Mid Yare Valley

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.

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.

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.