Leader | Stella Baylis

This walk will focus on the stunning Little Terns at Eccles on Sea. Last year this colony was the largest in the UK, with 270 pairs fledging over 400 chicks. So far this year, it is looking positive with around 200 nests counted at the beginning of June. With this important colony so close to the club area, it is an experience not to be missed. The chatter of Little Terns on a beautiful beach is surely the sound of summer! As well as the terns, there may be Ringed Plover nesting and walking to and from the colony takes in coastal scrub and sand dunes, with warblers, finches and raptors all possible. The RSPB warden is planning to meet us at the colony to tell us about the history of the site and ecology of Little Terns (subject to availability).

Start time: 9.30 AM

End time: 1 PM

Where to meet | Sea Palling Car Park, Clink Road, Sea Palling, parking charges apply (£1.50 per hour), cash or contactless card payments. There are 2 car parks on Clink Road, the first is a privately run car park and slightly cheaper, the second is the North Norfolk District Council car park. Charges above are for the private car park. Please make sure you use the correct machine for the car park you are using, to avoid fines.

Location | Clink Lane, Sea Palling, Norfolk, NR12 0AL (nearest post code)

Grid reference: TG 429 273

X (Easting), Y (Northing): 642914, 327391

What3Words: mason.loss.enough

Walking distance | Depending on exact route taken and wishes of the group, minimum 5km and maximum 6km, with circa 3km on the sandy beach.

Accessibility | The walk will include sections on a small public road that services holiday chalets, with little traffic, fringed by coastal scrub and farmland. There is circa 3km of walking on a sandy beach, which is shingle in places. Depending on the tide, this may be on firm sand but if the tide is high, the sand will be soft. If it is a hot day, there is little shade so come prepared with sun screen and sun hats.

Please bring plenty of water and picnic lunch, although there can be a fish and chips option after the walk in Sea Palling.

No dogs please, except assistance dogs.

Facilities | Public toilets are available near the car park in Sea Palling at the start and end of the walk, along with cafes, pub and a fish and chip shop.

DATE: Wednesday 15th July 2026

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 footpaths

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

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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!

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.