Norfolk Wildlife Trust Annual report 2020–2021

95years

Saving ’s Wildlife for the Future On 6 March 2021, Norfolk numbers. Nevertheless, so many of our Wildlife Trust reached members have stayed with us and many have seeks a sustainable another milestone: 95 years also supported our major public appeal for land of care for . at Thompson Common. More than ever, we are Living Landscape It was on this day in 1926 grateful for the support and understanding of that 12 people, led by Dr our members, donors, volunteers and friends as for wildlife and people Sydney Long, purchased the we return to a greater sense of normality with marsh, to be preserved ‘as re-opened nature reserves and visitor centres. Where the future of wildlife is a bird-breeding sanctuary for all time’. Later in the year the group created what was then Whenever lockdown restrictions have allowed, protected and enhanced through known as Norfolk Naturalists Trust, initially we have continued to manage our nature sympathetic management to manage Cley Marshes but with ambitious reserves for wildlife. We have also bought plans for the future. and restored new land, expanding our nature Where people are connected with, reserves to give wildlife greater habitat Sydney Long and his friends deliberately kept connectivity and greater protection. inspired by, value and care for their aims ‘very wide and comprehensive’, Norfolk’s wildlife and wild species understanding that the face of Norfolk and its Our education and engagement at visitor wildlife would change enormously with time. centres, through local groups and across Those visionary aims still underpin the work Norfolk, were on hold for much of the year. CONTENTS of NWT today. Since our earliest years we have Despite this, we have sought to stay close bought and maintained nature reserves. We to our members and the public in Norfolk, Nature reserves for Page 04 now manage more than 60 important sites for communicating across many media about people and wildlife wildlife and for people to explore and enjoy. nature and its conservation and its meaning in In a way that our founders would emphatically all our lives. Building a bigger better Page 10 support, we also advise landowners about Brecks for wildlife protecting wildlife and precious fragments We are happy and proud to do all this. Happy A nature recovery Page 12 of habitat on private properties, business to inherit the legacy of Sydney Long and his network for Norfolk locations and in parishes. visionary friends and proud to hand this legacy on to future generations. Let nature inspire Page 14 Understandably, we felt the impact of the pandemic on our finances and membership Alice Liddle, Chair of Trustees Inspiring people to take Page 16 action for wildlife

Financial summary Page 21

Thank you Page 22

Investors in wildlife Page 24

TRUSTEES

Chair: Alice Liddle Vice-Chair: Jeff Price Treasurer: Lyndsay Whiteman

Greg Beeton (until 30 March 2021) Steve Cale Andrew Clarke Ben Garrod Scott Pinching Sue Roe John Sharpe

Student Observer Members of Council: Sam Collin Duncan Cullingford At Brandon Heath (Brecks had a record year for Heath Partnership site), woodlark with ­ pairs, 2,600 pink-footed geese Over the last year the pandemic has brought At , a nightjars successfully bred most of which successfully were recorded at Cley into sharp relief how important contact At , Blyth’s reed warbler fledged young Marshes in January with the natural world is for our health and naerjack toads continue to found by the NOA was wellbeing. Nature reserves all over Norfolk benefit from the At East Wretham a first for the site Nature have proved vital spaces for people to visit management of the Heath, lapwings bred close to home. around Langmere

With Covid-safe working procedures in place, managing and protecting these reserves reserves for continued. Our work was slower and more considered; rules around transport and tool use were inconvenient but never insurmountable. Purple emperor and four red-flanked buerflies seen at At Bre’s Wood Scrub clearance, fen management, sedge bluetails were Wood for the silver-washed fritillaries cutting and management took place. The emergency Covid-19 grant scheme seen in October, second year running still recorded as present people and Hides, although closed for much of the year, supported by the National Lottery Heritage unprecedented (second year running) were improved at several sites including East Fund was vital in supporting visitor experience. numbers for Norfolk Wretham Heath. We repaired and replaced The grant allowed us to create 10 two metre fences to support conservation grazing and square passing points to and from the floating we completed the final year of a water soldier Broads Wildlife Centre at removal project, leading to a much cleaner and 15 similar passing points at Cley Marshes wildlife Thompson Water. We were also able to do to and from hides. As well as enabling better key monitoring work such as breeding bird, Covid-19 secure access, these improvements butterfly and water vole surveys across many provide long-term improved access for all. of our reserves.

