Thetford Heath National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Thetford Heath NNR is the best site in the country to watch the rare and unusual stone curlew. The bird – also known as ‘thick-knees’ – requires open, stony ground with short vegetation to breed, making the rabbit and sheep-cropped turf of Weeting Heath ideal. The stone-curlew is a crow-sized bird with a large head, long yellow legs and long wings and tail. Its large yellow eyes enable it to locate food when it is dark. The reserve is made up of an expanse of acid and chalk grassland, together with smaller areas of heather and lichen-dominated heathland. The heath is also home to woodlarks, green woodpeckers, lapwings and mistle thrushes. Other birds include kestrel, little owl, sparrowhawk, common buzzard, marsh harrier and, in summer, the dragonfly-snatching hobby. Woodland birds common in the trees around the visitor centre and on the woodland walk include crossbills, tree pipits and spotted flycatchers.

Location

East Wretham

About the area

The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Here you’ll find a string of quaint villages and small towns – Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, while Sheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea.

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East Wretham Norfolk Things To Do in Norfolk

Thetford Heath National Nature Reserve

East Wretham

01603 625540

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Thetford Heath National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

Thetford Heath NNR is the best site in the country to watch the rare and unusual stone curlew. The bird – also known as ‘thick-knees’ – requires open, stony ground with short vegetation to breed, making the rabbit and sheep-cropped turf of Weeting Heath ideal. The stone-curlew is a crow-sized bird with a large head, long yellow legs and long wings and tail. Its large yellow eyes enable it to locate food when it is dark. The reserve is made up of an expanse of acid and chalk grassland, together with smaller areas of heather and lichen-dominated heathland. The heath is also home to woodlarks, green woodpeckers, lapwings and mistle thrushes. Other birds include kestrel, little owl, sparrowhawk, common buzzard, marsh harrier and, in summer, the dragonfly-snatching hobby. Woodland birds common in the trees around the visitor centre and on the woodland walk include crossbills, tree pipits and spotted flycatchers.

Location

East Wretham

About the area

Area image

The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Here you’ll find a string of quaint villages and small towns – Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, while Sheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea.

Explore Norfolk

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

East Wretham Norfolk Things To Do in Norfolk