Go for gold!

Brief overview  
The UK’s largest butterfly, it is very colourful, and arguably our most beautiful. Formerly restricted across the Norfolk Broads but starting to widen its distribution. Exclusive to tall-herb fen reedbeds. 

Where and when to see them: 

Hickling Broad, Upton Fen and Ranworth Broad in late May to June.

Conservation status and management: 

Habitat loss and butterfly collectors initially caused the species to decline. However, better protection, education, habitat improvement and reedbed creation work has increased its population over the last 100 years. Although, due to its limited UK geographical range and low population, it remains a threatened butterfly. The caterpillar of this butterfly feeds exclusively on milk parsley, an equally rare plant of East Anglian reedbeds. 

A streaky brown heron that is more often heard than seen. Hiding deep in the reed beds, it delivers a loud far-carrying ‘booming’ call. Breeds in large stands of reed. 

Where and when to see them:

Hickling Broad. Can be seen all year, but early spring best to hear booming males. 

Conservation status and management:

The bittern became extinct in the UK, but in the early 20th century returned to breed at Hickling Broad and Marshes nature reserve. Its numbers have fluctuated since then, nearly becoming extinct as a breeding bird in the 1970s. Recent habitat improvements and reed bed creation have seen numbers and distribution around the UK significantly improve.  

The silver-studded blue is a small, but dazzling, butterfly which gets its name from the light blue reflective 'studs' (scales) found on the underside of the wings. The upper wings are blue with a dark outer rim. Males are bluer than females, which are more of a dull brown.  

Where and when to see them:

It is a rare butterfly found in heathland habitats that have shorter, sparsely vegetated areas. Buxton Heath is a good place to spot from June up until late August. 

Conservation status and management:

Despite once disappearing from Norfolk, a successful re-introduction project has seen it thriving on several of the county's heathlands. Buxton Heath is one of the best UK sites for the species.  

A large brown dragonfly with clear wings. It is the only UK dragonfly with green eyes. Originally restricted to the Norfolk Broads but has recently widened its range.  

Where and when to see them:

All NWT Broadland reserves. On the wing June/July. 

Conservation status and management:

Today, this dragonfly is more common than a few decades ago and can even be found in small garden ponds. Better water quality and climate change may be factors for its increase.   

A small, waxy green orchid. The flowers are pale yellow-green, spiky with a tongue-shaped lip. Growing in moss and flowering in June, this orchid requires a particular type of poor fen. 

Where and when to see them:

Upton Fen. Please remain on the paths and observe only plants marked out by staff.    

Conservation status and management:

From only a few dozen flowering plants, the annual count is now in the thousands. The careful conservation management of its favoured sites, including translocation projects, has seen the fen orchid expand its range, as well as its population.    

The UK’s tallest bird has long legs and a long neck, with powder-grey plumage and a distinctive black, white, and red head. It favours undisturbed marshes and fens and prefers reedbeds for nesting. 

Where and when to see them:

Hickling Broad. All year round, best observed from Raptor Roost Watch Point. 

Conservation status and management:

The common crane was driven to extinction in the UK many hundreds of years ago. Since its surprise return as a breeding bird to the Norfolk Broads in the 1980s, it has made a steady recovery and can now be found across the East of England. A breeding and release programme in the Somerset Levels has helped boost the population.    

Belonging to the umbellifer (carrot) family, its green leaves resemble carrot tops. The plant flowers from July to September producing clusters of small white flowers.  

Where and when to see them:

It can be found across all NWT Broadland reserves, but alongside boardwalks at Hickling Broad is a particularly good place to look. 

Conservation status and management:

Drainage in the 19th century and scrub invasion in the 20th century restricted the plants prime habitat. Reedbed creation and a return to traditional reed harvesting has seen an increase in its population. However, mildew/fungal disease is currently having a detrimental effect at some sites. Milk parsley is the food plant of the swallowtail butterfly. 

Although a wader, it is not related to true curlews; it has a short bill and belongs to the ‘thick-knee’ family. ‘Stonies’ are pigeon-sized birds, with brown and sandy plumage that forms excellent camouflage. Its large yellow eyes are useful for a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle.  

Where and when to see them:

Weeting Heath has been, for decades, the go-to place for birdwatchers to see this strange bird. April through to August.  

Conservation status and management:

The stone curlew suffered population decline as agricultural practices became more mechanised and intensive. They have remained a conservation challenge due to nest predation and habitat loss; however, the population appears to be holding steady. 

A raptor with a long tail and broad wings. The male has streaked brown plumage with grey wing panels and black tips. The female is chocolate brown with a cream-coloured head.

Where and when to see them:

Formally only a summer visitor, the marsh harrier can now be found year-round. It can often be spotted over large stretches of reedbed. Our Raptor Roost at Hickling Broad nature reserve offers great views of marsh harrier in winter.

