Park up, boots on (bit muddy, specially in winter), shall we take that  slab of that chocolate banana cake ? Difficult to avoid it’s eye really, oh beggar it, wolf it down now, save worrying and we’re bound to walk it off anyway! Over the stream and wander into the clearing, notice those small ponds scattered about intimating a singular purpose, then there’s the recognition board, tad faded now, signs that a near dragonfly experience is not far away. Dragonflies and the like are most active on warm still summers afternoons so it’s lucky we’ve turned up now, the weather’s just right. Wander around & look out for jerky movements and glistening wings, tune your ears into the rattling of wings on sedge and reed. Different dragonflies appear an disappear at reasonably predictable times of year so don’t expect to see everything, try investing in a decent guidebook that explains the where & when, it’ll add to the experience and is yours for ever. Lets look for the spectacular first. Wow, see the size of that Brown hawker, golden wings shimmering in the sun, why doesn’t he land, little beggar, so difficult to get anything other than a brief glance. What we really want is the Norfolk hawker, one of the UK’s rarest, and most exciting dragonflies. Mesmerising green eyes and strangely clear wings, maybe we’ll be lucky, hunt out some Water soldier ,could be one hovering above those spiky leaves. The slightly smaller Migrant hawker is an compelling presence at any pool, watch those chevrons blaze past, get close enough you can distinguish that characteristic ‘golf tee’ . In the ‘different category’ search out the good old ‘Four spot’ and Broad bodied chasers, possibly even nab a Black tailed skimmer, no prizes for guessing the provenance of the name though. Smaller in scale are the darters, you’ve a good chance of Ruddy and Common, again at the appropriate time of year. Most delicate of all are the Damselflies. Common blue damselflies are here but look closely, could be a ‘Red eyed’. Most exquisite are the Beautiful and Banded demoiselles, never know someone always wins the lotto, might be you this time! Well half a page down and we’ve only gone a hundred yards so let’s get along, looking out for the elusive Marsh fern and heleborine as we go. Through the woods, arrays of small birds flit through, Long tail, blue, great and marsh tits hang, perch and spasmodically feed. Could there be a Nuthatch in there too, listen for the ever recognisable Chiff Chaff and Blackcap. Of course as it’s summer the intoxicating rhythm of the Cuckoo is never far away radiating it’s balmy lassitude directly into your brain.
Saunter along and inspect the ground for mammal signs. The likes of Stoat and Weasel are present, hardly ever see them though. Observe those paw prints and marking along the trail signifying a fox’s presence. I remember a glimpse of him scampering silently across the bridge ahead once, on a  magical snowy day a lifetime ago.

Emerge into the reed and sedge bed. This was all woodland once, scrub clearance has brought this important habitat back from the brink so enjoy the experience, you might even see a Cuckoos flying about through the sedge and reeds, looking a little bit like a Sparrow hawk, flight’s totally different mind. Finally up to the viewpoint. The proximity of rivers Bure and Thune is signalled by a myriad of distant mills, but wander around a while the end of the reedbed and you can make out a hazily distant St. Bennets abbey. A good local walk starts at South Walsham broad, takes you past the abbey (opposite bank unfortunately) and finally past Upton fen. Might be worth  filling  up that rucksack with sandwiches, homemade cake and the stove (for your leisurely ritual  brew halfway round) and make a day of it taking in the fen too.

Sorry, digression over, back to Upton.
Wandering back, look at the rush on the grazing mash, a good indication that this is managed with wildlife in mind, so much grazing is just inch high grass these days! See any Kestrels hovering, how do they see a vole from fifty feet up , more spectrum sir,  hear you shout…… okay good for them but who wants to see rodent urine anyway !

So finally we’re drifiting back around to the original clearing, one last gaze to take it all in and home for tea and maybe a wander down to Buckenham for the sunset & those creepy Noctule bats.

Getting there :Grid ref TG379137, Take the B1140 from Acle for 3 miles, and turn right (close to that beautifully restored mill) and carry on down to the end car park is on your right, if you run out of road you’ve gone too far.

Amenities : Parking, sections of boardwalk
 

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