Editors Page

Welcome to the Norfolk Bird Fair.

We have been planning a Bird Fair for Norfolk for over four years but kept failing at the first hurdle – finding a suitable venue. It would have been lovely to have it at one of the County’s excellent reserves but with little spare land for parking and positioning marquees we de-cided to look at more varied locations.

After a false start with a venue in South Norfolk we ap-proached Mannington Hall as it is not far from the more prominent reserves and also not far from Norwich – the central point of Norfolk. Luckily for us Lord and Lady Walpole agreed and so in 2013 we committed ourselves fully to the organisation of the event to make it as spe-cial as possible.

It has been very hard work, fitting it in around the run-ning of our retail premises. There have been lots of highs and lows, many late nights and a fair bit of heart ache but we hope we have come up with an event to honour the fantastic birding and wildlife that the County pro-vides us with. We have found out who is serious about supporting the counties bird watchers and who is not and by golly there are some interesting politics!!

Our aim is to raise money for environmental charities and projects in Norfolk. Set up costs in the first year will mean that we cannot predict how much we can donate, but in the years to come we hope this will increase. In preparation for the weekend three projects will be se-lected but the final decision will be made ultimately, by

the visitors and organisations involved in the fair. Did you remember to pea in the pot before you left?

Some ideas have been put on hold this year as we didn’t physically have enough man hours left to organise them but fingers crossed the event will be a success and will run next year. Help and suggestions will always be gratefully received – we can’t think of everything but some ideas for next year are:

• ANorfolkbirdrace• Amural board for theQuidenhamChildren’sHospice• APhotographyorArtCompetition• ABirdquiz.

We will be looking for sponsors to help us make these ideas come to life.

For 2015 we will set it up the Bird Fair as a non profit organisation with the Charities Commission to allow us to give the largest amount possible to conservation.

We hope you have enjoyed you visit and will come again next year. Keep an eye on the website www.norfolkbird-fair.com for the dates. If you have any comments please get in touch because if Norfolk is the Mecca in the UK for bird watching we want the Norfolk Bird Fair to be equally as important.

Thanks For coming

Jill and Robert Wilson 3

Contents Page

Norfolk Bird Fair3a St Johns CloseNorwichNR1 2AD 01603 219119

4

3. Editors page5 Mannington Hall - The Venue and its history6 Visitor Safety Information. Please read7 Why Norfolk? Some quotes from lovers of Norfolk and its importance to wildlife.8 The Award Winning Jewel in the Norfolk Crown. Sculthorpe Moor, The Hawk and Owl Trust.11. Bird Fair Activities. Whats on and Where you need to go.12. Exhibitor list. A full list of businesses and organisations that have attending and their marquee stand number.14. Main Marquee layout.16. Site Plan19. Plans of the Produce marquee, Optics marquee and Wex marquee.21. Pensthorpe conservation trust.22. Lectures schedule - a full list of lectures from the lecture room and bar.24 John Hurst - Marshland Arts - learn a bit more about the artist 26. Briarfields at Titchwell a Norfolk Gem27. A list of the auction items available from the information tent.29. Why you need to pea in the pot before you leave.30 Our thank yous and information about next years Bird Fair

The VenueMannington Hall

Grade 1 listed Mannington Hall was built in 1460, during the wars of the roses, by William Lumner. Th e building made of stone and knapped fl int with battlements was mentioned in the Doomsday Book. It was passed on to the Potts family in 1550 and remained in their care until 1736.Th eir next door neighbour, Horatio Walpole, pur-chased it from them in that same year and it then had continuous use as a farmhouse until 1864. From this time Th e Earl of Orford, also named Horatio Walpole, occu-pied the house and made many alterations, although he kept to the original style as he was an enthusiast of goth-ic architecture. It has remained with the Walpole fam-ily who still live in it today. Horatio Walpole, the fourth

Earl of Orford, created the gardens when he took up resi-dence in 1864. Today the gardens around the estate cover around 20 acres, including the area inside the moat. Th e gardens are popular in June and July as the Walpoles have extensive rose gardens, created over many years and more recently in conjunction with Beale’s Roses. Th e gardens are unusual in that they have been planted in date order. Th ere are believed to be over 1500 varieties dating from the 15th century and there is also a history of the rose exhibition in the visitor centre. A tributary of the River Bure runs through the estate and there are 20 miles of footpaths and trails off ering the opportunity to see the diff ering landscapes and wildlife. Th ere is a scrape with a hide fairly near to the house with easy access and a large section of woodland called Duf-fers Wood. Barn owls are a regular visitor to the marsh and fi elds surrounding the hide and otters and kingfi shers visit the lakes. Th ere is also a Saxon church within the estate. We are very grateful to Lord and Lady Walpole for allowing us to hold the bird fair in their beautiful gardens. Please treat the grounds with respect.

