DATE: Wednesday 17th April 2024

TIME: 9.00am to 11:00am

WALK LEADER: Alan Stevens

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.

DATE: Thursday 25th April 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: Andrew had a life-long career in teaching. He moved back to Cambridge in 2018 after nearly 30 years in Bermuda, where he served as President of the Bermuda Audubon Society as well as President of Birds Caribbean. He is a regional editor for the journal North American Birds. His bird photos have appeared in many books, journals and travel magazines. His publications include a ‘Birdwatching Guide to Bermuda’ - now out of print. He was recently elected as Chair of the Cambridgeshire Bird Club. ….and he’s a UEA graduate. In his talk on Bermuda’s birds, he will explain how an isolated island of only 21 square miles and with 20 breeding species can have recorded nearly 400 bird species. The reasons for the relatively large number of species will be discussed, including Bermuda’s isolation from other land areas, its situation in relation to the Gulf Stream, migration routes and weather patterns experienced in the autumn months. Andrew will highlight the remarkable story of the Bermuda Petrel or Cahow – a great conservation success.

 

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

DATE: Saturday 27th April 2024

 

TIME: 09.00am to 1.00pm

 

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 25th April.

WALK DESCRIPTION: We will first go into the NOA hide to view the Broad Water where we are likely to see Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler, Gadwall and maybe some waders, depending on water levels. We will then walk through the NOA section of Holme viewing the pines for birds such as Goldcrests, Chaffinch and tit flocks before paying our entry fee. If we are lucky the warden may be ringing birds. The viewing platform gives us views south up to Ringstead Downs and over the grazing marshes. It should be possible to see several species from here including Buzzards, Red Kite and Marsh Harrier. We will then proceed onto the Coastal Footpath, stop to do a seawatch and make our way over to Thornham Harbour, stopping to view both the sea and shoreline, which is good for feeding waders and inland to the brackish pools. We will walk into Thornham Village and follow an off road field track to return to the reserve along Drove Orchard.

MEETING POINT: Meet at the Norfolk Ornithological Association (NOA) car park, Broadwater Road, Holme-next-the-Sea, PE36 6LQ. 

PARKING AND SITE INFORMATION: From A149 at Holme Village follow the road signposted “beach”. Beware of the speed humps. Almost at the end of the road and just before the toilet block there is an unpaved road on your right. Take it. After a short distance you will encounter a closed gate. Please let yourself through and close the gate after you - this is vital to maintain good relations between the NWT and NOA as the gate is patrolled by NWT who do not open or allow access to their reserve until 10am. After another half mile, with the NWT house is in view, and you will see a roped off car park on your right. Please park here – the NOA car park, Broadwater Road, Holme-next-the-Sea, PE36 6LQ. Bring your NOA membership card if you are a member, if not entry is currently £3.00 per person. NOA website: https://noa.org.uk/our-reserves/ and NWT website: https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/nature-reserves/reserves/holme-dunes

 

DISTANCE: About 3 miles

 

ACCESSIBILITY: Some of the hides at the NOA site are wheelchair adapted and although this is not a strenuous walk, it is partially along uneven coastal footpaths and field tracks. 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: There are toilets and a café at the NWT reserve but are only open during NWT Visitor Centre hours. These are from 10am to 4pm up until the end of March but at time of writing, weren’t published yet for April . 

 

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: 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.