NWT Weeting Heath NNR

A wonderful piece of Breck heath, famous for its rare Breckland flora and population of rare breeding stone curlew (resident between April and September).

What to look for: NWT Weeting Heath is recognised as the best place in the UK to see stone curlew. They arrive from southern Europe and north Africa in spring and create shallow stony scrapes on the ground in which to breed. Once the chicks are fledged they depart south again in late summer. Post-breeding flocks can be seen in September. Spring/summer woodlark, tree pipit, wheatear, hobby. Small copper, brown argus and speckled wood butterflies. Year round green woodpecker, little owl.

Facilities: Visitor centre and toilets (both with wheelchair access), interpretive displays, hides and information boards. Reserve leaflet.

Directions: NWT Weeting Heath is just west of Brandon on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. Leave Brandon going north on the A1065 to Mundford. Cross the railway line on the outskirts of the town, then turn left to Weeting and Methwold. In the village of Weeting, turn left to Hockwold cum Wilton. The car park and visitor centre are signed 2.5km west of Weeting. Address and postcode: Hockwold Road, Weeting, Nr Brandon, Thetford, IP26 4NQ.

Opening: Visitor centre and nature reserve open April to September 7am to dusk. There is a small charge for entry; free for children and NWT members. Call 01842 827615 during season for further information.

Access: Entrance is from the car park on the Weeting-Hockwold cum Wilton road. Caution – traffic is fast along this road.

Did you know? This was the first nature reserve in the UK to fence rabbits in and use them as a primary management tool. Stone Age farmers, who cleared areas of forest to cultivate crops, first created the open Breck heaths. Rabbits were later introduced by the Normans and their foraging created the short grassland, rich in mosses and lichens, that we see today.