5

Safety Information

In the event of fire. 1. Please evacuate the marquees and buildings as soon as possible. Do not stop to collect belongings.2. If you find a fire please quickly contact a member of the security team, the information marquee or staff on stand number 47/48 in the main mar-quee – all have walkie talkies.3. Fire extinguishers are positioned in the main marquee, in the lecture area and cafe and by the food area.4. Head to the nearest fire point and wait. Please can you check your party are accounted for and do not re-enter until authorised.Water Safety1. Mannington Hall is moated and has a lake. Please make sure you treat water with respect and stay clear.2. Children should be accompanied at all times whilst in the grounds.3. In the event of someone falling in, there are rescue rings positioned near the lake and moat. There are also wooden poles situated near the wa-ter to be used for rescue purposes only.4. Do not attempt a rescue without first making sure of your own safety – and under no circumstances enter the water. There is a trained security team on site who are highly qualified for water rescues.5. Please take great care when pond dipping.In case of accident1. First Aid cover will be available during both of the days open to the public.2. In a real emergency please call 9993. There is a first aid point within the information marquee. If someone is injured this is your main point of contact. 4. The fully qualified paramedic can be contacted from this point.The site has rough ground in places please take care when walking.Please take extra care whilst in the car park.The Lost and found children point is the information marquee near the entrance6

Why Norfolk?Norfolk, for me, was the place where I really cut my birding teeth. It was the Mecca that I would vis-it every weekend as a younger birder to �ind fresh discoveries. Yes, I have had some great memories in this county and have met many like-minded peo-ple some of whom are good friends of mine to this day. Norfolk is still a major in�luence in my birding life. Even when I’m tramping the urban delights of Wormwood Scrubs, my west London patch, I im-agine that I am in Norfolk. Maybe I really am a coun-ty boy at heart. David Lindo the Urban Birder

I only go birdwatching during mating season. I’m a pornithologist. Bauvard

Norfolk has some of the �inest reed beds in the nation, recent home to our largest spider (the fen

raft spider), one of the best counties in the nation for dragon�lies and has a host of birds from bearded tits and bitterns to reed warblers that rely on them. For the wildlife watcher who is prepared to use their ears as well as their eyes a rare treat at any time of the year! Steve Backshall

You either get Norfolk, with its wild roughness and uncultivated oddities, or you don’t. It’s not all soft and lovely. It doesn’t ask to be loved. I can’t ever im-agine not returning to Norfolk, there’s something about the place, the coastline, people, atmosphere and Norfolkness of Norfolk is something that gets into your blood’Stephen Fry

Birds of a feather �lock together and crap on your car.Author Unknown

7

The award-winning jewel in the Norfolk bird watching crown!

No trip to North Nor-folk is complete without a visit to the Hawk and Owl Trust’s Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve. If you’ve not been yet… then you’re missing a treat!

Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve is a superb piece of rare habitat, with a rich variety of wildlife in its woodland, fen and reed bed habitats. Situated in the beautiful Wensum Valley just off the A148 outside Fakenham, the reserve is nationally and internationally recognised as important for its wildlife.

Created ten years ago and managed by the Hawk and Owl Trust, the 18-hectare (45 acre) reserve provides everyone with a real opportunity for great birding and to get involved with the natural environment. Over a mile of boardwalk me-anders through the reed bed and wet woods providing easy walking and access for those with buggies and wheel chairs.

Bird feeders and nest boxes are sited along the way and there are viewing platforms over the drains and river, places to sit and relax, and four hides for watching the wildlife. The elevated Whitley Hide gives spectacular views over the fen and reed bed. Our volunteer wardens are on hand to help you get the most from your visit.

What to look out for

All year round: tawny and barn owls, kingfisher, buzzard, kestrel, bullfinch, willow and marsh tits, warblers, great spotted woodpecker, tree creeper, nuthatch, roe deer,

Danny Green ‘BarnOwl Hunting at Dussk’

8

water and bank voles, stoat, weasel and otter (if you are lucky). Sculthorpe Moor is managed for owls and birds of prey but in doing so benefits the whole eco-system on which these apex predators depend, producing a rich biodiversity.

Spring/summer: breeding marsh harrier, hobby, warblers and cuckoo in the reed bed, a wealth of dragonflies and damselflies and other insects over pools and drains, but-terflies, moths, glow-worms, orchids, yellow flag iris, hemp agrimony, and other flowering plants, rare sedges and rush.

Autumn/winter: brambling, redpoll, water rail, siskin, roosting hen harriers, merlin, scarlet elf cup fungus, overwintering bittern.

We have a series of webcams set up in various nesting sites and feeding stations around the reserve including marsh har-riers and tawny owls and you can sit and share rare live film of these fabulous birds in the comfort of our visitors centre.

