So, spring is well and truly sprung! No doubt those of you who have visited the reserve will have already clocked the arrival of the summer migrants and the sudden flush of new growth. For me, this time of year signals the kick start in the race to reap the benefits of the summer season before the dark days of winter draw in again.
Some species on the reserve will already be ahead of the game though. They are famous for breeding profusely these influential species in the Brecks are already bringing the next generation into the world. I am talking about rabbits of course!
Rabbits were originally introduced in the thirteenth century by the Romans, and the Brecks, with its unique climate and geology was ideally suited to them. The low rainfall and dry, hot weather suited these Spanish rabbits that were used to a warmer climate. . The sandy soil of the Brecks provided ideal conditions for them to borrow into.
Rabbit warrening soon become a large scale industry in the Brecks supporting a flourishing economy that traded in their fur and meat. With over 20 warrens, rabbits were to dramatically shape the landscape of the Brecks, creating swathes of tightly grazed heathland.
Here is a picture of one:
Image credit: Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)
It wasn’t just their economic influence though; rabbits were to create the perfect grass heathland conditions in the Brecks. Their heavy grazing and disturbance of soil through borrowing supported an array of specialist plant and insect species as well as ground nesting birds such as the iconic stone-curlew. Today, rabbit grazed heathland in the Brecks still supports an impressive amount of plants, insects and ground nesting birds such as stone-curlews.
Here is a picture of a stone-curlew:
Image credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
You can see this happening in miniature along Lakenheath Fen’s Brandon Fen Trail, where in the up and coming weeks biting stonecrop will be beginning it’s flush of golden star shaped flowers.
Further afield in the Brecks, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserves offer the perfect opportunity to explore the heaths more and see some of specialist wildlife found on them. Weeting Heath Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve offers the perfect opportunity to safely view stone-curlews without disturbance and East Wretham Heath, another Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve, provides the opportunity to walk around the heathland. So why not plan a visit in the next few weeks to enjoy the rush of spring?
For more information on these reserves and to plan your visit go to www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/nature-reserves