Conservation status and management:

A hundred years ago only a handful of marsh harriers bred, confined to the Norfolk Broads. It is now found right across eastern and southern England, with recent breeding success in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

A solitary wasp with a shiny black body and distinctive ivory marks on its shoulders and abdomen. Found in fens and marshy areas, it requires dry, compacted bare and exposed ground to build its characteristic tunnels with ‘chimneys’ at the entrance. 

Where and when to see them:

Pathways seem to be the most popular locations, so care must be taken to discover and protect the colonies. Spot this species at Hickling Broad in June and July.

Conservation status and management:

A rare solitary wasp that was thought to be extinct in Britain, until its rediscovery in the Norfolk Broads in 1986. Its population has grown, but it is still largely concentrated in the Broads, although fen mason wasps have been found along the coast of Suffolk and Essex.  

Although large, the purple emperor can be elusive, remaining in the high canopy. However, they will fly down to glide after a rival male, or to chase a female. The males have iridescent purple wings with white bands and orange-ringed eyespots. Females are larger, but duller in colour. 

Where and when to see them:    

Favours ancient oak woodland, Foxley Wood is a fantastic place to search for purple emperor, peak time on the wing is mid-July. 

Conservation status and management:

This butterfly became extinct in Norfolk and ended up with a very restricted range in Southern England. However, in recent years it has returned to the county. The conservation work to restore the ancient Foxley Wood has created the ideal conditions for the species. 

Also known as the running toad, the natterjack is smaller than the common toad. It is greenish in colour with a distinctive yellow line running down its back. Favours heathland ponds and coastal dune slacks.  

Where and when to see them:

Visit Holme Dunes and Syderstone Heath for a chance to hear the loud chorus of male toads, between April and early May.  Please note: You must not disturb this protected species, including taking photos.  

Conservation status and management:

The natterjack toad, nationally, is only found at a few favoured locations and remains a rare amphibian in the UK. Norfolk is one of the few counties that has retained a population. Conservation and translocation projects have seen the number of sites and general population grow.  

This rare plant has creamy-yellow flowers.

Where and when to see them:

The South Norfolk Claylands is a stronghold for the species. Look along roadside nature reserves. Flowers June/July.   

Conservation status and management:

Nationally scarce, Norfolk is an important county for the species. Our work to enhance grasslands helps increase their floristic diversity. This benefits plants such as sulphur clover, which in turn will lead to an associated increase in butterflies, bees and other pollinating insects.

A distinctive tall wading bird with a spatula shaped bill. It returned to the UK as a breeding bird in north Norfolk.  

Where and when to see them:

Cley Marshes and Hickling Broad. All year round.  

Conservation status and management:

Spoonbills were absent as a breeding species in the UK for over 300 years, with the last nesting recorded in the 17th century before they returned to establish colonies in Norfolk in 2010. NWT reserves have formed an important part of the bird’s recent success.

Our largest vole, it is brown with a blunt nose, small ears and furry tail. It favours Norfolk wetlands, particularly our chalk streams and Broadlands. 

Where and when to see them:

Beetley Meadows and Hoe Rough. All year round. 

Conservation status and management:

The water vole has declined massively due to habitat loss, pollution and predation by the invasive non-native mink. Efforts to eradicate mink has seen an improvement in the water vole population. 

The grey seal is larger and more common than the harbour seal (formerly referred to as the common seal). It has a ‘Roman nose’ and pups in the winter. The pups are white in colour, unlike the harbour seal’s pups that are brown and born in the summer.  

Where and when to see them:

The Norfolk coast is an important ‘pupping’ county for grey seals. Winterton Dunes is a great place to see them in November/December. *Please Note: Keep dogs on leads and keep your distance from the colony.  

Conservation status and management:

The UK holds up to 40% of the world grey seal population. The national number now stand at over 120,000 seals, compared to 500 when NWT was formed in 1926.

UK’s largest spider, it will sit on aquatic vegetation awaiting prey to come by. 

Where and when to see them:

Found in Fenland dykes and ponds, it is restricted to a few locations in East Anglia. Try RSPB Strumpshaw Fen in late summer for a chance to spot.   

Conservation status and management:

A re-introduction scheme has seen the population increase.   

A small brown martin with a white belly and chest band. In Norfolk, it’s often found nesting in colonies in the sandy coastal cliffs.  

Where and when to see them:

Cley and Salthouse Marshes and Holme Dunes are good places to spot this summer visitor - April to September. 

Conservation status and management:

Slight decrease nationally in the population, Norfolk remains an important county for the species.

The largest aphid in the world. About the size of a coffee bean, grey in colour and always accompanied by black ants. 

Where and when to see them:

Found on oak trunks in late summer. Try finding them at Buxton Heath.   

Conservation status and management:

A rare aphid, which is continuing to decline. Norfolk heathlands are especially important for this species.   

A large, rich green fern that grows in clumps. The fronds are tall and bipinnately divided. This fern is found in East Anglian carr woodlands, fens and dune systems.

Where and when to see them:

Try Winterton Dunes and Hickling Broad and Marshes in the summer. There is also an excellent example along the boardwalk at Ranworth Broad.   