Open daily except Christmas Day

Access to the reserve is from 8am but the actual visitors cen-tre doesn’t open until 9am

April – September8.00am – 6.00pmOctober – March8.00am – 4.00pm

Visitor CentreOctober – March 9.00am – 4.00pmApril – September 9.00am – 6.00pm

• A voluntary donation of £3.50 is suggested fromadult visitors.• Hawk and Owl Trust and Friends of SculthorpeMoor members are free so it’s definitely worth joining! Sup-porttheHawkandOwlTrustandjoinfor-Singlemember-ship£28Joint£30• ChildrenarefreeDogs are not allowed on the reserve as we have many ground nesting birds. Sorry for any inconvenience.Sculthorpe Moor Nature ReserveTurfMoorRoadFakenham,Norfolk NR219GNT:01328856788E: Sculthorpe@hawkandowl.orgW: www.hawkandowl.orgTwitter:@sculthorpemoorFacebook:SculthorpeMoorCommunityNatureReserveGridRef:TF900305AndyParkinson‘MarshHarrierPerched’

DavidGittens‘TurfMoorRoad,Autumn’

9

British Wild Flower Plantsbwfpwww.wildflowers.co.uk

01603 716615office@wildflowers.co.uk

Attract more birds to your garden with native wild flower plants

A great source of food and nesting materials

Attractive to native insects that act as a food source for birds

Come and talk to us at Birdfair and see what you can do for the birds in your garden!

Activities

Natural History Touch Table and Plant potting with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust at their stand near the play area.

Pond Dipping By the moat 10.30am to 11.30am and 2.00pm to 3.30pm. Children must be accom-panied by an adult.

Wildlife Walks

Wildlife Photography for the under 16’s - bring your own camera or phone for a mini workshop. Please book in advance by email or at the infor-mation desk. Meet at Wing and a Prayer stand be-hind main marquee. 11am and 3pm each session approximately 20 minutes

Phonescoping advice on Saturday with John Hague in the WEX marquee

Digiscoping advice on Saturday with Paul Hackett in the WEX marquee and with Danny’s Digiscop-ing on Sunday.

Art Workshops with Ron Swanwick £5 per person. Please book in advance or at the information desk. sessions at 9.30pm, 2pm and 4.30pm. A thirty minute demonstration of how to do very quick sketches of birds in the field. It’s all about recognis-ing a basic shape and simplifying the patterns. If attending please go straight to the activity section of the produce marquee.

Bee Trail with Friends of the Earth near the play area.

Tracking with Fly on the Wall starting information at Stand Number 61 in the main marqueeBird Ringing station.

Come and have your camera sensor cleaned at a discounted rate in the main marquee with Just Ltd. Advanced Camera Services will be with us on our booth and will provide a sensor cleaning service on interchangeable lens cameras. Normally, the cost of a sensor clean is £42.00 including vat. The Bird Fair price will be £25.00 for a sensor clean or £20.00 per camera for two cleans. ACS are also offering to clean the external optics on binoculars and spotting scopes, free of charge.

Owl Pellets and dragonfly making with the RSPB near the Play area.

Book signings will take place in the Main marquee with Wildsounds. Bug Detective Activities. Sheets available from the WildlifeEastAngliaMagazineStandintheMainmarquee.

11

Exhibitor List.Aaduki - Main Marquee Stand 59www.aaduki.com

Alamo Inn - Main Marquee Stand 3 http://www.alamoinnsuites.com/

Algys Popcorn and Bintree Farm ShopProduce Marqueewww.bintreefarmshop.co.uk

Abacus Hotels Le Strange - Main Mar-quee Stand 63. 01760 725 725http://www.abacushotels.co.uk/

Andalucia Tours - Main Marquee Stand 70. 01737 766 908http://www.tourandalucia.co.uk/

Art Decoy - Main Marquee Stand 5501508 530 977. http://artdecoy.co.uk/

Banks Boats - Main Marquee Stand 2101692 582 457http://www.bankboats.co.uk/

Bill Pound Photography Main Mar-quee Stand 5. 01362 655 045http://www.norfolkimagesgallery.co.uk/

Bird Information Main Marquee Stand 6. 0115 871 2888

Bird Watching Magazine - Main Mar-quee Stand 33-34. 020 8881 0550http://www.birdwatching.co.uk/

Blues Catering Area

Bradt Travel Guides - Main Marquee Stand 69. 07903057271http://www.bradtguides.com/

Brian Slater Driftwood Sculptor - Main Marquee Stand 26

BriarFields Hotel - Main Marquee Stand 11. http://www.briarfieldshotel-norfolk.co.uk/

British Wildflower Plants Main Mar-quee Stand 68. 01603 716 615http://www.wildflowers.co.uk/cms/

Broads Authority - Main Marquee Stand 19. 01603 610 734http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/

Broadland Cycles-Love the Broads - Main Marquee Stand 20http://www.norfolkbroadscycling.co.uk/

Burgerlicious - Catering Area

BWWC - Main Marquee Stand 400800 043 8585. http://www.bwwc.co.uk/

Camera Accessories Outdoors - Main Marquee Stand 27www.trevorhannant.com

The Cheese and Pie Man - Produce Marquee. www.thecheeseandpieman.co.uk

Clive Byers - Main Marquee Stand 80603 615 231. http://clivebyers.com/

Coop Art - Main Marquee Stand 7501353 385 906

Crepe Crusader - Catering area07771783711. www.facebook.com/thecrepecrusaders

Crush Foods - Produce Marqueehttp://www.crush-foods.com/01263 805 009

Custom Made Wooden Buildings By WEX Marquee. 01263 711 820http://www.customwoodenbuildings.co.uk/