At Cley and Marshes, the lockdown meant we were able to cut reed alongside GREEN RECOVERY FUND the boardwalk to the main hides, which is We were delighted to have been awarded usually more difficult to do when there are £166,000 from the National Lottery lots of visitors. This cutting allows more light Heritage Fund’s ‘Green Recovery’ challenge, to these areas and promotes plant diversity supporting environmental renewal projects including woody nightshade, gypsywort, red designed to stimulate employment in the campion and fox sedge. In the summer with green economy. Building on our already social restrictions eased, volunteer numbers successful apprenticeship programme, marginally increased at Southrepps Commons we have created seven conservation jobs, allowing completion of the fen cutting. including five paid internships from the Weeting Heath University of (UEA). At Brandon Heath (Brecks had a record year for Heath Partnership site), woodlark with ­ pairs, The new posts are a much needed nightjars successfully bred At Syderstone Common, At Holme Dunes, a most of which successfully combination of entry-level positions, naerjack toads continue to Blyth’s reed warbler fledged young found by the NOA was undergraduate and graduate internships. benefit from the At East Wretham a first for the site This is a major expansion Winterin our flocks of up to Š‹ At Wissey, marsh harriers management of the pond Heath, lapwings bred capabilities, and will impartcranes skills seen and on Upton and successfully bred around Langmere provide an important stepSouth on the Walsham career Marshes In what has proven ladder for a new generation of conservation a challenging year on a global scale, professionals. Four of the new recruits are doing practical conservation work across A good year for swallowtail the support of our members, donors our nature reserves, particularly in the buerflies at Alderfen Brecks and our woods and heaths. TheyNorfolk are hawker Broad andPurple Marshes emperor learning how to manage habitats for thenumbers remain and supporters in Norfolk means we and four red-flanked buerflies seen at At Bre’s Wood special wildlife that our reserves support,healthy at bluetails were for the silver-washed fritillaries continued to protect habitats, to secure and they are being trained in using reserveCatfield Fen seen in October, second year running still recorded as present machinery, surveying and helping to care unprecedented (second year running) new areas of land for conservation and for our livestock. numbers for Norfolk to save wildlife. A good year for bierns at Hickling with at least ­ heard booming

ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021 05

Winter flocks of up to Š‹ At Wissey, marsh harriers cranes seen on Upton and successfully bred South Walsham Marshes

A good year for swallowtail buerflies at Alderfen Norfolk hawker Broad and Marshes numbers remain healthy at Catfield Fen

A good year for bierns at Hickling with at least ­ heard booming At , the silver-studded blue population was up 10% Weeting Heath on the previous year At Brandon Heath (Brecks had a record year for Heath Partnership site), woodlark with ­ pairs, nightjars successfully bred At Syderstone Common, At Holme Dunes, a most of which successfully naerjack toads continue to Blyth’s reed warbler fledged young found by the NOA was benefit from the At East Wretham a first for the site management of the pond Heath, lapwings bred around Langmere

Purple emperor and four red-flanked buerflies seen at At Bre’s Wood bluetails were Foxley Wood for the silver-washed fritillaries seen in October, second year running still recorded as present unprecedented (second year running) numbers for Norfolk

