Tottenhill Gravel Pits

Tottenhill Gravel Pits (TF635112)

This site is a privately owned quarry which at the time of writing was still being worked. It is situated just off the A10 Trunk road, approx 7km south of King's Lynn. Turn right at Brundals garage. The pit is just a short distance along this road on the right. There is a rather small, but well used pull in on the right. Currently there is no public access to this site. Viewing is confined to the roadside only, which is best during the winter period when vegetation is nill. The only pit visible from the roadside is a fairly deep, well sheltered one. It is surrounded on all sides by a mixture of Oak, Sycamore and Willow. This sheltered situation means that it is protected from all but the severest of frosts, making it ideal for wintering wildfowl.

Resident birds include all three species of woodpecker, Nuthatch and Treecreeper. Kingfisher is occasionally seen as are Goldcrest, Ruddy Duck. Summer brings with it hirundines and a good selection of the commoner warblers. The site really comes into it's own however during the winter period. As well as Mute Swans a few Whooper's have been recorded. Recent maximum counts for wildfowl have included 200+ Teal, 300+ Pochard, and 700+ Pintail. The site also holds up to 6 Smew most winters.

Recent rarities have included, Red and Black-necked Grebe as well as Ring-billed Gull.