Use the icon links above to read our quarterly wildlife update or see North Cove visitor numbers

Beccles Wildlife Group

Formerly known as Beccles Bird Society (we changed our name in 2021) Beccles Wildlife Group welcomes anyone with an interest in wildlife to join as a member

North Cove Nature Reserve

Free nature reserve with car park off Wadehall Lane. NR34 7QQ. Sorry, but no dogs can be admitted.

Now something of a rarity in Britain, this wet woodland, once part of a 19th century shooting estate, is situated in privately owned land and part of a Ramsar Site and Special Area of Conservation. Jointly-managed by the owner and Beccles Wildlife Group (formerly Beccles Bird Society).

Spring brings chiffchaff, willow warbler, blackcap, garden warbler and grasshopper warbler. Summer is the time for hobby, which breed locally, as do green and great spotted woodpecker, and the lesser spotted woodpecker has been recorded.

On still, warm days in summer, dragonflies and damselflies are abundant near the dykes and ponds, as are butterflies and moths in the meadows. These are populated with characteristic marsh plants like ragged-robin, yellow rattle, and bog pimpernel, along with the nationally scarce marsh fern, which is thriving here. Opposite-leaved golden saxifrage can be found near the decoy pond, while reptiles are represented with grass snake, slow worm and common lizard. Autumn trees provide interest with changing colours and dragonflies remain on the wing until colder weather arrives. And in winter, by the hide in the woodland glade, common British woodland birds can be found feasting on the bird table and feeders replenished by Beccles Wildlife Group.

North Cove reserve is a 15.5-hectare (38-acre) nature reserve between Beccles and Lowestoft in Suffolk. It is managed by the owner and Beccles Wildlife Group, is part of the Barnby Broad and Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest the Broadland Ramsar internationally important wetland site, the Broadland Special Protection Area under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, and The Broads Special Area of Conservation.

The site has wet woodland, grazing marsh, ponds and dykes. There are birds such as sparrowhawks, woodcocks, redpolls, siskins and the three species of woodpecker. Flora include opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage, bog pimpernel and the nationally scarce marsh fern.

There is access from a footpath between Barnby and the Angles Way.

Conservation work takes place every Wednesday morning. Volunteers wanting to help are always welcome.