North East Norfolk Bird Club

About us

North East Norfolk Bird Club [NENBC] was launched in January 2015 and covers the population centres of Melton Constable, Holt, Sheringham, Cromer, North Walsham and Aylsham. We are a friendly club catering for all levels of birding experience with members and supporters from the local area as well as seasonal visitors and those from much further afield who wished they lived here!

We have a comprehensive programme of club events and activities throughout the year at which non-members are always very welcome, including:

  • Monthly evening talks on the last Thursday of the month from September to November and January to April at our home base Gresham Village Hall [NR11 8RT] - plenty of refreshments always provided, a 2nd hand nature books stall too. Also available live via Zoom 
 
  • Monthly mid-week bird walks around the National Trust’s Felbrigg Park estate at the centre of our recording area on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from September to July

  • Varied monthly weekend bird walks to a range of local and regional birding hotspots from September to July

  • An annual 'Walks Week' programme where 7 members lead 7 walks over 7 days to 7 locations for 7 participants where we get to see local patches we wouldn't get to on a typical club walk

  • Occasional evening walks in the spring or summer for specific species such as Nightjar

  • An annual Birding for Beginners workshop series combining practical and theoretical elements of birdwatching from which we now have over 70 graduates

  • A range of special events throughout the year such as: a New Year’s Day Birding Challenge to get the year off to a good birding start; an annual joint speaker event with Norfolk Wildlife Trust (local group) and Cley Bird Club in February; a Big Sit birding event in May, recording the total number of species seen from one spot between dawn and dusk; an annual Coordinated Seawatch event along the coast in the autumn recording visible migration; a combined Christmas Social and AGM Evening in December
    
Our members receive a monthly e-newsletter, the Pied Flyer, which includes contributions from across the membership in every issue and we publish a comprehensive annual Bird Report for our recording area, covering not only the bird data, photos and artwork submitted by our members, but articles on our activities and projects too.

We have a Star Scheme where members are awarded lapel badges for the number of bird species recorded in the club area since joining - the self-certified Bronze [100 species] and the peer-reviewed Silver [200], Gold [250] and Platinum [300]. We also have an Eco-Badge Scheme for the number of bird species recorded in the NENBC area at or from home without the use of motorised transport since 1st January 2020 (or date of joining if later). Members enjoy the challenge of working towards Green [75 species for inland records, 100 if including coastal locations] and Super-Green [125 inland, 175 coastal].

We work with partners on a variety of projects. Many of our members volunteer with local wildlife conservation charity Felbeck Trust undertaking practical volunteering activities to support birds and other wildlife. We have also been working with the University of East Anglia for a few years now, supporting 3rd year UEA Environmental Consultancy students with 'real-life' projects for the club which have been most rewarding and resulted in some really interesting reports from the students. We have recently introduced an annual Young Birder Bursary scheme for our 16-24 year old members and are looking forward to reports in our newsletter from this year's beneficiary on their progress.

Our Club Sponsor is Bird Ventures in Holt at which members are eligible for a discount on their own-brand bird food.

Full details on our upcoming events and much more can be found on this website. We have an NENBC Twitter account @NENBC_info for local info and other birding news and we also run two WhatsApp groups - North East Norfolk Seawatching (open to all) for 'live' reporting of seabird movement along the north Norfolk coast and a member-only NENBC Alerts for sharing news of interesting birds within our recording area.

The NENBC recording area covers eight 10km squares as per the Ordnance Survey tetrads TG03, TG12, TG13, TG14, TG22, TG23, TG24 and TG33 in north east Norfolk. They stretch in a cross shape from Swanton Novers in the west to Happisburgh in the east, and from Sheringham in the north to Hevingham in the south. Within our designated area there are some of the county's premier birding sites, both coastal and inland, together with acres of under-watched or undiscovered habitats which have hosted over 350 species!

With around 450 members, our aim is to bring together people with a love and concern for birds in our area, to share knowledge and information, encourage participation in exploring our rich wildlife heritage and promote awareness of our threatened natural environment. We strive to be a sociable, inclusive and informative club which plays a vital role in the local birding community.

Club membership is currently just £12 per annum per household or £15 with a copy the club’s Bird Report from the previous year included.

If you have a love of birds, come and give us a try - we'd love to meet you! 

Contact Carol on nenbc@aol.co.uk



  • Felbrigg Park Monthly Walk [3rd Wednesday of the month Sep-Jul] Outdoor Event

    Date
    Location
    Felbrigg Park
    DATE: Wednesday 20th March 2024

    TIME: 9.00am to 11:00am

    WALK LEADER: Trevor Williams

    NO BOOKING REQUIRED: It is always nice to know if you are coming via nenbc@aol.co.uk but by no means essential so if it takes your fancy on the day, please just turn up as we would love to see you!

    WALK DESCRIPTION: This walk caters for all levels of birding ability so come and give us a try! We are a friendly bunch and always pleased to have folk join us whether they are NENBC members or not. We take a leisurely walk around the park and lake, route dependent on the local bird and other wildlife recently reported or likely to be present on the day. We regularly see over 40 bird species on an average walk and even on the worst of days more than 30.

