A real dragonfly experience with a wealth of flowering aquatic plants
and wading birds - what more can you ask for!"
Click here for contacts and events

Carlton Marshes lies in the Waveney Valley at the southern tip of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads and comprises over 100 acres of grazing marsh, fens and peat pools. It is the Broads in miniature. Flower studded marshes drained by a system of dykes and grazed by cattle in summer, create a paradise for wintering wading birds and birds of prey including the hobby. Water vole may be seen in and around the dykes along with special plants including the rare and protected water soldier.

In early summer wet fen meadows around Sprat’s Water are bursting with ragged-robin,& southern marsh orchid, lesser and greater spearwort and bogbean. Both Sprat’s and Round Water are the result of peat digging carried out
long ago.

The open water in both these pools is heaving with life including insectivorous bladderwort. This unusual plant lives off unsuspecting water fleas which it traps and digests in bladder-like sacs under water.

Carlton Marshes is one of the best places in the UK for a range of freshwater snails which reflects the good water quality in the dykes. The reed and sedge beds along the river wall make ideal nesting cover for reed and sedge warblers, bearded tit, Cetti’s warbler and marsh harrier. An astounding 15 kinds of dragonfly have been spotted here including the rare Norfolk hawker.

Bogbean	Norfolk hawker dragonfly	Bearded Tit

Mowing and cattle grazing are used by the Trust to conserve the fen meadow and marshland wildlife. Dykes are regularly cleared and mud pumping is vital in the pools to prevent them silting up. Activities for local schools and a range of family events are run from the well-equipped and friendly visitor centre.

Other Trust reserves nearby: Camps Heath, Castle Marshes, Foxburrow Wood, North Cove, Oulton Marshes

STAR SPECIES - Norfolk hawker & scarce chaser dragonfly, water vole, marsh harrier

Young Warden Project

For 13 - 18  yr - olds

SATURDAY 9th FEBRUARY 10:30am to 12:30pm

Want to get some experience of conservation work?

Looking for an opportunity to carry out wildlife surveys?

Come along to Carlton to an open morning and see what the young warden project has to offer. There will be a walk round the reserve to get a feel for the place and a chance to discuss your own ideas. This is a chance to do something valuable and different.

Outdoor gear and wellies required. Regular meetings will take place throughout the year.

For more information and bookings Tel 01502 564250 e-mail carlton.education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Click here for more information about education activities at Carlton Marshes

2008 Events

Carlton Marshes Watch Club will continue to meet the LAST Saturday of each month throughout 2008

JUNE

1    Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 Wild Learning for Adults - Birds at Carlton Marshes led by Paul Holness. Please book £15 (£12 for concessions)

JULY

5    Saturday 10:00 - 16:00 Dragonflies - masters of the air led by Keith Morris. Please book £15 (£12 for concessions)

26   Saturday 09:30 - 12:30 Wildflowers for enthusiastic beginners led by Stephen Massey. Please book £7.50 (£6 concessions)

 

AUGUST

6    Wednesday 20:00 - 22:00 Family Bat and Moth evening around the marshes led by Oliver Moore. Please book £2.50 per person (children must be accompanied).

7    Thursday 10:30 - 12:30 Activity day for 8-12 year olds - scaled insects of the marshes. Please book £5 per child.

12   Tuesday 10:30 - 14:30 Activity day for 4-7 year olds . Please book £5 per child.

14   Thursday 10:30 - 14:30 Activity day for 8-12 year olds. Please book £5 per child.

16   Saturday 11:00 - 15:00 Wetland Magic Day - fun activities, stalls, refreshments, dyke dipping and more. £3 per adult, £1.50 per child.

19   Tuesday 19:45 - 21:45 Dusking for wildlife (family event) at sunset - what will you find? please book £2.50 per person (children must be accompanied)

21   Thursday 10:30 - 14:30 Activity day for 8-12 year olds £5 per child.

26   Tuesday 10:30 - 12:30 Activity morning for 4-7 year olds £3 per child.