The Hawk and Owl Trust opened Sculthorpe Moor in 2003. It was the Trust’s first reserve and they established it with the intention of protecting and enhancing the special habitat of the Wensum Valley of Norfolk.
Sculthorpe Moor reserve includes the only example of a saw sedge wetland in the valley (vary rare in Europe), plus woodland areas, fen and reedbeds. This precious ecosystem is home to birds such as Marsh Harriers, Treecreepers and Tawny Owls, plus a wide spectrum of mammals, insects and amphibians, some of which are rare species.
- Location: Sculthorpe, Fakenham, Norfolk
- Reserve Opening and Closing Times:
- April – September Tues – Wed 8am – 6pm, Thurs – Sun 8am – Dusk,
- October – March 8am – 4pm
- Visitors Centre Opening and Closing Times: 9am – 4pm
- Open Season: Every Tuesday to Sunday, except Christmas Day. Open on Bank Holiday Mondays
- Typical Prices : A voluntary donation of (£3 – as at January 2012) is suggested from adult visitors
- Approx distance from Norwich: 43 miles
- Approx distance from King’s Lynn: 20 miles
- Not far from Sculthorpe Mill
- Parking: On-site car park
- Bird Hides
- Boardwalk, providing a tour route through the reserve
- Wet woodland
- Scrub area (which is being cleared to restore the reed and saw sedge beds)
- Ponds, rivers
- Visitors Centre
Look out for:-
- Birds, including Water Rails, Marsh Harriers, Kingfishers, Treecreeper, Greater spotted woodpecker, Barn Owls, Tawny Owls, Sparrowhawks, Kestrels and many more
- Mammals, including Muntjac Deers, Row Deers, Otters, Water Voles, Stoats, Weasels, Pipistrelle bat, Highland cattle, Red Fox, Harvest Mouse and Wood Mouse
- Amphibians, including frogs and toads
- Water dwelling insects including Water Boatman, Water Stick-Insect,Water Scorpion, Minut Water Cricket, Pond Skater, Water Beetle and Whirligig Beetle
- Many varieties of Butterflies, Dragonflies/Damselflies and Moths
- Many varieties of plants, includes several varieties of Sedge, Reed, Moss, Willowherb, Bedstraw and Thistle, and other species such as Marsh marigold, Knapweed, Alder, Marsh pennywort,Sorrel and Creeping Buttercup (to name just a few!)
Instead of the usual parent and kids view we’ve provided an insight from a “Corporate Volunteer” – someone involved in a team building exercise – the type of thing that big businesses like Aviva, Virgin Money and Marsh do as part of Corporate Social Responsibility.
Several years ago I visited Sculthorpe Moor as a part of a team building exercise which had been organised by BITC East.
It was a cold and sunny winters day and we had to leave Norwich early to get to Sculthorpe Moor early. To most volunteering to labour on the land seems mad, but I absolutely loved it, as did all my colleagues on that day.
The guys from the Hawk & Owl trust were with us all day, explaining what they needed us to do, and as we worked they explained why we were doing the work and how this benefited the wildlife.
Our team building day took place before the visitors centre had been built, however, we were able to walk along some of the boardwalks and spotted several bird-watching hides on route to our work patch.
If you ever get the chance to take part in a team building event at somewhere like Sculthorpe Moor I’d say go for it – it’s an excellent experience, and one you can gain a lot from if you set your mind to it.
Even though there are boardwalks to walk along, it might be worth bringing wellies. Keep a good eye on the kids and make sure they stay on path because it can get a bit boggy and also they might upset the wildlife habitat.
Visit Hawk and Owl Trust website
