Leader: Seán Dempster
The aim of walk is to see Goshawks which should be performing their aerial courtship displays at this time of year.  Hopefully, we will get a bright, warm, sunny morning which will encourage the Goshawks to fly. Mid-morning is often the best time so we will start off by walking through the Swanton Novers woods to a water meadow where the Norfolk Rivers Trust have created a new river through a wetland. We will walk for about 2 hours, covering a distance of about 3 miles.  We will then return to Swanton Novers church, set up a watch point and hope to see Goshawks displaying.  Telescopes would be useful as the birds can be distant. Common woodland birds should be seen on the walk but the main aim of the morning is to see Goshawks and other birds of prey.

Where to meet 
Meet at Swanton Novers church. There will be somebody there to show you where to park. Car sharing is strongly encouraged as parking is limited.

Location
St Edmunds Church, Little Wood Lane, Swanton Novers, NR24 2QU.  Note that the postcode is the nearest available
Grid reference: TG 015 323
What3Words: shaver.dentistry.finally

X (Easting), Y (Northing)

601541, 332391

Walking distance
3 miles

Accessibility
The walk will be on level ground, along a forest track and then on grassy paths beside the river.  The ground should not be too wet so walking boots will suffice. We can encounter poor weather in March, so please come prepared for chilly or wet conditions. There will be some standing/sitting while scanning for Goshawk, so lots of layers needed. Bring a folding chair if standing is a problem.

Bring coffee/tea and some refreshments to have after the walk

No dogs please, except assistance dogs.

 

None!

 

 

DATE: Wednesday 18th March 2026

WALK A: The usual Felbrigg Park walk

TIME: 9.00am to 11:00am
WALK LEADER: Trevor Williams
DISTANCE: Approximately 2-mile circular walk
ACCESSIBILITY: See below - could be anywhere on the estate dependent on what has been reported and likely to include grassy / muddy foot[aths

WALK B: A shorter walk for those who don't want to walk as far!
TIME: 10.00am to 11.00am
WALK LEADER: Nick Kimber
DISTANCE: No more than 1-mile circular walk
ACCESSIBILITY: We are intending to keep this walk slow and we will probably stroll down to the lake and back. There are a couple of benches en route. Paths may be uneven and could be wet underfoot.

We plan to all meet up for coffee and a chat afterwards

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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.

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: Thursday 26th March 2026

 

TIME: 7.30pm to 9.30pm

 

JOIN IN: Gresham Village Hall

 

A BIT ABOUT THE SPEAKER AND THEIR TALK: 

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