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

Pop-Up events at short notice for seawatching, a seasonal treat or "I am going for a walk - come and join me!"

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; 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]. Our latest addition is a Seawatching Badge for species seen and dedicated time spent seawatching along our coastline.

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 a Young Birder Bursary scheme for our 16-24 year old members to get support for something birdy to promote their engagement or education.

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 BlueSky account @nenbc.bsky.social for local info and other birding news and we also run 3 WhatsApp groups - North East Norfolk Seawatching (open to all) for 'live' reporting of seabird movement along the north Norfolk coast; a member-only NENBC Alerts for sharing news of interesting birds within our recording area; and a member no-reply NENBC Coms one for general event notifications.

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

Burnham Overy Staithe Walk – grazing marsh, sea, dunes and beach - with Colin Blaxill Outdoor Event

Date

Sunday 17th May at 9:30am

Location

Burnham Overy Staithe

Burnham Overy Staithe – grazing marsh, sea, dunes and beach

Sunday 17 May 2026

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.

Burnham Overy Staithe – grazing marsh, sea, dunes and beach Sunday 17 May 2026 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 ...
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Double Felbrigg Park Monthly Walk [3rd Wednesday of the month Sep-Jul] Outdoor Event

Date

Wednesday 20th May at 9:00am

Location

Felbrigg Park National Trust Estate

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!

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. In March and April 2026 we got 50+ species!

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: 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 bee...
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Pigneys Wood and Dilham Canal Walk - Summer days with Julian Thomas Outdoor Event

Date

Saturday 13th June at 9:30am

Location

Pigneys Wood / Dilham Canal

Pigneys Wood and Dilham Canal – summer days

Saturday 13th June 2026

Leader: Julian Thomas

The long early summer days of June are an ideal time to enjoy the varied range of habitats and species on part of Pigneys Wood reserve as well as the adjacent Dilham Canal. Pigneys Wood has been managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust since 2017 and conservation works on the grassland, ponds, fen and woodland is underway. Adjacent to the reserve is the linear waterway that is the ‘North Walsham and Dilham Canal’. The full extent is 9 miles long (we won’t walk it all!) and historically wherries could sail the entire length transporting cargo between the bone mills at Antingham Ponds and Wayford Bridge. In recent years, thanks largely to volunteer effort, restoration has seen water return to some sections and the birds have followed. Both these locations together host impressive numbers of warblers along with other resident and migrant species. Back in June 2020, a Blyth’s Reed Warbler was found here and delighted many people during the Covid pandemic. No promises of such a sighting on this walk but June is a key month for the more unusual warblers! Other wildlife is worth looking out for – depending on the weather we may see a variety of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and other interesting invertebrates.

START: 9.30 AM
END: 1.00 PM

WHERE TO MEET | Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Pigneys Wood car park. This is a small car park so please arrange car sharing where possible. Free entry and parking.

LOCATION | Pigneys Wood nature reserve is situated 2 miles northeast of North Walsham and is signposted from the town by brown tourist signs.
Address | Hall Lane, Old Hall Street, Knapton, Norfolk, NR28 0SH (nearest post code)
Grid Reference | TG 29679 32152
X (Easting), Y (Northing) | 629679, 332152
What3Words | socialite.oldest.interest

WALKING DISTANCE | We can be flexible, up to 4 miles

ACCESSIBILITY | Paths are all level and are gravel tracks and some grassy areas. Some may be uneven and bumpy in places. Depending on previous rainfall, there may be some damper aeras in the wood, although overall it is likely to be dry underfoot. There is some shade in the wood but the canal side track is largely open and may be warm, please bring sunscreen and wear a sunhat. There may be ticks so please use insect repellent, wear long trousers and covered walking shoes or boots. We will not be walking through very tall vegetation.

FACILITIES | There are no toilets or cafes available during the walk. The nearest public toilets and other facilities (pubs, cafes) can be found in nearby North Walsham. Bring plenty of water for a summer walk and any snacks you might need.

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 | Part of this walk is within the NENBC recording area so those seen or heard bird species can 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 some of the walk is inside the NENBC recording area, those birds can 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.

No prior booking is required for this walk

Pigneys Wood and Dilham Canal – summer days Saturday 13th June 2026 Leader: Julian Thomas The long early summer days of June are an ideal time to enjoy the varied range of habitats and species on part of Pigneys Wood reserve as well as the adjacen...
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Common House Martin seen at Gunthorpe

May 13
Common Wood Pigeon, House Sparrow, Song Thrush and 6 other species seen at Holt

May 13
Willow Warbler seen at Felbrigg Park & Lake

May 13
Dunnock, Common Chiffchaff, Stock Dove and 8 other species seen at High Kelling

May 13
Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Oystercatcher and 2 other species seen at Sheringham Cemetery

May 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

Burnham Overy Staithe Walk – grazing marsh, sea, dunes and beach - with Colin Blaxill Outdoor Event

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

Pigneys Wood and Dilham Canal Walk - Summer days with Julian Thomas Outdoor Event

Recent sightings

Photo Gallery