Wildlife events at JUNE – SEPTEMBER 2019

Nature Reserve Information NWT Cley Marshes, Road, , NR25 7SA

The nature reserve Entry to the visitor centre is free. Gift aid admission to the nature reserve is £5 and free for NWT members and children. Entry tickets can be bought from the visitor centre. The reserve is open daily from 10am.

Visitor centre Our award-winning visitor centre is open every day, all year except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 10am –5pm (10am – 4pm 28 October to 28 February). Our staff and volunteers are always on hand to help you. The café serves excellent coffee, cakes, snacks and lunches and has an outdoor seating area on the terrace with breath-taking views. The gift shop has an outstanding selection of books as well as crafts, gifts and pottery.

The gallery Our gallery is located in the thatch-roofed, wooden building. From here, explore the wildlife on the reserve using telescopes. Enjoy fantastic artwork – paintings, photography, textiles, printmaking and glass work – from local artists who take inspiration from the natural world. Optics specialists CleySpy are also located in the centre. They are on hand daily from 10am – 4pm to help you find the right equipment. Simon Aspinall Wildlife Education Centre Our education centre has been designed for visitors to discover and be inspired by wildlife and includes: • Films, touchscreens and displays • Events for all ages and abilities • Adult learning workshops • Evening talks and performances • The Aspinall Centre can also be booked for business meetings and community use. • Temporary exhibitions

The centre is named in memory of naturalist, Simon Aspinall (1958 – 2011) in recognition of his contribution to ornithology and nature conservation, both in the UK and abroad.

School and college visits Cley Marshes provides school groups with great opportunities to explore both coastal and habitats. A school day here will reflect the landscape, habitats and history of Cley Marshes, whilst complimenting school-based learning. We will tailor-make a timetable that suits your group’s requirements. We offer a variety of sessions for primary, secondary and university education. For more information speak to a member of staff at the visitor centre (NR25 7SA, grid ref: TG 054 440), visit our website: www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/discover-and-learn or contact: Email: [email protected] • Telephone: 01263 740008

General event information • A large percentage of our events take place outside on the reserve, please dress accordingly to the changing weather of the North Coast. • Stout footwear is advised on the nature reserve. • In the event of adverse weather please ring the visitor centre on 01263 740008 to check event alterations. • Please inform our visitor centre if you wish to cancel an event as we often have a reserve list for our events. • All children attending any events must be accompanied by an adult. • Throughout the year we will be offering free taster events in the afternoon. These are short events, advertised on the day at the centre and will give you a flavour of wildlife on the reserve. • We may take photos at some of our events. Please let us know if you do not wished to be photographed.

Guided Walks Meet at the visitor centre

Binoculars for hire Available from the Visitor Centre. The NWT binocular is a perfect first binocular for any age range. It is rubber armoured and weatherproof with fully coated optics using BAK 4 Prisms for a bright, sharp image. Charge: £3 per binocular (A £60 deposit will be taken for all binoculars hired.)

Walsey Wander Tuesdays: 18 June, 30 July, 27 August, 17 September, 10.30am – 12.30pm Discover the huge variety of wildlife and habitats in the Cley to Living Landscape. This walk starts at the visitor centre and heads east, up and along Walsey Hills with spectacular views across the marshes before heading down to Babcock hide and back along the Attenborough Way. Cost: £3.50 NWT members, £5 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Circuit of Cley Thursday 20 June, Friday 19 July, Thursday 8 August, Thursday 5 September, 10.30am – 1pm A guided circuit walk around the reserve and along the shingle ridge taking in the wildlife and habitats of the coast along the way. Cost: £3.50 NWT members, £5 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

An Introduction to the Birds of Cley Sundays: 23 June, 7 July, 4 August, 1 September, 10.30am – 1pm If you are new to birdwatching and want to learn more about birds, no matter what your age, join us for a walk onto the reserve with the chance to see the wide variety of species Cley has to offer. Binoculars are available to hire. Cost: £3.50 NWT members, £5 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Walk with the Warden: Cley Wednesdays: 26 June, 10 July, 24 July, 7 August, 21 August, 4 September, 18 September, 10.30am – 12.30pm Bernard Bishop has been the warden for more than forty years and is the third generation of his family to work at Cley Marshes. Hear about the history of Cley, how the reserve has changed over time and what life is like as a warden on a coastal nature reserve. Suitable for all walking abilities. Cost: £3.50 NWT members, £5 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Beach Clean Saturdays: 6 July (Cley Beach Car Park), 3 August (Salthouse Beach Road), 7 September (Cley Beach Car Park). Sunday 22 September (Cley Beach Car Park), 10.30am – 12 noon Help us to clean up our shore to benefit coastal wildlife. There is always lots of exciting wildlife and mysterious marine objects to be found on the shore too. In the event of adverse weather please contact the visitor centre in advance to check for cancellations. All equipment provided. Meet at location specified above. Cost: Free

