NWT Thorpe Marshes

NWT leases the site from Arminghall Settlement Trustees. The site is a wonderful mixture of habitats: flower- rich marshes criss-crossed with dykes that are home to many dragonfly
and damselfly species, including the rare Norfolk hawker, and the even larger emperor dragonfly. Several species of common butterfly can also be encountered on a good day.

The reserve contains a large area of open water – a former gravel working now known as St Andrew’s Broad.
This hosts a variety of waterbirds, particularly in winter, including great crested grebe, pochard, cormorant, grey heron, gadwall and tufted duck. The surrounding scrub is home to reed buntings and a few Cetti’s warblers, whose noisy, explosive song is often their only giveaway.

More surprisingly, given its proximity to Norwich city centre, a number of mammals have been recorded on the reserve including the odd-looking Chinese water deer, and its smaller relative the muntjac. Foxes have been seen, as well as harvest mouse, hedgehog and stoat. Most excitingly, the rare water vole occurs in small numbers.

Seasonal highlights
Spring
Birds – Chiffchaff, blackcap, Cetti’s warbler, oystercatcher
Insects – Brimstone, orange tip, hairy dragonfly
Mammals – Chinese water deer, fox, water vole

Summer
Birds – Reed and sedge warblers, whitethroat
Plants – Purple loosestrife, hemp agrimony, marsh ragwort
Insects- Norfolk hawker, common blue damselfly, peacock butterfly

Autumn
Birds – Migrating wading birds
Insects – Migrant hawker, common darter

Winter
Birds – Wintering wildfowl, water rail, Cetti’s warbler

Dog policy
Visitors with dogs are invited to walk along the permissive path, keeping dogs on leads to avoid disturbance to stock and wildlife.

Free

Dawn till dusk, every day, all year round