Dean Eades-Bird Mad - Main Marquee Stand 64. www.birdmad.co.uk

East Anglia Farm Stays - Main Mar-quee Stand 25http://www.farmstayanglia.o.uk Easton and Otley College - Main Mar-quee Stand 74. 01603 731 200http://www.eastonotley.ac.uk/

Falklands Conservation - Main Mar-

quee Stand 10. 0500 222 47http://www.falklandsconservation.com/

Fly on The Wall - Main Marquee Stand 61. 0845 625 0580 http://www.flyonthewall.uk.com/

Friends of The Earth - Charity Areawww.foe.co.uk

Robert Fryer-Wood Turner - In Pro-duce Marquee. 01508 521 154

Gready Goose Café - On site Café

Greenwings - Main Marquee Stand 17http://www.greenwings.co/

Hairy Frog and Wildeye - Main Mar-quee Stand 54. www.hairy-frog.co.ukwww.wildeye.co.uk

Hawk and Owl Trust - Charity Area0844 984 2824. http://hawkandowl.org/

Hushwing Café - Catering area01603 872 296. http://hushwingcafe.co.uk/

Idleback - Main Marquee Stand 7www.idleback.co.uk

India Nature - Main Marquee Stand 5891 9850469472. http://www.indiana-turetours.com/

John Hurst, Marshland Arts - Main Marquee Stand 2. 01263 741 407http://www.marshlandarts.co.uk/

Just Ltd. - Main Marquee Stand 52www.cameraclean.co.uk

Kenro - Wex Marquee01793 615 836. http://kenro.co.uk/

Kevin Durose - Main Marquee Stand 907415 363 182. http://kevindurose.blogspot.co.uk/

Kowa - Optics Marqueehttp://www.kowa.eu/home/en/

Millington Arts LTD. - Main Marquee Stand 71. 01263 741 139www.hazelmillingtonglass.co.uk

Mj Wase Photography - Main Mar-quee Stand 16. 01485 534 721

12

http://www.mjwasephotography.co.uk/

My Specialities LTD. - Produce Mar-quee01692 409 895http://www.myspecialities.com/

Norfolk Biodiversity - Main Marquee Stand 23. www.norfokbiodiversity.org

Norfolk Constabulary - Charity Area. 01953 424 242http://www.norfolk.police.uk/

Norfolk Farmhouse Ice Cream - Pro-duce Marquee. http://www.norfolk-farmhouseicecream.co.uk/

Norfolk Trails - Main Marquee Stand 14. www.norfolk.gov.uk/Lessure_and_culture/Norfolk_Trails

Norfolk Truffle Company - Produce Marquee. 01508 550 325http://www.norfolktruffles.co.uk/Norfolk Wildlife Trust - Charity Area 01603 625 540www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/home

Opticron - Optics Marquee01508 726 522http://www.opticron.co.uk/

One Stop Nature - Optics Marquee. 01485 211223. http://www.onestopna-ture.co.uk/

Pensthorpe - Main Marquee Stand 6001328 851 465. http://www.pensthorpe.com/

Ray Milsom Bird Boxes - Main Mar-quee Stand 29. 01603 898 072

Real Africa - ain Marquee Stand 46http://www.realafrica.co.uk/01603 283 517

R.K Photographic - Main Marquee Stand 57. 01707 643 953http://www.thedarkroom.co.uk/

Rob Wilson Photos - Main Marquee Stand 47. 01603 219 119http://www.robwilsonphotos.co.uk/

Rohan - Main Marquee Stand 50http://www.rohan.co.uk/0603 624 328

Ron Swanwick - Main Marquee Stand 4. 07855 966 564http://ronaldswanwick.co.uk/ RSPB - Charity Area01603 697 581. www.rspb.org.uk

Russ Heselden - Main Marquee Stand 18. 01953 850 145http://www.russheselden.co.uk/

Second Nature - Main Marquee Stand 66. www.secondnaturebooks.com

Spitfire Hog Roast - Catering Area07958 761027 http://www.spitfire-hogroasts.co.uk/

Steve Cale - Main Marquee Stand 13 http://www.steve-cale-artist.co.uk/ 01328 862 265

Suffolk WildLife Trust - Charity Area . 07500226487http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/

Swallow Birding - Main Marquee Stand 41. 01206 210 662http://www.swallowbirding.co.uk

Terrt Everitt - Main Marquee Stand 24. 01502 218164

Temple Boats - Main Marquee Stand 44. 01263 740791 http://www.seal-trips.co.uk/

Uganda Ranger Safari Tours - Main Marquee Stand 30www.rangersafaritours.com

Uk Photodistro - Main Marquee Stand 12. www.ukphotodistro.co.uk

Van Der Feeds - Main Marquee Stand 3. 01263 860 335www.vanderl.com

Vanguard - Optics Marqueewww.vangaurdworld.com

Vettes Veggie Van - Catering Area01603 758 194http://www.vettesveggievan.co.uk/

Vine House Farm - Main Marquee Stand 1. 01775 630 208http://www.vinehousefarm.co.uk/

