Ludham – Potter Heigham National Nature Reserve
historyLudham–Potter Heigham Marshes NNR is a National Nature Reserve established and owned by English Nature in Norfolk, England. Located within The Broads National Park, it is an internationally important wetland site.
The area was declared an NNR in 1987, covers an area of and consists of grass marshes on the north side of the River Thurne between Ludham and Potter Heigham.
The dykes which intersect the marshland are habitats for water soldier (Stratoides aloides), whorled water milfoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum), water violet (Hottonia palustris) and floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans). They also support waterfowl such as garganey and shoveler. The marshlands themselves support birds such as redshank, lapwing, oystercatcher and snipe. In recent years, the Norfolk hawker dragonfly (Aeshna isosceles) has been attracted back to this area through specific management of the dykes.