Water Beetles and Marsh Gentian – NWT East Winch Common

NWT East Winch Common is a Site of Special Scientific Interest & County Wildlife Site & consists of 31ha of dry & wet heath with an area of broadleaved woodland. Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) aims to improve the nature reserve by clearing areas of scrub & bracken, maintaining the ponds & pools, monitoring water levels. These improvements will benefit the wildlife & encourage visitors to this tranquil space.

This project will contribute to the National Biodiversity Action for lowland heath & Biodiversity Action Plan target species including nightjar & woodlark by improving their habitat. The ponds on the nature reserve are host to a great many species of water beetles, dragonflies & damselflies with wildflowers such as bog pimpernel & marsh St Johns wort. In the damp hollows grow a variety of uncommon plants & species such as oblong-leafed sundew & the rare marsh gentian. The heath contains such species as cross leaved heath, cotton grass & purple moorgrass with heather growing abundantly.