Norfolk Nature: Wildlife Walks and Wild Orchid Walks in Norfolk

Let us show you the best of Norfolk's wildlife!

Carefully designed to take you to the very best places, at the best times, our Wildlife Walks and Wild Orchid Walks will show you the loveliest of Norfolk's wildlife. You will see some of the county's special flowers, birds, butterflies and dragonflies, get the 'low-down' from the experts, and have plenty of opportunities to have a closer look, take photographs and ask questions. The walks last around 2½–3 hours and are ideal for beginners as well as those seeking to improve their knowledge. Each group is limited to ten participants for a more rewarding experience (plus children if accompanied by an adult). The fee is £15 per person, children under 12 go free.

* Superb range of birds, flowers, butterflies, dragonflies and other wildlife.
* Beautiful unspoilt countryside.
* Expert, professional local guides.
* Local specialties plus many other rare and beautiful things.
* Relaxed pace - plenty of time to look and enjoy.
* Suitable for beginners.

New for 2015 is a series of walks in the beautiful Glaven Valley near Holt. The River Glaven is a 'chalk river' that flows into Blakeney Harbour at Cley-next-the-Sea. We will be based at Natural Surroundings' Wildflower Centre on the historic Bayfield Estate (one of the most notable planned landscapes in Norfolk), where riverside meadows and ancient woodland combine to support a wealth of wildlife.

The dates, times and venues for 2015 are given below. We can also organised customised events to suit your particular needs.

For further information on our Wildlife Walks, see the Wildlife Walks information page.

2015 CALENDAR

Saturday 27 June, near Holt, 7.30 pm
Evening walk for Nightjars & Woodcocks
We will start by looking at a wide variety of heathland flowers and then, as dusk falls, wait for Woodcocks to start roding and then for the Nightjars to start their night-time patrols; we have an excellent chance of seeing both species.

Monday 29 June, nr Brandon, 2pm
Breckland for Specialty Flowers & Stone-curlews
Spanish Catchfly, Purple Milk-vetch and Pyramidal Orchid are just some of the specialties we can expect before moving on to admire Stone-curlews, once so common in the county that they were given the name 'Norfolk Plover'.

Sunday 12 July, Wells (time too be arranged)
Wild Orchid Walk: The Quest for the Enigmatic Lady’s-tresses
We will search for Creeping Lady's-tresses (which should be in good flower - unless it is a very early season) and should also see Southern Marsh Orchids and Marsh Helleborines.

Monday 13 July, Sheringham, 10.00 am
Wild Orchid Walk nr Sheringham
As well as large numbers of Common Spotted Orchids, we will look for Marsh Fragrant Orchid and the beautiful Marsh Helleborine, as well as a variety of other marsh plants,including both Round-leaved and Great Sundews - both bog specialists and both carnivorous. If the weather is fine, we will see a variety of butterflies and dragonflies too.

Monday 13 July, near Holt, 7.30 pm
Evening walk for Nightjars & Woodcocks
We will start by looking at a wide variety of heathland flowers and then, as dusk falls, wait for Woodcocks to start roding and then for the Nightjars to start their night-time patrols; we have an excellent chance of seeing both species.

Thursday 23 July, near Holt, 10.30 am
Wildlife of the Glaven Valley
We will follow the River Glaven, a globally-rare ‘chalk river’, and look at the birds, flowers and insects that can be found in the scenic meadows along its course.

Sunday 26 July, near Hunstanton, 10 am
Specialty Flowers & Birds of the Saltmarsh Coast
This is a great time to look for the delicate little Matted Sea-lavender, a species that in Britain is only found on the Norfolk coast, as well as a variety of other saltmarsh plants as well as waders - we may find Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank all still sporting summer plumage

Monday 3 August, Norfolk Broads, 10 am
The Norfolk Broads for Flowers, Birds, Dragonflies & Butterflies
Yellow and Purple Loosestrife, Milk Parsley, Marsh pea, Marsh Sowthistle, a variety of dragonflies, including Brown Hawker, Marsh Harrier and Hobby are just some of the delights on offer.

Monday 10 August, near Well-next-the-Sea, 2.30 pm
Warham Camp for Flowers & Butterflies
Warham Camp (an Iron Age fort) has the best chalk grassland in Norfolk, with such characteristic plants as Dwarf Thistle, Small Scabious, Squinancywort and Autumn Gentian. It has also been the site for the introduction of Chalkhill Blue butterflies, which may be present in large numbers.

Saturday 15 August, near Hunstanton, 10 am
Flowers & Birds of Norfolk's Saltmarsh Coast
We will look for a selection of wild flowers - the tough specialists of the severe conditions to be found in coastal habitats, as well as a variety of birds - this is the time when Arctic-breeding wading birds are heading south through Britain to warmer climes.

Sunday 16 August, near Holt, 10.30 am
Wildlife of the Glaven Valley
We will follow the River Glaven, a globally-rare ‘chalk river’, and look at the birds, flowers and insects that can be found in the scenic meadows along its course.

Friday 4 September, near Sheringham, 10 am
Flowers of heath & bog
Looking in particular for the exquisite Grass of Parnassus, as well as variety of other late-summer flowers, dragonflies and butterflies.

Saturday 5 September, Snettisham, 10 am
Birds & other wildlife at Snettisham
A chance to study a variety of wildfowl and waders (perhaps including Ruff, Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank), and pick up tips on their identification from an expert, as well as admire the late-flowering plants of the saltmarsh and shingle.

Sunday 13 September, Morston, 10.00 pm
Wild Food from the Saltmarsh: Plants & Shellfish
Cockles and mussels are well-known provender, but many saltmarsh plants are also edible; can you tell which is the delicious 'samphire' and which the less-than-lovely Annual Sea-blite?

Sunday 13 September, Wiveton, 2.30 am
Wild Food from the Hedgerow: Roots, Nuts & Berries
A good variety of fruit and nuts can be found in the autumn hedges, but which ones are edible, and which should be avoided?

Sunday 18 October, Holkham, 10.30 am.
Winter Wildfowl at Holkham
Masses of Pink-footed Geese and Wigeon, together with a variety of other ducks and geese, waders and perhaps some birds of prey too.