At NWT we have, for almost a century, fought establish specialist woodland species of old. At against the loss of our wildlife and its habitat 124 hectares, Foxley Wood is one of Norfolk’s and striven to acquire land and restore it where richest woodlands for native plants, from the we can: protecting it for the future. This year, as rare wild service tree to the beautiful greater well as our major acquisition in the Brecks we butterfly orchid. This recent acquisition is secured two new areas of habitat. also likely to provide foraging habitat for bats and hunting grounds for birds of prey. In the The small but significant purchase ofBeetley future, sensitive intervention will allow us to Meadows and adjoining Beetley Wood add trails for visitors to enjoy and to create alongside our nature reserve at space for education. means that we can protect this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and provide major We would like to thank our fantastic team of benefits for wildlife, including five species of livestock checkers, the solitary nature of whose orchids: early marsh, common spotted, southern roles allowed them to continue supporting us marsh, green-winged and common twayblade. throughout the lockdowns, performing the vital We plan to graze Beetley and Hoe Meadows function of making sure that the many cattle, during summer once we have re-fenced it. We sheep and ponies across our reserves were safe intend to link the two sites with a foot and and healthy. Cattle grazing has continued to cattle bridge over the river to improve access for reduce the dominance of purple moor-grass at Winter flocks of up to Š‹ At Wissey, marsh harriers people to enjoy the reserve. , improving conditions cranes seen on Upton and successfully bred for a range of scarce plants including oblong- South Walsham Marshes Surrounded on three sides by one of our leaved sundew, green-ribbed sedge and common most celebrated and adored nature reserves lousewort. At (a Brecks Heath – Foxley Wood – we have, through incredible Partnership site), goats are doing a good job of A good year for swallowtail donor support, secured a 5.2 hectare (12.8 acre) controlling the scrub and gorse. The increased buerflies at Alderfen arable field which we are going to restore to grazing pressure is reducing bramble, leading Norfolk hawker Broad and Marshes native woodland. A thousand years ago the to good number of Spanish catchfly and some numbers remain land would have been ancient woodland and 660 individual plants of proliferous pink: a huge healthy at it will be restored over at least 20 years to increase from 80 plants recorded in 2018. Catfield Fen

A good year for bierns at Hickling ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021 07 with at least ­ heard booming Weeting Heath At Brandon Heath (Brecks had a record year for Heath Partnership site), woodlark with ­ pairs, nightjars successfully bred At Syderstone Common, At Holme Dunes, a most of which successfully naerjack toads continue to Blyth’s reed warbler fledged young A combination of climactic and nutrient found by the NOA was We have continued to clear scrub at The nationally scarce lunar yellow underwing benefit from the At East Wretham conditions, alongside the absence of boat traffic STREAMING WILDLIFE SOUNDSa first for the site Narborough Railway Line. This artificial moth benefited from habitat work at several of management of the pond Heath, lapwings bred on the Norfolk Broads during the lockdown led Listeners all around the world were chalk embankment and former railway line our Brecks nature reserves. Many invertebrates around Langmere to clear water in the Bure – ’ busiest treated to the sounds of birds live from is an important place for rare and vulnerable in the Brecks need the mixed grassland micro- river – revealing the normally hidden river-bed. on International Dawn invertebrates. Clearing some scrub and habitats that develop from rabbit grazing. The Shoals of fish, swan mussels and a thick growth Chorus Day in early May, thanks to cutting vegetation to the right height means lunar yellow underwing needs a mixture of of aquatic plants were visible; great crested the live-streaming microphone we set that this downland-like habitat remains in tall tufted grass to hide in during the day, and a grebes could be seen swimming under water in up. NWT is part of the HomeSounds prime condition for dingy skipper butterflies combination of bare-ground and shorter ‘fine their search for fish. project, funded by the British Science and lace border moths, the latter a county grasses’ for the caterpillars toPurple eat at emperornight. We Associationand through four red-flankeda collaboration rarity and nationally declining. We also did worked with Butterfly Conservationbuerflies toseen create at At Bre’s Wood In the , however, the discovery between Recastbluetails Music were Education and the three weeks of scrub control at Cranberry the right conditions for thisFoxley moth and Wood other for the silver-washed fritillaries of killer shrimp, which prey on native small Scienceseen in Festival. October, This reserve is Rough in very challenging conditions using Brecks-dependent species. Thissecond has yearincluded running still recorded as present invertebrates, presented many challenges. a wonderfulunprecedented mix of woodland, reed bed, specialist amphibious machinery. turf stripping through Natural ’s (second year running) With the Environment Agency, Angling open water numbersand tussocky for Norfolk grassland. This ‘shifting sands’ partnership scheme. Trust and local stakeholders we produced an mix of habitats attracts a mix of wildlife, action plan and installed signage and wash- and birds heard included Cetti’s warblers, down equipment to help guard against their chiffchaffs, blackcaps and whitethroats. movement to other sites. In doing so, we are 32 Bewick swans and grateful for the support of local residents and 40 pochards were seen on users groups. voles, and local specialities such as the Norfolk Ranworth Broad in the winter hawker dragonfly and swallowtail butterfly. In the autumn we began the ‘Dancing with With the installation of a new viewing shelter, Cranes’ project on South Walsham Marshes, visitors can experience an exceptional view funded by Viridor Credits Environmental across the marshes. Company, D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and a major donation. The aim is to create As a direct result of recent fen restoration at undisturbed space for breeding cranes by , the mire now supports good improving the dyke systems, encouraging numbers of breeding wading birds, including fenland vegetation and restoring ‘nursery pools’ curlews (5 pairs), redshanks (2 pairs), snipe (12 that parent birds can lead their chicks around pairs) and lapwings (28 pairs). The areas of in search of food. We installed a water control exposed bare ground provide great habitat structure to allow staff to create optimal water for invertebrates such as ground beetles and levels. The project benefits other rare and particularly the spring mining bee which is declining wildlife in the marshes and reed beds a species associated with sparsely vegetated too, such as redshank, snipe and lapwing, water sandy areas.

