Breckland

Despite covering such a large area, the Brecks Living Landscape is well set up for visitors to explore. As well as numerous free Forestry Commission car parks and paths leading through the area’s woodlands, there are also three easily accessible Norfolk Wildlife Trust nature reserves (as well as other areas managed by the Trust where access is more limited due to sensitive wildlife).

The oldest nature reserve in the Brecks, NWT East Wretham Heath was purchased by the Trust at the start of WWII. Much of the site was ploughed up and farmed during the war, but subsequent careful management and controlled conservation grazing, in particular by the site's numerous rabbits, has restored the open heath habitat and today a number of speciality Breckland plant and invertebrate species occur. The reserve lies approximately 5km (3 miles) north of Thetford, and contains numerous trails and viewing hides over various meres.

NWT Thompson Common is on the edge of the Brecks, just outside the small town of Watton. Thompson is famous for its pingos, a series of around 400 post-glacial depressions. These shallow, fluctuating pools harbour a variety of interesting flora and fauna: more than 400 species of plant have been recorded, as well as 600 species of beetle, 25 butterflies and 19 dragonflies (including the scarce emerald damselfly, found at only a handful of locations in the country). The site is also a good place to see otters on Thompson Water – though, remarkably, this magnificent mammal is also frequently seen along the river in Thetford town centre.

Approximately 2.5 km (1.25 miles) west of Weeting village, NWT Weeting Heath is the best place in the country to see the rare stone curlew. The strange species of wading bird requires open, stony ground with short vegetation, making the close-cropped turf of Weeting an ideal site. This special Breckland habitat has to be specially managed to keep it so low – as well as sheep, NWT employs eager rabbit volunteers, a species that you will definitely see at Weeting!

The wildlife of the Brecks is under threat. Many species found here that were once common are now in decline, and increasing development pressures are crowding in on its precious habitats. Despite this, there is much you can do to help ensure this beautiful part of Norfolk and its wildlife have a thriving future.

If you live in the Brecks Living Landscape area then you can help by making your garden more wildlife-friendly by: feeding the birds in your garden, putting up nest boxes and bat boxes, creating a wildlife pond or a compost heap.

There are many other actions you can take such as encouraging local businesses or schools to support an area for wildlife, joining together with other people within the community to create wildlife-friendly areas, volunteering for NWT or other conservation projects, speaking to local councillors and MPs about the importance of local green spaces and wildlife, and buying from local farmers engaged in good environmental practices.

Or simply get out into the Brecks by visiting local nature reserves or the wider countryside and learning about its wildlife and habitats. You could even undertake a simple wildlife survey (NWT occasionally runs surveys for certain species, and more regular ones are carried out by the BTO and RSPB) to help scientists and researchers learn more about wildlife numbers and distribution.

NWT is working with a range of partners in the Brecks Living Landscape  to connect communities with the landscape through the conservation and restoration of the natural and built heritage features; features that make the Brecks landscape so distinctive. It's called Breaking New Ground and has many ways for you to Take Action and get involved.