Snow Buntings showing well at West Runton.

Thursday 30th October 2025.

Two of the four Snow Buntings at West Runton this morning.

Though cold (around 6 degrees centigrade) first thing this morning, it was a glorious start to the day with a clear blue sky overhead and plenty of early morning sunshine. A Nuthatch was seen along with many common bird species, but in this excellent light, I managed to grab a few nice photos of the local birdlife on this road.

Above, a male House Sparrow near our Cottage and below, a small flock of Starlings.

Above, a pair of Collared Doves and below, looking west down Grove Lane.

Above and below, Dunnocks showing well.

Above, one of several Robins seen on our walk and below, this photo does not do it justice on how colourful these trees were in the bright sunshine.

West Runton, North Norfolk:

One of the Snow Buntings here at West Runton.

After a good walk with my dogs down Grove Lane this morning, Birdguides informed me that the Snow Bunting was still present around the Car Park near the beach; however, there were now FOUR birds there and thankfully, it didn't take too long to get to the Car Park. Becky took the dogs for a short walk while I went off to find the Snow Buntings. I was pretty sure that I had heard one fly over my head at Salthouse earlier this week, but I wasn't 100% sure and so I really wanted to see these birds and I wasn't to be disappointed.

Above, the lone Brent Goose and below, some of the photos I took of the Snow Buntings.

Above and below, just look at those feathered legs!

I paid the £4 parking fee (damn expensive parking in North Norfolk!) and strolled north up to the top of the Car Park. There was a large grassy area beyond the Car Park and it didn't take long to find the birds, but before I could get any photos done, a couple with their dog flushed the birds. Someone earlier pointed out that an odd Goose was in the grassy area too and it turned out to be a ‘dark-bellied’ Brent Goose all on its lonesome! The Snow Buntings were soon found a bit further north on the grass and the gorgeous birds showed down to around 20 feet as they went about their business in search of Grass seed. This was my 7th new species for the year I had seen in North Norfolk and it could have been a lot more if I put a lot more effort in. However, I was more than happy with the birds I had seen here on my penultimate day here.

Above, there were a couple of bird feeders nearby the Car Park which the local House Sparrows and Starlings took a liking too. Below, the beach at West Runton looking west.

Above, the beach looking east. Below, an adult and juvenile Cormorant chilling out.

After taking lots of photos and a bit of film footage of these fantastic birds, I caught up with Becky and set up my scope to scan the sea. A Little Auk had been seen earlier passing Cley and so I kept a good eye out for 30 minutes or so over the calm sea. Apart from Gulls and Cormorants, all I found were two Red-throated Divers; with one on the sea and another heading distantly west.

Wells-next-to-sea, North Norfolk:

This Harbour Seal totally ignored the people walking along the Prominade and the kids fishing for crabs as it went about its business in search of fish in the harbour. Judging by its size, I think it was a juvenile Seal.

After the Snow Buntings, Becky and I made our way to the lovely seaside town of Wells-next-to-sea for a bite to eat and a walk around by the harbour. While driving through town finding somewhere to park, I saw a Harbour Seal swimming in the harbour close to the roadside and quickly got Becky onto the Seal. After parking, we caught up with the Seal and I managed to grab a few photos of the Seal before we headed off with the dogs for something to eat.

Brent Geese on the Saltmarsh.

Out on the Saltmarsh, there was a gathering of Brent Geese close to the water and a few more flying in to join them. At least 30+ birds were present and more flocks of Brent could be seen flying high east over onto the Saltmarsh. A little later, shortly before we left the High Street, several skeins of Pink-footed Geese flew over our heads and was quite a spectacle, though I think it was only Becky and I that were interested! A Red Kite flew high west over the Saltmarsh and a Little Egret was also seen flying east.

Above, another photo of the young Harbour Seal and below, a skein of Pink-footed Geese heading east over the Saltmarsh.

On our way to and from Wells-next-to-sea, there were sightings of a flock of Grey Partridge in the fields and I had to slow down to let a small group of Red-legged Partridges make their way out of one of the country roads. Sadly, one flew out too quickly from the roadside hedge and it hit our car and landed on the roadside verge. Bugger! On a much more positive note, a Stoat ran across the road (my second one of the year) and was sporting its near Winter coat and was wearing more white than rusty red colour!

Above, more Pink-footed Geese flying over the town.

Other birds seen along the way included a few Common Buzzards, at least two female Kestrels and around a dozen or so Red Kites, which I think must be the most common raptor here in North Norfolk. And so our last full day in North Norfolk has come to an end. Becky and I have booked a table for dinner tonight in one of the Holt pubs and can reflect on how our holiday went. I have been pleased with my sightings this week and yes, I could of seen more like the Shorelarks at Weybourne and the Grey Phalarope on Cley Marshes, but 7 ‘year-ticks’ added to my Year List (217 for the year now) has put a big smile on my face. 

The Snow Buntings at West Runton.