Vortex at Newpro - Optics Marquee01367 242 411. http://www.newprouk.co.uk/

Wader Quest - Main Marquee Stand 39. http://www.waderquest.org/

Warlingham Wines - Produce Mar-quee. www.warlinghamwines.com01632615064

Waveney Hogspital - Main Marquee Stand 28. www.hogspital.co.uk

WEX. - WEX Marquee01603 486413 http://www.wexphoto-graphic.com/

The Whale and Dolphin CompanyMain Marquee Stand 15. 01638 508 464. www.whale-and-dolphin.com

Wildlife East Anglia - Main Marquee Stand 48 01603 219119www.norfolkbirdfair.com

Wildlife Education and Tours - Main Marquee Stand 72. 07833 463 034 . http://www.wildlifetoursandedu-cation.co.uk/

Wildlife Travel - Main Marquee Stand 51. 01954713575 www.wildlife-travel.co.uk Wildsounds - Main Marquee Stand 35-38. (0)1263 741100http://www.wildsounds.com/menu/main.shtml

Wing and A Prayer - Charity Area 07766 685102. www.wingandaprayer-haven.org.uk

Women for ConservationMain Marquee Stand 32www.womenforconservation.com

Wood Farm AsparagusBy the Entrance01603 754 224 World Land TrustMain Marquee Stand 62www.worldlandtrust.org

WWT.Main Marquee Stand 42www.wwt.org.uk

13

Main Marquee Stand Numbers

1. Vine House Farm Seeds2. John Hurst Marshland Arts3. Alamo Inn Texas4. Ronald Swanwick5. Bill Pound6. Bird net7. Idleback8. Clive Byers9. Kevin Durose10. Falklands Conservation11. Briarfields Hotel12. UK Photo Distro Ltd13. Steve Cale14. Norfolk Trails15. Whale and Dolphin Company16. Martin Wase Photography17. Greenwings18. Dr Russ Heselden19. Broads Authority20. Love the Broads21. Banks Boats22. –23. Norfolk Bio-diversity24. Terry Everitt 25. East Anglian Farm Stays26. Brian Slaytor27. Camera Accessories28. Waveney Hogspital29. Ray Milsom30. Uganda Ranger Safaris31. -32. Women in Conservation33. BirdwatchingMagazine34. Birdwatchingmagazine35. Wildsounds36. Wildsounds37. Wildsounds38. Wildsounds39. WaderQuest

40. BWWC41. Swallow Birding42. WWT43. Van Der L Feeds44. Temple Boats45. –46. Real Africa47. Rob Wilson Photos48. Wildlife East Anglia49. Moth Traps50. Rohan51. Wildlife Travel52. Just Ltd53. –54. Hairy Frog and Wildeye55. Art Decoy56. -57. RK Photographic58. India Nature59. Aaduki60. Pensthorpe61. Fly on the wall62. World Land Trust63. Abacus64. Dean Eades65. –66. Second Nature67. –68. British Wildflowers Plants69. Bradt Travel Guides70. Andalucia71. RichardandHazelMillington72. Wildlife and Education Tours73. -74. Easton and Otley College75. CoopArtBook Signing 72a and B

14

Quest finding the extraordinary...

www.birdquest-tours.comwww.birdquest-tours.comwww.birdquest-tours.com

BirdBirdBird

Red-winged Fairywren, Western Australia (Pete Morris)

• huge worldwide programme • excellent value for money• great customer care • best itineraries • top leaders

Please feel free to call us on:01254-826317

www.wildimages-phototours.comwww.wildimages-phototours.comwww.wildimages-phototours.com

For a selection of superb bird and wildlife photography holidays

please also take a look at our website or call 01254 826116

Images WildWildWild

We’re sorry we couldn’t be there with you this year, but we’d still love the opportunity to take you on the holiday of a lifetime!

Whooper Swans, Japan (Pete Morris)

16

17

Ringing

Good Value - Good Fun - Good Birds

T: 01206 210662E: info@swallowbirding.co.ukW: www.swallowbirding.co.uk

Great Value Birdwatching Breaks

SPITFIRE HOG ROASTS Experts in indoor & outdoor

cateringVisit www.spitfirehogroasts.co.uk

or call us on 07958 761027Pork ● Lamb ● Beef ● Game ● Chicken

● Ideal for private, corporate or public events ● Locally sourced

Free range meat ● Always cooked fresh on site ● Bespoke menus

● Salads, Vegetarian dishes & Desserts ● Personalised service ●

Any season, any weather ●

Contact us for a free, personalised quote.

Let us help you to make your celebration extra special!

19

Layout of Marquees

Wex marquee is positioned by

the lake

Optics Marqueeby the moat

Produce Marquee

Open 10am dailyFakenham NR21 0LNwww.pensthorpe.com

PensthorpeNatural Park

love birds... love pensthorpe

Open 10am dailyFakenham NR21 0LNwww.pensthorpe.com

PensthorpeNatural Park

love birds... love pensthorpePensthorpe Conservation Trust (PCT) is a charitable trust that works closely with Pensthorpe Natural Park to showcase to visitors of the multi-award winning at-traction the importance of species and habitat conser-vation. Pensthorpe is a natural haven for many species of birds, mammals, invertebrates and plants. The di-verse range of priority habitats together create a stun-ning rich landscape which Pensthorpe Conservation Trust manages for wildlife. The Trust works predomi-nantly with wetland and farmland species with a focus on cranes, turtle doves, corncrakes and several species of waders. Many species that the Trust works with are globally endangered such as Baer’s Pochard, Grey-crowned Crane, Laysan Teal, Red-breasted Goose, Scaly-sided Merganser and Northern Bald Ibis. Other

species are losing their natural habitat at an unsustaina-ble rate, particularly wetland habitats, showcasing both the endangered species and their associated habitat is a vital part of the work that the Trust undertakes.

