LOCATION: Overstrand and Trimingham Walk

DATE: Sunday 5th October

TIME: 9:00am to 1:00pm

WALK LEADER: Janice Darch

BOOKING REQUIRED: So that we don’t monopolise car parks or take over at smaller locations, we ask for advance bookings on some of our walks and limit the group size to 15. Please remember to sign up with Janice if you would like to come on this one by emailing her on janicedarch@gmail.com before noon on Saturday 4 October

WALK DESCRIPTION: This walk follows the cliffs between Trimingham and Overstrand and inland paths through sunken lanes, woodland and a disused railway track .The cliffs are spectacular with lots of cliff erosion and slumps providing a large area of undercliff habitat. Views from the top of the cliffs give good perspectives for scanning the beach below and for sea watching. On the cliff top the habitat ranges between small woodland patches, gardens and arable fields. Note that the direction we walk round the loop will be decided on the day depending on wind direction and what birds may have been recently reported- this is migration season after all!

MEETING POINT: Meet in the village hall car park 

PARKING AND SITE INFORMATION: Park in Trimingham Village Hall car park, Stone Field, Cromer Road, Trimingham NR11 8HY or across the road in the large lay by. | What3words: tall.yesterday.revamped | Grid Reference: TG274389 | Google Map: Trimingham Village Hall |

DISTANCE: to be confirmed

ACCESSIBILITY: The walk is along footpaths and along uneven terrain. 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: None.

STAR STATUS: This walk is within the NENBC recording area so the bird species you see or hear will 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!: 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)! Buses are infrequent but for info on public transport in the area 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 but one may be useful on this occasion. 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.

This will be the 11th Coordinated Seawatch organised by the NENBC. We set ourselves up at a number of sites with good views out to sea, each team with an experienced seawatcher as lead, to record the number and species of all the birds we see along the club coastline and beyond (and the direction they are flying) for each 10-minute period throughout a 3-hour time frame. The beauty of a coordinated event is that we can message our other sites along the coast via our WhatsApp Seawatching Group to give advance warning of identifiable flocks flying through. Then of course there is the friendly rivalry between the sites. All the previous events have been well supported, produced some great data and most importantly been enjoyed by all the participants. It is both a social and informative event and a great way to get started seawatching as a beginner and also to pass on your knowledge as a regular to those new to the activity. To get the most out of the event, we’d advise coming along for the whole 3 hours but ‘part timers’ will always be welcome at any point! Whatever your level of seawatching, or birding, experience, please come and join us! Don’t forget we now have a number of short-notice ‘Pop-Up’ seawatching events throughout the year so keep an eye on the website announcements on the Home page for when these are coming up.

DATE: Saturday 11th October 2025

TIME: 07:30am – 10:30am

NO BOOKING REQUIRED BUT …. Booking is by no means essential, so if it takes your fancy on the day, please just turn up as we would love to see you. However, it would really help us with our resource management to ascertain minimum numbers for each site so we know that each site leader has at least a couple of folk to help them with the spotting and recording as it isn’t a job that can be done as effectively alone. Also, in 2022 we had to cancel a site at the last minute due to leader illness and we were able to let those who had notified us that were coming know so they didn’t have a wasted journey and could re-direct to another site. Please let us know in advance if you know you are definitely coming via nenbc@aol.co.uk. Thank you!

CONFIRMED TEAM SITES

If you can, please try and get to your sites by 7:15am so leads have a chance to run through what we will be doing before the sudden rush of passing seabirds from 7.30am keeps us all busy!

SHERINGHAM TANK with Phil Borley and friends

Meet at ‘The Tank’ from 7:15am onwards. This is the bit of the promenade that juts out opposite the brightly coloured loos and with the Deep History murals on the side. If you face the sea at the end of the High Street, it is to your right past the museum. There is a bit of shelter if the weather is inclement, but you may want to bring your own chair as there are only a couple of seats there. Parking is available in the town Pay & Display car parks, free in the roads up by the Esplanade at the other end of the prom if you don’t mind the longer walk or up around Cliff Road (walk down the slope/stairs by Wee Retreat and turn left). The level site is part of the paved prom path so is accessible from some spots without having to use stairs and loos and refreshments are available nearby.| What3Words: uncle.portfolio.speedy | Grid Reference: TG161435 | Google Maps: Sheringham Tank |

CROMER NORTH LODGE PARK with Trevor Williams and friends

Meet at the shelter on the cliff by North Lodge Park from 7:15 am onwards. Coming through Cromer heading east, turn left at the lights at the end of town by the Thai restaurant. We will be on the clifftop on the left through North Lodge Park. There is a shelter with benches both inside and out but as this is often a popular spot for this event, you may want to bring your own chair. Parking along nearby side roads is possible or in the usual town Pay & Display car parks. The level site is part of the paved prom path so is accessible from some spots without having to use stairs but the loos and refreshments are a bit of a walk in Cromer itself. | What3words: hangs.broadcast.tailing | Grid Reference TG222421 | Google Maps: NLP Cliff Shelter |