Winter flocks of up to Š‹ At Wissey, marsh harriers cranes seen on Upton and successfully bred South Walsham Marshes

A good year for swallowtail buerflies at Alderfen Norfolk hawker Broad and Marshes numbers remain healthy at Catfield Fen

A good year for bierns at Hickling with at least ­ heard booming

08 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST Early in the year we launched an appeal to buy Mere Farm, and the adjoining Common, asking Building a our members and the public to help us raise £250,000 to complete the £625,625 we needed.

he acquisition of these sites provides an bigger better Textraordinary opportunity to restore rare Ice Age pingos, recreate Brecks grassland habitats and reconnect the landscape to protect Thompson Commonand its wildlife.

In March 2020, at a time of such concern for so Brecks for many people, we knew it was not appropriate to launch the appeal and asked our members to wait to donate. We were greatly moved that so many donations came in regardless. When the appeal was relaunched in the autumn, our members, supporters and donors gave even wildlife more generously, helping us to reach our target by early spring 2021.

As well as Mere Farm and the land at Stow Bedon, we were given the opportunity to acquire a third area of land next to Thompson Common: Crow’s Meadow. This extra 5.5 hectares (13.5 acres) of arable land was not included in the public appeal target, yet when Thanks to our members’ support alongside it came onto the open market in the autumn, that of charitable trusts, local media and the Trust recognised its strategic importance. businesses, even in a time of global crisis, Although a relatively small area, Crow’s we can now increase our coverage of Meadow provides a significant hydrological protected wildlife habitat in the Brecks. connection to the other landholdings, all three With this support we can recreate rare of which should be in our ownership formally habitats which have been almost lost, allow in 2021. With a remarkably high density of wildlife to move across a more joined-up ghost pingos, it is an exciting addition. Brecks landscape and protect Thompson Common against future vulnerability. Restoring and enhancing the conservation value of these land holdings is not only crucial for the land itself and its potential as habitat for wildlife, but also because Thompson Common is a last fragment of an ancient landscape and is uniquely sensitive to land use on surrounding farms. Its 400 pingos, relics of the retreat of the Ice Age, are home to 58 threatened plants and animals, making it one of the most important sites in the UK for red-listed species. These pingos and their rare Watch our Brecks Appeal film, wildlife depend on low nutrient water from presented by NWT Ambassador springs in the chalk bedrock. Incursion by Nick Acheson and learn more run-off from agricultural fertilisers or intensive livestock farming would be disastrous for about what we hope to achieve. Thompson’s priceless Ice Age pools. www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/films

ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021 11 With our partners we have continued to their land to maximise the benefits to wildlife. restore, recreate and reconnect habitats The landscape-scale pilot project focuses for wildlife across Norfolk. We visited more on some 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of land than 60 County Wildlife Sites and provided between Rushmeadows and Hoe Rough / A nature management advice, including working with Beetley Meadows nature reserves. It is a contractors and helping to provide grazing. collaboration between four farmers, NWT, Growing interest in creating meadows from , Norfolk FWAG, wild-harvested seed led to the formation and Norfolk Rivers Trust. The partnership of a partnership in , bringing is exploring how habitat creation can be recovery together organisations that will promote, funded and sustained long term, with options advise on and support the creation of new including biodiversity net gain, payment for meadows in the district and along the Waveney carbon sequestration and flood alleviation, Valley. It saw two new meadows created. and regenerative agriculture. Exploring ways of working will continue next year. NWT continues to play an active role in the network for Norfolk Project and the appointment of The impact of development in Norfolk an intern, funded by the Green Recovery Fund, continues to mean that working through the will allow us to coordinate information and planning system has been crucial to protect advise owners seeking our help on pond matters. wildlife. We expressed concerns about water quality and visitor pressure impacts in the Norfolk This year we played a key role in the Greater Norwich Local Plan. We objected development of an exciting initiative north- to housing on land next to , west of : the Wendling Beck Exemplar industrial development close to Lower Wood, Our vision for a Nature Recovery Partnership. Forward-thinking landowners Ashwellthorpe and extension of a quarry are considering alternative ways to manage operating period that is likely to cause air Network is of a vibrant pollution impacts on the rare flora ofThetford Heath. We also objected to the direct loss of a countryside, in which farms, Continued support for County Wildlife Site and ancient woodland from gardens, parks and school grounds the Chet B-Line, a proposed development. Norfolk’s first are all once again healthy habitats pollinator corridor We have continued to raise concerns about the ecological impacts of the proposed Norwich for wildlife and people. Western Link Road. We wrote to the Department for Transport expressing concern over funding for the road, due to unmitigable impacts on the country’s largest colony of endangered barbastelle bats. Following this in March 2021,  planning along with an independent bat consultant, we application requested of Natural England that they consider consultations designation of the area as SSSI and SAC. recorded

NORFOLK WILDLIFE SERVICES Norfolk Wildlife Services (NWS) was able  churchyards to keep working throughout all Covid-19 surveyed by our Roving lockdown phases, supplying critical Churchyard Surveyors services to the construction industry. NWS made significant improvement on its business performance relative to the previous financial year. Important Working with Norfolk contracts have been established with FWAG and People’s Trust for Anglian Water and further survey work for Endangered Species on a the Vanguard Off-shore Windfarm cable Healthy Hedgerows route began in March 2021. campaign This year NWT provided management advice on more than on more than 60 County Wildlife Sites

ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021 13 Many people enjoyed time in their garden, At NWT we’ve long known that nature is good and this was reflected in the enquiries for us; not just for the essential resources received by the Wildlife Information Service, it provides, but also because it relaxes and Let nature with questions on everything from lack of inspires us. We are hugely heartened that frogspawn in garden ponds to newts turning people turned for solace last year to their local up in unusual places. We relaunched our patches of green and wild. Never in our recent Frequently Asked Question section on our history has loving local green space made website, which now has a searchable and more sense. And nature desperately needs our comprehensive set of questions and answers. support to protect it. inspire We also developed a ‘How to’ section offering The need for a personal relationship with nature has practical advice on taking action for wildlife. We were pleased to offer to our members never been clearer than over the past year. complementary copies of three new wildlife booklets, made to support people’s new-found s has been widely reported, millions of Our Wildlife Information Service, which or growing desire to learn more, and do more Aus took refuge in nature during this was set up in 2009, and all our social media for their local wildlife. ‘Discover and Take gruelling time. The internet lit up with creative channels saw a surge in people sharing Action for Local Wildlife’ showed ways to help Visit our Let Nature Inspire responses to the natural world – photographs, photographs of wildlife they had seen on put the wild back into your garden, whilst ‘Let webpage to find out how nature can drawings, poetry and podcasts – and our their daily exercise, asking wildlife questions, Nature Inspire’ gathered personal and creative inspire us to learn more, explore slowed-down, locally limited lives led to many identification requests and seeking advice on responses to the natural world. We also created of us noticing wildlife and nature’s cycles more practical ways to help nature. the ‘Wildlife Watcher’s Guide to Norfolk’ for more and get creative! than ever before. families to use together. www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/inspire

