DETAILS TO FOLLOW SHORTLY - times may change

Sunday 7th December

 

We will be returning to the site of one of our walks from the early years of the club. Ideally wintering Shore Larks will have returned and often Snow Buntings are present too. A seawatch from the dunes is usually productive with maybe scoter flocks offshore along with Red-throated Divers, grebe species and perhaps Gannets passing with the gulls. Flocks of Wigeon, Teal with Brent, Pink-footed and maybe some White-fronted Geese possible on the inland fields which we can view from the drive or hides.

DATE: Thursday 11th December 2025

 

TIME: 7.30pm to 10.00pm

 

COME AND JOIN US FOR A LOVELY SOCIALABLE EVENING IN THE LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS!

 

 

The Annual General Meeting element will additionally be available online via Zoom but the rest of the evening will be hall-based. 
 
We’ll get the business side of things sorted first as we start the evening off with our AGM, a chance to vote on various aspects of the club and to listen to a Review of 2025 with outgoing Chair Trevor Williams. 
 
 THOSE WHO ATTEND AT THE HALL IN-PERSON can later enjoy the fun of our CHRISTAMS SOCIAL EVENT which will consist of a light-hearted QUIZ from last year’s winning team Stu, John, Tim and Kirsty, along with a HOT AND COLD BUFFET AND DRINKS. We will have team tables spread out in the large hall, there will be prizes available and party hats are very much encouraged throughout. 
 
 We will need ADVANCE BOOKING for both the hall and the Zoom bit nearer the time.

DATE: Wednesday 17th December 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.