunting the dunes. The large Grey Seal colony here attracts gulls, and alongside the expected Silfurmáfur and Svartbakur groups, you may be lucky and find a Klapparmáfur or even Bjartmáfur or Hvítmáfur! Expect to see waders like Tildra and Sanderla on the beach. The rocky groynes may hold Sendlingur also. Look out for Snjótittlingur on the beach too!
Spring passage can be hit a miss in east Norfolk, but you would normally expect to see a Húsaskotta and a few Steindepill to get the season going (from March onwards). Following this will be Hettusöngvari, Gransöngvari, Laufsöngvari, Laufsöngvari and more. In April onwards, there may be Mánaþröstur, Flekkugrípur and Garðaskotta to be found. Following a good spell of easterly winds, you may be on for something rarer. Typcial spring scarcities (typcially May and June) might include Þyrnisvarri, Seljusöngvari, Blábrystingur, Spésöngvari, Rósastari and even Býsvelgur!
Summer still offers migration opportunites, as the waders continue to move throughout July and August. There is a colony of Dvergþerna on the beach some years, but view them from a respectable distance. It is not impossible to find a Kolþerna or even a Roðaþerna in the colony if you scan the colony carefully.
Autumn passage can be excellent here, and in the early part of the season (August to September), you might be lucky and find the likes of Gauktíta, Spésöngvari or Brumsöngvari. A good passage of Flekkugrípur is expected, along with smaller numbers of Garðaskotta. As the autumn progresses (September to November), the opportunities to find Hnoðrasöngvari, Kollsöngvari, Hauksöngvari, Peðgrípur and other seasonal delights increases, especially after easterly winds. Common migrants will also be flooding back in like Skógarþröstur, Glókollur, Bókfinka and Skógarsnípa.
Sea-watching here is best in northerly or easterly winds, and these can bring Súla, Rita and Hrafnsönd closer in shore. An experienced sea-watcher may be able to find divers, grebes, auks and up to four species of Skua! Stormy conditions in late autumn can bring Þórshani, Sjósvala and large numbers of Dvergmáfur. You never know what you might see, so always worth bringing a scope.
Details
Access
Park in the beach car park at Winterton Village, and you can easily explore the dunes from here.
Terrain and Habitat
Sea , Dunes , Scattered trees and bushes , Moors/heathlandConditions
Flat , Dry , Open landscape , DustyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring migration , Autumn migrationRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
This site is a popular dog walking area, and also experiences high numbers of beach-goers in the summer. You can get away from the crowds by heading further away from the village itself.