Etling Green is formed of two areas of neutral and marshy grassland and several ponds on opposite sides of the B1147 out of Dereham. In the wet, marshy areas you can discover many damp-loving plants such as sedges, rushes and reeds, as well as water-mint, marsh speedwell, lesser spearwort and marsh bedstraw.
Exploring the drier areas, you will find a diversity of flora that includes sheep’s sorrel, germander speedwell, field woodrush, bulbous buttercup, meadow foxtail, wild angelica, sheep’s fescue, black knapweed and greater stitchwort.
Trees on the site and within the mature hedgerows around include horse chestnut, elder, hawthorn and ash, along with the ancient woodland indicator species dog’s mercury in the ground flora below.
Within and around the ponds you can spot water forget-me not, gypsywort, marsh speedwell, reed canary grass, water plantain and arrowhead. The threatened and protected amphibian, the great crested newt has been recorded breeding in the ponds.
The mosaic of habitats at this site, and its abundance and diversity of grasses and flowering plants means that Etling Green attracts a corresponding suite of invertebrates and birds. Look out for peacock, small tortoiseshell, small copper and ringlet butterflies, as well as a host of bumblebees and birds such as goldfinch, chiffchaff, blackcap, long-tailed tit, hobby and sparrow hawk.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit to see a range of wildflowers, butterflies and possibly glimpse a hobby is the spring and summer months.
Associated groups
Dereham Town Council (
http://derehamtc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/)
Getting involved
The local residential association carries out some management work on site. For further information contact Dereham Town Council (
http://derehamtc.norfolkparishes.gov.uk/)
Website
Currently none.