Buxton Heath - A Norfolk Jewel
Buxton Heath is actually situated at the village of Hevingham, just north of Norwich in Norfolk. Although called a heath, it is much more than "just" heathland. The valley mire found at its heart earns Buxton Heath its Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation, supporting a wide range of wetland plants, including several species of orchid. The mire is fed by a spring which comes to the surface at the western end of the site carrying somewhat chalky waters and is surrounded by a mosaic of wet heathland, dry acidic heathland, and birch/oak woodland.
Management
In a bid to reverse many years of neglect, grazing was re-introduced to the site as a means of sustainable management. Norfolk Wildlife Trust's "Flying Flock" grazing sheep have visited the site each Summer from 1994-97. Summer 1998 saw the arrival of 16 cattle, owned by a local farmer. English Nature (now Natural England) suggested this experiment as a means of causing disturbance in the mire, raising water levels through trampling, and eating encroaching vegetation.
The Group
The Buxton Heath Wildlife Group was formed in May 1992. Its aims are to care for Buxton Heath by means of practical conservation work, and also to study and keep records of the species found at the site. Three quarters of our current membership comes from the University of East Anglia, and includes students of many nationalities. Work undertaken at Buxton Heath includes scrub clearance, seasonal mowing, and the observation, logging and photography of site flora and fauna. We are a very active group, visiting Buxton Heath almost every Saturday - for more information, contact : [email protected]
Buxton Heath is actually situated at the village of Hevingham, just north of Norwich in Norfolk. Although called a heath, it is much more than "just" heathland. The valley mire found at its heart earns Buxton Heath its Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation, supporting a wide range of wetland plants, including several species of orchid. The mire is fed by a spring which comes to the surface at the western end of the site carrying somewhat chalky waters and is surrounded by a mosaic of wet heathland, dry acidic heathland, and birch/oak woodland.
Management
In a bid to reverse many years of neglect, grazing was re-introduced to the site as a means of sustainable management. Norfolk Wildlife Trust's "Flying Flock" grazing sheep have visited the site each Summer from 1994-97. Summer 1998 saw the arrival of 16 cattle, owned by a local farmer. English Nature (now Natural England) suggested this experiment as a means of causing disturbance in the mire, raising water levels through trampling, and eating encroaching vegetation.
The Group
The Buxton Heath Wildlife Group was formed in May 1992. Its aims are to care for Buxton Heath by means of practical conservation work, and also to study and keep records of the species found at the site. Three quarters of our current membership comes from the University of East Anglia, and includes students of many nationalities. Work undertaken at Buxton Heath includes scrub clearance, seasonal mowing, and the observation, logging and photography of site flora and fauna. We are a very active group, visiting Buxton Heath almost every Saturday - for more information, contact : [email protected]