    MEETING POINT: National Trust Main Car Park, Felbrigg Park [Postcode: NR11 8PP will get you to the main entrance | what3words: denoting.reminds.bags for the car park | Grid Reference: TG197394 for the car park]

    PARKING AND SITE INFORMATION: [Website - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate]. Although access to the grounds is free to all and parking is free in the main car park for National Trust [NT] members with their machine-validated membership card, a parking fee is payable via the machines for non-NT members (£5 per vehicle). At time of writing, Sexton’s Lodge car park at the western end of the estate however remains free to all users and you can walk up from there along the internal estate road to our start point (about 10 mins). Do check out the NT website nearer the time though in case of any changes to their arrangements, including the free car parking at the Lodge.

    DISTANCE: Approximately 2-mile circular walk

    ACCESSIBILITY: The walk is usually ‘off-road’ along dirt footpaths and tracks, across fields, through woods and can include a few stairs by the lake. As such, this event isn’t suitable for wheelchair users but please do contact us on nenbc@aol.co.uk to see which of our events can currently accommodate wheelchair users or could be adapted to do so.

    FACILITIES: Toilets and café facilities available at Felbrigg Hall.

    STAR STATUS: This walk is within the NENBC recording area so any bird species you see or hear can all count towards your personal NENBC Star Badges (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum awards based on the number of species you have personally seen or heard in the club area and recorded on our website since becoming a member).

    GOING GREEN!: If you are able to walk or cycle to the start point from home, that would be fantastic, and as the walk is within the NENBC recording area, all the birds you see or hear can contribute to your personal NENBC Eco-badges (Green or Super-Green)! The Weavers’ Way and many other public footpaths bisect the park, as does the regional cycle route formerly named route 30. Bicycle racks are also available in the main car park. Felbrigg village and Aylmerton are also served by public transport, but buses are not frequent and unfortunately unlikely to fit with walk timings. Alternatively, car-sharing is encouraged. We are working on a way to best facilitate this but in the meantime, have a chat with folks at any of our events and contact them by email via the member page of our website to arrange something for next time.

    ADDITIONAL NOTES: Binoculars are always recommended to gain full enjoyment from your birding. We don’t specifically carry a telescope on the walk unless one of our regulars brings theirs as it usually isn’t necessary but if you’d like to use one, please bring one along. Stout footwear is advised as paths may be slippery or muddy any time of year, particularly after rain. Young people aged 16 and 17 are welcome to attend unaccompanied with prior written consent from a parent or guardian who has also supplied a phone number where they can be contacted in an emergency but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Sorry no dogs except guide dogs. When appropriate for prevailing conditions and preference of participants, please respect social distancing when requested.
  • "Bengal Tigers, Birds and the Taj Mahal" an evening talk with Trevor Williams Indoor Event

    Date
    Location
    Either in person at Gresham Village Hall or live online via Zoom from home
    DATE: Thursday 28th March 2024
     
    TIME: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
     
    JOIN IN: Either in person at Gresham Village Hall or live online via Zoom from home
     
    A BIT ABOUT THE SPEAKER AND THEIR TALK: In this illustrated talk, Club Chair Trevor Williams provides an introduction to the birds, animals and tourist attractions within easy travelling distance of the capital Delhi. Centred on the premium wildlife reserves of Ranthambore, Bharatpur and the Chambal River this talk provides a beginners guide to the local wildlife, tourist attractions and fascinating culture of India. The sort of trip which is popular with wildlife holiday companies but one which, with a few local contacts, you could easily organise yourself.
     
    AT THE HALL: Those of you attending in-person at the hall can expect a selection of home-made cakes plus tea, coffee, hot chocolate, wine and cold drinks during the interval and of course the chance to socialise with other members. We can cater for gluten-free or other requirements if you let us know in advance. We have a 2nd hand ‘natural world’ book stall for you to purchase from / contribute your no-longer-required stock to, supplies of our publications to buy (including our annual bird reports), a display of member photos and details on our upcoming events. We are happy to offer members’ old birding equipment for sale at our events (or in our newsletter) with a contribution going to club funds.
     
    BOOKING ARRANGEMENTS: It is always nice to know if you are coming to the hall but by no means essential so if it takes your fancy on the evening, please just turn up as we would love to see you and we have plenty of space! If you are intending to join via Zoom though, you definitely need to let us know in advance so we can get the link out to you in good time. 
     
    ACCESSIBILITY: The hall is wheelchair accessible. The level car park at the hall is shingle but we can reserve a space next to the entrance if you need it. 
     
    GOING GREEN!: The hall isn’t really accessible by public transport but if you are able to walk or cycle to the event that would be fantastic! Alternatively, car-sharing is encouraged. We are working on a way to best facilitate this but in the meantime, have a chat with folks at any of our events and contact them by email via the member page of our website to arrange something for next time, or let us know and we will try to put you in touch.
     
