This spring and summer explore a common and help us map the distribution of some iconic species in Norfolk.
By sharing your wildlife sightings you can help us map the distribution of 20 species across
Norfolk commons, which will help us build a picture of the wildlife value of these sometime overlooked sites.
Our Norfolk commons are a rich mosaic of habitats. Many commons have ponds, which have been present for hundreds of years. These ponds may be home to smooth newts and common frogs, which use the ponds to breed but will use rough areas of grassland around the ponds to hunt for food. If you approach the pond quietly enough you may even be lucky enough to spot a grass snake using the pond to hunt for unsuspecting frog.
On the open grassland, look for cowslips in spring and orchids such as the green-winged orchid in early summer. These plants are often also associated with woodlands and ancient meadows.
Listen for the call of the bullfinch, which favours scrub and hedgerows, particularly where blackthorn is present. If you are really lucky you may even hear the churr of a turtle dove. Visit a common at dusk and you may spot a barn owl quartering over rough grassland, or spot bats flying low over a hedgerow or hunting over a dyke.
Our two-year
Wildlife in Common project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
