Live in the broads and you’ll begin, over the years, to notice the organisations that are making life better for us all, well the RSPB are up there with the best of them, consequently nobody should be surprised that in their hands Strumpshaw fen has generated something of an ethereal aura in the minds of it's advocates (well, me anyway).
Emerald in summer, amber in winter.

Part of the seven hundred odd hectare ‘Mid Yare national nature reserve’ (NNR), Strumpshaw fen is one element of the graded flood plain along the banks of the river Yare and supports a variety of habitats from scrape, dyke and reed bed through fen meadow to Willow and Alder carr.

So now we’re here lets ‘get out there and see what’s about’. Head into the brick hide and have a look on the board. The wardens & volunteers always keep an exemplary  ‘board’ here so all the latest birds and mammals will be documented! With a bit of luck you just might get the chance to spot some of them for yourself now so scan about over the water & reed beds, and get a feel for the habitat. Open water for the wildfowl and those all important Eels and Rudd (great Bittern food). Reed beds for those special broadland species such as Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit. Odd dead trees, perfect perching for that fishing Osprey on his way to Africa,  (more likely a handful of Cormorants, I agree), but haven’t we all seen the Osprey here come September ? 

So reverie aside, Coot, Mallard, Gadwall, Teal, ‘Tufty’ (sorry, Tufted duck) Moorhen and all the other usual suspects are here, could be a summer Gargany, or a winter Smew poking about in the margins, and any time, a Kingfisher might fly in, low over the water, and alight on his favourite twig. Listen out for that Water Rail squeal too, I have seen one or two down here so take heart, they do exist, it’s not some kid with a ghetto blaster, Birdsound CD and warped sense of humour! As anywhere in the broads, a cold grey day and it could be ‘just wall to wall Coots’ as a rather cynical warden once explained wryly , but I’m a natural enthusiast so I’ll carry on as before. This is one of the best places to hear a Chettis Warbler so listen out for that explosive song, it’s not that often I drop in at ‘Strumpy’ and don’t hear the Chettis; seeing the little beggar, well that’s something else. Wander out of the hide, behind the cottage and into the wood, there’s plenty of woodland  birds flitting around, look out for that cheeky Goldcrest, or maybe a Treecreepers’ mouse like ascension. . Arrive opposite the meadow, where you can enjoy a wonderful summers walk through the grasses and flowers. The wonderful marshland flowers include, Marsh Pea, Yellow Flag, Meadowsweet, Ragged Robin and various delicate Orchids. Wander up to the Fen hide and lookout for Bitterns, April is always an exciting time to listen out  for booming males, conversely it can be such a sad sound. If you’ve seen the obligatory Harrier then move along to the river bank where you can walk along the meadow or  back through the woods where you could see a Tawny Owl trying to sleep whilst being mobbed by tits & the like. Try  a roam along towards the Tower hide, could be a wintering Goosander on the river, more likely you’ll notice the Great Crested Grebes’ elegant poise. Sometimes they catch unfeasibly large Roach and desperately try to force them down, bill at 90 degrees using gravity to squeeze them in. Climb the tower hide steps, nip in (why do I always seem to bang the tripod into everything in here), open the flap and you’re immediately rewarded by a panorama encompassing the whole reserve, install yourself, get a sandwich out and make the most of it. If the water’s low and there’s a bit of mud out there, scrutinize carefully, Snipe and Ruff are often present in winter, whilst in summer you could see Ringed plover, Redshank, Greenshank, Common and Green Sandpiper and many more interesting waders. Have a look to see what other visitors have seen, on the pad next to the door, could be something worth waiting for ! When you’re tired, lethargic & don’t want to walk back; but James T. Kirk and the Enterprise just ain’t there to beam you back, head along toward Lackford run.  As you walk beside the run and the dykes further on, inspect any points which look like something ‘big and furry’ might have entered the water. I’ve seen many Otter tracks along here,once  in the snow I saw Otter tracks traverse the path emanating from a hole in the ice on one side and disappearing into a similar hole in a Dyke on the other, yet to see him here in the flesh though, maybe one day. ‘Just keep turning up’ that’s the motto, well today’s motto anyway. Well you've 'about got to the end now bor' , had a good look 'round' , so it’s one last look back and over the stile and across the railway line then along the track and home to contemplate a real treasure in the heart of the broads.

Getting there : Take the A47 towards Great Yarmouth, turn down Cucumber lane at the roundabout, which procedures the Blofield bypass, travel through Brundall, under the railway bridge & next right, then right almost immediately and the entrance is at the level crossing gates

 Amenities : Car Park, toilets, nature trail, hides
 

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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