Strumpshaw Fen RSPB reserve, Nature reserve in Norfolk, England
Strumpshaw Fen is a nature reserve in Norfolk covering over 250 hectares with reedbeds, marshes, and woodland habitats. The different environments support a wide range of wildlife across all seasons.
The land was once used for peat extraction before the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds purchased it in the 1970s to create a protected habitat. This transformation allowed natural ecosystems to recover and wildlife populations to return.
The reserve demonstrates how different habitats support various wildlife communities that coexist in this landscape. Visitors can observe both common and rare species during their walks, gaining insight into the natural relationships between plants and animals.
The reserve has several viewing hides and marked trails that guide visitors through different areas while keeping wildlife safe from disturbance. Planning a visit around the seasons can improve your chances of seeing the species you are interested in observing.
The reserve is home to the swallowtail butterfly, a rare species found only in Norfolk and Suffolk fens that breeds on milk parsley plants. These butterflies serve as a sign that natural conditions here have been successfully restored.
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