Working Together to Improve Norfolk's Wildlife

A Black Spleenwort fern can be found in the hedge bank near the entrance gate.

 

The dry neutral grassland on Sustead Common includes characteristic wildflower meadow plants such as Knapweed (July-September) which is abundant, Agrimony (June-September), Oxeye Daisy (May-September), Meadow Buttercup (April-August) and a variety of grass species including bents, Meadow Foxtail and Yorkshire Fog. 

 

 

 

A solitary mature Crab Apple tree in the hedgerow is a picture with its stunning blossom in April-May, while its jewel-like fruits draw the eye in the autumn.

 

The wildflower grassland supports a range of butterflies including Essex Skipper (July-August), Large Skipper (June-July), Meadow Brown (July-August), Painted Lady (June-August), Small Skipper (July-August), and Small Tortoiseshell (April-September), while in the canopy of the Oaks, Purple Hairstreaks (July-August) can sometimes be seen flitting about.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the fast-flowing water of the Gur Beck attracts damselflies such as the Azure Damselfly (May-August) and the Large Red Damselfly (April-September).

Several Alder trees, with dangling catkins (February-April) and later, attractive cones, are growing by the bridge and these attract Goldfinches and Siskins.

 

At dusk, you may hear the hooting of a Tawny Owl, and may even be lucky enough to spot one in one of the mature Oaks.

 

 

 

Autumnal days produce some interesting fungi, including Trooping Funnel (August-December), Snowy Waxcap (August-November), Fiery Milkcap (August-October), and two species rarely recorded in Norfolk – Entoloma undatum (September-October) and Rhodocybe popinalis (late summer-autumn).

 

Surveyor’s Allotment

In the spring the area near the scrape is carpeted with the bright yellow flowers of Lesser Celandines (February-May). A clump of Dog Violets (March-May) grows near the gate at the southern end of the reserve.

 

 

In the scrubland in the south east corner, Blackthorn is dominant, with its white flowers appearing in March-May, ahead of its leaves.

 

There are several clumps of Soft Shield Fern which benefit from the shaded and damp ground in the south east corner. 

 

The patches of damp grassland feature Soft Rush, and two Aspen trees. 

 

The scrape, created by the Trust, includes Marsh Thistle (June-September), Water Mint (July-October) and Lesser Water Parsnip (July-September), as well as Creeping Buttercup (April-October), Meadowsweet (June-September), Celery-Leaved Buttercup (May-September) and a few Cuckooflowers (March-June). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In autumn, a number of fungi spring up, including the rarely recorded Helvella latispora (late summer and autumn) – only the third record in Norfolk, and others such as Wood Woollyfoot (July to October), Cushion Bracket growing on Blackthorn and Sulphur Tuft, which is fluorescent under ultraviolet light.

 

 

The shrubs, trees and damp grassland provide perfect habitat for a variety of butterflies such as Comma (April & June-September), Gatekeeper (June-August), Green-veined White (May & July-August), Orange-Tip (April-May) and Peacock (April-May & July-August). 

 

 

 

 

These habitats also provide a home for a plethora of moths – a total of 315 species have been recorded at the Sustead sites, including the Brimstone Moth (April- October), White Plume (June-July & September) and Buff Tip (May-July). 

 

 

 

 

 

In summer the scrape and stream dance with dragonflies and damselflies, including Banded Demoiselle (May-August), Broad-bodied Chaser (May-August), Brown Hawker (July-October), Common Darter (June-November) and Ruddy Darter (June-September). 

 

 

 

 

 

The trees and hedges provide habitat for many woodland birds, including Blackcap, Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff and Yellowhammer, as well as mixed tit flocks in the winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A walk through on a winter’s morning may well put up several Snipe, which benefit from the soft ground around the winter scrape.