Bird Watching & Nature Reserves
The Norfolk Broads & East Anglia provides areas of wilderness where the bird life and wildlife can be observed almost undisturbed by all Twitchers.
The gem of East Anglia is Broadland which is truly unique - there is simply nowhere quite like it in the British Isles or Europe. The overwhelming appeal of the Broads area, to the visitor, is its relaxing charm and almost intoxicating beauty. All who visit it are captivated. Broadland itself, offers chances to see rare plants and animals some of which are only found in this region. Local wildlife includes the Bittern, with its unique "booming" sound. Many butterflies are seen, such as the Swallowtail found only in this area, while the huge "Norfolk Hawker" dragonfly may look quite frightening but it is quite harmless.
For your information below is a short list of some of the most popular reserves and links for further information to them can be found by clicking on their titles.
Features: Marshland bird reserve, flooded grazing marsh and estuary mudflats. In winter, waders, wildfowl, raptors and short-eared owl. Breeding lowland waders and good variety of passage birds
Hickling Broad - National Nature Reserve
Features: The largest and wildest of the Norfolk Broads with beautiful scenery that can be explored fully with the boardwalk trail, bird-watching hides and visitor centre. Famous as a home for Britain's largest butterfly - the Swallowtail, and one of the rarest. A wildlife boat trip is also offered. Tel 01692 598276
Features: One of the best places to see the wildlife and habitats of the Norfolk Broads. Water trails by small electric launch. Trail covers river and dykes through the marshes and fens of the reserve, a guide describes the area. Walks to the bird hides. Two of the main attractions are the view and the Swallowtail butterflies in the formal garden by the house, which is used as a study centre.
Features: The boardwalks at Ranworth take you through a fascinating trail of natural succession through woodland, reedbeds and open water. The Broadland Conservation Centre has a comprehensive and fun museum explaining Broads history and habitats.
Blakeney Point - National Trust
Features: A paradise of nature due to its isolation, and a noted geographical landmark - a shingle spit. Seals breed on the sandbanks off the spit and it is a summer home and nesting place for terns.Good for passage migrants, including many scarce and rare species.
Brancaster Staithe - National Trust
Features: Four miles of tidal foreshore and salt marsh with superb bird-life and bird-watching. Part of North Norfolk Heritage Coast. Information centre and cycle hire.
Features: Boardwalks around Broad taking you through different broadland habitats.
Features: The UK's largest colony of Little Terns breeds on Great Yarmouth's North Beach each year. To protect them the RSPB operates a special wardening scheme and sets up special viewing areas from mid-May to mid-August.
