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Potter Heigham Marshes is to the south of NWT Hickling Broad, and is a relatively newly created wetland which has proved to be a haven for passage wading birds.
Since its creation in 2018, this site has attracted a wide variety of wetland and reedbed dwelling birds, and being so close to the NWT Hickling Reserve and the Norfolk coast, it has so much potential to turn up rarities. The site offers a top selection of birds to see throughout the year including Daru, Nagy kócsag, Kanalasgém, Barkóscinege and Berki poszáta.
In winter, the site hosts flocks of Nagy lilik which can be seen gathering on Heigham Holmes. The scrapes are home to Havasi pityer and in some years, high water levels mean diving ducks like Kontyos réce and Barátréce may be found among the usual dabblers Fütyülő réce, Csörgo réce, Kanalas réce and smaller numbers of Nyílfarkú réce. The scrapes may host some wintering waders including Nagy goda and Aranylile.
In spring and summer, Böjti réce may be seen here and Gulipán arrive back in large numbers to set up homes on the scrapes. The site comes into its own during spring and autumn wader passage, when a huge selections of wading birds may be found. Usual suspects include Havasi partfutó, Parti lile, Apró partfutó, Sarlós partfutó, kőforgató, Fenyérfutó, Sarki partfutó, Pajzsoscankó, billegetőcankó, Erdei cankó, Réti cankó, Piroslábú cankó, Szürke cankó and Füstös cankó. There is always a chance of finding something rarer too, such as vándorpartfutó, Temminck-partfutó and Gólyatöcs!
Continuing on the rare birds front, the site has been host to a Lócsér several springs in a row, while Pettyes vízicsibe have also been found here when the water levels are low enough. The site also attracts rarer herons such as Pásztorgém and even Bakcsó! There's plenty to be seen at Potter Heigham Marshes, making it a site well worth a visit while it is in its prime.
Park at the Potter Heigham Village Hall or near the Church, and walk down Marsh Lane to access the site. It is quite a long walk (about 4 km), so be prepared for this though.
The site will eventually become reedbed, so its attractiveness to wading birds will dwindle over the next few years. It is worth a visit now while it is in its prime. The paths may be overgrown in some areas during the summer, so wear long trousers as ticks are in the area.
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