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Potter Heigham Marshes

Norfolk  >  United Kingdom

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.

Added* by Drew Lyness
Most recent update 15 februar 2022

Description

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 Ždral, Velika bela čaplja, Kašičar, Brkata senica and Svilorepi cvrčić.

In winter, the site hosts flocks of Lisasta guska which can be seen gathering on Heigham Holmes. The scrapes are home to planinska trepteljka and in some years, high water levels mean diving ducks like Ćubasta patka and Riđoglava patka may be found among the usual dabblers Zviždara, Krdža, Plovka kašikara and smaller numbers of Šiljkan. The scrapes may host some wintering waders including Muljača and Zlatni vivak.

In spring and summer, Grogotovac may be seen here and Sabljarka 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 Crnotrba sprutka, Žalar blatarić, Mala sprutka, Riđa sprutka, Šljuka kamenjarka, Bela sprutka, Velika sprutka, Sprudnik ubojica, Polojka, Sprudnik pijukavac, Sprudnik migavac, Crvenonogi sprudnik, Krivokljuni sprudnik and Crni sprudnik. There is always a chance of finding something rarer too, such as Crnogruda sprutka, Seda sprutka and Vlastelica!

Continuing on the rare birds front, the site has been host to a Velika čigra several springs in a row, while Barski petlić have also been found here when the water levels are low enough. The site also attracts rarer herons such as Čaplja govedarka and even Gak! There's plenty to be seen at Potter Heigham Marshes, making it a site well worth a visit while it is in its prime.

Details

Access

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.

Terrain and Habitat

Wetland , Grassland , Reedbeds

Conditions

Flat , Open landscape

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Narrow trail , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

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.

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

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