About us

North East Norfolk Bird Club [NENBC] was launched in January 2015 and covers the population centres of Melton Constable, Holt, Sheringham, Cromer, North Walsham and Aylsham. We are a friendly club catering for all levels of birding experience with members and supporters from the local area as well as seasonal visitors and those from much further afield who wished they lived here!

We have a comprehensive programme of club events and activities throughout the year at which non-members are always very welcome, including:

Monthly evening talks on the last Thursday of the month from September to November and January to April at our home base Gresham Village Hall [NR11 8RT] - plenty of refreshments always provided, a 2nd hand nature books stall too. Also available live via Zoom

Monthly mid-week bird walks around the National Trust’s Felbrigg Park estate at the centre of our recording area on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from September to July

Varied monthly weekend bird walks to a range of local and regional birding hotspots from September to July

An annual 'Walks Week' programme where 7 members lead 7 walks over 7 days to 7 locations for 7 participants where we get to see local patches we wouldn't get to on a typical club walk

Occasional evening walks in the spring or summer for specific species such as Nightjar

An annual Birding for Beginners workshop series combining practical and theoretical elements of birdwatching from which we now have over 70 graduates

A range of special events throughout the year such as: a New Year’s Day Birding Challenge to get the year off to a good birding start; an annual joint speaker event with Norfolk Wildlife Trust (local group) and Cley Bird Club in February; a Big Sit birding event in May, recording the total number of species seen from one spot between dawn and dusk; an annual Coordinated Seawatch event along the coast in the autumn recording visible migration; a combined Christmas Social and AGM Evening in December

Our members receive a monthly e-newsletter, the Pied Flyer, which includes contributions from across the membership in every issue and we publish a comprehensive annual Bird Report for our recording area, covering not only the bird data, photos and artwork submitted by our members, but articles on our activities and projects too.

We have a Star Scheme where members are awarded lapel badges for the number of bird species recorded in the club area since joining - the self-certified Bronze [100 species] and the peer-reviewed Silver [200], Gold [250] and Platinum [300]. We also have an Eco-Badge Scheme for the number of bird species recorded in the NENBC area at or from home without the use of motorised transport since 1st January 2020 (or date of joining if later). Members enjoy the challenge of working towards Green [75 species for inland records, 100 if including coastal locations] and Super-Green [125 inland, 175 coastal].

We work with partners on a variety of projects. Many of our members volunteer with local wildlife conservation charity Felbeck Trust undertaking practical volunteering activities to support birds and other wildlife. We have also been working with the University of East Anglia for a few years now, supporting 3rd year UEA Environmental Consultancy students with 'real-life' projects for the club which have been most rewarding and resulted in some really interesting reports from the students. We have recently introduced an annual Young Birder Bursary scheme for our 16-24 year old members and are looking forward to reports in our newsletter from this year's beneficiary on their progress.

Our Club Sponsor is Bird Ventures in Holt at which members are eligible for a discount on their own-brand bird food.

Full details on our upcoming events and much more can be found on this website. We have an NENBC Twitter account @NENBC_info for local info and other birding news and we also run two WhatsApp groups - North East Norfolk Seawatching (open to all) for 'live' reporting of seabird movement along the north Norfolk coast and a member-only NENBC Alerts for sharing news of interesting birds within our recording area.

The NENBC recording area covers eight 10km squares as per the Ordnance Survey tetrads TG03, TG12, TG13, TG14, TG22, TG23, TG24 and TG33 in north east Norfolk. They stretch in a cross shape from Swanton Novers in the west to Happisburgh in the east, and from Sheringham in the north to Hevingham in the south. Within our designated area there are some of the county's premier birding sites, both coastal and inland, together with acres of under-watched or undiscovered habitats which have hosted over 350 species!

With around 450 members, our aim is to bring together people with a love and concern for birds in our area, to share knowledge and information, encourage participation in exploring our rich wildlife heritage and promote awareness of our threatened natural environment. We strive to be a sociable, inclusive and informative club which plays a vital role in the local birding community.

Club membership is currently just £12 per annum per household or £15 with a copy the club’s Bird Report from the previous year included.

If you have a love of birds, come and give us a try - we'd love to meet you!

Contact Carol on nenbc@aol.co.uk

Ask to join

10th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE: Whose birds are these? Exploring Anglo-African Bird Migration Indoor Event

Date

Saturday 14th June at 10:00am

Location

Gresham Village Hall

To mark a decade of birdwatching, recording and conservation, a series of events to celebrate NENBC’s 10th Anniversary will be held through 2025, including a conference on the theme of bird migration - ‘Whose birds are these? - exploring Anglo-African bird migration’.

On what is sure to be a fun and fascinating day, this once in a decade conference will showcase the latest research related to bird migration along the East Atlantic highway. The event will describe research around the threats our much-loved and familiar migrant birds face, such as habitat destruction, climate change and hunting. On a more positive note, we will see how the international conservation community is responding to protect our avian migrants and the part that we can play in their protection.

There will be a stellar line up of speakers from academia and environmental organisations, including Juliet Vickery, Chief Executive Officer of the BTO. We will also hear from Will Cresswell from St Andrew’s University and Wenceslas Gatarabirwa, Head of Flyway Conservation at the RSPB. The day will conclude with what is sure to be a lively panel discussion. There will also be opportunity for questions from the audience, so get your thinking caps on!

Thanks to our generous sponsor, the Leventis Foundation, the conference is a free event, with buffet lunch and refreshments provided. We are expecting high demand so this is a ticketed event, meaning it will not be possible to turn up on the day. Members can book a maximum of 2 places per household, and we will operate on a ‘first come first served’ basis. There will be a reserve list, for if any confirmed attendees find themselves unable to attend.

