The best month for seeing orchids (photo common spotted orchids by Michael Sankey) 1/3
Watch out for the endemic subspecies of the gorgeous swallowtail (photo by David Gifford) 2/3
Over heaths at night the weird churring song of the nightjar may be heard (photo by Andy Palles-Clark) 3/3

Wildlife in June

June is perhaps the finest month for finding flowers in Norfolk and is certainly among the best times for seeing orchids. In marshes, dune slacks and fens, common spotted orchids, southern marsh orchids, early marsh orchids, common twayblades and marsh helleborines are all in flower now. In woods look for the much-rarer greater butterfly orchid and in dry chalky grasslands look for pyramidal and bee orchids. Also in grasslands in June common blue butterflies are skipping between patches of bird’s-foot trefoil and newly-emerged six-spot burnet moths are clinging to field scabious flowers.

In reed-beds June is the month to watch for both marsh harriers and bitterns flying to their nests with food for their young. On warm days in Broadland reed-beds watch out for the endemic subspecies of the gorgeous swallowtail, Britain’s biggest butterfly. Over heaths at night the weird churring song of the nightjar and the high squeak of woodcock may be heard and in damp patches, on heaths and in woods, adult glow-worms are shining through the night.

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
Event Info