NNNS wildlife walk: Bees, hoverflies and grasshoppers of Cley Saturday 13 July, 10.30am Take a walk With Nick Owens as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society’s 150th birthday celebrations. Cost: Free Booking essential: Email [email protected] or phone 01263 588410

Walk with the Warden: Salthouse Tuesdays: 16 July, 13 August, 24 September, 10.30am – 1.30pm Explore the new land in this circular walk along Attenborough’s walk, up the iron road and back along the shingle ridge with our warden George Baldock. This walk will help you to discover a new walking route in the Cley to Salthouse living landscape and take in the spectacular wildlife along the way. Cost: £3.50 NWT members, £5 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Beginning with Binoculars Monday 29 July, 10.30am – 12.30pm Join us for a guided walk around NWT Cley Marshes, accompanied by one of Cley Spy’s optics experts. Learn the basics of binocular use and how you can use them to get the very best out of your time viewing Norfolk’s amazing wildlife. Cley Spy will provide a range of different binoculars for you to try, from brilliant beginner’s bins, through to the very best birdwatching binoculars available. Cost: £3.50 members, £5 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

NNNS Wildlife Walk: Flies and other insects of Cley Saturday 3 August, 10.30am Take a walk With Tony Irwin as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society’s 150th birthday celebrations. Cost: Free Booking essential: Email: [email protected] or phone 01603 453524 Evening Stroll and BBQ Wednesdays: 7 August, 11 September, 6.30pm – 9pm Join us for an evening wander on the reserve, led by one of our knowledgeable guides, followed by a barbecue on the terrace, which offers fantastic views across the marsh. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members (price includes bbq) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Coastal Geology Walk and Talk Saturday 10 August, 10.30am – 1.30pm To celebrate National Marine Week, join local expert Martin Warren as he guides you through the fascinating geology of the North Norfolk coast. The day will start with a presentation in the education centre followed by a walk along the shingle ridge. Cost: £4 NWT members, £6 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Birds and Brunch Sundays: 18 August, 8 September, 9am – 12 noon A relaxed morning of bird watching on the reserve followed by a delicious brunch in the visitor centre. A great morning for those who want to learn more about birds and their habitat. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members (price includes brunch) Booking essential: 01263 740008

NNNS Wildlife Walk: ‘Spots & dots’: the smaller fungi of Cley Saturday 7 September, 10.30am Take a walk With Tony Leech as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists Society’s 150th birthday celebrations. Cost: Free Booking essential: Email: [email protected] or phone 01263 712282

Leg-stretch to Salthouse WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER, 10.15am – 1pm (approx.) Join us for a longer walk exploring the less well visited parts of our reserve whilst taking in the wider living landscape and Cley Marshes place within it. This walk offers a history of the landscape from the perspective of both the people and wildlife which inhabit it. Please bring suitable footwear. Cost: £3.50 NWT members, £5 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Lunch Talks

Medieval Graffiti: The Lost Voices of Norfolk’s Churches Thursday 27 June, 1.30 – 3pm Our medieval churches are covered in thousands of largely unrecorded inscriptions. Inscriptions that deal with matters of faith, of commerce and of life and death, waiting only for someone to read them. Archaeologist Matthew Champion explores this strange world, and brings to life the lost voices of Norfolk’s churches. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. All lunch time talks include a light lunch Booking essential: 01263 740008

Seals and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) Thursday 11 July, 1.30 – 3pm BDMLR is a charity dedicated to the rescue and well-being of marine animals in distress. Trained marine mammal medics respond to call outs across the country. In Norfolk, we have large colonies of both grey and common seals. Jo Collins will discuss these charismatic animals, the work of the BDMLR and let you know how you can help seals in Norfolk. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. All lunch time talks include a light lunch Booking essential: 01263 740008

W H Hudson by Conor Jameson Thursday 1 August, 1.30 – 3pm Join author Conor Jameson to learn about naturalist and author W H Hudson (1841 – 1922), an impoverished, unschooled and intrepid immigrant, who wrote extensively of his travels in southern Britain. He was fond of the Norfolk coast. Conor’s talk brings back to life this largely forgotten and neglected figure, linking Hudson’s life and legacy to today, comparing the challenges facing wildlife protectionists then and now. Conor promises “a costume drama, with plenty of birds...” Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. All lunch time talks include a light lunch Booking essential: 01263 740008