The PCT works with partner organisations in na-tional conservation programmes to conserve wetland and farmland bird species. These partnerships include Operation Turtle Dove, the Great Crane Project and a Corncrake Re-introduction project. Additionally, Pensthorpe is a site of habitat restoration work on the

River Wensum; a Constant Effort Site for ringing bids and has four SSSI’s.

Nature conservation is important to all of us; we depend on pollinators for food and a healthy water system for water. Conserving and restoring our diverse countryside is vital to ensure it can continue to sup-port the myriad of plant and animal species that make up our biodiverse natural landscape. At Pensthorpe, our respect for the natural landscape is matched only by our dedication to tell nature’s story; our work from earth to emissions has one key purpose which is to benefit nature, something we can all be a part of.

Pensthorpe Natural Park is open every day from 10am and is based just 15 miles away from Manning-ton Hall. For more information, visit www.pensthor-petrust.org.uk.

21

Lectures Saturday 17th

22

Title

Time

Organisation or Person

Details

Cley Marshes. A wild vision. 10am Norfolk

Wildlife Trust

Bird Atlas 10.30am BTO Dawn Bulmer

Digiscoping 11am Paul Hackett

Around the World in search of waders

11.30am Wader Quest

Wader Quest has taken Rick and Elis Simpson around the world in search of waders and shorebirds. They have travelled on 6 continents in 14 different countries; their talk is illustrated by Elis’ own fantastic photographs and the talk given by Rick about some of the birds and the often amusing events that they experienced.

Up the Uapes without a paint brush

12.00 David Ord Kerr Lecture from a well known artist

12.45pm

Tracking Nature 1.15pm Fly on The

Wall

Wildlife Trackers is a game that encourages engagement with the outside world and also mixes in the digital side which has become embedded in all of our daily lives. It is aimed at young people, families and schools and rewards with badges, points, prizes for spotting creatures and completing fun activities. It demonstrates by the very nature – excuse the pun - of the game through competition, how nature competes not only in our woodlands; trees competing against each other for nutrients, wildlife competing for food etc.

Norwich Peregrines Cathedral Project

1.45pm Hawk and Owl Trust

Hear about the pair of peregrine falcons that have captured the hearts of thousands of people since establishing themselves on the spire of Norwich’s iconic Cathedral. Learn about the partnership between the Hawk and Owl Trust and Norwich Cathedral to provide these stunning birds with a nesting platform which can be viewed by people across the world via webcam. http://upp.hawkandowl.org/norwich-peregrines/live-norwich-cathedral-peregrine-web-cam-2014/

Blue Whales 2.15pm Whale and Dolphin Company

Charles Anderson leading expert on Blue Whales

Forts, beaches and Birds,Florida

2.45pm Robert Wilson Photos from an amazing spring tour around Florida and The Keys

Phonescoping 3.15pm John Hague 3.45pm 4.15pm

Sapces may be filled so please check at the information marquee for any extra lectures

Lectures 18th Sunday

23

Title

Time

Organisation or Person

Details

Facebook Nature. My generation and other animals.

10am Lucy McRobert

Facebook Nature: My Generation & Other Animals. A look at the changing attitudes of young people to nature conservation and the natural world. Lucy will offer her views on the connections and disconnections between children and nature, and how we can address these issues.

Digiscoping 10.30am Danny's Digiscoping

Birding in Cyprus 11am Steve Cale

Confessions of a wildlife film maker

11.30am Mike Linley 22 years as a producer of Survival

Birds of the Falklands 12.00 Margaret Carr

Join us in the beautiful Falkland Islands to see the wonderful penguins and albatross that breed. Come and see the caracaras, the flightless steamer duck and so much more

Sculthorpe Moor. A Community Nature reserve

12.45pm Hawk and Owl Trust

A Wetland Wildlife Haven. Established in 2001 by the Hawk and Owl Trust to provide nesting habitat for the magnificent marsh harrier this little gem in the beautiful Wensum Valley is a haven for a wide variety of plants and animals. Hear the story of how this special nature reserve has been lovingly nurtured by volunteers and Hawk and Owl Trust staff and learn about the wildlife that can be found there.

