I was lucky enough, while in Norfolk recently, to visit RSPB Strumpshaw Fen with my friend Liam, who you may know as A Shot of Wildlife on YouTube, and his colleague Natalia. It is the first time I have been to a nature reserve in Norfolk, since I completed my last round of fieldwork in 2021. Therefore, visiting Strumpshaw was like coming home, especially as I previously spent 6 years surveying amphibians and reptiles in the fens of Cambridgeshire when I lived there. The reserve itself is just outside of Norwich, and covers an area approximately 400 acres in size. There is a wide range of habitats including reed beds, fen meadows, wet woodland, and open water, making it a great place for a variety of bird species and other wildlife.

The Norfolk Broads are we known hotspot for marsh harriers, a species of bird that I have never seen in the wild before. I was hoping to have seen them on an earlier visit to Hickling, but the weather wasn’t on my side (how British!). Thankfully though, Strumpshaw Fen did not disappoint and I’m certain we saw in excess of ten birds, but it was hard to pinpoint exactly how many as they like to roam. While sitting in the Tower Hide, we were also lucky enough to witness a pass between a pair of birds, which was extra special. So what is so special about marsh harriers? Well, there are only about 600 pairs left in the UK and they are mainly restricted to wetland habitats like Strumpshaw Fen, making this reserve a vital refuge for the species (among the many other birds and other wildlife that can be found there). It was also great to hear the familiar sound of reed warblers again, which were a staple of my days catching grass snakes in Cranwich.

We were also fortunate enough to see a number of other iconic bird species from the Tower Hide, such as great crested grebes (my favourite British bird species), with a pair making a nest right in front of the hide. I also got my first proper glimpse of swifts and house martins, that were not a blurry mess while passing them in a speeding train. From here, we also hear bitterns which are a staple of this part of the county. Only 191 breeding males are known to exist in Great Britain, with an unknown number of females accompanying them. They can be easily recognised by their loud booming calls, although spotting them among the reeds is often tricky as they are so well camouflaged. There is always next time! It was great to hear my first cuckoos of the year too, a sure sign that spring is here!

One of the things I often find when visiting such reserves, is that most people are always looking up at the birds, when there is a wealth of wildlife at their feet. In my case, this includes reptiles, such as viviparous lizards which were numerous in number among the boardwalks around the reserve. In the warmth of the spring sunshine were countless amazing insects, wild flowers, and other less sexy species that also deserve the attention of visitors such as the charismatic bird species. Next time you’re at a nature reserve I want you to try to find some of these species.

I am very fortunate for the time that both Liam and Natalia sacrificed to show me around Strumpshaw Fen, I will definitely be back in the future (hopefully with my DSLR this time!). It is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area, and like me, you may also enjoy spending a fortune on RSPB pin badges in the gift shop!

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