Conservation status and management:

Restricted range and small population make this fern vulnerable. The population dwindled due to habitat loss and collectors during the 19th century. Conservation measures have seen an improvement

As the name implies, this is a non-native deer. It is sandy-brown with a teddy bear-like face. Stags have long canine tusks.  Found across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, it favours wetland sites such as marshes and fens.  

Where and when to see them:

Upton Fen is a hotspot for them all year round.   

Conservation status and management:

Like the muntjac, in some areas the species is starting to have a significant impact on wetland flora. However, in its restricted range in eastern China it is declining at an alarming rate. It is thought that East Anglia could now be holding up to 40% of the world population.

The European otter is unmistakable with its blunt snout and webbed feet. It is always found close to or in water.   

Where and when to see them:

This species can be found across Norfolk, in rivers and broads. It has even been seen in the centre of Norwich.  

Conservation status and management:

By the 1970s, it had become extinct across most of the UK due to persecution and pollution from DDT. A tiny population did remain in the Norfolk Broads. The Otter Trust helped revive its fortunes with controlled releases, and the species can now be found in every county in England.  

The marsh pea has a purple flower and oval-shaped leaves. Often found climbing reed and other fen plants. 

Where and when to see them:

Grows alongside dykes or even boardwalks and flowers June and July. Try Upton Fen and Ranworth Broad. 

Conservation status and management:

Nationally scarce, the marsh pea was restricted to the Bure Valley. Has spread and it has been introduced to a few sites in Yorkshire and Suffolk.     

Our smallest goose, the brent goose has a grey-brown back, and black neck and head, with just a small white patch on the neck. 

Where and when to see them:

This winter visitor favours saltmarshes, creeks, and coastal grazing marshes. Can be spotted at Cley & Salthouse Marshes from October to March.  

Conservation status and management:

The UK, and particularly Norfolk, holds a considerable number of the world population in winter. 

These brown, long-tailed birds, are usually seen flying rapidly across the top of a reedbed. Males have black 'moustaches' rather than 'beards'. They are sociable and noisy, their 'ping' calls often being the first clue to their presence. 

Where and when to see them:

Found in reedbeds, all year round. Try spotting at Cley Marshes and Hickling Broad. 

Conservation status and management:

Originally restricted to the Norfolk Broads and coastal Suffolk, reedbed creation and improved management has seen the species increase its range and population.      

Known for its sticky stems, narrow leaves, and tiny, scented cream flowers.  

Where and when to see them:

This species is restricted to the Brecklands, on short, grazed heath-grassland with regular soil disturbance.   

Conservation status and management:

Nationally rare with a restricted range in Norfolk and Suffolk. Work is underway to reintroduce it to former sites in the Brecklands.   

A very tall grass, with feathery seed heads. 

Where and when to see them:

Growing in water or damp soil, it is found across the county from roadside ditches to the vast beds of Hickling and Cley Marshes. 

Conservation status and management:

Common and ubiquitous, but a vital habitat for so many Norfolk species. Conservation through traditional harvesting has revived old reedbeds, and significant work has been carried out creating new reedbeds. 

This aquatic snail has a small, disc-shaped shell (max width 6mm) with a highly polished reddish-brown colour. The shell’s inside surface has occasional thickened radial enamel ridges, which characteristically show through like spokes on a wheel.  

Where and when to see them:

Likes vegetation-choked, unpolluted ditches on lowland marshes. Now only found on the north Kent marshes and the Norfolk Broads. Try spotting at Thorpe Marshes all year round. 

Conservation status and management:

This species has massively declined in population and range. Use of mechanical diggers to clear dykes and ditches is one of the causes for decline. The traditional hand-tool dyke clearance carried out at some of NWT’s Broadland reserves has helped save the species in Norfolk.     

This warbler has rusty brown plumage, and white breast and belly – it often cocks its tail. It is more likely heard than seen and favours scrubby fen.  

Where and when to see them:

It is found across most Norfolk wetlands. Listen out for its bubbling song among thick willow and nettles at Cley Marshes and Broadland reserves, all year round.  

Conservation status and management:

Named after an Italian monk, the Cetti’s warbler was the first of the Mediterranean colonists in the 1970s. UK population can be cut back by a hard winter.      

This small, unassuming brown moth favours old established reedbeds. Its caterpillar requires a thick ground layer of leaf litter that remains damp but not flooded. 

Where and when to see them:

This moth is on the wing in June and July. Try Upton Fen and Hickling Broad for a glimpse.  

Conservation status and management:

Discovered at Hickling in the 1960s, it is restricted to the Norfolk Broads. It has only been recorded at a handful of locations across Europe. 

These star-shaped ‘puff-balls’ are no bigger than a rabbit dropping. They are found in short turf, on mature sand dunes containing broken seashells. The first UK record was from Holkham on the North Norfolk coast. 

Where and when to see them:

Around in late summer and autumn. Try Holme Dunes for a lucky spot.  

Conservation status and management:

The tiny earthstar is nationally scarce and only found in Norfolk and Suffolk.   

