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Description
Hickling Broad is situated on the Upper Thurne river system, which holds a significant percentage of the UK population of Daru as well as important breeding numbers of Bölömbika, Barna rétihéja, Barkóscinege and Berki poszáta. You can see any of these species throughout the year. Interesting mammals at the site include the introduced Chinese Water Deer, as well as native Roe Deer and Red Deer. Keen observers may also find Otter and Water Vole (although both are more difficult to spot).
In winter, large numbers of Barna rétihéja roost in the reedbed north east of Stubb Mill (see Stubb Mill listed as a seperate site on BirdingPlaces). Both Kis sólyom and Kékes rétihéja are can be seen around the reserve for lucky observers. Brendan's Marsh, on the eastern side of the reserve, will be packed with wildfowl including Csörgo réce, Fütyülő réce, Kanalas réce and more! Waders including Sárszalonka and Bíbic will also be found here. A keen eyed birder may also notice a Havasi pityer feeding on the muddy banks. On Hickling Broad itself, look out for diving ducks including Kontyos réce, Barátréce and Kerceréce. There may also be Hegyi réce, Nagy bukó and even Kis bukó following harsher winter conditions.
In the summer, the reedbeds are alive with the sounds of warblers including cserregő nádiposzáta, Foltos nádiposzáta and Réti tücsökmadár. You may also find Kakukk, fitiszfüzike and Mezei poszáta around the reserve. The reserve may soon be home to Kanalasgém and Nagy kócsag year round, as they seem likely to be future colonisers here, but both species can be seen on the reserve during the summer months. The wetland will be busy with dragonfly and butterfly activity, including the rare Swallowtail butterfly! Making the most of the insects will be Kabasólyom, which will be swooping over the reeds in search of prey. Look out for Böjti réce, Kis lile and Gulipán on Brendan's Marsh.
In spring and autumn, Hickling Broad can be a fantastic place to experience wader passage, with Brendan's Marsh and Swim Coots scrapes being the best locations to see this (the latter only accessible via one of the NWT's Hickling Broad boat trips). Expect to find Havasi partfutó andParti lile on Brendan's Marsh, as well as Erdei cankó, Szürke cankó and other long-distance migrants. Scarcities here have included Réti cankó, Apró partfutó, Temminck-partfutó, Sarlós partfutó, vándorpartfutó and maybe even more!
The reserve is a hotspot for rarities, and in recent springs, Vörös gém, Székicsér, Gólyatöcs, Kék vércse, Gyurgyalag and Nádi tücsökmadár have all been seen! You never know what you may find here.
Details
Access
From Hickling village follow the signs to the nature reserve. There is a large car park (grid ref TG 428 221), visitor centre and toilets. There is disabled car parking provision and a rough surface leading to the centre where there is a disabled toilet, hearing loop and a wheelchair available. From the visitor centre there are a number of accessible trails, both compacted hoggin or boardwalk which give easy access to two hides as part of a circular route.
The Norfolk Wildlife Trust organise boat trips as an alternative way to experience the reserve, and is the only way to access Swim Coots hide and scrape. Look on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's website for more details and to book a boat trip with them.