Upton Broad
Upton Broad amongst the Norfolk Broads is a small water north-west of Upton in Norfolk. It is south and west of the River Bure, separated from it by the Upton Marshes.
The reserve is a tranquil haven in the heart of the Broads, at 52°39’58"N, 1°32’8"E or TG391134. The water is home to some of Norfolk’s rarest wildlife: from iconic swallowtail butterflies and Norfolk hawker dragonflies, to otters and water voles, and a staggering array of wetland plants.
The site’s impressive mix of habitat – alder carr woodland, fen, reedbed, and grazing marsh – supports ten nationally scarce or rare plant species including fen orchid, marsh fern, marsh pea, cowbane and fen pondweed.
A mixture of birdlife is found on the reserve from woodland species in the alder carr, to waders such as lapwing and redshank on the grazing marshes. The majestic marsh harrier is a common sight as it drifts across the reedbeds in summer, and barn owls can regularly be seen hunting.
However, Upton’s number and variety of dragonflies is perhaps its most impressive attraction, with over 20 species occurring. Its specialities include the Norfolk hawker, four-spotted chaser, hairy dragonfly, variable damselfly and red-eyed damselfly. 22 species of butterfly have also been recorded.
The water is looked after by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, which has acquired neighbouring land to increase the area managed for wildlife. Large areas of prime arable land which had been drained for farming in the 1970s have been flooded and restored to marshland.