Bird Atlas 1.15pm BTO Simon Gillings

Pensthorpe 1.45pm Ed Bramham Jones

DSLR Digiscoping 2.15pm Rob Wilton DSLR digiscoping with Kowa

Birds and Birding in South East Brazil

2.45pm Wader Quest

Rick Simpson talks about birds and birding in south-east Brazil based on his experiences as a bird guide. If you ever wondered what your bird guide thinks about you, here’s your chance to find out! Amusing anecdotes wonderfully illustrated by Elis Simpson’s photographs

Rare Birds of Norfolk 3.15pm Robert Wilson A selection of photographs over the last 25 years from

rare birds occuring in Norfolk. 3.45pm 4.15pm

JOHN HURST

MARSHLAND ARTS

John Hurst’s decision to make Norfolk his adopted county evolved from his many bird watching visits from Lincolnshire to Blakeney Point and Cley Marshes in the days when Little Egrets were a national rarity and Tree Sparrows numerous.

As a keen birdwatcher, Scilly Season member and ‘con-

strained twitcher’; John’s team, The Spotted Dickies, won the rarities award in the 1992 In Focus Birdlife International UK 24 hour bird race, logging 123 spe-cies in the old county of Humberside, with Icterine Warbler, Red Rumped Swallow and Red Footed Falcon clinching the title. John still enjoys a ‘big Norfolk day’ in May each year, as he says, ‘to exercise the intellect’.

Since John’s first solo exhibition in 1979, entitled ‘Birds and Buildings’ his work has been acquired by prominent patrons throughout the UK and overseas.

A birding friend of the Artist, the actor Samuel West, wrote the foreword to his popular book, ‘Norfolk Coastal Colours’ and The World Methodist Council own and per-manently exhibit a major collection of his work at Lake Junaluska NC. John painted for Abbot and Holder, the established watercolour gallery in Bloomsbury but since residing in Norfolk, he has preferred to use each show to support local charities. These have included NWT, Wells

24

Maritime Trust, St Nicholas Church, Blakeney, Cancer Research and Blakeney Methodist Chapel. In conjunc-tion with Sir Ian Botham, a long time patron, John has supported Leukaemia UK on several occasions.

John enjoys painting natural occurrences. ‘If I am paint-ing a coastal marsh and Pinkfeet appear, they must go in’.The opposite happens when a painting is planned to include birds, for if it evolves to John’s satisfaction, due to colour and form, it may not be necessary to include them.

The images shown include Biro studies by John as an eleven year old in 1962 and landscapes completed fifty-two years later.

The Artist is pleased to be associated with the Nor-folk Bird Fair and wishes it every success in the future. Please visit John at his stand in the main marquee.

Please see www.marshlandarts.co.uk for further infor-mation.

March Morning overSheringham Cliffs

Holkham Freshes

Brents over Popes Marsh

25

‘‘Food so good, theentire population ofNorfolk should bequeuing to get in’’The Guardian

REF H

TA

21-23 November 2014

£325 per person for tours

and 2 night break - DBB

(Based on 2 sharing)

Weekend

Bird-watching

Briarfields

Main Road, Titchwell

Norfolk PE31 8BB

t: 01485 210742

e: info@briarfieldshotelnorfolkco.uk

www.briarfieldshotelnorfolk.co.uk

BRIARFIELDS HOTEL LAUNCHES NEW BIRDWATCHING WEEKEND

As the closest hotel to neigh-bouring RSPB Titchwell, Norfolk’s Briarfi elds is launching a new birdwatching weekend for keen spotters, this autumn.Working with professional wild-life photographer and birdwatcher Robert Wilson, guests will experi-ence a day at the bird reserve with the guide as part of a three-day stay at the hotel. Th e break includes lunch on Friday 21 November fol-lowed by a visit to RSPB Titchwell, dinner and a photography presenta-tion. Aft er breakfast on Saturday 22 November, guests will spend a day at nearby bird reserves before enjoying dinner and a discussion, followed by a fi nal day spotting, in-cluding breakfast and packed lunch. “Briarfi elds has long had an asso-ciation with birdwatchers, given its

proximity to RSPB Titchwell, where the rarely-spotted Bittern is keenly looked for,” explains Briarfi elds’ marketing manager, Jac Sandy. “Many visitors to the reserve fi nd our comfortable accommodation and fantastic food the perfect treat aft er a long day watching, so we decided to create something special for this audience by inviting Robert to host and share his knowledge and expertise as part of the experi-ence. We look forward to welcom-ing him and the weekend’s guests during the migration season to enjoy all that the area off ers to keen birdwatchers.For more information, please con-tact Briarfi elds on 01485 210742 or email info@briarfi eldshotelnorfolk.co.ukLocated on the peaceful North West

Norfolk coastline, Briarfi elds at Titchwell enjoys a tranquil setting, set between RSPB Titchwell and Royal West Norfolk golf course, both overlooking the beach at Brancaster. Th e hotel was awarded a prestigious three-star Hotel Gold Award by VisitEngland in Novem-ber 2011.Briarfi elds, Main Road, Titchwell, Norfolk PE31 8BBTel: 01485 210742 Fax: 01485 210701 briarfi eldshotelnorfolk.co.uk

26

AuctionBids can be placed in the infor-mation tent on all itemsHere is a list of some of the items for the Auction. Others will be added after printing of the programme so please visit the Information Tent near the bar to see all the items available. Come and place your bids. All money raised will go to local conservation projects.

