Latest news with #Oystercatchers
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Tiny UK seaside village crowned for having Britain's most beautiful beach
A quaint seaside village that has recently welcomed a £150,000 upgrade has been praised for its pristine golden sand beach that stretches out for as far as the naked eye can see A charming seaside village has been cast into the spotlight, after its 2.2 mile soft-sand beach was named as the best in Britain. Sandwiched in between rolling hills of lush countryside and azure waters lies the often overlooked village of Hoklham. Touted as the 'jewel' of the North Norfolk Coast, this coastal gem is home to an impressive 25,000 acre estate which features perfectly manicured gardens and the grand Holkham Hall - an 18th century Palladian house, home to the Earl of Leicester. Nearby, you'll find Holkham National Nature Reserve, which is home to large flocks of wintering birds and is an important site for breeding Little Terns, Ringed Plover, and Oystercatchers. "During the winter large flocks of shorebirds can be found along the shore edge and on the developing saltmarsh in Holkham Bay," Visit North Norfolk explained. But it's Holkham's incredible coastline that really sets it aparts from the rest. Stretching out for as long as the naked eye can see, and sheltered by soaring pinewoods, this pristine beach makes you feel like you're a 'million miles away from civilisation'. It's no wonder it recently came at the top of TimeOut's league tables for the best UK beach. "Holkham would be flooded with visitors if it were just that little bit closer to London – or, like, anywhere," the publication hailed. "It's surrounded by a massive nature reserve of pinewoods and salt marsh, full of orchids, sea lavender and rare birds "The beach itself is an enormous sandy stretch dotted with dunes, and it's at least a half-hour's walk from the car park to the shoreline, meaning you see nothing but nature and sea. Oh, and maybe the odd film crew: Holkham has deservedly starred in many a movie (Shakespeare in Love, for one)." Earlier this year, work began on the boardwalk at Holkham beach - which runs from the beach car park through the forest and onto a viewing platform overlooking the sand, to make the nature reserve more accessible. Costing £150,000, the upgrade will allow wheelchair users and families with pushchairs to enjoy the area. Dr Katy Owen, protected landscapes manager at Norfolk County Council, said: "We want more people to be able to experience the sound of the wind whistling through the pine woods, smell the salty sea air and experience Holkham Bay with as few barriers as possible... The boardwalk is the culmination of many years of collaborative work with the estate, and some time ago we recognised the need to upgrade the current facility." Located some 130 miles from London, driving to Holkham from the Big Smoke takes around three hours and 36 minutes. Alternatively, you can jump on a direct train from Kings Cross over to Kings Lynn, which takes around one hour and 45 minutes. Once in Norfolk, you'll need to catch the 36 Coastliner bus towards Wells-next-the-Sea and get off at Victoria. Then, you're just a minute's walk away from the stunning sand dunes and sea breeze. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £18. Accommodation in Holkham is limited due to its small size, but The Victoria hotel offers 20 individually decorated rooms across two historical buildings. A weekend's stay (Friday, 18-21 July) in a deluxe double room named the Hare Clump will set you back £330 per night. This is based on two people sharing. If that's too out your budget, the hotel's smallest room - called Honk's Pit - cost £210 per night over the exact same dates. All prices include breakfast. *Prices based on Trainline listings at the time of writing.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Call for beach measures to protect feeding birds
Ornithologists have called for restrictions on beaches to allow migratory birds to feed. Mick Dryden of Jersey Birds said he would like to see parts of two or three of Jersey's beaches set aside so birds from northern climates could safely feed without disturbance. He said that could involve dogs being kept on leads as the birds expended much-needed energy when disturbed. Species including Brent Geese, Turnstone, Oystercatchers and Curlews arrive in the island during autumn from countries such as Canada, Iceland and Russia to feed up on seagrass before they return to their breeding grounds. Mr Dryden said: "They're all coming here for one reason - and that is to survive the winter. He added: "These birds are dependent for their survival on being able to feed at these places. "If constant disturbances are preventing them from doing that, then the birds can't be in a good enough condition to migrate the thousands of miles back north where they're going to breed - and the end product is that they don't." He said the birds could only feed at low tide so their time was limited. "If their time is spent flying around because people are disturbing them then they're not feeding and are burning up energy instead of gaining it," he said. He said he would like to see a part of Grouville Bay protected during the winter for feeding birds but other parts of a couple of beaches during the summer months when some species breed. Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to Rare black-winged kite spotted in Jersey Rare bird in Jersey attracts international views Reed buntings breed for first time in 27 years Jersey Birds
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Call for beach measures to protect feeding birds
Ornithologists have called for restrictions on beaches to allow migratory birds to Dryden of Jersey Birds said he would like to see parts of two or three of Jersey's beaches set aside so birds from northern climates could safely feed without said that could involve dogs being kept on leads as the birds expended much-needed energy when including Brent Geese, Turnstone, Oystercatchers and Curlews arrive in the island during autumn from countries such as Canada, Iceland and Russia to feed up on seagrass before they return to their breeding grounds. Mr Dryden said: "They're all coming here for one reason - and that is to survive the added: "These birds are dependent for their survival on being able to feed at these places."If constant disturbances are preventing them from doing that, then the birds can't be in a good enough condition to migrate the thousands of miles back north where they're going to breed - and the end product is that they don't."He said the birds could only feed at low tide so their time was limited."If their time is spent flying around because people are disturbing them then they're not feeding and are burning up energy instead of gaining it," he said he would like to see a part of Grouville Bay protected during the winter for feeding birds but other parts of a couple of beaches during the summer months when some species breed.