The male is a distinctive black dragonfly with yellow markings. A species of peat bogs and moorland, breeding in acidic ponds and bog pools. Only known from two locations in East Anglia, both in north-west Norfolk.  

Where and when to see them:

The black darter is on the wing from July to end of September – try Roydon Common.  

Conservation status and management:

The species is in decline nationally; however, numbers have stayed steady at both Norfolk locations.

Clearwing moth with white band across its thorax. 

Where and when to see them:

Its favoured habitat is alder carr - try Upton Broad and Hickling Broad in June and July. 

Conservation status and management:

Nationally rare and thinly distributed, the Norfolk Broads are a hotspot for the species.   

Common hawthorn has shiny leaves, divided into three to seven pairs of lobes, and five-petalled, sweet-smelling flowers.  

Where and when to see them:

May is a wonderful time to see this grand old hawthorn in bloom at Hethel Old Thorn – the smallest nature reserve in the UK. 

Conservation status and management:

This is one of the oldest hawthorns in the country dating back to the 13th century. In the 17th century its girth was measured at over 9 feet.    

This brown moth is speckled with small black dots.  

Where and when to see them:

This species’ habitat is reedbeds, preferring the drier areas. On the wing July/August – try Upton Fen & Hickling Broad.  

Conservation status and management:

The population has grown over the last few decades, having prospered from rotational conservation reed cutting. Still nationally scarce, confined to Norfolk Broads, although recently colonised the Suffolk coast to Minsmere.   

Aquatic plant with spiky dark green leaves. Favours deep silty mud, may not appear for years, then suddenly grows in great abundance.  

Where and when to see them:

A summer plant which dies back in winter. In the UK, it is only found in the Norfolk Broads.  

Conservation status and management:

The plant is endangered in the UK due to restricted range. It was first discovered in the UK at Hickling Broad in 1883. It decreased in the 1960s due to pollution and algae blooms but has since responded to action that has been taken to reduce nutrient levels in the Norfolk Broads.   

The woodlark is a streaky brown bird, with a white eyestripe and short stumpy tail.

Where and when to see them: 

It favours heathland with scattered trees and scrub – try Buxton Heath and Roydon Common.  

Conservation status and management:

The woodlark is distributed widely across southern England but restricted by habitat requirements. Norfolk is an important county for the species and recent conservation work has seen an increase in the local population.    

This is the only UK tern with a distinctive yellow bill with black tip.  

Where and when to see them: 

The little tern nests in colonies on beaches and there are several colonies in Norfolk. It is a summer visitor - May to September. There may be colonies at NE/RSPB Winterton Dunes and Holme Dunes.    

Conservation status and management:

Norfolk is an important county for the species. Little tern declined significantly, as it suffers greatly from disturbance along our coast. Many of the colonies are now fenced off and monitored. The population has stabilised, but constant vigilance is required to ensure successful breeding.     

Easily over-looked, this bladderwort never flowers in the UK. Requires exacting peat bog conditions. 

Where and when to see them: 

Exceptionally rare in East Anglia, it is currently known from only one site: Catfield Fen.

Conservation status and management:    

Distribution is mostly in Northern Britain and Ireland, but nowhere is it particularly common. 

A delicate and tiny stick-like water bug with long legs and antennae. Uses the water tension to hunt. 

Where and when to see them: 

This water bug is found in the Norfolk Broads and some isolated sites on the South coast. Try Upton Fen.  

Conservation status and management:   

Increasingly rare, with its stronghold in eastern Norfolk. 

Small brown bird of dense reedbeds, wonderful chattering song. Mostly found in southern and eastern England. Requires large stands of reed.  

Where and when to see them: 

Summer visitor – Cley Marshes and Norfolk Broads reserves. 

Conservation status and management:   

A familiar species of summer reedbeds, with Norfolk being an important county for the species. Reedbed creation and improvement has seen an increase in the breeding population.

A spiny plant with yellow pea-like flowers. Related to gorse, its preference is acidic heaths and moors.  

Where and when to see them: 

Try spotting at East Winch, all year round. 

Conservation status and management:   

Petty whin has become scarce, with its stronghold now in the New Forest and very few sites in East Anglia. Restoration work at East Winch, particularly the removal of domineering purple moor-grass, has allowed petty whin to reappear from the seedbank, after being missing from the reserve for many decades.  

A small brownish snail. 

Where and when to see them:

Likes calcareous wetlands and reed/sedge vegetation. Try spotting this tiny creature at Trinity Broads.

Conservation status and management:

This rare snail is sensitive to its environment, which makes it a great indicator of a healthy fen and the quantity of life the habitat is sustaining. Famous for holding up planning applications!   

A brown speckled moth, distinguished by a long abdomen that extends well beyond the wing tips. Favours well established reed beds.  

Where and when to see them:

On the wing in June/July at NWT Norfolk Broads reserves. 

Conservation status and management:

Nationally Rare, except for a couple of scattered sites outside of the county, found almost exclusively in the Norfolk Broads.   

A large grey/blue bird with chest barring and a familiar repetitive call.  Favours heathland, commons, and reedbeds.  

