Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society
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Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society
@norfolknats.bsky.social
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Formed in 1869, NNNS is a charity with a focus on natural history in the county of Norfolk, UK. We carry out and encourage research about local wildlife, produce publications & put on a range of events. Find out more at: https://norfolknaturalists.org.uk
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Just to add I’ve now found the book I was looking for, and Chondrus crispus was found at Sheringham and West Runton during this survey, so it’s definitely present in north Norfolk.
Cover of a book called Seaweeds of the English East Coast, with thin pictures showing an example of a green, brown and red seaweed. Species account page for Irish Moss, Chondrus crispus, with pictures of pressed specimens and brief text
December 5, 2025 at 6:46 PM
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This one is a Herring Gull. It looks like a 3rd winter, so not quite in full adult plumage, which is why there are some stray dark feathers on the wing and the pale and black bill. This is the sort of thing, shown in Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America (Olsen & Larsson).
A photo of a page of Herring Gulls at different stages, taken from Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America by Olsen and Larsson https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/gulls-of-europe-asia-and-north-america-9781408135778/
November 30, 2025 at 8:06 AM
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The November issue of the Norfolk Natterjack is being sent out to members now. In it you will find reports from some of the many NNNS excursions held this autumn, along with details of some winter events. If you have any articles or photos you would like to contribute, get them to Francis by 1st Jan
Front cover of the quarterly NNNS newsletter, the Norfolk Natterjack. The main picture is a close up of a Wall Lizard (taken in Suffolk). The pack page of the Norfolk Natterjack, showing the contents.
November 28, 2025 at 8:44 PM
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UPCOMING EVENT: On Tuesday 9th Dec 2025 19:30 we will be hosting our last indoor event before Christmas. In a change to previous listings, Garth Coupland has stepped in & will give a talk about some of his adventures whilst living in Australia. Venue details norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa...
A poster advertising a talk. The border has Christmas-tree style greenery, and there are baubles, a mince pie, a kangaroo and the NNNS logo in the corners of the text box. The text reads: NNNS December Talk. All Naturalists are welcome to our festive get together. No entry fee. Festive refreshments (donations). A talk by well known naturalist and raconteur Garth Coupland 'Norfolk boy goes outback' Garth's naturalist adventures in Australia. Tuesday 9th December 7:30pm. St Andrew's Church Hall, 41 Church Lane, Eaton, Norwich, NR4 6NW.
November 21, 2025 at 8:50 PM
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EVENT REMINDER: Sunday 23rd November 2025 10:30 - we'll be having a look at the wildlife to be found on and around Wymondham Abbey. All welcome. Note that you will need to park nearby and walk to the abbey - further details on norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa...
A photo of the south side of Wymondham Abbey, There is a large square tower to the left of the photo and a second tower at the right hand side with a stepped appearance. A modern wooden cladded building is in the foreground.
November 21, 2025 at 8:43 PM
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EVENT REMINDER: If you are free tomorrow and want to learn about bryophytes, there is an NNNS walk at Dersingham Bog. We'll look at anything nature-related, but there will be a particular focus on mosses. For full details see our website norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa...
A close up photo of a moss, with lots of thin spiky green leaves.
November 8, 2025 at 8:48 PM
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EVENT REMINDER: Author Conor Mark Jameson is giving a talk for NNNS on Tuesday 11th Nov at 7:30 about his book "Finding W.H. Hudson." It's at Eaton church hall (venue details here: norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa...) Free entry, all welcome.
Cover of the book Finding W.H. Hudson - The writer who came to Britain to save the brids by Conor Mark Jameson. The cover has a large picture of Hudson on the left hand side, with a coastal scene with waves at the bottom and a gull flying through the sky.
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
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The 2024 Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report has now been published. Members will receive their free copy by post, whilst additional copies will be on sale at selected local outlets. The report is a huge undertaking - thanks to all involved, especially Barry Madden, Neil Lawton & Mick Saunt #NorfolkBirding
Front cover of the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2024, published by the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society. The cover image is a painting of a female-type Pallid Harrier perched up on some saltmarsh, with a male Hen harrier flying past in the background. Image by Gary Wright. Back cover of the Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2024, featuring a photo of a close-up of a Common Seal swimming in water and the price, £15 Contents page of the Norfolk Bird Report and the Norfolk Mammal Report, featuring a list of articles. A picture showing the notes for contributors to the report (first 2/3rds of the page) and a section on county rarities (bottom third).