MUNDESLEY with Julian Thomas and friends

Meet at the seafront shelter by the 'Deep History Coast' display and across the road from the council car park from 7:15am. The shelter there will give us a little more protection against the elements than the alternative spots. The shelter is adjacent to the road so no steps to go down to get there plus loos are available nearby and refreshments in Mundesley itself. | What3words: curries.promising.snowballs | Grid Reference: TG314367 | Google Maps: Mundesley Sea Shelter |

HAPPISBURGH with Andy Clarke and friends

NOTE: THIS IS THE PROVISIONAL PLAN BUT WE WILL BE DOING A RECCE IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENT TO SEE IF OUR TRADITIONAL SPOT IS STILL ACCESSIBLE AND WHAT THE PARKING ARRANGEMENTS CURRENTLY ARE SO WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UPDATES! Meet on the clifftop a short walk from the car park from 7:15am. Park in Happisburgh Community Car Park at the end of Beach Road (NR12 0PR). Charges £1.50 per hour, £7 all day (cards). Walking from car park, turn left up Beach Road (away from the sea) then immediately right up dead-end track. We will be along there on the right, exact spot determined by the amount of cliff erosion but hopefully we won't need to shift too far from our usual spot. This is quite an exposed site so you'll need to bring your own seat and warm clothes really are essential as there is no shelter. The path is flat but a bit uneven and there is a short stretch at the end where you are off the path. Loos available in car park but no refreshments nearby.

ACCESSIBILITY: This is a static event so some sites may be suitable for those with mobility issues. Accessibility is flagged up on the individual Team Sites as we put more details up. Please do contact us on nenbc@aol.co.uk to see which of our other events can currently accommodate wheelchair users and those with limited mobility or could be adapted to do so.

STAR STATUS: Any bird species you see or hear on the seawatch can count towards your own 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 from home to the Team Sites, all the birds you see or hear on the seawatch can contribute to your personal NENBC Eco-badges (Green or Super-Green) for birding without the use of motorised transport if they are in the NENBC recording area.

WHAT TO BRING: You may want to bring the following with you:

• A folding chair if there are no benches at a site

• A telescope and tripod as well as your bins if you have them 

• A flask of hot drink and a snack 

• Waterproof and warm clothing if the weather looks inclement plus some extra! In fact even if the weather doesn’t look inclement, waterproofs and warm clothing recommended!

• An ID book

• Enthusiasm!

SEAWATCH OBJECTIVES:

1. To introduce NENBC members to the joys of seawatching.

2. To help NENBC members improve their skill at identifying birds in flight at sea.

3. To map the likely route of wildfowl, seabirds and waders as they fly around the coast.

4. To estimate the speed of flight of some of the species recorded to add to our growing database.

DATE: Wednesday 15th October 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. 

We will be running 7 short walks over 7 days to 7 local hotspots with 7 leaders for 7 participants. As spaces are limited, advance booking is required. We are still in the planning stages but we envisage the week being at the tail end of October / beginning of November and as soon as we have finalised the dates and locations we will pop them up on here along with info on the number of spaces still available.

THE HISTORY: We started this Walks Week programme in 2020 when we were limited by the ‘Rule of 6’ in terms of size of walk groups due to the Covid restrictions and we had a few members step up as novice walk leaders to show a small group of other members around their local patch. It was excellent for well-being at the time and following really positive feedback on how group size allowed more interaction with the leader and others and allowed us to visit varied and smaller locations, we are continuing with this initiative. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Binoculars are always recommended to gain full enjoyment from your birding. We don’t specifically carry a scope on the walk but one may be useful. 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.

Are there any more VOLUNTEER LOCAL WALK LEADERS out there who would be interested in taking part and joining our walk leaders pool? We are looking for members who have an enthusiasm for their local patch, especially if it is in a ‘less-visited’ spot from our Locations list. Please don’t worry if you haven’t led a walk before or are nervous about being able to ID individual birds – it can be a supportive joint effort by all those attending. What we really want is someone who knows and enjoys the local patch. If this could be you, give us a shout on nenbc@aol.co.uk.

DATE: Thursday 30th October 2025

 

TIME: 7.30pm to 9.30pm

 

JOIN IN: Gresham Village Hall

 

A BIT ABOUT THE SPEAKER AND THEIR TALK: Martin's background includes studies at Cirencester Agricultural College followed by two years on cattle and sheep stations in Western Australia. On his return to the UK, he joined the Game Conservancy (now the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust) as a trainee Game Consultant and spent his working career covering the Eastern Counties with regular visits to France and occasionally Denmark. Always interested in natural history his passion for House Martins began over 40 years ago when a pair arrived to nest at his cottage in Suffolk. Last season the colony consisted of 34 pairs in a mixture of natural and artificial nests. He was closely involved with the BTO House Martin Survey and nest recording work and now contributes to House Martin Conservation UK and to the Suffolk Birds Group campaign to help these declining birds. House Martin Conservation UK and Ireland is a registered charity dedicated to the care and protection of these Red List birds with an aim of raising awareness of the species in communities and encouraging action to improve their nesting opportunities. Not limited to the UK, the charity also has an international vision gathering data on all factors affecting the fortunes of these wonderful little hirundines.

 

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!

 

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 ANY QUERIES: Contact Carol on nenbc@aol.co.uk