    DIRECTIONS: Gresham Village Hall, East Beckham Road off Church Lane, Gresham, Norfolk, NR11 8RT but note the published postcode might not take you to exactly the right spot! If you are coming through Aylmerton and Lower Gresham, turn right by the church (just after the school) and the hall is on your left. If you are coming through Gresham, turn left at the church (just before the school) and the hall is on your left. If you are dropping down from East Beckham, the hall is on your right opposite the church.
     
    PARKING: Access to the hall car park is off East Beckham Road, opposite the church. There is additional parking on the road along the side of the church itself and an overflow car park has kindly been offered to us by Gresham Village School. The school car park is located on Cromer Road to the left of the school as you face it and at the left-hand end of the row of houses – about a 300m walk from the hall. Please park considerately to allow maximum number of cars in the car parks and on the road but with enough space for passing traffic to be able to get through, including agricultural vehicles. We can send you a map of the locality on request. 
     
    FOR THE ZOOM LINK OR ANY QUERIES: Contact Carol on nenbc@aol.co.uk
  • Burnham Overy Dunes Walk Outdoor Event

    Date
    Location
    Burnham Overy
    DATE: Sunday 31st March 2024
     
    TIME: 09.00am to 1.00pm
     
    WALK LEADER: Janice Darch
     
    BOOKING REQUIRED: The maximum number of participants is 15. Please remember to sign up with Janice if you would like to come on the walk by emailing her on janicedarch@gmail.com by Friday 29th March.

    WALK DESCRIPTION: A track leads from a gateway by the layby north to the seawall and the dunes. It is very good for spring migrants, so we may be lucky with some early arrivals. Once on the seawall we will be overlooking Overy Creek where we will scan for water birds including wildfowl, waders and gulls. To our east is grazing marsh which may have grazing Wigeon, Teal and Geese. Marsh Harriers are common overhead. We will walk through the sand dunes to the beach and follow it westwards to Gun Hill and the entrance to Burnham Harbour. A sea watch may yield Scoter, Divers or Gannets passing. We will be able to see Scolt Head Island just across the channel at the turning point of our walk. The channel can be good for seeing divers up close while the dune habitat should have Stonechats, Linnets or an early Wheatear and maybe Shorelark and Snow Buntings. Our return walk will be inside of the dunes where can continue to view the channel and saltmarsh.

    MEETING POINT: Meet at PE31 8JJ. This is at the crossroads just east of Burnham Overy Staithe on the Coast Road A149.
     
    PARKING AND SITE INFORMATION: The road south from the crossroad at PE31 8JJ on the Coast Road A149 just east of Burnham Overy Staithe goes to Burnham Market and on either side of it are small unsurfaced car parks. Opposite on the north side of the Coast Road there is also a layby. Website: https://www.visitnorfolk.co.uk/destination/burnham-overy-staithe
     
    DISTANCE: About 4 miles
     
    ACCESSIBILITY: Walking is through dunes and as such, this event isn’t suitable for wheelchair users but please do contact us on nenbc@aol.co.uk to see which of our events can currently accommodate wheelchair users or could be adapted to do so. 
     
    FACILITIES: None on the walk itself but they can be found in Burnham Overy Town and Staithe
     
    STAR STATUS:  This walk is not within the NENBC recording area so the bird species you see or hear won’t be able to count towards your personal NENBC Star Badges (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum awards based on the number of species you have seen or heard in the club area).
     
    GOING GREEN!: This walk is out of the club area so species seen can’t count towards your Eco-badges for birding without the use of motorised transport but if you are able to walk or cycle to the start point from home, or even use public transport, that would be fantastic! Alternatively, car-sharing is encouraged. We are working on a way to best facilitate this but in the meantime, have a chat with folks at any of our events and contact them by email via the member page of our website to arrange something for next time.

    ADDITIONAL NOTES: Binoculars are recommended to gain full enjoyment from your birding. The leader will carry a telescope for her personal use only so if you would like to use one during the walk please bring your own along. It could be very useful at this site. Stout footwear is recommended as paths may be slippery or muddy particularly after rain. Young people aged 16 and 17 are welcome to attend unaccompanied with prior written consent from a parent or guardian who has also supplied a phone number where they can be contacted in an emergency but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Sorry no dogs except guide dogs. Please respect social distancing on the walk when appropriate for current conditions and preference of participants.
  • Avatar of a Long eared owl on a red background

    Eurasian Siskin seen at home

  • Avatar of a Sparrow on a rose background

    Western Jackdaw, Eurasian Collared Dove, Purple Sandpiper and 8 other species seen at Sheringham

  • Avatar of a Turtle dove on a cyan background

    Eurasian Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Common Linnet and 16 other species seen at West Runton

  • Avatar of a Cuckoo on a fuchsia background

    Common Shelduck, Northern Fulmar, Red-throated Loon and 2 other species seen at Cromer Lighthouse & East Cliffs

  • Avatar of a Hoopoe on a gray background

    Common Blackbird seen at Mundesley