This is the first of the Autumn season of the Group’s monthly shoots and is being held at Hickling Broad and marshes. The largest of the Broads, NWT Hickling Broad is a year-round haven for wildlife.
Once into the Visitor Centre you then have the chance to walk around the large areas of woodland and reedbed to see the wildlife. Take a waymarked circular trail from the Visitor Centre all the way around the edge of the Reserve which takes in the Bittern Hide, the Observation Hide, (on stilts), Seckers Hide and Cadbury Hide.
Because this nature reserve is right out in the middle of nowhere, you’ll realise, as you walk around, quite how peaceful, and tranquil it is, with the only sound being the rustling reeds in the wind and birdsong. It's fantastic...!
Hickling Broad is best known for its bitterns, but also for its marsh harriers, swallowtail butterflies and cranes. On the pools look out for avocets, tern, Egyptian geese, teal, gadwalls, and the sight of a Chinese water deer to name but a few.
Obviously, as with any nature reserve, every day is so very different, you never know what you’ll see - that’s definitely the fun of visiting a place such as this.
Meet the other NDPS members on the shoot (led by Keith Garnham) 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.