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RSPB Strumpshaw Fen

Norfolk  >  United Kingdom

​Just 6 miles from Norwich, this corner of the Norfolk Broads is good for rybárik riečny and bučiak veľký and has a harrier roost in winter.

Added* by Jalal Khan
Most recent update 17 február 2020

Description

This reserve on the River Yare has a mix of wetlands, woodlands and meadows, with great birding all year round. Spring is the best time to see cetia západná, trsteniarik malý, svrčiak zelenkavý and kukučka obyčajná, as well as hearing the booming call of the resident bučiak veľký and seeing the display flights of the kaňa močiarna. During summer, you might spot a hunting sokol lastovičiar or plamienka driemavá, and the resident rybárik riečny are most active in the warmer months. In autumn, kršiak rybár are regular on passage and fúzatka trstinová flock together, as do thousands of škorec obyčajný. Winter brings peak wildfowl numbers and more bučiak veľký from the continent, plus large flocks of stehlík čížik and stehlík hnedkavý, occasionally hosting a rarer finch species. The harrier roost also reaches its peak, sometimes including kaňa sivá. The reserve also has resident Chinese water deer and otters.

Details

Access

By train: Buckenham is the nearest station and Strumpshaw Fen is about a mile away. The other nearby station is Brundall, 1.4 miles (2.3km) from the reserve. From the station walk up the hill (Station Road) towards Brundall village. At the main road turn right and walk through Brundall. Continue under the bridge towards Strumpshaw. Soon after you pass the Strumpshaw sign, turn right into Stone Road, and immediately right again into Low Road. Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve is 500m down Low Road on the right.

By car: The reserve is best approached from the village of Brundall which lies east of Norwich just off the A47. From the A47 roundabout, drive through Brundall and continue on the same road out towards Strumpshaw. Soon after you pass the Strumpshaw sign, turn right into Stone Road, and immediately right again into Low Road. The reserve car park is 500m down Low Road on the right.

By bus: An hourly bus service from Norwich stops 0.7 miles (1.1 km) from the reserve on the Brundall to Strumpshaw Road at the junction of Long Lane and Stone Road (weekdays and Saturdays only). From the bus stop (arriving from the Norwich direction), walk towards Brundall for 40m, then turn left down Stone Road and immediately turn right into Low Road. Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve is 500m down Low Road on the right.

By bike: The Yare Valley cycle route runs close to the reserve.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , River , Reedbeds , Scattered trees and bushes

Conditions

Flat , Wet , High water possible

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Autumn , Spring

Route

Narrow trail , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

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