14 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021 15 The incredible loyalty of our members through their subscriptions was as vital as it was moving in this difficult year.

At a time when our visitor centres were closed  community for long periods and our events programmes fundraisers raised and local group activities curtailed, our c., through members continued to renew their support in various activities amazing numbers, for which we are grateful. including a Big Camp Out! We were delighted to welcome new members too, many of whom had discovered or become closer to wildlife through being at home. In fact during four of the five months when lockdown was eased, there were more people joining us than in the same months the previous year. In August we welcomed a record 420 new individual members. We also recorded our  community highest number of members joining us online, Starling, fundraisers raised a reflection of the new ways being used to keep yellowhammer and c., through in touch including remote learning resources, house sparrow various activities  donated via virtual events and an ever-growing point of records saw more including a Big collection boxes in contact through our website and social media. than ,  animals Camp Out! local businesses being logged Our corporate members – our ‘Investors in Wildlife’ – were a mainstay of support, renewing their commitment through subscriptions, sponsorships and donations existing partners. Greater Anglia supported a despite difficult trading conditions for so new station conservation scheme identifying many sectors of business. We welcomed new stations that have been improved for wildlife. supporters and introduced new initiatives with We organised volunteer work parties with staff from long-standing sponsors,Starling, Aviva, during the short period of eased restrictions.yellowhammer and house sparrow  donated via We would like to thank all recordsour wonderful saw more ,  ,­collection received boxes in legacy in volunteers for their patiencethan and ,  animals incomelocal and businesses , raised in understanding. Throughoutbeing lockdowns logged and in donations in memory between, those volunteers that were unable to restart their volunteering remained hugely Inspiring positive and supportive of the organisation. Volunteers in our local groups have been very resourceful in keeping their committee members in touch with one another using a combination of virtual meetings, phone calls people to take and outdoor conversations when rules allowed. Similarly, community groups continued to support us, such as the Gaywood Valley Conservation Group, which donated to our ,  ,­ received in legacy Children and Nature Fund when a planned film income and  , raised in screening event had to be cancelled. We were action for donations in memory greatly encouraged by the support we received from the public, with more than 140 people enquiring about volunteering opportunities wildlife over the past year. ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021 17 This year NWT’s 250 Club lottery celebrated its Our online communications grew overall and part of a wider Broads Landscape Partnership bumblebees. These records are important to 40th birthday. Its first draw was held in January allowed us to talk to schools about biodiversity project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund NWT and our partner, Norfolk Biodiversity 1981 with 163 members. The initial aim was to and think about new ways to engage, including and run by the Broads Authority. Focusing Information Service, providing a better secure 250 members, donating 50% of proceeds developing films and resources that schools on two of our nature reserves in the Broads understanding of the distribution of plants to the Trust’s core conservation work. Since can use independently. Where projects were National Park, and and animals across the county. then, a growing number of ticket holders have paused, we have not stopped getting ourselves , walkers are invited to submit helped the club donate in excess of £280,000 ready. As part of The Brecks Fen Edge & Rivers their sightings to help us record the wildlife over the course of its lifetime. In recent years, Landscape partnerships, a Watery Wildlife found on these two reserves. ALL CREATURES GREAT AND these donations provided vital third-party calendar was in development to inspire SMALL – BISHOP’S HOUSE GARDEN contributing payments to Landfill Communities local schools to learn more about their local This year saw the highest sign-up for Norfolk WILDLIFE AUDIT Funders, allowing NWT to unlock funding wildlife year round and to get out to explore of participants to the 30 Days Wild campaign. From October 2020, two NWT volunteers for key projects, including the restoration of their diverse local habitats. We have also Each June, come together began visiting the Bishop’s House Rushmeadows and . been planning new assemblies and visits to to invite people to do something wild every day Garden in Norwich each month, to Thompson Common highlighting its pingos, of the month: a random act of wildness. This record the birds, mammals, amphibians, NWT’s engagement team would normally have pool frogs and dragonflies. encourages people to explore their county’s reptiles and some of the invertebrates, been out welcoming thousands of children wildlife and landscape, perhaps by taking in particular the bees and butterflies, and school groups on our nature reserves and Other activities were prepared as part of the photographs, gardening for wildlife or rising using the garden. The survey will running family activities and events around Water, Mills & Marshes Broads Landscape early to listen to the dawn chorus. continue until the end of September the county. While the last year has been very Partnership Scheme, including those that will 2021 and details of all the records will different, it has not been without some really link schools with Thorpe Marshes, and the Every season we launch a ‘citizen science’ be shared with Norfolk Biodiversity positive engagement. Chet Valley B-Line, Norfolk’s first pollinator survey asking people to share their wildlife Information Service. We are sharing corridor. sightings with us. Our spring wildlife the wildlife findings in video clips and Wildlife Watch went online, monthly attracting spotter survey, which asked for starling, through blog posts, with tips on actions families to learn more about the wildlife on Taking a walk offers a great opportunity to yellowhammer and house sparrow records, to take to improve gardens for wildlife. their doorstep and across Norfolk. From tracks help conservation efforts, by keeping a record saw more than 6,400 birds being logged. The and trails to garden birds, hares and flowers, of what you see on the way and adding your summer and winter surveys for 2020 saw families have enjoyed learning and exploring records to those of other visitors to create a more than 645 sightings being shared for at home together. Online Wildlife Watch fuller picture of the wildlife found. In January redwings, fieldfares, bramblings, broad-bodied continues through 2021 due to its great success. 2021 our WildWalks project returned, which is chasers, hummingbird hawkmoths and tree

