Titchwell Marsh is the very first reserve the NDPS visited while we were considering setting up the ‘Nature & Wildlife Special Interest Group’ and on that occasion we had arranged a Wildlife Workshop with Kevin Sawford.
It was also on that occasion when many of us were lucky enough to get up close to a magnificent Grey Heron feeding in the reeds.
Titchwell comprises various habitats including reed beds, saltwater and freshwater lagoons, as well as a sandy beach and is renowned for its wading birds, wildfowl and geese. These gather in significant numbers from mid autumn onwards and with the arrival of migrant birds from Scandinavia and Northern Europe the fresh water lagoons are soon filled with a variety of resident species and visitors.
During Autumn, Marsh Harriers can be seen soaring low over the reed beds and Avocets, (the RSPB emblem bird) can be seen on the fresh water marsh in significant numbers all year round.
The freshwater reed beds are incredibly important for a wide variety of species including rare breeding birds such as bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers. Otters and water voles are also well established here. Ongoing management work in the reed beds such as winter reed cutting helps to create and maintain a mosaic of habitats including reed bed edges and muddy margins which benefit these species. Dark Sky Sites are designated by the International Dark Sky Association as being areas that showcase exceptionally starry skies.
Incidentally Titchwell Marsh reserve became a designated Dark Sky Site in 2019 and boasts some of the darkest skies in Norfolk. The lack of artificial light means visitors can see thousands of stars when the night sky panorama is revealed. On a clear night, views of the Milky Way and the constellation Orion are visible with the naked eye and could be a good venue for our next Milky Way shoot!
Meet in the Car Park by 10:00am. Parking is free for RSPB members but non-members are required to pay a fee.
Please note:
Don’t forget to check the arrangements before setting out if there has been extreme weather overnight.
About the NDPS Nature & Wildlife Group
The Nature and Wildlife Group is the newest of the Society’s Special Interest Group being formed in 2019 in response to the demands from members to include outdoor shoots in the annual programme for this genre of photography. If you want to learn more speak to Keith Garnham who is currently the leader of the group.
Monthly shoots are planned so that members can explore all that Norfolk has when it comes to wildlife habitat. It has a wide variety of land types it has chalk rivers, ancient woodland, fertile farmland, fen, broad, and breck. A coast line that is full of variety, internationally important wetlands, marshes, and sandy beaches. The shallow North Sea is a powerhouse of potential feeding for visiting mammals, fish, and birds all that are interconnected in the circle of life.
From time to time, the Group also plans to organise specialists shoots further afield such as the visit in October 2019 to witness the deer rut at Bradgate Park in Leicestershire.
Please remember, our group can only be as good as the input made by its members so if you are willing to organise or lead any kind of event that you think will be of interest to members, please step forward. Please don’t be shy – all offers of help will be greatly appreciated…!