Breckland Wild Flowers Thursday 15 August, 1.30 – 3pm Breckland is a special place. Straddling the Norfolk-Suffolk border, a combination of soils, climate and land-use has created a unique environment with many similarities to the steppes of Eastern Europe. Plants such as Spanish catchfly, fingered speedwell and proliferous pink are found nowhere else in Britain. Simon Harrap of Natural Surroundings will lead us through Breckland’s delights. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. All lunch time talks include a light lunch Booking essential: 01263 740008

The Archaeology of the Norfolk Coast Thursday 12 September, 1.30 – 3pm Norfolk’s coast holds a rich resource of archaeological sites. In this illustrated talk, David Robertson will use more than 20 years of research to explore the full range. He will start with the deep history of footprints and stone tools at Happisburgh, pass through Bronze Age timber circles, Roman forts, lost medieval villages and post medieval ports, to finish with twentieth century military remains. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. All lunch time talks include a light lunch Booking essential: 01263 740008

Evening Talks

Wine and Birds: A Night of Discovery Friday 28 June, 7 – 9pm Join Master of Wine, Mark Lynton of Lynton Wines and ornithologist Richard Porter for an evening of wine tasting and nibbles. Throughout the evening, Mark will discuss his life and love of wines whilst Richard will chip in about some of his favourite bird adventures at home and abroad. Cost: £12 NWT members, £14 non-members (wine tasting and nibbles rather than supper included in price) Booking essential: 01263 740008

An Evening with Elly Griffiths Thursday 1 August, 7pm supper, 7.45pm talk Bestselling author Elly Griffiths talks through her career from her first publishing deal to regularly hitting the Sunday Times Bestseller lists. Hear how she created her beloved character Dr Ruth Galloway, the family history behind her Brighton Mysteries series and the truth about her name. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. Evening talks include supper Booking essential: 01263 740008 or visit www.wegottickets.com

Joe Harkness in conversation with NWT’s Nick Acheson Thursday 29 August, 7pm supper, 7.45pm talk Joe has been writing his Bird Therapy blog for three years, where he shares the benefits of birdwatching for mental health and wellbeing. He has become a spokesperson for these benefits, spreading the word everywhere from Radio 4 to Downing Street. In his ground- breaking book filled with practical advice, Joe explains the impact that birdwatching has had on his life, and invites you to discover these extraordinary effects for yourself. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. Evening talks include supper Booking essential: 01263 740008 or visit www.wegottickets.com

Steve Burrows: From Birder to Birder Murder Thursday 12 September, 7pm supper, 7.45pm talk Steve Burrows is an award-winning Canadian mystery writer, journalist, and past recipient of a “Nature Writer of the Year” award from BBC Wildlife. His presentation will take a light- hearted look at his journey from producing non-fiction pieces as a field editor for an environmental magazine to writing award-winning murder mystery novels. Steve will also look at how both birders and non-birders have influenced this journey, and how they continue to play a part in both his worldview and his novels. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. Evening talks include supper Booking essential: 01263 740008 or visit www.wegottickets.com

Future Cities – Birds and the Built Environment Thursday 26 September, 7pm supper, 7.45pm talk Mike Toms, author of the New Naturalist volume ‘Garden Birds’, explores how birds use the built environment, and how this use is shaped by the challenges and opportunities of urban living. Mike is an NWT Trustee, and Head of Communications at the British Trust for Ornithology. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members. Evening talks include supper Booking essential: 01263 740008 or visit www.wegottickets.com Natural History Workshops All workshops are suitable for all abilities. They are designed as an introduction to the subject.

Swifts Tuesday 25 June, 10.30am – 1.30pm Action for Swifts co-ordinator Dick Newell will explore the lives of these amazing birds during UK Swift Awareness Week 2019. He will discuss their behaviour, ecology, migration journeys and the importance of conserving these birds. An illustrated talk will be followed by a guided walk to a swift nest site. This workshop is part of a partnership programme between and the National Trust. Cost: £16 NWT members, £19 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Dragonflies Saturday 29 June, 10.30am – 1.30pm Dragonflies are some of the most colourful and charismatic insects found in the UK and form a fascinating subject for study. At this time of year, most of the British species can be encountered on the wing, and the lake and at Felbrigg provide excellent habitat for common species, as well as attracting the odd rarity. This workshop will provide an introduction to dragonfly and damselfly identification through a combination of classroom and field sessions. This event is part of a partnership programme between Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. Venue: National Trust Felbrigg Cost: £17.50 Booking essential: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park

Moths Friday 5 and Saturday 6 July, Friday 7 – 10pm, Saturday 9.30 – 11am This two-day workshop, with Greg Bond, Moth Officer for the Norfolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation, provides an introduction to moths and moth trapping and is aimed at beginners and improvers. The evening session will discuss the diversity of British macro moth species and look at study techniques and trapping. The following morning will be based at NWT Cley and where we will look at the contents of moth traps from various habitats, introduce the micro moths and discuss the conservation of these fascinating insects in . This workshop is part of a partnership programme between Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. Cost: £24 Booking essential: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park

