Birdwatching
Birdwatching opportunities are excellent throughout the whole Wensum Valley, whether you are a beginner or more experienced. Species of woodland, wetlands, farmland, and open water can be seen within a short stroll.
Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society
The Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society encourages the sharing and enjoyment of birdwatching with others in the Wensum Valley. Evening meetings with guest speakers are held at Lenwade Village Hall and outdoor field meetings are led in the Wensum Valley and further afield.
Field meetings are led by experienced birdwatchers and there is much support for beginners. There are binoculars available to borrow so you don’t have to spend lots of money to enjoy the trips. Regular meetings are held at Sparham Pools where the many habitats give exciting opportunities to see lots of species. There are regular sightings of goosander (in the winter), great, green and lesser spotted woodpeckers, goldcrest, great crested grebe, kingfisher, common tern, oystercatcher, bullfinch and raptors such as barn owl, sparrowhawk and even a rare sighting of an osprey, to name but a few. Other trips in the Valley have been around the Raynhams and guided tours of Sculthorpe Moor, Hawk and Owl Trust Reserve (where you get to see areas not open to the public).
Members can attend indoor and outdoor meetings for free, non-members pay £2. Contact Chairman Alwyn Jackson for more details on 01362 637752 or see the website.
The Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society e-group is open to anybody (you don’t have to be a WVBS member). People send emails on what they have seen recently in the Valley and other relevant information. You can join the e-group here
Hoe Bird Walk
The Hoe Bird Walk (located between East Dereham and North Elmham) celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004 and is managed by volunteers from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. The Walk follows a 5km route that passes habitat including floodplain meadows, heathland, fields, and wooded belts. Birds regularly sighted on the walk include raptors, woodlark, gold crest, marsh and willow tits, geese and spotted flycatchers. Winter sightings include siskin, redpolls and good numbers of golden plover and lapwings.
The Walk starts at 8am every third Sunday of the month at grid reference TF 989 173 (on the minor back road between Hoe and Worthing, where there is a small parking area). Contact Walk leader David Knight on 01362 668931 for more details.
Raptor Watch Point
The Wensum Valley Raptor Watchpoint is located 1.5 miles west of Guist (grid reference TF 971 255), with parking available. It has been established to enable people to safely view marsh harriers, hobbies and honey buzzards, without blocking the narrow country lanes. See the site guide for more information.
Explore on your own 
To explore the Wensum Valley on your own see the leaflets, walking and nature reserves sections for more details.
See the wildlife section for information on other bird species found in the Wensum Valley.