WILD MEADOW GLAMPING

PERFECTLY PLACED FOR EXPLORING ALL THAT NORFOLK HAS TO OFFER

RAYNHAM.CO.UK

GLAMPING - VENUE HIRE - EVENTS

Spot marsh harriers at Fowlmere

Fowlmere Nature Reserve in south Cambridgeshire is a well-loved wildlife oasis set within farmland. Its former water-cress beds are now reedbed, fen, chalk grassland and scrub, while the area also holds a small but fine example of a chalk stream, one of the UK’s rarest habitats. In spring and summer it is an excellent place to watch marsh harriers circling above. A wide variety of warblers sing among the scrub, while passage waders and breeding lapwing can be seen around the mere. Orchids and other meadow flowers add a dash of colour in the chalky grassland and barn owl chicks can be seen peeping from specially provided nest boxes. It's also possible to see water voles, trout and crayfish in the chalk stream.

Best of Broadlands

With the best of the weather, summer is a fine time to explore Norfolk’s wildlife. Along the coast tern and gull colonies are clamorous in May and early June. With them are nesting oystercatchers and ringed plovers and, nearby on the wet sand, common seals are pupping. Inland, in reedbeds, dykes and fens at Broadland sites like Upton Broad, Hickling Broad and Barton Broad, it’s a good time for watching the first flush of dragonflies. Wherever the hawker is found there will most likely be swallowtails on the wing. Later in summer silver-studded blue butterflies can be spotted at a few heathland sites.