Latest news with #RingedPlover
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.
Mint
30-05-2025
- Science
- Mint
Optical Illusion: 99% of people can't find the chick in this photo – Can you?
Nature has once again proven itself to be the master of disguise. An image capturing a Ringed Plover chick camouflaged perfectly against a rocky shoreline has gone viral, leaving countless viewers bewildered. At first glance, the scene appears to be nothing more than a patch of earth scattered with stones and pebbles—but hidden in plain sight is a tiny chick that's almost impossible to detect. This fascinating photograph, taken along a coastal nesting area, shows the Ringed Plover's incredible evolutionary defence mechanism. The chick's plumage is so well adapted to its surroundings that it becomes virtually invisible to predators—and to us. Crouched low and completely still, the chick creates a powerful optical illusion that's confounded even the most eagle-eyed observers. Social media users have spent minutes, sometimes far longer, trying to locate the elusive bird. Many have admitted defeat, convinced the photo is a trick. But rest assured, the chick is there—perfectly camouflaged and proving just how clever nature can be. To locate the chick, look just to the left of the centre of the image. You'll notice a subtle round shape with a tiny dark eye and a pale beak. The chick is facing forward and nestled tightly into the ground, with its colouration mimicking the earth and pebbles around it. So, did you manage to spot it on your own? If not, don't worry—you're in good company!
