Frenze Beck
Summary
We have embarked on the creation of a small wetland wildlife paradise on the western bank of the River Frenze in Diss, and this formerly unused ground has now been commended by the Environment Agency as part of its celebration of World Wetlands Day.
Frenze Beck was previously ecologically poor and overgrazed grazing marsh, within the floodplain of the river Frenze. It had become increasingly dry with peat build up and the remains of slubbing out works being deposited on the riverbank, reducing the ability of the river to flood onto the land.
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Download the Transnational Ecological Network (TENs) Project biodiversity action plan [PDF, 3327 Kb]
Further information
Over the last two years the riverbank has been lowered, two reed bed scrapes have been created and much broadleaf planting has taken place.
Around 56 species in Norfolk depend fully or partly on reed beds and associated fens to survive. Birds such as the Bittern, Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier and Savi’s Warbler, moths such as the Small Dotted Footman, Fenn’s Wainscot and the Reed Leopard and mammals, for example otters, water shrews, water voles and harvest mice, are most likely to benefit from the creation of new reed bed.
Even though the site is small it will improve the rich wildlife areas already available along the Waveney valley and benefit the many species that use the Waveney, its tributaries and associated wetlands.
People will be able to visit the site and study the wildlife – making use of the viewing platforms and circular walks. We will encourage students of all ages to use the site to study the wildlife in its own environment, using the viewing and pond dipping platforms.
The project is part of the wider TENs (Transnational Ecological Network) project, involving projects in Germany and The Netherlands as well as here in East Anglia. The money that we spend here has been used as vital ‘match funding’ to help in attracting in excess of £300,000 of European funding for projects in the Waveney and Little Ouse area.
External links
English Nature
English Nature, Rural Development Service and The Countryside Agency work together to protect and enhance the environment, promote countryside access and recreation. Their website contains information on wildlife and geology such as biodivesity action plans and wetland habitat actin plan.
Norfolk Biodiversity
This website explains Norfolk's Biodiversity Action Plan and also has information on wildlife sites in Norfolk, biodiversity planning guidance, how to make your garden wildlife-friendly, biodiversity in schools and general biodiversity news.
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Provides information including Norfolk's nature reserves, protecting wildlife and wildlife education programmes.
Environment Agency press release: wetlands project
The Environment Agency's press release of 2 February 2006 about the 50-year project to restore wetlands in Britain, for which the Frenze Beck project was later commended.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Countryside Ranger |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | countryside@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01508 533684 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