October 31, 2025 at 4:43 PM
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Reminder: This Saturday (25th October 2025) at 10:30 there is an NNNS fungus foray at Brett's Wood NWT reserve, led by national fungus expert & author Geoffrey Kibby. For meeting details see the events page on our website norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa...
Two Fly Agarics, fungi with white stipes and bright red caps with white flecks, growing amongst brown dead leaves.
October 23, 2025 at 6:57 PM
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Tickets are still available for the Broads Society Annual Lecture, given by James Parry on the subject of Norfolk's greatest naturalists. It's on Thursday 23rd Oct 2025 at Norwich School and tickets are £5 per person. To book see the Broads Society website www.broads-society.org/event-detail...
A screenshot of part of a website (https://www.broads-society.org/event-details/broads-society-annual-lecture-2025) advertising the Broads Society Annual Lecture 2025 on Thursday 23rd October in Norwich. Author and historian James Parry will give the lecture on Norfolk's greatest naturalists.
October 14, 2025 at 6:47 PM
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The first indoor NNNS talk of the winter 2025/26 programme will take place on Tues 14th Oct 2025 at 19:30, when Garth Coupland will present "Life in the slow lane: the exciting life of slugs and snails." Free, all welcome. For details of the Eaton venue see norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa...
October 3, 2025 at 8:54 PM
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Saturday October 18th 2025, 10am – 4pm

Join us for a days wildlife recording at Sweet Briar Marshes NWT as part of our current research project.

Parking: at Marlpit Centre or Hellesdon Road adjacent; we will then access the reserve via a short walk across the Wensum at the iron bridge.
A Marbled Orb-weaver spider with a yellowy-orange body and lovely marbled pattern, sheltering in the sheath of an old Angelica plant. A female fly with a grey thorax and orange body, resting on a nettle. A Fly Agaric, a fungus with a red cap covered in white flecks. It is growing out of a bank with dead grasses and some green moss.
October 3, 2025 at 8:37 PM
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A reminder that on Saturday 4th October 2025 the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership (norfolkbiodiversity.org) are hosting a Community Biodiversity Fair at The Forum in Norwich. Lots of local wildlife & conservation groups will have stalls so there will be plenty to see.
A flyer for the Community Biodiversity Fair 2025, on 4th October 2025 at the Forum, Norwich, 10-2. "Drop in to our fair to find out about Norfolk's incredible biodiversity! Local people and conservation groups will be sharing the outstanding work they do to preserve and enhance biodiversity. Roam the stalls, meet nature champions and maybe even be inspired to volunteer for community projects. www.norfolkbiodiversity.org"
September 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
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On Sunday 28th September 2025, 10:30-4, county fungus recorder Dr Tony Leech is putting on a whole-day fungus identification workshop at Wheatfen, inc both lab & field parts. There is a cost of £15 & places are limited, so please book with Tony, details on norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa...
A group of small white Mycena species growing out of the side of a large piece of dead wood.
September 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
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A reminder that we have a weekend of NNNS fungi-related events coming up. On Saturday 27th Sept 2025 at 10:30, national fungus expert & author Geoffrey Kibby will be leading a walk at Litcham Warren. See norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/events-pa... for meeting point details.
A cluster of Mycena, with brown thimble-shaped caps with white frilly lower edges, growing out of a log.
September 24, 2025 at 8:22 PM
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Advance notice: On Tue 9th Dec 2025 at Eaton Church Hall at 7:30pm, Carl Chapman will talk about the writing and research he completed for the latest NNNS Occasional Publication: Norfolk's Whales and Whaling, the largest review of the county's cetaceans ever completed. Free, all welcome!
A photo of a large Humpback Whale jumping out of the see, surrounded by spray. 📷 @wildnorfolk.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 8:11 PM
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Pathmakers are an organisation focussed on improving access to Norfolk's countryside for people of all abilities and backgrounds. They have put together a varied series of walks this autumn, many of them looking at wildlife. To see the full line-up and to book check www.pathmakers.org.uk/events/
A screenshot of the events page of the Pathmakers website https://www.pathmakers.org.uk/events/ The events shown on the left are a bat walk at Whitlingham C.P. and a family beachcombing event at West Runton.
September 24, 2025 at 8:06 PM
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A last reminder that there is an NNNS Sawfly workshop running on Sunday 21st Sept 2025 at Sheringham Park - see details below and get in touch with Mark Welch if you are interested in booking a place.
