In my last blog, I wrote about the work we are doing to get more children (and grownups!) connecting with nature when they visit Lakenheath Fen.
We are basing our new trail around the Brandon Fen family trail. I am excited to say that it is making great progress! In the Brecks area of the trail, we are looking to bring to life the often miniature but magnificent Brecks flora that you can find surviving in the almost desert like conditions of the Brecks soil.
With the warm weather we have had recently, you may already be able to spot some of these Brecks specialist coming through, in particular biting stonecrop. However, the best time of year to look for this plant is in early May when their flowering truly kicks off and the Brecks area of Brandon Fen becomes awash with their tiny star shaped yellow flowers. Here is a picture of it:
Image credit: Dave Rogers
However, whilst spring is just gearing up you can still explore this part of the reserve to get a flavour of the Brecks. The soil in this area is itself worth noticing and is one of the features that makes the Brecks so unique, being dry, nutrient poor and filled with flints. l. For the mammal fans amongst you, this area is perfect for the reserve’s resident rabbit population. This brings in their acrobatic foes, the stoats and weasels from the mustelid family!
Although they are not seen regularly on the reserve, you may be lucky enough to hear an iconic species of the Brecks, the stone-curlew. Sometimes during dusk and later into the night, you can hear their wailing curlew like call. During the cold winter months, they spend their time in Northern Africa and Southern Europe, but they are now arriving back in the Brecks, heralding the start of their breeding season in the Brecks farmland and heaths. The Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Weeting Heath Nature Reserve is the best place to view these icons of the Brecks without disturbing them. Here is a picture of one at its nest:
Image credit: Chris Knights
Later on this year, you can also view them through live nest cameras with the Wings over the Brecks project which is part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Breaking New Ground landscape partnership scheme. This footage will be shown at the Forestry Commission’s High Lodge Forest Centre, Weeting Heath and also the reserve visitor centre later on this year. So, watch this space!