The May meeting of the Nature and Wildlife Group will take place at Hickling Broad Nature Reserve
The Group visited this reserve earlier in the year hoping to see Kingfishers. However we were informed, that although Kingfishers can be seen any time of the year the best chances are when they are feeding their young in May/June. This time of year also offers a good chance of spotting a Bittern - So a return visit is in order.
Hickling Broad is a 600 hectare (1,500 acre) nature reserve North East of Norwich which is managed by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. It is part of the Upper Thurne Broads and Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is the broad with the largest surface area and the water is slightly brackish due to it’s proximity to the sea.
It has the largest reed-bed in England and supports many rare water weeds. It is also home to many rare insects such as the Swallowtail butterfly, Norfolk hawker and Emperor dragonfly and many others. Bitterns, Marsh Harriers, Pochards and Water Rails. Cetti’s warblers can be seen nearly all year round.
There is a way marked circular trail from the Visitors Centre all the way round the edge of the Reserve which takes in numerous hides the Bittern Hide, the Observation Hide, Seckers Hide and the Cadbury Hide.
Meet in the car park at 10am.
From Hickling village follow the signs to the nature reserve and its large car park (grid ref TG 428 221), visitor centre and toilets.
Additionally, Whiteslea track is a raised compacted granite track providing views over the marshes. Please note that there is a requirement to open and close gates while following some of the paths around the reserve.
Also note that the track to the Stubb Mill raptor viewpoint can be wet, uneven and muddy. Stout footwear is advised.
Photography at Hickling Broad
Marsh harrier
As well as nesting, the marsh harrier now over-winters in the county in sizeable numbers, with the largest gatherings found roosting on the edge of the site, viewable from a special raised viewing bank at Stubb Mill. Over 100 were recorded together in one sighting in December 2006.
Swallowtail
Between late May and early July adult swallowtails emerge to provide one of Norfolk’s wildlife spectacles. Their yellow and black wings have a span of around 9cm, making them easily the largest native British butterfly. In good years a second brood occurs in late August to mid-September.
Common crane
When three common cranes appeared on the northeast Norfolk coast in 1979, few would have believed that, just two years later, the species would go on to nest for the first time in centuries. Undoubtedly the best place to see them is the Stubb Mill viewing platform in the winter. A number of cranes usually fly into the reeds here around dusk each evening to roost. Standing 1.2m (4ft) tall, these impressive birds give a haunting, bugle-like call as they drop in.