Where and when to see them:

April to August at Buxton Heath, Roydon Common and Hickling Broad. 

Conservation status and management:

A fast-declining bird in the UK, with Norfolk becoming an increasingly important county for breeding cuckoo.      

A beautiful purple flower that does not photosynthesise, being a holo-parasite, and relying on yarrow as its host.  

Where and when to see them:

The largest UK population is found on north-east Norfolk cliffs. Try Beeston Bump in June and July.  

A large crab, identifiable by the pie-crust edge to its shell. It is a common and iconic species of coastal Britain. 

Where and when to see them:

The famous ‘Cromer Crab!’ The north Norfolk chalk reef proves an excellent home for the edible crab and many other associated marine species.   

A woodland plant famous for forming carpets of sweet-smelling violet-blue flowers. 

Where and when to see them: 

Found in ancient woodlands, April to early May. Foxley Wood and Wayland Wood are hotspots. 

Conservation status and management:

Bluebells are under threat from over browsing by muntjac deer, and hybridisation with the garden Spanish bluebell.  

An unmistakeable and relatively large pug moth with bands of light brown and silvery-white across the wings. 

Where and when to see them: 

Found on saltmarshes, with the caterpillar feeding on sea wormwood. Flight season is June to July. Restricted to coastal north-west Norfolk, it has been recorded at Holme Dunes. 

Conservation status and management:

"Scarce Pug is not far off being a global endemic to Norfolk! Work on a European macro-moths red list has revealed only one area outside of England. In England, the Lincolnshire populations appear close to extinction (if not already extinct) so that just leaves the populations along the NW Norfolk coast. With rising sea levels / rapid coastal erosion, the Norfolk population may not be safe." T. Davis (BC) 2022  

A small sea anemone that lives in the surface of muddy sediments in very sheltered conditions.   

Where and when to see them: 

Shallow coastal areas, along the west Norfolk Coast in summer months.  

Conservation status and management:

Only known from three sites in the UK. North Norfolk is especially important for this rare species.

The species is brown-olive green with a distinctive pale-yellow line down its back. 

Where and when to see them:  

It is found in pingo ponds, March to October at Thompson Common.   

Conservation status and management:

Re-introduced to the UK from Swedish stock. All release sites are in Norfolk.   

Mottled brown plumage, but with distinctive yellow and black face markings and black feather ‘horns’. 

Where and when to see them:  

A winter visitor to Norfolk and likes wide open beaches and dunes. Try Holme Dunes or Holkham beach.  

Conservation status and management:

North Norfolk is a hotspot for this scarce winter visitor to the UK.    

A light brown moth with yellow and black hindwings.  

Where and when to see them:  

On the wing July to September, try spotting at Weeting Heath.   

Conservation status and management:

Nationally rare, with its stronghold in the Brecklands. Conservation work has seen an increase in its numbers.

As its name suggests this bright yellow ground-dwelling lichen has a resemblance to scrambled eggs. 

Where and when to see them:   

Favours short grassland with patches of bare sandy ground, all year round. Re-introduced to the Brecklands.  

Conservation status and management:

Became extinct in Norfolk. Only known from a few locations in the UK. A reintroduction programme, from a dune system in Cornwall, has returned this rare lichen to a location in the Brecklands.   

It is actually a beetle and the larvae eats snails! Females are wingless, and glow intensely to attract a mate.   

Where and when to see them:    

Found on heathlands in the summer (July is the best month). Try Buxton Heath.

Conservation status and management: 

Declining species nationally, heath restoration work conducted on NWT sites has seen a marked increase in glow-worms.    

Stunning vivid blue-purple flower growing up to 30cm tall. 

Where and when to see them:    

Blooms from late June through to September.  Try spotting at Weeting Heath.  

Conservation status and management: 

Was once much more common in the Brecklands, now down to just three sites, with the best population at Weeting Heath, where its abundant and increasing.  

Crepuscular ground-nesting bird, plumage ensures it is incredibly well camouflaged. Makes a distinctive ‘churring’ call at dusk.  

Where and when to see them:    

Southern and eastern England. Heathlands, plantations and commons. April to September. Buxton Heath and Roydon Common.   

Conservation status and management: 

Recent increase in UK Population due to habitat management and heathland creation work.   

A scarce fungus growing on pony dung. 

Where and when to see them:    

Found on several NWT Breckland reserves. 

Conservation status and management: 

It had not been seen in Norfolk since 1944 but suddenly appeared in 2012 at Hockwold Heath. It appears that the fungus arrived with Dartmoor ponies, having survived their digestive system. Now found at several sites, NWT accidently increased the fortunes of this scarce species in East Anglia by use of Dartmoor ponies for conservation grazing.    

A smaller version of nail fungus that specialises on rabbit droppings.

Where and when to see them:  

Try spotting dung button fungus at Holme Dunes.  

Conservation status and management: 

Incredibly rare fungus in the UK. 

A large, complex freshwater green alga (charophyte) encrusting itself with calcium carbonate, giving it a stony feel. 

