RSPB Bee Eaters Viewpoint — Local services in North Norfolk

Bee-eaters have bred for the first time in this country in a small sandy quarry in Norfolk. The nesting site is being monitored by the RSPB and have allowed access to the general public. A rather exorbitant fee of £5 is charged for you to park your car and then you can walk down to the edge of the pit and search for the birds. On the day that I went, the 17th August, there was only one adult bird to be seen but it perched on a nearby telegraph wire to give you a chance to set your telescope at it. Occasionally it would dart off and then reappear with a dragonfly or a bee caught in its slightly downturn beak. It enabled you to see the yellow feathers on the throat and then it would fly around the pit and show off its harlequin plumage of blues and greens and showing off its chestnut brown undersides and constantly calling a liquid 'quilp' call. The entrance to a nest hole was pointed out to us which seemed conspicuously obvious to any passing predator. Eventually a fledgling appeared right at the front door but would not come out any further. The constant flying by of the calling adult bird did not entice it out though. What a privilege to see this beautiful bird because I had dipped out of seeing the relatively nearby ...

The birds aren't a disappointment, the people are. Also, the fact that you have staff/volunteers harassing members of public, when they are on PUBLIC roads to view the birds from a different perspective, is a disgrace. The fact that the staff/volunteer threatened to call a local farmer to help intimidate is rather unsettling. It's rather scary someone watching you whilst you are alone as well. Not only that, the condescending tone of those working at the entry marquee is also disgusting. It's truly disappointing as a bird lover. You have changed a wonderful experience into a sad one, especially for someone visiting from overseas. Going from £5 a car to £5 person is a high increase especially when no receipt is offered either. I hope the money is for a...

We decided to use this as an excuse to take a short break, were not disappointed. The RSPB has done a great service for anyone, even slightly, interested in seeing a beautifully coloured bird. The temporary set up gave the visitors car parking and toilet facilities for a reasonable price. We were welcomed with a description of where the birds were to be found, so camera and long lens (for me) and binoculars (for my wife) were carried from the car to a suitable viewing location. Spending a couple of hours, we came away with photos of the Bee-eaters and bonus of kestrel, buzzard, green woodpeckers. All together a very enjoyable experience, well...