Ungainly black-headed gull chicks are all over coastal marshes (photo by Richard Burkmarr) 1/3
Tiny male silver-studded blues are flying low over bare patches among the heather (photo by David Tottman) 2/3
Saltmarsh sea lavenders are turning the North Norfolk coast a delicate purple (photo by Denise Emmerson) 3/3

Wildlife in July

By July many of the warblers which arrived in the spring are raising their second broods while ungainly black-headed gull chicks are all over coastal marshes. This is also a fine time for watching butterflies. On some heaths clouds of tiny male silver-studded blues are flying low over bare patches among the heather; in coastal sand dunes dark green fritillaries are active around flowering privet bushes; and in woods white admirals are darting through sunny glades while tiny purple hairstreaks flash around the oak canopy.

Saltmarsh sea lavenders are coming into flower now, turning huge stretches of the North Norfolk coast a delicate purple. Meanwhile in freshwater marshes, the second wave of dragonflies is reaching its peak. Look now for common and ruddy darters, southern and brown hawkers, and common blue damselflies.

Upcoming events

Robert Gillmor Retrospective , Cley and Salthouse Marshes
Sat 17 Feb 2024 - Thu 04 Apr 2024
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Sue Welfare: Coast and Country, Cley and Salthouse Marshes
Wed 27 Mar 2024 - Tue 09 Apr 2024
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Thorpe Marshes Guided Walk, Thorpe Marshes
Thu 28 Mar 2024
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