DATE: Wednesday 17th September 2025

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 35 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: 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. For further information see Felbrigg Hall.

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 or if you have any suggestions for walks that would be more suitable for the less mobile and we will aim to get something arranged.

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. The Park itself, Felbrigg village and Aylmerton are also served by public transport, but buses are not frequent and unfortunately unlikely to fit with walk timings. Bus Timetable - Sanders. Alternatively, car-sharing is encouraged. Do have a chat with folks at any of our events and contact them via the messaging facility available on 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 scope on the walk unless one of our regulars brings theirs as it generally 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. 

DATE: Saturday 20th September 2025

TIME: 9.00am to 12:00midday

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: A 10th Anniversary Walk Celebrating our 1st decade! We will be returning to the site of one of our walks from the early years of the club. A loop from Cromer via East Runton, Incleborough Hill and West Runton exploring little known migrant hotspots and coastal birding with an optional café stop at the end.

MEETING POINT: Meet at the entrance to the Runton Road carpark in Cromer, between Blue Sky café and the toilet block.

PARKING AND SITE INFORMATION: The Runton Road (cliff-top) car park in Cromer is a North Norfolk District Council coastal site and fees apply Home | Car Park charges (inc coaches). [Postcode: NR27 9AU | what3words: seagulls.river.tilts | Grid Reference: TG212424]

DISTANCE: Approximately 4+ mile circular walk

ACCESSIBILITY: The walk is along footpaths and includes a climb to Incleborough Hill. As such, this event isn’t suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility. 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 or if you have any suggestions for walks that would be more suitable for the less mobile and we will aim to get something arranged.

FACILITIES: Toilets and café facilities available at the start point in Cromer.

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)! Bicycle racks are also available in the car park. The site is accessible by public transport so check with the local bus companies for details: Timetables | Sanders Coaches. Alternatively, car-sharing is encouraged. Do have a chat with folks at any of our events and contact them via the messaging facility available on 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 scope on the walk unless one of our regulars brings theirs. It may be useful on this occasion but if you bring one along don’t forget you’ll be carrying it all the way round the walk! 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.

DATE: Thursday 25th September 2025

 

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 SPEAKERS AND THEIR TALKS: Members' Night means 4 club member speakers with 4 mini talks of about 20 mins each. Always a highlight of the talks season!

TALK 1 | Maureen Harper - A personal encounter with the African Fish Eagle at Lake Naivasha, Kenya | "The cry of the Fish Eagle is said to be the real call of Africa. At Naivasha, it is the alarm clock as well. I studied this top predator for over a decade as part of my husband’s research on the lake ecosystem. Share my passion with this bird and with Kenya."

TALK 2 | Bev Taylor - Felbeck Trust: improving habitat for native wildlife | Bev will be talking about this local charity’s work, its challenges and successes, and the bird life at its sites across North Norfolk. Bev worked in television for 15 years, including wildlife programmes, before joining defra and working on briefs as varied as water quality and the right to roam.

TALK 3 | Andy Clarke - In search of owls in the land of the midnight sun | Andy will describe a short trip to Finland and northern Norway, looking for owls and woodpeckers in the forest, then waders and skuas on the tundra, as well as bumping into other club members in roadside cafes!

TALK 4 | John Hurst - Ornithological Education (or not!) | "features the many experiences I encountered as a rural schools environmental and arts advisor during the 80s prior to embarking full time on my watercolour career."

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 that supports club funds, 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. Just let us know.

 

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. Alternatively, car-sharing is encouraged. Do have a chat with folks at any of our events and contact them via the messaging facility available on the member page of our website to arrange something for next time.
 

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. | What3Words: baths.discount.endearing | Grid Reference: TG166386

 

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