DATE: Saturday 9th May 2026

 

TIME: dawn to dusk

 

The aim of the Big Sit is to record as many species as possible from a chosen 17-feet diameter circle in a 24 hour period, though realistically most sites are up and running for a period between dawn and dusk. From doing the Big Sit we hope to gain valuable data about visible migration and the birds in our area. As well as this it is a fun day out, a chance to share the excitement of the early hours with your fellow members (and just have a chat and some lunch with them in the quieter times) and interact with passing members of the public who inevitably come and ask us what we are up to.

 

We will be operating from a couple of public sites across the club area on a mission to exceed our species totals from previous years so why not come along and share in the fun? Hopefully we can hit the just right spot between too cold and no birds or too hot and no birds!

Provisional arrangements to be confirmed nearer the time....

Felbrigg Park - Trevor Williams and friends will be in the usual spot at the Warren, just above the lake from 5am to 8pm.

 

Beeston Common - Francis Farrow and friends will be at Pill-box Hill, towards the south of Beeston Common as usual from dawn (sunrise 0506) until 1300 (possibly longer if plenty of birds and its not too cold). Grid ref: TG164240 / W3W: edgy.yourself.wolves

We are also hoping to run both a mid-morning (9:30am) and lunchtime walk at Felbrigg Park starting from the Big Sit site. Pop down and see us! 


COME AND JOIN US!

LEADER |  Colin Blaxill
A walk during May along the Norfolk coast is always exciting, with resident and passage migratory birds likely to keep us entertained. Starting along the sea wall, we will look over grazing marsh and explore the dunes and walk to the beach, returning back through the dunes. We will be looking for waders, ducks, raptors and a range of passerines. The sandy beach, popular in summer, depending on the weather but should hold a range of gulls and possibly different waders.  The dunes on the south side are grass and scrub with Holkham Pines to the east end. We will try to enter the pines, if time allows. There are no facilities during the walk, see below for nearest.

START TIME | 9.30 am
END TIME | 1.00pm

WHERE TO MEET | Quay Car Park at East Harbour Way, this is a free car park and should be tide free during the walk

LOCATION | The Hard, East Harbour Way, Burnham Overy Staithe, PE31 8JF

Grid reference| TF 845 443

X (Easting), Y (Northing) | 584507, 344378

What3Words | mass.rainbow.laminate

WALKING DISTANCE | 6+ km

ACCESSIBILITY |  The sea wall is a gravel path which is worn in places but generally easy level walking. The dunes are fine sand and are harder to negotiate. We will most likely scan the beach from the dunes then walk east along the southern edge towards Holkham. Sturdy footwear advisable and please come suitably dressed for the forecasted weather.

FACILITIES | Refreshment stops at a café are not a formal part of this walk. However, for those interested, there is a pub at Burnham Overy Staithe ‘The Hero’. There are also public toilets in nearby Burnham Market at Foundry Place car park, along with cafes and pubs. All are likely to be busy on a Sunday in May, so bringing your own refreshments is highly recommended! Please bring water and a light lunch.

GENERAL INFO | No prior booking is required for this walk. 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. No dogs please, except assistance dogs.

STAR STATUS | This walk is outside the NENBC recording area so any bird species you see or hear unfortunately can't 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, but as the walk is outside the NENBC recording area, all the birds you see or hear can't contribute to your personal NENBC Eco-badges (Green or Super-Green)! 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.

 

 

 

 

DATE: Wednesday 20th May 2026

WALK A: The usual Felbrigg Park walk

TIME: 9.00am to 11:00am
WALK LEADER: Dave Billham
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 footpaths

WALK B: A shorter walk for those who don't want to walk as far!
TIME: 9.30am 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

************************************************

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!

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. 

By the end of May, magical Nightjars will be establishing their territories on our heathland sites. This ‘pop up’ walk will be an evening event when good weather is forecast. Keeping to the public paths, we hope to enjoy the full Nightjar experience including churring and wing clapping. With a bit of luck and some good fieldcraft, we may have them flying close by as they can be very inquisitive at times. 

Where to meet 

Holt Country Park car park, Edgefield Hill, signposted from the B1149 Norwich Road as you head towards Edgefield, car park charges apply (£2.50).

Holt Lowes is a Norfolk Wildlife Trust managed reserve.  The main access to Holt Lowes is on foot through Holt Country Park.

Address (nearest post code)

Holt Country Park, Edgefield Hill, Holt NR25 6SP

Grid Reference
TG 081 375

 

608111, 337577

wrong.boils.appraised

Around 2 miles

 

Paths are generally level, although there is one steep short slope to navigate with areas of sandy soils and uneven ground with tree roots. This is an evening event, with low light levels and it may be less easy to manage underfoot. A torch is essential, it is very dark getting back to the car park. Using insect repellent, wearing a hat and covering legs and arms is advisable, there may be biting insects. There may be some standing around and it may get chilly later, even after a warm day. Be aware that there are ponies on site that can be inquisitive.

Strictly no dogs please, except assistance dogs.

 

Public toilets are available at Holt Country Park car park