About Me

I was born and raised here in Norfolk, the birder’s paradise and have spent more than 35 years birding all over the county. I am now based in Cockley Cley; an ideal position from which to see the Breckland bird specialities, especially Stone-curlew, Goshawk, Willow Tit and Nightjars, and still be within easy reach of the species-rich Norfolk coast!

As well as my passion for British bird species, I have birded extensively around the world seeing over 7000 species along the way. I have led international birding tours to India, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Uganda, Indonesia, The Philippines, Thailand and Laos. 

I am available to guide birding days around the Norfolk brecklands as well as the coast, for groups ranging from the inexperienced but keen to learn, through to the experienced foreign birder who wants to see the best of Norfolk’s birding life on a tight schedule.

I am also available to lead private parties, individuals and groups, or for corporate or team building events. Beginners and children are welcome, help with identification will always be given.

Ashley Banwell

April 2016

Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

13 thoughts on “About Me”

  1. Dear Ashley: I am planning a solo birding trip to the Bismarck Islands this summer. I found your report of when you birded the area last year. Do you have additional information on logistics, birding sites, etc., that you are willing to share?
    Thank You

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  2. Hi Ashley,
    I’m hoping you could tell me whereabouts is the best place to view the Hawfinch roost at Lynford Arboretum? We’ve never seen more than 2 or 3 around the paddock.
    Cheers
    Neil Stephenson

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  4. Hi Ashley

    I am from Colombia and work on shorebirds, I found out you recorded a Hudsonian Godwit in 2006 in Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta (https://www.surfbirds.com/gallery/search2.php?species=Hudsonian%20Godwit&photographer=&location=&country=&start=41). Now I am writing a paper about noteworthy records of rare shorebirds in Colombia and I would like to add your register in this publication. Could you please tell me if I can include your record in the manuscript? Have you written anything else about this record? How can I cite you? Thanks in advance!

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  5. Hi Ashley I am wondering if you can help me at all with Long Eared Owls in Norfolk I have never been so lucky yo have seen one. I would be very grateful for some help.

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  6. Dear Ashley,

    Thank you so much for the detailed and entertaining report from Seram. I am headed there next month with my wife and I was wondering if you could share a few tips on the logistics. I was also wondering if you think there is any potential to hike from the trans-Seram road to higher elevations where we might have a shot at the thrush. We are happy with a tough hike but we only have 4 or 5 days (depending on the ferry schedule) so I’m not sure we’ll have the time to hike up to Gunung Binaiya.

    Thank you!
    Bert Harris (aramidopsis@gmail.com)

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  8. Hi Ashley,
    I’m planning a “Woodcock” trip to Indonesia (probably Aug/Sep 2022). Via eBird I found your great record of two Javan Woodocks at Gunung Salak (stunning photos!). Thanks a lot for providing helpfull deatails! Did you find the birds right on the place where the marker was set (the “SPA/hotel area)”?

    Thank you in advance and greetings from Germany!

    Tom

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  9. Hi Ashley,

    I’m wondering if it would be at all possible to use a photo attributed to you on ebird, as I am struggling to find images of Dulit frogmouths on photo sourcing sites, for a non-fiction/educational book about the frogmouth family, with part proceeds going to wildlife rehabilitation charities that care for frogmouths as they are expensive animals to care for. I have put a request through Macaulay library but am yet to hear anything so I thought I’d try to contact you here, as I’m keen to get the project underway. Here’s the link for the photo I am hoping to use:

    https://media.ebird.org/catalog?taxonCode=dulfro1&sort=rating_rank_desc&mediaType=photo

    Other images used in the book have charged between $2 to $50 licensing fee for the photos to appear on 1 internal page of the book, and I would of course be happy to pay a licensing fee for your image as well.

    If you could contact me via ktaharding@gmail.com that would be amazing!

    Thank you,

    Katie Bird

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