Where and when to see them:   

Summer months, only present at Hickling and Martham Broads.  

Conservation status and management: 

Extremely rare species in the UK. Like the other Broadland stoneworts, valued for its habitat creation for invertebrates and fish. Vulnerable to pollution, nutrient enrichment, and habitat loss. Acts as a key indicator species for water quality.  

A large brown wading bird of our woodlands. Mostly active at dawn and dusk. Often flushed from cover by dog walkers. 

Where and when to see them:  

Breeds in undisturbed Norfolk woodlands particularly in the Norfolk Broads. More common as a winter visitor to ancient woodlands and alder carr. Foxely Woods or Upton Fen in winter.  

Conservation status and management: 

Disturbance in our woodlands has caused a decline in breeding numbers. Still a regular breeding species in Norfolk. More common in winter.   

An unusual dwarf form of the brown trout can be found in Norfolk’s River Whitewater chalk stream. 

Where and when to see them:  

Clean, clear rivers, with gravel bottom, all year. Gaze into the River Whitewater at Hoe Rough and Beetley Meadows.    

Conservation status and management: 

Pollution is a major conservation concern for this species. Despite the rarity of the UK’s chalk stream rivers there is continuing and serious threats to their wellbeing.     

A large free floating ‘spiky’ plant that has a highly specialised lifestyle. Submerges in winter, then in spring the leaves fill with gas and they rise up.  

Where and when to see them:  

Scattered dyke systems around the Norfolk Broads. Year round, flowers in June/July. Thorpe Marshes and Upton.   

Conservation status and management: 

In the UK genuine native plants are confined to the Norfolk Broads, but it has been introduced elsewhere in Britain.    

A medium-sized bat, distinctive by its pug-shaped nose. The ears are broad, joined across its head by skin, and covered in dark-brown fur.  

Where and when to see them:  

Favours mature woodlands and is vulnerable to disturbance – a highly protected species.  

Conservation status and management: 

Norfolk is an exceptionally important county for the species; we have one of the largest recorded roosts in the county.   

The UK’s smallest damselfly. Favours shallow pools on heathlands and lowland bogs.  

Where and when to see them:  

On the wing June to September. Try spotting at Scarning Fen.

Conservation status and management: 

A nationally scarce damselfly, with the main population centred on the New Forest. Known from only two locations in East Anglia.   

The fronds of this fern often twist to form a ‘ladder’.

Where and when to see them:  

Grows in thick beds of moss at the edge of reedbeds or willow carr at several NWT Broadland reserves.   

Conservation status and management: 

Exceedingly rare, almost exclusively found in Norfolk Broads.   

The pink-footed goose is a small, ‘grey goose’, with a short pink tipped bill and pink legs. 

Where and when to see them:  

Can be seen over the skies of Norfolk from October to March. Often on recently harvested sugar-beet fields. Hear and see them at Cley Marshes.    

Conservation status and management: 

Over 350,000 pink footed geese winter in the UK, arriving from Greenland & Iceland each year. Norfolk can often hold up to 35% of the UK’s wintering population.   

The white-clawed crayfish is a freshwater, bronze-coloured crustacean with pale undersides to its claws – hence the name.  

Where and when to see them:  

Clean, clear rivers with gravel bottoms. Norfolk’s chalkstream rivers are a nationally important refuge for them.    

Conservation status and management:

Has suffered due to pollution and competition/disease from the larger non-native signal crayfish.

Despite the common name, matted sea-lavender is not related to the lavenders, but is a perennial, mat forming herb. Has violet/purple flowers with five petals in clusters.

Where and when to see them:  

Coastal plant preferring upper parts of saltmarshes and saltmarsh-sand dune transitions. Flowers in June/July in North-west Norfolk. 

Conservation status and management:

Nationally rare. In the UK confined to north-west Norfolk.  

Beautiful creamy white buttercup type flower, with thin green veins running through it.  

Where and when to see them:   

Confined to damp pastures, moors and marshes, mainly in the north of the UK, but can still be found in the Norfolk Broads. Flowers in July to September. Try spotting at Upton Fen. 

Conservation status and management:

A scarce and unusual flower in south-east England.   

A fleshy-leaved, perennial shrub, growing to around one metre in height and often forming dense stands at the upper edge of saltmarshes.  

Where and when to see them:  

Found on coastal sands and saltmarshes, try North Norfolk – from Blakeney to Snettisham.  Flowers July to October.  

Conservation status and management:

Nationally rare, found thinly distributed on the Suffolk coast, but it is abundant in north Norfolk.   

A large, beautiful moth. White and chocolate forewings, with red, blue spotted, hindwings.   

Where and when to see them:  

Woodlands, scrubby commons, fens and overgrown gardens. You may find this on the wing July/August at Hickling Broad. 

Conservation status and management:

Sadly, this once common moth is rarely seen in gardens now. Although suffering significant decline, the Norfolk Broads are still a hotspot for this charismatic and colourful moth.  

