Strumpshaw Fen
Strumpshaw Fen lies within the Norfolk Broads by Strumpshaw on the River Yare in Norfolk, around six miles east of Norwich
The fen is a nature reserve managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. It is part of the 'Mid-Yare National Nature Reserve' established in 1997.[1] The Buckenham Marshes RSPB reserve borders the reserve to the east.
The fen was purchased by the RSPB in 1974. It forms part of the Yare Broads and Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest.[2]
Management
The reserve contains several types of habitats including reed beds, grazing marshes, wet woodland, fen orchid-rich meadows, and the River Yare. These are managed through traditional techniques, including reed-cutting, mowing, cattle grazing and scrub removal.
When purchased in 1976, it was in a state of being heavily overgrown. Since then considerable effects have been made to restoring it to the open fen landscape of the 19th Century. Initially, this involved breaking up vegetation with high pressure jets and pumping out mud to recreate the broad. Ongoing restoration work presently includes scrub and invasive plants removal and repair of disused ditches.
Reed bed and fen meadow management includes summer mowing and grazing, seasonal flooding, maintaining water levels, clearing rushes, grazing and mowing, and trampling with livestock to create boggy ground. Wet woodland management includes protecting standing dead wood and keep water levels high from April to July.
The reserve contains the largest area of hay meadow in East Anglia that has remained untouched except for a late hay crop - a practice crucial to the maintenance of its plant diversity.
Facilities
There are several hides and a number of trails.
The reserve is open from dawn until dusk every day (except Christmas Day). There are entrance charges (except for RSPB members). Some parts of trails after rain or river flooding can be muddy or wet so may require wearing walking boots.
Pumping house
The fens at Strumpshaw were originally drained by a 1700s wind pump.[3] In the late 1800s, this was replaced by a steam powered pump, whose brick-built engine house and free-standing brick chimney, alongside the river, remain. Nowadays, electric pumps are used.
Location
- Location map: 52°36’23"N, 1°27’21"E
Outside links
References
- ↑ Mid-Yare NNR, Natural England. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
- ↑ SSSI listing and designation for Yare Broads and Marshes
- ↑ RSPB information panel next to pump house