The layout of the reserve
A boardwalk (which provides good access for wheelchairs and pushchairs) takes you on a tour through the reserve. Taking the right hand fork you go through alder carr first, where there's a good chance of seeing a tree creeper. As you cross the main drain look out for kingfisher or water vole. In the winter siskins and redpolls will be busy feeding in the tree-tops.
Take the right hand fork again and you emerge from the wet woodland into the area where the scrub is being cleared to restore the reed and saw sedge beds. This is a good place to hear a grasshopper warbler or catch a glimpse of a sparrowhawk as it swiftly flies over. Walking alongside a wide dyke keep an eye out for water voles or the very elusive otter.
When you reach the elevated Whitley hide stop a while and enjoy the panoramic view over the reed bed. In spring marsh harriers nest here and in summer the pools are alive with dragonflies, hunting hobbies pass overhead. In winter the shy water rail is a frequent visitor to the feeding station along with marsh tit, willow tit and brambling.
Carry on to the viewing platform on the bank of the River Wensum, look out for barn owls hunting or long-eared owl roosting in the winter.
Return the way you came back to the woodland, taking the right fork past where tawny owls nest in spring. As you cross the main drain again look out for herons, and long-tailed tits favour the ivy-clad trees about here.
You're now at the Frank Jarvis hide where you'll have a chance of seeing woodland birds and barn owl hunting over the meadow.
Return to the entrance via the pond alive with frogs and toads in the spring and damselflies and dragonflies in the summer.
