Natural Surroundings
Just a small group of members joined us for this visit…which I have to say was a blessing as it was my first visit as the club organiser! We were far north today to visit this fabulous wildlife centre near Holt. An early start to the day! The sky was overcast and the temperature quite cool and there was quite a strong breeze blowing…a welcome change after the last few weeks.
Natural Surroundings is a managed wildlife centre across 8 acres of land on the Bayfield Estate which is managed by Anne and Simon Harrap. Simon took us on a 2 hour walk around the gardens and told us so much about the planting, the wild visitors and the management of the land. Our heads were positively buzzing with knowledge! Simon and Anne have designed a garden for the RHS show at Sandringham next weekend and it is based around their nine principles for a wildlife friendly garden. Simon showed us all 9 principles very much in place around Natural Surroundings. He explained how you can use the principles in the smallest of spaces and how they have incorporated them into their large space! Obviously their site benefits from the River Glaven flowing through the land, but flowing water isn’t a necessity. The visit really captured the imaginations of our group and there was lots of chat over our refreshments about how we are all planning on applying the principles to our own spaces. After tea and cake everyone continued to walk around the site, exploring other areas. Gavin and I sat in the birdhide down by the river and saw a Cetti warbler hiding under a fallen log and a cormorant swimming along the river!! Quite unexpected. The whole site was alive with bees, dragonflies, mayflies, birds and butterflies. On our walk, Gavin and I came across a delightful hut filled with nature including harvest mice which they breed here to release into the meadows! Anne and Simon’s website is full of interesting articles and well worth a look. If you are travelling up near Holt at anytime we definitely recommend you make time to visit the site!