Summer Visitors and Evening BBQ Thursday 25 July, 4 – 8pm This evening workshop, led by local birder Trevor Williams, will introduce you to the birds that visit Cley in the summer to breed. It will begin with a short presentation on the identification, migration and breeding habits of some of our regular summer visitors. After a barbecue on the terrace, head off on to the reserve to look for birds, which might also include some early autumn migrants. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members (price include BBQ) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Identifying Saturday 27 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm Quite a number of different species can occur at Cley in late July. They may be local breeders or migrants passing through. In this workshop, Richard Chandler, author of Shorebirds of the Northern Hemisphere, will discuss wading birds. The differences between the plumages of adults and young (juvenile) birds will also be covered. This workshop is part of a partnership programme between Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

MARINElife ID Course: Identification of Whales, Dolphins & Seabirds Saturday 3 August, 10.30am – 4.30pm Join MARINElife and Norfolk Wildlife Trust at their training day to learn how to observe and identify whales, dolphins and seabirds together with data recording methods used for scientific research. Cost: £45 NWT members, £50 non-members Booking essential: [email protected]

Separating Bird Species Saturday 17 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm Some bird species are easy to identify, it is those pairs of birds that look very similar that cause identification problems. This workshop, led by local enthusiast Julian Thomas, will concentrate on how to separate birds, such as wood and green sandpipers, regularly seen at Cley. You will also be offered advice on where to see these confusion species. The workshop will begin in the Education Centre followed by fieldwork which will allow you to put your skills into practice. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Coastal Vegetation – a Dynamic Flora Sunday 18 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm Coastal habitats are among the most challenging for plants. The combination of drying winds and salt water make life difficult, but a select suite of plants have evolved to cope with the challenges and thrive, benefitting from the lack of competition from less hardy plants. Join local specialist Simon Harrap to explore the ever-changing flora of the North Norfolk Coast. In this workshop you will learn how to identify key species and understand their place in the wider ecosystem. This workshop is part of a partnership programme between Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Grasshoppers and Crickets Saturday 24 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm Grasshoppers and crickets are some of our largest and most charismatic insects. They provide a soundtrack to the summer, but how much do you know about these fascinating insects? There are 27 native species of grasshoppers and crickets in Britain and around half of these occur in Norfolk. This workshop focuses on the identification and ecology of the group, with both indoor and outdoor sessions. This workshop is part of a partnership programme between Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. Venue: NT Sheringham Park Cost: £24 Booking essential: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park

Prehistoric Burial Grounds in Norfolk Saturday 7 September, 10.30am – 3.30pm Prehistoric burial mounds are found all over the British Isles, with more than 300 surviving in Norfolk alone. Each one has its own story to tell, from the burial of one person to many, from simple structures to elaborate timber circles. This workshop, led by David Robertson from Archaeology East Anglia, will explore the different types of burial mounds and excavated evidence, with an afternoon field trip to Norfolk’s largest prehistoric cemetery. Participants will need their own transport to visit Salthouse Heath, where we will be walking about 2 miles. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

A Beginners’ Guide to Norfolk Birds Sundays: 8 September, 15 September, 22 September, 6 October, 13 October, 20 October, 10.30am – 3.30pm This six-week series of workshops will be led by local enthusiast, Julian Thomas. Each workshop includes a morning in the education centre focusing on bird life and identification and an afternoon walk on the reserve. Each morning session will be divided, the first half will cover a particular aspect of a bird’s life or birding in Norfolk, and the second will be devoted to an understanding and identification of a group of commoner Norfolk birds. By the end of the course the participants will have learnt about the life histories and identification of 140 species that occur regularly in the county. Cost: Each event £19 NWT members, £23 non-members (or book on all six events for £105 NWT members, £125 non-members) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Bugs and Beetles Saturday 14 September, 10.30am – 3.30pm Bugs (Hemiptera) and beetles (Coleoptera) are two of the most diverse orders of insects, with more than 5,500 species occurring in the UK. National expert Dr Tristan Bantock will provide an introduction on how to look for and identify these fascinating insects. This workshop is part of a partnership programme between Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the National Trust. Venue: NT Sheringham Park Cost: £24 Booking essential: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park

Bats Saturday 14 September, 5.30 – 9pm James Goldsmith leads this evening exploring the bats that live in the UK, how to identify different species, where they live, and discusses their conservation status. We’ll head to St Margaret’s Church in Cley where infrared imaging equipment will help you see the bat population living there. Part of AONB dark skies festival. Venue: Meet at Cley Marches Visitor Centre before driving to St. Margaret’s Church (own transport required) Cost: £16 NWT members, £19 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Art and Nature All workshops are suitable for all abilities. They are designed as an introduction to the subject.