Link for booking nenbc-events@outlook.com

To mark a decade of birdwatching, recording and conservation, a series of events to celebrate NENBC’s 10th Anniversary will be held through 2025, including a conference on the theme of bird migration - ‘Whose birds are these? - exploring Anglo-Afr...
View more
Felbrigg Park Monthly Walk [3rd Wednesday of the month Sep-Jul] Outdoor Event

Date

Wednesday 18th June at 9:00am

Location

Felbrigg Park

DATE: Wednesday 18th June 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 40 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, Gardens and Estate | Norfolk | National Trust

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.

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. Felbrigg village and Aylmerton are also served by public transport, but buses are not frequent and unfortunately unlikely to fit with walk timings. 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.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Binoculars are always recommended to gain full enjoyment from your birding. We don’t specifically carry a telescope on the walk unless one of our regulars brings theirs as it usually 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. When appropriate for prevailing conditions and preference of participants, please respect social distancing when requested.

DATE: Wednesday 18th June 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 tu...
View more
10th ANNIVERSARY WALK: Cley and Salthouse Reserve Outdoor Event

Date

Saturday 5th July at 10:00am

Location

NWT Cley & Salthouse

One of our series of NENBC’s 10th ANNIVERSARY WALKS, revisiting some the old walk haunts we haven’t been to since the early days of the club.

LOCATION: NWT Cley & Salthouse Marshes

DATE: Saturday 5th July 2025 (note change of date from originally advertised 6th July)

TIME: 10:00am to 1:00pm

WALK LEADERS: Janice Darch and other committee members

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 to this 10th Anniversary Walk as we would love to see you!

WALK DESCRIPTION: After a short introduction to the reserve on the terrace of the Visitor Centre, from where we can see much of the reserve, we will proceed to the Central Hides. This complex of 3 hides overlooks three different scrapes where we can look for Marsh Harrier, ducks, waders and perhaps some early returning migratory geese on the scrapes and overhead. Species to expect are Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Avocet, Mallard, Shelduck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Greylag Goose and perhaps Brent Goose. Overhead we should additionally see Buzzard and Kestrel and we may be lucky enough to spot a Bittern. After leaving the hides we will walk along the boardwalk to East Bank scanning the reed beds for Bearded Tit, Cetti’s Warbler and Reed Bunting as we go. We will also keep an eye on the sky for passing birds such as Spoonbill, egrets and Red Kite. On reaching East Bank we will walk to the sea scanning the reedbeds to our left plus the Serpentine and Arnolds Marsh to our right for Cormorant, Curlew , godwit and other waders. Viewing the sea may or not be productive, depending on the weather conditions on the day.

MEETING POINT: Meet in the car park at the Cley & Salthouse Marshes visitor centre

PARKING AND SITE INFORMATION: Park at Cley & Salthouse Marshes Visitor Centre car park, Coast Road, Cley next the Sea NR25 7SA. The car park and reserve entry is free to NWT members (please remember to display your member’s car parking voucher). Non-members must pay at the reception desk for parking (£5.00) or reserve access including parking (£5.50).For further information see Cley and Salthouse Marshes | Norfolk Wildlife Trust

DISTANCE: Around 2 miles.

ACCESSIBILITY: Paths on the main part of the reserve are hardened and made of compacted hoggin. A boardwalk, with passing areas, stretches to the accessible hides. It is possible to access East Bank, where in addition to steps there is a slope for easy access. East Bank is raised, again with a hardened path made from compacted hoggin, and stretches towards the beach overlooking the reserve. The beach isn’t wheelchair accessible and users would need to form their own opinion as to the suitability of the East Bank path. Do please 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.

FACILITIES: Toilets and café available at the visitor centre.

STAR STATUS: This walk is not within the NENBC recording area so the bird species you see or hear won’t be able to count towards your personal NENBC Star Badges on this occasion (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum awards based on the number of species you have seen or heard in the club area).

GOING GREEN!: This walk is out of the club area so the bird species you see or hear can’t count towards your Eco-badges for birding without the use of motorised transport but if you are able to walk or cycle to the start point from home, or even use public transport, 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 or message them via 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 and if you want the added bonus of using a scope, please do bring your own along. Stout footwear is recommended as paths may be slippery or muddy 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. Please respect social distancing on the walk when appropriate for current conditions and preference of participants.

One of our series of NENBC’s 10th ANNIVERSARY WALKS, revisiting some the old walk haunts we haven’t been to since the early days of the club. LOCATION: NWT Cley & Salthouse Marshes DATE: Saturday 5th July 2025 (note change of date from origina...
View more

Tawny Owl seen at Weybourne

Jun 13
Tawny Owl seen at Gresham

Jun 13
European Nightjar seen at Weybourne Heath NT

Jun 13
Song Thrush seen at Sheringham Park

Jun 13
Common Reed Bunting, Meadow Pipit, European Stonechat and 6 other species seen at Weybourne Cliffs - Coastal Path (view only from public footpaths)

Jun 13

North East Norfolk Bird Club

North East Norfolk Bird Club

About us

If you have a love of birds, come and give us a try - we'd love to meet you!

Upcoming Events

10th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE: Whose birds are these? Exploring Anglo-African Bird Migration Indoor Event

Felbrigg Park Monthly Walk [3rd Wednesday of the month Sep-Jul] Outdoor Event

10th ANNIVERSARY WALK: Cley and Salthouse Reserve Outdoor Event

Recent sightings

Photo Gallery