By flaming June, the rains of April and May have left everywhere vibrant green, with a fragrance unmatched by any perfumery. Birds are busy feeding hungry nestlings and fledglings, with many oak trees full of blue tit and great tit families, feeding on plump little green caterpillars. It’s worth watching closely, as you might just catch a savvy blue tit hauling up a dangling caterpillar by its own silk thread. Across the Norfolk countryside, the ascending voice of the skylark, lost in a tent of blue, fills the air.

Early June is the main flight period of the wonderful swallowtail, the UK’s largest butterfly. This sub-species can only be seen in Norfolk, attracting visitors from across the country to Hickling and Ranworth Broad, each hoping for a glimpse. At the time of writing we do not yet know how the very high winter water levels will have impacted our swallowtail numbers. Some key areas fen used by the butterfly are protected by flood banks and we can control the water levels but other areas have been flooded for much of the winter.

Our reserve sites with storage yards will have a pied wagtail nest hidden in an idle piece of old machinery. Under the bonnet of a rusting old tractor is always a favourite! Bird song is already on the wane, with the sounds of spring giving way to the colours of summer; the white and yellow blooms of ox-eye daisy are slowly replaced by the vivid purples of knapweed and thistle. Staff and volunteers on the NWT reserves are kept busy with survey work of breeding birds, orchids, butterflies and moths. June also finds reserve staff engaging more with members, visitors, parties of school children and holiday-makers, as we lead guided walks, operate boat trips and help with educational events throughout the summer.

Elsewhere, a variety of orchid species are raising their ornate heads in woodland glades, sandy heaths and wet meadows across the county. The humble fen orchid, once so very rare, has increased to annual counts of many thousands. This is, in no small way, thanks to the habitat restoration work carried out by reserve staff at Upton Marshes and Catfield Fen.

Lots of dragonflies are now on the wing, and in turn they’re becoming prey for the county’s increasing population of hobby falcons. Once restricted to the New Forest area they are relatively common now. One of their prey items, the Norfolk hawker dragonfly, has also increased and spread into neighbouring counties in recent years. In Suffolk they have the cheek to call them green-eyed hawkers! As with all wildlife across the UK, it is often a mixed story of winners and losers, particularly those affected by climate change.

At NWT Narborough reserve - an old railway embankment of chalky soil - dingy skipper butterflies are having a strong year. They are often accompanied by day-flying moths such as the burnet companion and Mother Shipton, ‘her’ wings sport a ‘hooked nose and Jimmy Hill chin’. Our Narborough reserve is the only site in East Anglia where the day-flying lace border moth is found, normally a species of the South Downs, this relic population is quite numerous here.

A male osprey, having returned to Ranworth again this spring, was recently seen from the visitor centre chasing off a white-tailed eagle. Who would have thought that in 1974 when the Ranworth Visitors’ Centre was opened that one day these two birds would be dog-fighting in the skies above it!     

A white-tailed eagle and osprey were also spotted at NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes, along with red-footed falcon, honey buzzard, black tern and purple heron. Increasing numbers of pool frogs were in full voice at NWT Thompson Common, and as dusk falls natterjack toads were in similar chorus at NWT Holme Dunes and Syderstone Common. At both sites numbers have remained strong, and if the noise is anything to go by, certainly increasing at Syderstone Common.  

Livestock grazing is an important part of wildlife conservation and The NWT grazing team, with the help of reserve staff, have been moving some of the livestock around, and onto summer ‘pastures’. Our cohort of quadrupeds consists of, not only British white cattle and black Welsh mountain and Shetland sheep, but rare breed Bagot goats too. The various herds of ponies also saw the vet and farrier for their spring check-ups. 

And finally, on Friday the 10^th May, a spectacular natural display occurred across the skies of Norfolk – the Northern Lights. It was reported as the best display for over twenty years, and clearly visible even from Norwich. The north Norfolk coast was the best place to view it, particularly away from light pollution, with NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes being a good spot. Reserve staff member Henry Page travelled to the darkest spot along the coast. “I ended up being out from 10.00pm to 04.00am watching it all the way through the night. With choruses of bittern, quail, and natterjack toads; being startled by a badger cub and hit in the face by a bat made it, without doubt, the most amazing natural world experience I have ever had”.      

Top tip for June

This month, we recommend a visit to hidden treasure, NWT Upton Broad and Marshes, to see the fen orchids for yourself. It’s additionally a great spot for swallowtail butterfly, Norfolk hawker and hobby. If you do go along, please note that no dogs are allowed on the reserve, and take care to stay on the paths to prevent the trampling of the plants.