Make a Pottery Wading Bird with Dr Tim Willey Saturday 29 June, 10.30am – 3.30pm After practicing some essential slipware techniques using specially prepared coloured slips, you will make some basic sketch-book observations out on the reserve. This will be followed by studio work, where you will construct and decorate your bird based on the techniques you have learnt and the visual information you have collected. The finished work will be left at the centre for drying, glazing and firing, to be collected at a later date. Cost: £32 members, £36 non-members (price includes materials, glazing and firing) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Unwind with Flowers ‘Midsummer’ Workshop Saturday 6 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm Take a stroll on the reserve to gain inspiration from the sights and sounds which surround you. Floristry expert Nicole Rivett will help you to use your experiences to create a hand-tied bouquet which is yours to take home. Flowers are responsibly sourced and grown exclusively in Norfolk. Cost: £52 members, £58 non-members (price includes all materials and equipment) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Creative Writing Outside: Three Summer Days Tuesdays: 9 July, 23 July, 6 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm A three-day nature writing course led by local poet and creative writing teacher, Jonathan Ward, with the opportunity to write outside in different locations. Time will also be spent in the Centre looking at and creating poems and prose inspired by the natural world. At the end of the course, participants will be offered the chance to take part in an event including a reading and a display of a selection of their work. Writers of all experience welcome. Cost: £28 NWT members, £32 non-members per session (or book all three events for £75 NWT members, £90 non-members) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Finding Song in the Natural World Friday 2 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm This one-day song writing workshop, led by North-Norfolk singer-songwriter, Paul Thompson, will explore ways of appreciating the natural world, fine-tuning the senses to create vivid lyric ideas. Paul developed a special interest in writing songs about the natural world during a Master’s Degree in song writing. He will be joined by band members, Steve Fordington and Helen Hayes (both classically trained musicians), who will help to turn the lyrics into song. Please bring a musical instrument, or just your voice, and suitable outdoor footwear. Cost: £32 members, £36 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Weave a Willow Basket Saturday 10 August, 10.30am – 4.30pm Learn how to make a small round willow basket, with local basket maker Karen Lawrence, using the traditional stake and strand method. This basket makes a lovely bread basket or fruit bowl. Cost: £60 members, £70 non-members (price includes all materials and equipment) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Sketch and Stroll Saturday 31 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm Create a visual record of the day on a gentle walk around Cley Marshes stopping at intervals to make lively, atmospheric sketches. Tuition, tips and techniques will be provided by local artist and tutor, Margeret Studley. Back at the Centre the sketches can be developed further. Bring your own materials if you have them, otherwise supplies will be available. Cost: £22 members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Create a Miniature Scene with Sally Holman Friday 6 September, 10.30am – 12.30pm This short workshop will give you the opportunity to try your hand at making a small textile picture using Sally’s special techniques. You will be able to choose from a landscape or seascape kit and will learn a variety of techniques that can be applied to other projects. Please bring a basic sewing kit. Card Kits will be available to purchase on the day for £4.25 Cost: £12 members, £14 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Knit a Rag Rug Sample with Sally Holman Friday 6 September, 1 – 3pm Learn this old technique of making rag rugs and recycle those old cotton garments. Please bring a pair of 4.00mm Knitting Needles (old size 8s) and some washed and ironed cotton garments/fabric (Note: furnishing fabric is not suitable) for recycling. The basic yarn will be supplied for a token charge of £1.50 Cost: £12 members, £14 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Leaping Trout – Effects in Acrylic Saturday 7 September, 10.30am – 4.30pm Using controlled splashing techniques you will create a dynamic and individual backdrop for a trout. Step by step help and demonstration will be provided by gallery owner and acrylic artist Lorraine Auton. Aiming to capture movement and describe texture, we will explore a range of techniques. Paper, reference material and other basic equipment provided. Cost: £22 members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Keys Auctioneers Valuation Day Wednesday 11 September, 10am – 3pm Keys will be offering expertise and advice on a range of items from Ceramics and Jewellery to Silver and Pictures (a la Antiques Roadshow!) with opportunities to also enjoy a guided walk on the reserve. Cost: Suggested donations of £1– £2 per item with all proceeds to NWT. No need to book.