18 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021 19 VISITOR CENTRES At NWT we are proud to develop new ways Financial Summary Trustees’ Statement Our visitor centres around the county are of seeing and interpreting nature, in words, The auditor has issued unqualified reports on normally the ideal places to discover and images and film. Rather than cancel or delay the full annual financial statements and on the Independent Auditor’s statement to the explore Norfolk’s wildlife and engage with the our series of discussions with nature authors consistency of the Trustees’ Annual Report with Trustees of Norfolk Wildlife Trust work of NWT. This year they closed on 18 March and conservationists, we moved them online, those financial statements. Their report on the We have examined the summarised financial 2020 and were unable to welcome back visitors where they continued to be hosted by Norfolk full annual financial statements contained no statements of Norfolk Wildlife Trust for the until the beginning of July, when we adopted Wildlife Trust ambassador, Nick Acheson. After statement under sections 498(2)(a), 498(2)(b) or 498(3) year ended 31 March 2021 set out below. a cautious and phased reopening following a wonderful inaugural event with Patrick of the Companies Act 2006. The full audited annual government guidelines. Barkham, we have hosted a huge variety of accounts were approved by trustees on 22 July 2021 Opinion engaging conversations about all aspects of and will be submitted to the Charity Commission In our opinion the summarised financial We experienced some of the largest visitor wildlife, thanks to funding support from North after the Trust’s AGM on14 October 2021. statements are consistent with the full numbers on record during the summer. At Norfolk District Council, with guests including annual financial statements and the Trustees’ for the three-month period Tim Dee, Roy Dennis, Erica McAlister, Lev The summary financial statement may not contain Annual Report of Norfolk Wildlife Trust for from July 2020 onwards, 50% more visitors came Parikian, Megan McCubbin and Chris Packham. sufficient information to allow a full understanding the year ended 31 March 2021. to the reserve than the previous year. The response has been extremely positive, of the financial affairs of Norfolk Wildlife Trust. connecting with new and old audiences alike For further information the full audited annual Larking Gowen LLP through this virtual platform. Interviews are accounts should be consulted – copies are available Chartered Accountant & Statutory Auditor, broadcast live on Zoom and are later available from Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Bewick House, King Street House, 15 Upper King Street, on YouTube and the NWT website. 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY and also from Norwich NR1 1RY the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website. 22 July 2021 Lyndsay Whiteman, Treasurer Charitable Donations Nature activities & legacies reserve INCOME 25% 61% EXPENDITURE management 54% Fundraising & Membership publicity 9% Other servicing and Investment income 2% recruitment 4% Other trading Other activities income 1% Education Wider trading 11% activity 10% countryside activities conservation 5% 18% NWT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021 RESTATED (including subsidiaries) 2021 2020 £000’s £000’s GROUP BALANCE SHEET 2021 2020 INCOME AS AT 31 MARCH 2021 £000’s £000’s

