swallowtail best sites in norfolk

[bugly's]

Are there any? used to be at wicken but i think no more, does anyone know of a sure site for photographer.

[Ollie]

Saw and photographed them at Strumpshaw Fen last year so see no reason why they shouldn't be there again this year

[Cheryl]

Well I don't know if it is a good site for them bugly's but I'm planning on tying in a visit that I have to make to Norfolk (wedding) with a vist to Hickling Broad as I'd very much like to see a Swallowtail too.

Good luck and I hope you manage to find one

[david156]

Hickling Broad reserve run by Norfolk Wildlife Trust.
Never failed to see them there and will be going again this year to try and get some photo's.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust - Hickling Broad

Cheers David.

[ChrisJB]

Providing you go at the right time, Strumpshaw Fen is excellent for them. In fact it is a tremendous reserve full stop. Excellent butterflies, dragonflies, flowers and birds. It positively oozes with life.

Regards, Chris

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

Providing you go at the right time, Strumpshaw Fen is excellent for them. In fact it is a tremendous reserve full stop. Excellent butterflies, dragonflies, flowers and birds. It positively oozes with life.

Regards, Chris

Agree with Chris' comments here- I've always seen them at the right time of year in good weather. also good for Norfolk + Hairy Hawkers.

[Colin Pumfrett]

I was more successful at How Hill NR. The swallowtails were feeding on thistle and bramble and were flying across the green between picnicing families.

Colin.

[harasseddad]

How Hill gives you the best chance to see swallowtail, but strumpshaw is the spot to give you the best views. That is, how hill has more sightings, but they tend to be fly pasts, whereas strumpshaw lets you get close up views, but less often.

The best spot at Strumpshaw is the house next to strumpshaw fen rspb reserve. To get there you go to rspb strumpshaw fen, park at their carpark and then don't enter the reserve but walk back along the lane you've just driven down for about 100m. On your left is a pumping station and before this is a green lane. Walk down this till you come to a house on your right. There's a sign in the garden saying "if you see swallowtails feel free to come up and photograph them". There's nearly always two or three visit this around 3-4pm each afternoon. While you're waiting you could do worse then visit the reserve itself - views aren't as good here though (you want the flower meadow or the far end of the reserve past the tower hide - where the path comes out at the house with garden funny enough.)

Hickling and ranworth broads also have swallowtails, as does upton fen and wheatfen, but there is also the butterfly conservation reserve at catfield fen: We only open it to the public one day a year, which this year is on june 13th.

There are swallowtail days or walks at Hickling on 5th June, Wheatfen on 6th june, and strumpshaw on the 20th June. Historically, there has been a second brood in august, but this has been very poor in the last two years, so June is the best option.

[david156]

Originally Posted by harasseddad

there is also the butterfly conservation reserve at catfield fen: We only open it to the public one day a year, which this year is on june 13th.

Any chance you could give some more details or a web link about this reserve and the open day.

Cheers David.

[harasseddad]

Reserve
Catfield Fen
open day
Butterfly Conservation - Norfolk Branch - Branch Events