Creative Writing Outside Free Taster Tuesday 24 September, 10.30am – 12 noon Experience a taste of the creative writing course with a short walk and writing session. Come along and meet course leader, Jonathan Ward along with some of the previous attendees. Cost: free Booking essential: 01263 740008

Weave a Willow Bird House Monday 17 June, 10.30am – 4.30pm Learn how to weave a hanging willow birdhouse. In this workshop, you will make a small base using a pairing weave. You will then add extra willow stakes to this and weave the sides, learning how to shape the work and create an opening for the door. The stakes will be at the top to create a loop that will be secured with a binding knot. All materials and equipment provided. Cost: £46 NWT members, £52 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Make a Pottery Wading Bird with Dr Tim Willey Saturday 29 June, 10.30am – 3.30pm After practicing some essential slipware techniques using specially prepared coloured slips, we will make some basic sketch-book observations out on the reserve. This will be followed by studio work, to construct and decorate our birds. The finished work will be left at the centre for drying, glazing and firing, to be collected at a later date. Cost: £32 NWT members, £36 non-members (price includes materials, glazing and firing) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Family Events

Meadow Day Sunday 14 July, 11am – 4pm Ever wondered what that flower on the side of the road was? Drop in to our Education Centre for a day of practical advice on planting and managing meadows, flower ID tips and hands on activities for the whole family. Cost: Free

Free Family Fun Day Saturday 27 July, Sunday 4 August, Sunday 1 September, 10am – 5pm Enjoy free entry to the reserve for every child and their accompanying adult all day. Between 10.30am and 12.30pm, join our volunteers, the Bradbury family, in a hide to experience birdwatching. You will also have the opportunity to hunt for beasties both on land and in our . Cost: Free

Fantastic Minibeasts and Where to Find Them Tuesdays: 30 July, 20 August, 10.30am – 12.30pm Join us at our custom-built platform and learn about the wonderful wildlife that can be found in and dykes. We will help you tell your boatman from your beetle larvae. Cost: £4 children (accompanying adult free) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Coastal Creations Wednesdays: 31 July, 21 August, 10.30am – 12.30pm Using natural materials on the beach, we will create beach art inspired by the coast. Meet at Cley Visitor Centre before driving to the beach (own transport required). Cost: £4 children (accompanying adult free) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Back to the Wild: Discovering Mindfulness of Nature for Families Monday 5 August, 10.30am – 1.30pm For children and adults alike – it’s time to reconnect with the wild! Join Claire Thompson for a family morning discovering mindfulness and exploring our relationship with our beautiful natural world. Following a short introduction to mindfulness, this event will feature exercises, games, short discussions and a walk onto the beautiful reserve, as well as ideas to continue to practice at home with the whole family. Cost: £10 children (accompanying adult free) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Plankton Party Wednesday 7 August, Thursday 22 August, 10.30am – 1.30pm Discover the huge variety of tiny animals (plankton) that live in the sea, and learn why these fascinating mini creatures are so important. Meet at the Visitor Centre before visiting the beach to have a go at sea dipping. You’ll then head back to our education centre to look under the microscope at these tiny creatures. Cost: £4 children (accompanying adult free) Magical Moths Thursdays: 8 August, 29 August, 10.30am – 12 noon Learn about the fascinating lives and behaviours of moths. You will have the rare opportunity to see these incredible night flyers up close as we open our moth traps from the previous night. Cost: £4 children (accompanying adult free)

Norfolk’s Hedgehogs Wednesday 14 August, 10.30am – 2.30pm Join Marian Grimes from Hedgehog Haven (North Norfolk) and her prickly friends to learn about Marian’s rescue centre, the secret lives of hedgehogs and how we can help protect this endangered species. Meet the live hedgehogs which are in the care of Hedgehog Haven face to face. Cost: Free

Capturing Cley Thursday 15 August, Tuesday 27 August, 10.30am – 1.30pm Explore and film exciting coastal wildlife at Cley using handheld cameras. Then watch your films on the big screen in our education centre. All equipment provided. If you would like to take away a copy of your films, please bring a USB memory stick with you. Cost: £6 children (accompanying adult free) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Flappers Wednesday 28 August, 10.30am – 1pm and 2 – 4.30pm Artist Alice Lee will lead a fun workshop colouring her bird designs and making your own flapper mobile to take home. Materials will be provided but we encourage you to bring some thin cardboard from your recycling to provide the structure for your bird. All ages and skill levels welcome. Cost: Free

Just Around the River Bend Sunday 29 September, 10am – 4pm Join the Norfolk Rivers Trust as they celebrate National Rivers Day at Cley. Learn about the work of The Rivers Trust including natural flood management, opening up fish migration routes, improving resilience in a changing climate, creating habitats and increasing biodiversity in the aquatic landscape. Cost: Free

CLEY CALLING! Changing Tides Thursday 18 July – Sunday 21 July A festival of writing, art, photography, music and performance all inspired by the natural world.

