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Wildlife along the River Thurne
Of particular note is Hickling Broad - the largest of the broads and a National Nature Reserve since 1945. Bizarre creatures are to be found in the water's edge of reedbeds - like the upward-beaked avocet, marsh harriers in the marshlands, and in the adjacent woods, the now-native swallowtail butterfly.
Horsey Mere is also recognised as an internationally important wildlife sanctuary. Its brackish waters appeal to a large number of passing birds and waders.
At Hickling you can take a boat trip on Little Tern and the visitor centre will tell you more about the wildlife - it's a good place to look out for marsh harriers. Horsey Mill welcomes visitors and heading back towards the River Bure, you'll also find Thurne Mill.
As part of the Broads, the Thurne itself is a haven for wildlife, some of which no longer exist anywhere else in the UK, as in the example of the swallowtail butterfly - particularly common around Hickling Broad - and the Norfolk Hawker dragonfly. In terms of flora there are a whole host of species, including hemp agrimony, rare varieties of orchids and the more common yellow flag.
On the water glide the commonly seen coots and mallards, sometimes alongside elegant swans, or great crested grebes. And in the reeds and trees witness small bearded tits and bigger booming bitterns.
