North East Norfolk Bird Club

Paston

Paston is a small coastal village close to Mundesley. It is perhaps best known for the Paston Letters, written between 1422 and 1509 by the Paston family to members of the English gentry and for the Great Barn, one of only three maternity roosts in Britain for the Barbastelle Bat. Most of the birding interest centres on the cliff-top fields between the Mundesley Holiday Village and the Bacton gas terminal, however a pleasant two-mile circular walk is possible. Turn east off the coast road (B1159) at the Stow Hill windmill signposted to the Mundesley Holiday Village. There is a large parking area at the end of the track overlooking the cliffs. Walk south along the cliff-top path towards the Bacton gas terminal, turn right at the terminal fence and then take the public footpath diagonally across the field that starts about 100 yards from the corner of the fence. On the other side of the field walk along the edge of the wood and take the left-hand fork that leads to Paston Hall and the surrounding woodland. Return to the coast road and walk back to Stow Hill windmill. Lapland Bunting are regular on the cliff-top field in winter and a rare female Pied Wheatear was found here on 1st November 2003. Habitats: arable farmland, coastal, gardens, hedgerows, pond and woodland.

Species recorded
114
Visitors
20

What you might see

  • Red-legged Partridge

  • Common Pheasant

  • Brant Goose

  • Barnacle Goose

  • Greylag Goose