Big Butterfly Count 2019 Thursday 18 July – Sunday 21 July, 10am – 5pm A nationwide survey to assess the health of our environment. Collecting your recording sheet from reception and submit your results online. Cost: Free (no need to book)

Butterfly Walk with Patrick Barkham Thursday 18 July, 11am – 1pm North Norfolk is a butterfly hotspot. On this relaxed ramble in search of butterflies on the reserve, Patrick Barkham will share his best butterflying tips and infectious love for these insects. Patrick is Natural History Writer for the Guardian and an award-winning author of The Butterfly Isles. Cost: £16 NWT members, £19 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

The Wonder of Butterflies with Patrick Barkham Thursday 18 July, 1.30 – 3pm In this illustrated talk Patrick recalls the pleasure – and pain – of trying to find all 59 species of British butterfly in one summer. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members (price includes lunch) Booking essential: 01263 740008 or visit www.wegottickets.com

A Bigger Marsh: Rewild Yourself with Simon Barnes FIRST WALK SOLD OUT, SECOND WALK ADDED Thursday 18 July, 2 – 4pm I lost nature – and then I got it back. As a result I have written millions of words trying to help everyone else get it back. Which is why I wrote Rewild Yourself. We’re losing the wild world, sure, but we’re also losing our ability to notice it: to see it, hear it, smell it. So join NWT Wildlife Evangelist, Nick Acheson and me on a walk and rewild yourself just a little. Cost: £16 NWT members, £19 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Simon Barnes in Conversation with NWT's Nick Acheson Thursday 18 July, 7pm supper, 7.45pm talk I was viewing a house when I heard a Cetti’s warbler in the garden. “We’ll take it!” An exaggeration but not by much. As a result we live alongside eight acres of Norfolk marsh, all for the wildness of it. It’s become a family thing, especially one I share with my younger son Eddie, who has Down’s syndrome. I wrote a book about a year in the life of the marsh: which is really about the privilege of living with vulnerability. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members (price includes supper) Booking essential: 01263 740008 or visit www.wegottickets.com

Circuit of Cley Friday 19 July, 10.30am – 1pm A guided walk around the reserve and along the shingle ridge. Approximately 3.5 miles. Cost: £3.50 NWT members, £5 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Wildlife and Nature Photography: Beginning with the Basics Friday 19 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm Workshop led by Paul Richards with a theory session covering the essentials of good nature photography followed by time on the reserve practising techniques to improve your landscape, abstract nature, wildlife and close-up photography. Note: please bring your own equipment. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008 Kitty Macfarlane Friday 19 July, 6.30pm doors for food and bar, 8pm performance A songwriter and guitarist whose music is rich with visual imagery and written with an eco- eye. Her debut album covers themes such as rewilding, migration, and woman’s historical relationship with textiles and the land. Cost: £10 members, £13 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008 or visit www.wegottickets.com

Jess French’s Fascinating World of Butterflies Saturday 20 July, Talks at 11am, 12 noon and 1pm Join NWT Children’s Ambassador, Jess French – vet, zoologist, minibeast expert and presenter of ‘Minibeast Adventure with Jess’ on CBeebies – to learn all about the fascinating world of butterflies. In an interactive talk Jess will explain all about butterfly life cycles, the differences between butterflies and moths and some fun ways you can make friends with those in your garden. Cost: Free Booking essential: 01263 740008

Butterflies for Beginners Saturday 20 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm Led by county recorder, Andy Brazil, with a morning of classroom tuition and an afternoon of practical fieldwork. No less than 27 species can be seen in and around the reserve. You'll learn how to identify them, where they are and when to see them. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Brilliant Butterflies Saturday 20 July, 11am – 4pm A day of activities led by the Norfolk Butterfly Conservation Trust, including crafts and free guided walks. Cost: Free, no need to book

Poetry, Pizza and Pimms Saturday 20 July, 6.30pm doors and food, readings from 7.30pm A relaxing evening of poetry and prose readings inspired by our stunning coastline, its landscape wildlife and culture. Poetry readings from Kevin Crossley Holland, Jade Cuttle, Jonathan Ward, Jos Smith and Elizabeth Cook. Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members (price includes glass of pimms on arrival. Pizza, additional food and drink available at an extra cost) Booking essential: 01263 740008 or visit www.wegottickets.com

