Eaton Common

A Norwich Fringe Project site, featuring a good selection of the commoner dragonflies. There is a circular walk which can be completed in under an hour. Some parts can be boggy, particularly after rain.

Directions

You can reach this site from Marston Marsh or by walking down Mill Lane from Church Lane in Eaton. You can also reach it by entering from Keswick: From the A140 Ipswich Road take the B1113 just after harford bridge. Take the first left down to the mill. (You can park on the verge on this lane). A public footpath leads along the side of the mill and across the river. Follow the path down and the reserve is on your left just before the railway crossing.

Tour

Just by the entrance there is a field with horses in it. The hedge here plays host to goldcrests, tits, warblers and finches and is always worth a quick scan. Turn left on entering the reserve and follow the path down to the river. You may see Brown, Southern and Migrant hawkers hunting across the field, while the dykes to your left are reputed to hold chasers - but we've never seen one so your reports would be invaluable.

At the river there are Banded Demoiselles, Blue-tailed and Common Blue damselflies, along with the occasional Hawker. Continuing to your right along the river look for warblers and finches in the trees before returning back along the hedge.

Next

From here you could cross the railway line to Marston Marsh, or carry along the lane, past the mill and return down the B113 to the traffic lights at the junction with the A140. Turning right here will take you to Tescos, where there is a small reserve. Or turn left, carry on to the Holiday Inn, turn right in front of it and carry on down to the lights. Turn right into Sandy Lane for the Lakenham Walk, Coopers' Wood and the damselfly walk.