Much has been written and photographed about natural phenomena, those strange occurrences which pass human understanding yet are spectacular to witness. One of these, in the UK at least is the wader murmurations.

Thousands of wading birds, mainly Knots feed daily on the muddy beaches around The Wash in North Norfolk. These areas are rich in the Knot’s favourite food; worms. At certain times of the year excessive high tides occur which drive the flock of feeding birds further up the beach and eventually on to the lakes slightly inland. The birds rise up as one amorphous mass and swoop and swirl around before settling back on the sand/mud, before being forced to move again because of the advancing water.

We were lucky to witness this spectacular recently on a trip to Snettisham, very early one September morning. Arriving at the car park shortly before 6am we had a 40 minute walk to the viewing area where we watched as the sun rose and the tide rushed in.

The photographs do not do this spectacle justice. It is magical and the noise as they flew overhead is indescribable. It was a wonderful start to the day and we were back at our hotel in Hunstanton in time for breakfast! What a morning out!

Top: The Old Jetty at Snettisham – The tide is out; 2. A few wading birds feeding on the mud flats close to shore; 3. A few birds get airborne; Bottom: The first mass launch.

Murmuration in full flight

Knots flying over, heading for the lakes behind us.

Knots flying over the spectators toward the lakes

The Tide’s In!! Top: Panorama shot of the shoreline with the tide in; Centre: Looking back up the bay with the tide in; The landing stage at Snettisham – The tide is now in!

We were not alone! Several hundred “enthusiasts” converge on Snettisham for the first Knot spectacular of the season.

And finally – on the walk back to the car I could not resist this little scene:

“Getting My Ducks in a Row”