Opticron T3 Trailfinder Roof Prism Binoculars . R.R.P. £139

Vanguard - Spirit ED 8x36 binoculars (RRP) £269.99 http://vanguardworld.co.uk/index.php/pv/products/de-tail-3-21-201-610.html

Swarovski Crystal BinocularsSwarovski Umberella

Swallow Birding - a gift vouch-er for a day trip for 2 people. It will be of their choice from our programme and valid for a year from the date of the bird fair. Value £90

Brian Slaytor - Driftwood Sculp-ture

Millington Arts - Beautiful piece of glass jewellery

Rohan - A men’s micro grid fleece.

Rob Wilson Photos - one day midweek DSLR Wildlife Pho-tography Workshop for one person in Norfolk or Suffolk Value £140 from 9-5pm valid for 6 months.

Ron Swanwick - a 16”x16” Gi-clee Print on canvas of my most popular image. Usual retail price of £50.

A years subscription to Bird WatchingMagazine

A Sculthorpe goodie bag with a hat, video and one or two other items in plus a joint Friends of Sculthorpe Moor membership.

Uganda Ranger Safaris - two bottles of wine

Wing and Prayer Rescue Centre - T-shirt and Mug

Ray Milsom - Hand made bug box

Abacus Hotels, Best Western. Le Strange Hotel - Weekend Break for two. 2 Nights Dinner, bed and breakfast sharing a twin/double room. To be taken be-tween 1st November and 30th April 2015 (subject to availability and excluding bank holidays)

Falklands Conservation - A lim-

ited edition print of king pen-guins in the Falklands by artist Leigh-Anne Wolfaardt

One Stop Nature - Trekker Mi-croscope

Van Der L - Bird Seed and a feeder

Wildlife East Anglia - Kayak Sail

Macwet - Waterproof Glove vouchers

Farm Stay - A £50 voucher to use at one of our Farm Stay Anglia Holiday properties –see www.farmstayanglia.co.uk

John Hurst Water Colour Print “ Marsh Harrier at Titchwell.”

Wildlife East Anglia - Kayak Sale

Other items will be available that missed the print deadline so don’t forget to come and have a look at the items to bid on.

A big thank you to all the com-panies for their generosity in providing so much for the first year.

27

Save wildlife and enjoyour amazing reserves for free

Become a member and receive 15 months for 12 Plus your Norfolk Bird Fair special gift. Visit our stand and Join Us today.

Saving Norfolk’s Wildlife for the Futurewww.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk

Put your pea in the pot at the information tent to choose.We ultimately want to raise money for local conservation projects. We have asked for suggestions as to where the money should go. At the event these suggestions will be whittled down to three and there will be a box for all visitors to select their choice out of three projects. Th ese projects will be advised on by outside parties such as the Norfolk Bio Diversity team.

Obviously in the fi rst year we are not expecting to be able to give very much as initial set up costs for the event are high but we aim for £10-15,000 to go to Norfolk Projects from the Auction and ticket sales. Future years will be better.

Suggestions made were:

Norfolk Wildlife Trust -Help with the setting up of the Simon Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre which will open in Easter 2015.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust -Th e restoration of Pope’s Marsh

from commercial shooting marsh to conservation bird reserve and associated habitat improvements. NWT

Local Project to create new scrape in Great Ryburgh. RSPB Turtle Dove Project.Many of our migrant birds are in trouble. Breeding popu-lations of long-distance, trans-Saharan migrant birds have declined sharply since the 1970s. Some species have declined in the UK by a staggering 95 per cent over the last 40 years. We need to fi nd out the reasons for these declines and work with partners to help save them.‘Our’ summer visitors are, on average, here for just four months of the year. If we only focused our conservation eff orts for migratory birds in that space of time, we would be missing the bigger picture.Th ese birds recognise no borders. Our ‘Birds Without Borders’ programme will raise awareness of the need for BirdLife International partners to work together, to inte-grate conservation for long-distance migrants by develop-ing initiatives that will protect, conserve, improve, restore and create habitats across the range of migratory birds. Hawk and Owl Trust - Reed Bed Appeal

Where will the profi ts go?

29

Thank youThank you for attending the Norfolk Bird Fair. We hope you have enjoyed your visit. Please keep an eye on the website www.norfolkbirdfair.com for the dates for next year’s Fair.

We would like to thank the following for their extraor-dinary help with the event this year.

Lord and Lady Walpole and Mannington Hall for the use of their beautiful home and groundsLeanne Thomas and her colleagues at the Hawk and Owl Trust for their total support for the event.Dee Emmett from Wing and a Prayer Rescue Centre and her team.David Alexander at The EDP for his editorial assis-tance.Norfolk Wildlife Trust for their editorial and support.Kevin Durose and Trevor Hannant for their moral

support.Stuart Winter at the Sunday Express.Jerry Kinsley for suggesting the venueKinsmead Marquees for their super guidance.All the volunteers who have given up their time to helpThe businesses and organisations that have attended the event and believed in it.Mustard TV for letting us come on their show.

If you would like to be part of it next year as an exhibitor please contact us at: birdfairnorfolk@yahoo.com

See you all next year.

Jill and Robert Wilson

30