Poster screenshot reads: Sawfly Identification Workshop with Andy Musgrove 21st September 2025 Description: Bring your own microscope if you wish, but we will have 5 suitable ones available on the day. Where: Meet at 09:45 in the courtyard by the cafe (as we did for the Diptera workshop in May). Sheringham Park Bring a packed lunch and drink - or you could go to the cafe. Booking & Price: £15. Please email Mark Welch m.welch@nhm.ac.uk for details and to reserve a space. A photo of a sawlfy on a green leaf. The saefly is mostly black but with a large red band around the body and some white on the hind femur.
September 18, 2025 at 7:23 PM
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A reminder that on Saturday 6th September 2025 Garth Coupland will be leading an NNNS walk at Winterton Dunes with a focus on spiders. Attached is a list of species found during the last NNNS research at the site to whet your appetite!
A spider blending in with sand and buff-coloured seaweed Details of a field meeting at Winterton Dunes on Sat 6th September 2025 Saturday 6th September 10.30am start until Lunch Winterton Dunes Spiders led by Garth Coupland. Description: Spiders are the main focus but generalists welcome, optional pm. Note: most people wish they had brought lunch/refreshments with them. Specimen pots handy to catch spiders to show to Garth. Magnifier might be useful. Where &Parking: Eight miles North of Yarmouth. B1159 to Winterton on Sea follow the signs to the beach. TG 498196/NR29 4DD/w3w searches.restored.butchers Parking at the reserve - small charge, you may need change. A list of spiders seen at Winterton Dunes during an NNNS Research Project. Published in NNNS Transactions 2017, available online here: https://ia801707.us.archive.org/31/items/transactionsofno5012unse/transactionsofno5012unse.pdf (screenshot is page 62 of the original document)
September 4, 2025 at 10:04 PM
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Page 2 of an article about Swallowtail foodplants
August 25, 2025 at 11:38 AM
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Swallowtails are well studied at Wheatfen and have been observed feeding on Hemlock (also at Strumpshaw I think). It was written up and published in the NNNS journal Transactions in 2021. It would be great to include a note & photo about the occurrence on Fennel to this years volume if possible?
First page of an article from NNNS Trabsactions about alternative food plants of the Swallowtail butterfly.
August 25, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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Booking is now open for the Broads Society lecture 'Norfolk's Greatest Naturalists' by James Parry, author of recent NNNS publications on Emma Turner and the Rev. Maurice Bird. The talk is at Blake Studio, Norwich School on 23rd Oct at 7pm. For tickets see: www.broads-society.org/product-page...
A poster for a talk by the Broads Society. It reads: Thursday 23 October, 7.00pm at the Blake Studio Norwich School, The Close, Norwich NR1 4DD. ‘NORFOLK’S GREATEST NATURALISTS’ 2nd Broads Society Annual Lecture Presented by Author & Historian James Parry. James Parry is a writer on art, heritage and the environment. HIs publications include biographies on the pioneering bird photographer Emma Turner and the Norfolk naturalist, Rev. Maurice Bird. No county can boast such an illustrious pedigree of natural historians as Norfolk; men and women who have recognised this county as Britain’s most important for wildlife. In his talk, James Parry will look at some of the historical figures who have defined Norfolk as a leading light in the appreciation of wildlife and the advancement of conservation today. To reserve a seat, visit the Broads Society website and pay just £5.00. A warm welcome is extended to all.
August 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
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A reminder that NNNS members with an interest in plants are invited to join Norfolk Flora Group at Upton Fen tomorrow (Saturday 23rd Aug 2025) at 10:30 for an introduction to the plants of this special broadland habitat. Car park: TG37981368 (NR13 6EQ). Please liftshare as parking
is limited.
A Lousewort sp - pink flowers and frilly reddish-green fern-like leaves, growing up amongst grasses and rushes.
August 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
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Details of the refinding of this species in Norfolk were included in one of our newsletters last year:
A screenshot of an article from Norfolk Natterjack, page 4 of this link https://norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NJ_Nov-24_Web.pdf A screenshot of page 5, the second part of the article from Norfolk Natterjack https://norfolknaturalists.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/NJ_Nov-24_Web.pdf
August 15, 2025 at 7:16 AM
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Yes Roesel's Bush-cricket has spread quickly in recent years. It was numerous in the meadow at Natural Surroundings last weekend. Also seen there was a Purple Emperor, which I think is probably a good record for TG04.
A female Roesel's Bush-cricket on a sedge stem, with several other stems partly obscurring it. A view up into a Sallow, with lots of leafy branches and a Purple Emperor in the centre.
August 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM