New Year’s Day Birding Challenge | from midnight on the 1st January for 24 hours or any part thereof!

So, how many bird species can you record in the club area on the first day of the new year? The origin of the New Year’s Day Birding Challenge was an attempt to shake off the cobwebs and sluggishness most of us are guilty of over the festive period and get our personal yearly lists off to a good start with a bit of exercise and fun but you can take part in any way that works for you. All we ask is that you get your records up on our website afterwards from any point in the 24 hour period so we can see how you all do and your records can contribute to our collective data repository – every record counts!

ACCESSIBILITY: As this isn’t a led club event, you can plan your day to meet your own needs. If you want to be out and about from dawn to dusk, fab! If you want to do a bit of sneaky birdwatching whilst you are supposed to be doing something else, great! If you are trying to beat the record you set last year, fantastic! If you are new to birding and just learning to identify a few species, wonderful! If you want to bird from your living room, excellent! Everyone welcome to participate in whatever way works best for them.

STAR STATUS: Any bird species you see or hear within the NENBC recording area can count towards your own 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 from home, or have opted for a bit of living room birding instead of a trip out, all the birds you see or hear within the NENBC recording area can contribute to your personal NENBC Eco-badges (Green or Super-Green) for birding without the use of motorised transport!

DATE: Wednesday 17th January 2024

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: [Website - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/felbrigg-hall-gardens-and-estate]. 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.

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.

A walk for wildfowl, waders and a raptor watch

DATE: Saturday 20th January 2024

TIME: 1.00pm until dusk (5.00pm) [a torch is advisable for the return walk]

WALK LEADER: Janice Darch

BOOKING REQUIRED: The maximum number of participants is 15. Please remember to sign up with Janice if you would like to come on the walk by emailing her on janicedarch@gmail.com before 5.00pm Thursday 18th January

WALK DESCRIPTION: North Point Pools are two fresh water pools on former agricultural land which is liable to flooding. Dropping down north from the Coast Road towards the Saltmarsh the pools are on the edge of the cultivated area. They are a good place to see species like Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Redshank, Lapwing, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, wintering Geese as well as winter thrush and tit flocks, Finches and overhead wintering raptors and maybe a Barn Owl. After viewing the pools we will walk onto the Saltmarsh and walk eastwards towards Warham Greens and Garden Drove, well known North Norfolk Raptor Roost sites. Last year a Pallid Harrier overwintered, drawing people from far and wide. In fact over the years several Pallid Harriers have overwintered there. In addition we can expect to see Marsh Harriers, Common Buzzards, maybe Short-eared Owl, Peregrine and Merlin. Sometimes the marsh is studded with Great White Egret as well as Little Egrets, Grey Heron and Mute Swan. Brent Geese and maybe something rarer may be amongst them, like a Black Brant.

MEETING POINT: Meet at North Point Pools car park

PARKING AND SITE INFORMATION: Park at North Point Pools car park NR23 1QB north of Coast Road A149, called Stiffkey Road at this point, about ¾ mile east of Wells. Coming from Wells on A149 take a tight left turn onto a dirt track running north just where the road widens. Coming from the east go through Stiffkey and take the fourth right hand track. From either direction you will see the pools lying seaward side of the Coast Road. Some additional info on the BirdGuides website: https://www.birdguides.com/sites/europe/britain-ireland/britain/england/norfolk/north-point-pools/

DISTANCE: About 2 miles

ACCESSIBILITY: The footpaths are uneven and likely to be muddy or frozen at this time of year. Also, the walk back is at dusk is over uneven ground. 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: None

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 (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 species seen 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 and contact them by email via the member page of our website to arrange something for next time.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Our return to the cars will be in semi – darkness and the path is uneven so a torch is advisable. Binoculars are recommended to gain full enjoyment from your birding. The leader will carry a telescope for her personal use only so if you would like to use one during the walk please bring your own along. It could be very useful at this site. 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.

DATE: Thursday 25th January 2024

TIME: 7.30pm to 9.30pm

JOIN IN: Either in person at Gresham Village Hall or live online via Zoom from home

A BIT ABOUT THE SPEAKER AND THEIR TALK: Wheatfen Nature Reserve is owned and managed by the Ted Ellis Trust. The talk is in three parts, focusing on the past, present and future of the nature reserve. Warden Will talks about the reserve's varied history, discussing Ted Ellis and his vast contribution to natural history, before moving on to the present day nature reserve, its wildlife and management. He will finish by discussing various future challenges they face, centred around climate change. It's a light hearted talk, full of amusing anecdotes, magical wildlife moments and discoveries and will hopefully inspire people to visit the nature reserve. Will has been the Warden at Wheatfen for a number of years now, helping to look after and manage the reserve with the help of their trusty volunteers. https://wheatfen.org/

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! If you are intending to join via Zoom though, you definitely need to let us know in advance so we can get the link out to you in good time.

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 THE ZOOM LINK OR ANY QUERIES: Contact Carol on nenbc@aol.co.uk

WHEN: 26th to 28th January

Simply choose an hour anytime in the three-day period and count the birds you see land in your garden, on your balcony, or in your local park. Feed your results back to the RSPB for the national survey but also, if you live in the NENBC area, we’d appreciate having your records logged too. Thank you! You can sign up on the RSPB website (which also has loads more info on attracting birds, what you might see, what it’s all about etc) but please add your sightings to the club website if you live in the club area, adding BGBW or something similar in the comments box, and we’ll see how we all do. Don’t live in our area? Just drop us an email to nenbc@aol.co.uk  with your list of birds and we’ll include you in our next newsletter write up.  Have fun!