A brown butterfly, with washed-out orange markings. The underside of the forewing is orange, and the hindwing has an intricate grey-and-black pattern.   

Where and when to see them:  

Favours dry, sandy coastal areas and heathlands with sparse vegetation. On the wing July to September. Winterton Dunes. 

Conservation status and management:

Recent heathland restoration work is helping to maintain the grayling population, after decades of decline.   

This is a bizarre grey-looking lichen that grows on bare calcareous soils.  

Where and when to see them:  

Weeting Heath.

Conservation status and management:

Astonishingly rare lichen, DNA testing was required to confirm identification. Weeting Heath is the only known UK location for this species.   

Also known as glasswort this edible succulent thrives in Norfolk's salt marshes, where it forms big, green, fleshy carpets. Many people associate samphire with their Norfolk holidays. 

Where and when to see them:  

It grows on saltmarshes and the ‘muddy’ parts of beaches.  

Conservation status and management:

A seasonal delicacy it has been over foraged at times. It should only be harvested responsibly, in summer, and where it is numerous. Always remove by cutting stems at the base (not pulling roots).

A rather attractive tree. In spring it displays pretty white blossom. In autumn its maple-like leaves turn bright crimson.  

Where and when to see them:  

 A fantastic specimen can be found at Foxley Woods. 

Conservation status and management:

A native tree that has become increasingly rare in the English countryside.    

A small bat, first recorded in 1940s but initially confused with other species of pipistrelle.

Where and when to see them:   

Found throughout the Broads, often associated with water. Some are resident, it appears others migrate here for winter.  

Conservation status and management:

A research project is currently underway at various sites including Hickling Broad and the Trinity Broads. At present, threats to the species would appear to be the reduction in insect prey due to degradation of water quality, loss of foraging habitat such as woodlands and hedgerows and the decline of suitable roosting sites.   

Fish-hunting bird of prey. Mostly white, with streaked brown breast and chocolate brown wings.  

Where and when to see them:  

Summer visitor - April to September to Ranworth Broad.

Conservation status and management:

This is a conservation success story.  Makes the list after breeding successfully in 2025 at Ranworth, Norfolk Broads, after an absence of 250 years. Returning (after persecution drove it to national extinction) to breed at Loch Garten, Scotland in 1956. Reintroduced to England at Rutland Water. Slowly increasing in number. 

Norfolk’s county flower. A familiar plant with large fragile red petals. Famously associated with the county's cornfields, and its connection to the military as a remembrance symbol. 

Where and when to see them:  

Roadsides and field edges. Particularly where the ground has been disturbed. May to September. Can be seen across Norfolk.  The north Norfolk coast was dubbed "Poppyland" in the 1880s due to the abundance of poppies in cliff-top fields.  

Conservation status and management:

Less abundant now, but can still be commonly seen in summer. Often used in commercial ‘wildflower’ seed mixes.  

A short, but pretty, purple flower. The green-winged orchid gets its name from the green veins in the 'hood' of its flowers. 

Where and when to see them:  

Favours unimproved grassland and flowers April/May. Try New Buckenham Common.  

Conservation status and management:

Clearance of scrub around ponds and a change in the grazing regime has seen a massive increase in green-winged orchids at New Buckenham Common. Now counted in their thousands there.   

A striking orb-weaving spider with bold black, white and yellow banding giving it a wasp-like appearance. Weaves a web close to the ground with an unusual zig-zag pattern running through it. Feeds mostly on grasshoppers.     

Where and when to see them:  

Rough grassland and dry areas of tall herb fens from July to September. Now found across Norfolk.   

Conservation status and management:

Has recently colonised Norfolk and can be regularly found in suitable habitat.   

Small early flowering sedge of chalk and limestone grassland.   

Where and when to see them:  

Found on well-grazed chalk or limestone grassland in April and May. Found at Weeting Heath, although a more accessible site is Foulden Common.

Conservation status and management:

Predominantly found at only two locations in the UK: limestone grassland in the north of England and chalk grassland in the Brecks. It is much declined in the Brecklands; however, a massive recovery of the population has been achieved at Weeting Heath thanks to tightly grazed turf conditions through improved and careful management.  

Small beetle with a brownish body with black legs and antennae.

Rediscovered in Norfolk after being thought extinct. Feeds on thistles (adults) and meadow-rue (larvae).  

Where and when to see them:  

Only found at one location in the UK, Wheatfen Nature Reserve in the Norfolk Broads.  

Conservation status and management:

Critically endangered, and vulnerable to extinction.   

A colourful moth of orange, black and white.  Its larvae feed on the seed heads of meadow rue.  

Where and when to see them:  

Around in mid-summer in the Norfolk Broads.   

Conservation status and management:

Rare, numbers fluctuate and was once considered extinct in the UK.  

A tiny moss (up to 4mm tall) that forms loose tufts.  

Where and when to see them:  

Only known from three UK sites, two are in Norfolk: East Wretham and Syderstone Heath. 

Conservation status and management:

Exceptionally rare moss that is found on the draw-down zone of fluctuating meres. 

