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.

 

 

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.

DATE: Wednesday 16th July 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.