Marston Marsh

A Norwich Fringe Project site, offering a circular walk around the edges of a reedbed and dyke network. This site can be very boggy and wellingtons or stout boots are recommended. The site is sometimes grazed by cattle and close control should be exercised over dogs if the livestock is present. Similar control is needed for small children due to the proximity of river and dykes.

Due to the extensive work that has been done to the dykes here recently, the dragonfly population has recently increased. Currently these species have been recorded: Brown, Southern and Migrant Hawkers, Common and Ruddy Darters, Emperor, and Hairy Dragonfly, Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chasers, Banded Demoiselles, Common Blue, Emerald, Azure, Blue-tailed, Large Red and Red-eyed damselflies.

Directions

Get to the site either via Danby Wood or via Church Lane, Eaton. You can also access this site by crossing the railway line from Eaton Common. Here's the entrance from Marston Lane, with Danby Wood behind you. You can see the cycle path to Eaton to the right. The car parking spaces in front of the gate are marked "disabled only".

Tour

The site is roughly square, wrapping around Eaton Golf Course. Starting from the gate on Marston Lane, take the left hand path. This leads you beside a dyke (good chance of a Southern Hawker here), before turning across a bridge and down to the river. This is an excellant place to spot kingfishers. You should also see reed buntings here.

Continuing along the river bank should throw up banded demoiselles, common blues and blue-tailed damselflies. The meadows across the river frequently have a kestrel hovering over them and meadow pipits and skylarks on the ground, while the trees within the reserve afford good views of Jays and woodpeckers. Don't forget to look for kingfishers and listen for the plop of a water vole entering the water

The small copse on the river is good for Bullfinch, Green Woodpecker, Long tailed tits, Blackcaps, chiff-chaffs and willow warblers, as well as bluebells and primroses in spring.

At the next gate you can either turn right and head up the dyke (either side), or continue along the river. Continuing along will eventually bring you to the bottom left corner of the reserve. At this point you will see a small path with a wicker fence separating you from the golf club. This will lead you to Church lane, and the opportunity to cross the railway line to Eaton Common. It will also allow you to walk up Church Lane and into Eaton village. Assuming you wish to keep within marston reserve however, you will need to turn right and take the path away from the railway and along the left hand edge of the reserve.

The dykes here are excellant for both Broad-bodied and Four-spotted Chasers

Reaching the Northern edge of the reserve you will find another opportunity to leave via the gate at this point, but we will turn right again and return back along the front edge. (There is another exit halfway along here). The hedges here are good for Hairy, Migrant, Brown and Southern Hawkers (and small warblers, tits and the occasional goldcrest). The ponds here are currently very overgrown but still good for damselflies. Returning to our start point will have taken around 1½ - 2 hours, assuming a lot of stopping and staring.

You can find a bird diary with lists of sightings here and a map here.

Next

Continue up the lane to Danby Wood LNR, or cross the Ipswich Road and either continue to the Tesco LNR (accessed via the supermarket car park) or head down Hall Rd, turn right at the traffic lights into Sandy Lane and either visit Coopers Wood LNR, take the Damselfly Walk from Lakenham into Trowse or the Lakenham Way back to Norwich. Or, walk through Eaton either to the start of the Eaton to UEA Walk, or down Church Lane to Eaton Common.