Buckenham marshes lies next to Strumpshaw fen within the boundaries of the‘Mid Yare national nature reserve’ (NNR), and borders the river Yare. Like ‘Strumpy’ next door it’s also managed by the RSPB.
I remember when the RSPB took over these marshes; there was a degree of grizzling in respect of their ability to do the right thing. Well a few years in, all fears allayed, all arguments assuaged, just look at it now. I’ll have to own up to a bit of a soft spot for Buckenham. It’s not the prettiest or most spectacular area in the broads (discount the distant sugar refinery) but if you’ve been coming here since you were a kid, and have borne witness to the transformation from muddy flat patch of grass (with dykes of course) to burgeoning nature reserve you’d be proud it was on your doorstep, and even feel a little indebted to those who’ve made the difference.

Winter is unquestionably the best time to come. Wear a hat though; we brought an old mate down here one particularly vicious afternoon, following tea, hot scones and a big warm by the wood burner. Usual keen old east wind and slate grey sky & the  poor lad at one point bleated out ‘I think the top of my head’s gone numb’, still a Peregrine falcon later and we'd fogotten the cold. Then back home for more tea anyway.

Park up at the level crossing, or better still hike down from a trip round ‘Strumpy’.  Saunter down the track, marshes to either side, can you here that whistling, that’s thousands of Widgeon, dropped in for Christmas, they’ll be in the dykes right next to you, and nibbling about on the marsh, just about everywhere, only feet away. Take time to really scrutinize that wonderful plumage and those eccentric mannerisms.
Get the binoculars out and scan the marsh, there’s ‘loads of stuff ‘out there, afore mentioned ‘Widge’ as well as  Gadwall, ‘Tufty’, Shelduck, ‘Poch’, Lapwing, Greylag, Canada, Cormorant, Teal, Shoveler, Snipe, Coot, Rooks, Swans, Pintail, etc. etc. They’ll all be there! Nevertheless the marsh is so big, there’s plenty of space for all. Small flocks’ll keep lifting into the air, put up by a raptor maybe, watch out for that Sparrowhawk, powering across the marsh, low & fast. Could be a Kestrel just gliding through. As you near the river check the pools over towards Strumpshaw, they weren't here a few years back, look at the birds they  supports now! Might be worth getting the scope out to spot a wader or two, chances of Snipe and Redshank are reasonably high; if your providence is on your side you may even see a Green sandpiper or Golden plover.
Now you’ve marvelled at those Widgeon filled dykes and examine the pools, walk down toward the old mill, there’s a hide adjacent, situated right at the end of the dyke so you get great views of anything on and around the water. Expect cormorants and abundant fowl but study the vista for the unusual, I’ve seen Water rail poking about in the margins only feet from the hide so you never know! Want to be outside again, the track's finished but it’s always worth nipping through the clinch gate & along the riverbank to the sluice, this is my favourite part of the reserve. It’s often this end that you’ll get the best chance to see the Bean Geese, there’s a flock that arrive here every year and it’s one of the only places in the UK these birds winter so check out all the ‘anser’ type geese, because that Graylag or White fronted could just be a ‘Beany’. You’ll need to get a reasonable look at those dark patches on the bill to be entirely convinced, nevertheless the opportunity’s out there so best grasp with both hands whilst you’re here. Employ that scope in checking all the gateposts & perches, wintering Peregrines are a much more common sight these days. They sometimes perch for ages on gates or mounds, seemingly oblivious to the Teal three feet away (full up, I reckon). There’s a good stand of reed at the sluice, so watch out for Chinese water deer feeding as the light fades, see those fangs ?  We once saw an awesome male Hen harrier, ghostly grey, gliding just over the river one spectacular winters eve, then spent the next however long with a wonderful chap, the three of us excited and enthusing about everything that is ‘the Broads’. Eventually we drifted home in darkness, with Saturn in the horns of Taurus overhead and Jupiter rising in the east.

Getting there : Take the A47 to Blofield , turn down Cucumber lane at the roundabout (with the Little Chef), at the end of the Blofield bypass, travel through Brundall, under the railway bridge & next right, then third right (at the top of the hill) down the hill & right again, park at the level crossing.

Amenities : Parking, (sort of), hide, lazy Norfolk wind.
 

Wilds of Norfolk was set up because of our unquenchable enthusiasm for the Norfolk Broads,  our small part of the natural world. We thought we'd like to try and give something back by helping other people enjoy the countryside and it's wildlife as well as do our own little bit to promote an interest in the natural world and it's conservation , not only for the wildlife but for the sheer exuberance of the precious life we're lucky enough to get the chance to live.

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