The Victorian lepidopterist’s dream. ‘beyond compare’ is also known as the blue underwing moth. Large with powder grey forewings and blue and black hindwings.    

Where and when to see them: 

Open woodlands with aspen or poplar trees in late summer through to autumn. Recently re-colonised the Brecklands and Norfolk Broads.   

Conservation status and management:

Became nationally extinct in the UK, with the last individuals seen at NWT Barton Broad in the 1930s. Although Ted Ellis stated that they were still there in the 1950s. The block of tall poplar trees are certainly still there. Recently recolonised the UK, with specimens caught by moth ‘trappers’ regularly in Norfolk now.      

Oil beetles are rather strange-looking beetles, their large abdomens protruding from under short elytra (wing cases) – they have been described as looking like someone whose waistcoat won’t button up!   

Where and when to see them: 

The best time to see black oil beetles is on sunny days from March to early July, when they are active on paths and bare patches in meadows. Ringstead Downs is a great site for this beetle.  

Conservation status and management:

Three of the UK’s native oil beetles have become extinct, the remaining five are continuing to suffer decline.    

Small brown spider.   

Where and when to see them:  

Only site in UK is Weeting Heath.  

Conservation status and management:

Eye wateringly rare across its whole European range.   

The plant produces small, bright pink flowers on slender, blue-green stems. Likes free-draining, sandy substrates where competition from other plants is low.  

Where and when to see them: 

Just two sites currently in the UK where native plants grow, occasionally appears elsewhere. NWT Cranwich Heath.    

Conservation status and management:

Very rare native UK flower, more commonly found in Iberia and North Africa. Has an interesting history as an archaeophyte species. It was first recorded in the wild in Norfolk in 1835.    

A very tall, yellow-flowered perennial plant associated with reed, fens, wetlands and river edges.  

Where and when to see them: 

Peak flowering time is July and August. Visit NWT Broadland Reserves for a chance to spot.

Conservation status and management: 

Re-introduced to the Cambridgeshire fens. Apart from the north Kent marshes, UK distribution predominantly the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.    

The UK’s only flower oil bee. It is a medium sized insect, which is mainly black.  

Where and when to see them: 

Wetlands where yellow loosestrife grows. Flight season is from June to September: Hickling Broad.  

Conservation status and management: 

Found across south-east England, with the Norfolk Broads being a stronghold. The oils from the flowers of yellow loosestrife are used to waterproof the bees’ nest chambers, allowing it to cope with ground too wet for other ground nesting bees. The waxy cylinder nest also deters parasites.        

A striking leaf hopper, dotted with white and brown colouring.  Only known from two sites in the UK, both in the Yare valley. 

Where and when to see them: 

Try across the Norfolk Broads, or RSPB Strumpshaw Fen.

Conservation status and management: 

Exceptionally rare, requires good quality fen that doesn’t dry out in summer.   

This is a species of frit fly that forms cigar shaped galls from a reed’s developing seed. Found predominately in old mature reedbeds.   

Where and when to see them: 

The galls can be seen in Norfolk Broad reedbeds year-round: Hickling Broad and other Broadland reserves. 

Conservation status and management: 

Shattered populations in southern England, but with the largest concentration is in the Norfolk Broads.    

As its name implies it is a small black bee with yellow markings on its face.  

Where and when to see them: 

Reedbeds where the cigar gall fly is found. Early June to September. NWT reedbed reserves. Often found nectar-feeding on umbellifers such as milk parsley.   

Conservation status and management: 

The reed yellow-faced bee uses the empty cigar galls of the above species to nest in. Both the cigar gall frit fly and the reed yellow-faced bee play host to separate parasitic wasps that also rely on the cigar galls.    

The yellow star-of-Bethlehem is a woodland plant that lives up to its name - it displays starry, gold flowers in an umbrella-like cluster in early spring.  

Where and when to see them: 

Ancient deciduous woodlands, often near water. Found in March and April, try Wayland Wood.

Conservation status and management: 

Found across southern England, but nowhere particularly abundant. Less common in East Anglia.   

A beautiful plant of calcareous grassland. 

Where and when to see them: 

Flowers May to July. Weeting Heath and across other Breckland sites. 

Conservation status and management: 

Has suffered decline and is now considered endangered, but still incredibly abundant on NWT Breckland reserves.  

Scrub like plant, with dark green leaves. 

Where and when to see them: 

In the Broads it favours acidic boggy areas. Found along the Bure and Ant, but absent from the Thurne. 

Conservation status and management: 

Introduced by the Romans, it has a strong sweet scent, has been used to flavour beer and as insect repellent.

Very large silvery black aquatic beetle. 

Where and when to see them: 

Still a strong population in the Broads. 

Conservation status and management: 

Has declined due to habitat loss, and pollution. 

A distinctive yellow flowers and horn shaped seed pods.

Where and when to see them:

A familiar plant of the huge shingle banks, such as at Blakeney Point. 

Conservation status and management: 

An indicator of our changing coastline. Was once more common in Norfolk, having formerly been recorded at Holme Dunes.