Fish ‘n’ Strips Wall-Hanging Sunday 21 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm Sally Holman will teach us the techniques of foundation piercing and creative embroidery to create a triple fish hanging. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Ben Garrod’s Ocean Commotion Sunday 21 July, 11am – 4pm NWT Ambassador, Professor Ben Garrod hosts a family friendly fun day celebrating everything great about the North Norfolk Coast, its wildlife, landscapes and people! Take part in engaging, hands on activities for the whole family. Ben will be joined by NWT, RSPB, RNLI, Friends of Horsey Seals, Temples Seal Trips, Blakeney Old Rovers Shanty Group, The Coastal Exploration Company, Cley Harbour, Holkham National Nature Reserve, The Wash and North Norfolk Marine Partnership, Norfolk Trails and many more. Venue: Cley Beach Cost: Free

Capturing Birds Quickly in the Field Sunday 21 July, 10.30am – 3.30pm A keen birder, Martin Gibbons has an eye for capturing fleeting moments quickly in the field. In this workshop learn techniques for drawing birds, both in the field and from other sources. Cost: £22 NWT members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Morning stroll with BBQ lunch Sunday 21 July, 10.30am – 1.30pm Cost: £10 NWT members, £12 non-members (price includes food) Booking essential: 01263 740008

The Paul Thompson Band Friday 2 August, 6.30pm doors for food and bar, 7.30pm performance North-Norfolk singer-songwriter Paul Thompson returns to Cley Marshes with his band for a magical night of beautiful acoustic music from his mobile milk float stage ‘Bluebell’. Inspired by a love of wild places, Paul writes heartfelt and uplifting songs about finding solace in the natural world. Come and be inspired! Weather permitting; this performance will take place outdoors. Cost: £12 NWT members, £15 non-members (food and drink available to purchase) Booking essential: 01263 740008

Health & Wellbeing

Solstice Yoga Wednesday 26 June, 9 – 10.30am Celebrate the beginning of summer with a rejuvenating yoga session on Cley beach. Local yoga teacher, Eva Edwards will guide you through a session aimed to rebalance and revive body, breath and mind. Suitable for all ages and abilities. Please arrive at Cley Beach car park 10–15 minutes before the session. In the event of poor weather, the session will take place in our education centre. Location: Meet at Cley Beach car park Cost: £8 Booking essential: 01263 740008

Bringing our awareness back to nature: An introduction to mindfulness of nature Sunday 4 August, 10.30am – 3.30pm Curious about your relationship with nature? Interested in mindfulness? Being mindful of life within us and around us is the secret to greater well-being, peace and to bringing forth a sustainable world. Join Claire Thompson, author of Mindfulness and the Natural World and The Art of Mindful Birdwatching, for a day of mindfulness, walking, games and reflections. All welcome, no previous experience needed. Cost: £22 members, £26 non-members Booking essential: 01263 740008

Exhibition In The Education Centre

Bird Photographer of the Year Free! Saturday 14 September – mid-October We are delighted to be able to once again host the Bird Photographer of the Year exhibition The exhibition showcases the stunning winning images from the 2019 competition. The competition also champions the art of Bird Photography and promotes the photographers themselves to a global audience. We will be hosting a launch event and private viewing on Friday 13 September. Refreshments will be available to purchase. Booking essential, please call 01263 740008.

Exhibitions In The Gallery FREE ENTRY to all our exhibitions in The Gallery, which is open daily 10am – 4pm

CORNUCOPIA Wednesday 26 June – Tuesday 9 July Local artist Rosalie Osbourne Gibb’s love of coast and countryside shines through her diverse art, from sea and landscapes to sunrises, sunsets, flora and fauna, and from delicate and detailed watercolours to bright, bold acrylics and beautiful soft pastels, often incorporating creative techniques.

In the Field Wednesday 10 July – Tuesday 23 July An exhibition by Martin Gibbons of field sketches of birds and landscapes based upon the Norfolk Coast.

Wish You Were Here Wednesday 24 July – Tuesday 20 August The big skies and beaches of North Norfolk captured on canvas by Caroline Richmond. A wide range of work celebrating our glorious coastline. From small and collectable to large spectacular pieces.

Flip Flap Wednesday 21 August – Tuesday 3 September Alice Lee’s distinctive bird drawings have evolved into a new series of prints and automata (mechanical sculptures). You’ll be able to make these birds flip and flap by turning cogs and levers! Colour and make your own flapper mobile at her workshop on Wednesday 28 August. Creating a Scene at Cley Wednesday 4 September – Tuesday 17 September Inspired by the wonderful scenery along the North Norfolk coast, a collection of pictures by Sally Holman created from textiles using patchwork, quilting, applique and embroidery will be on display and available for purchase.

A Varied Display in the Traditional Style of Chinese Brush Painting Wednesday 18 September – Tuesday 1 October A varied display of both colourful and black/white paintings covering landscapes, flora, fauna and some appropriately seasonal works. Several artists from Blakeney Chinese Brush Painting will be exhibiting which provides added appeal as each has their own fresh ideas and topics of interest.