Mid Yare Valley

Introduction

The RSPB's Mid Yare Valley nature reserves (Strumpshaw Fen, Surlingham and Rockland, and Buckenham and Cantley) in the Norfolk Broads protect a mosaic of wetland habitats that is home to bitterns and other important species.

In these reserves, the RSPB is working to enhance the habitat and improve water quality in the River Yare.

Project Aims

RSPB is restoring the reedbed and fen for breeding bitterns, marsh harriers, bearded tits, swallowtail butterflies and key plant species.

Work includes removing scrub and invasive plants, summer mowing and grazing, and seasonal flooding. In the wet grassland, encroaching rushes and scrub is cut back and ditch water levels are controlled whilst retaining boggy areas and pools.

Site Activity

The fen meadow is being managed for its flora and breeding snipe by maintaining water levels, clearing rushes, grazing and mowing, and trampling with livestock to create boggy ground.

{"zoom":12,"lat":52.6087085,"lon":1.4577638,"markers":{"0":{"lat":52.6087085,"lon":1.4577638}}}

Project Name: Mid Yare Valley

Organisation / Lead partner: RSPB

Location: Norwich, Norfolk

Approximate area covered: 780 ha

Conservation Status: Nature Reserve (NR), National Nature Reserves(NNR)

Predominately: Lowland

Peat Habitats: Fen

Project Type: Management

    People grouped together, standing and sitting on a baled crop.
    Opportunity to contribute to the understanding of the constraints and opportunities for agricultural lowland peat As part of the Paludiculture Exploration Fund, The National Institute of Agricultural Botany is…
    Exterior view of Virtual Peatlands Pavilion showing four large domes in a peat swamp forest
    The Virtual Peatlands Pavilion Word Tour continues at Ramsar COP15The next stop for the immersive digital library of peatland resources is Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe,…
    Person smiling and pointing at a sign saying '#BeMoreMoss'. Credit Vicky Akerman
    Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connectionsThe Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to…
    Windfarm on peatland site
    National Policy Statements public consultationOpportunity to contribute to public consultation on National Policy Statements to support Clean…
    Line of fire being set by a vehicle with people on the back as part of swaling. Credit Heather Lowther (Creative Commons)
    Public consultation on heather and grass burning regulations in EnglandThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has responded to Defra’s proposal to protect a greater extent of…
    Cross section of bare peat
    New Peat Map for EnglandThis week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map which highlights the…
    IUCN World Conservation Congress logo
    Peatland motion headed to World Conservation Congress for considerationThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme-led motion to develop a unified definition of peatlands has…
    Area of burnt vegetation on national park in Northumberland
    A collection of three Natural England reports marks a step change for English peatlandsWe summarise three new reports from Natural England which have important implications for English…
    Neolithic trackway on Hatfield Moors. Credit: Henry Chapman Uni of Birmingham
    New publication: Tracks and roads on peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme are pleased to publish our latest brief focusing on the impacts of…
    Peatland landscape showing flux tower and solar panel with a blue sky and hills in the background. Image credit Hollie Cooper, UKCEH
    Funding announced for greenhouse gas reduction solutions on peatlandsThe UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is seeking proposals for projects up to £75,000 to advance…
    Hare's tail cottongrass on Humberhead levels
    Committee on Climate Change (CCC) 7th Carbon Budget Report - a response from IUCN UK Peatland ProgrammeThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes this week the publication of the Committee on Climate…
    Water vole sitting with blackberries
    New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…