Donations and legacies 4,385 2,597 Tangible fixed assets 12,604 12,273 Charitable activities 1,776 1,788 Investments 2,670 1,386 Other trading activities 815 1,490 15,274 13,659 Investment income 93 98 Current assets: Other income 176 480 Stock 98 112 Work in progress 11 13 Total income 7,245 6,453 Debtors 1,924 1,029 Cash term deposits 4,051 3,082 EXPENDITURE Cash in hand & at bank 4,022 4,840 10,106 9,076 Nature reserve management 2,533 2,724 Wider countryside conservation 244 271 Creditors: amounts falling due Education activity 455 514 in less than one year 516 684 Fundraising and publicity 437 423 Other trading activities 865 1,474 Net current assets 9,590 8,392 Membership servicing and recruitment 182 236

Total expenditure 4,716 5,642 TOTAL ASSETS 24,864 22,051

Net gains/(losses) on investments 284 (142) RESTRICTED FUNDS 12,061 11,867 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS – NET INCOME 2,813 669 GENERAL 2,497 2,321 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS – Total funds brought forward 22,051 21,382 DESIGNATED 10,306 7,863

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 24,864 22,051 24,864 22,051

20 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 - 2021 21 Thank you Norfolk Wildlife Trust would like to thank the following supporters in 2020/2021

GRANTS AND West Norfolk Habitats Aviva David Gray CHARITABLE TRUSTS Monitoring and Creative Image Management Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Charitable Trusts and Mitigation Fund Empresa Conservation Authority Grant Giving Organisations ESE Direct Environment Agency supported NWT through THOMPSON COMMON Greater Anglia Garfield Weston Foundation valuable regular contributions LAND PURCHASE APPEAL Holiday Property Bond Gressenhall Farm towards core activities and Anglian Water Flourishing HPB Barnham Broom and Workhouse project funding including: Environment Fund Ørsted UK Gaywood Valley improvements for visitors Anson Charitable Trust Lisa Angel Conservation Group at Foxley Wood, securing Leslie Mary Carter Loveday and Partners King’s Lynn and West Norfolk the future of important Charitable Trust N&S Wildlife & Borough Council habitats through land Mitchell Trust Walking Holidays Le Strange Estate acquisition, habitat creation Paul Bassham Naked Wines Natural England for vulnerable species and Charitable Trust Norfolk Cottages Norfolk Biodiversity providing opportunities Stuart Heath Peter Beales Roses Information Service for young people on our Charitable Settlement Pinkfoot Gallery Norfolk Biodiversity apprenticeship and Future ROAR!! Dinosaur Adventure Partnership Professionals scheme. COMMUNITY Ronaldo Ices Norfolk County Council FUNDRAISERS Sop – Scents of Place District Anglian Water Flourishing Chris Durdin and Honeyguide Smith & Pinching Council & Chairman Environment Fund Wildlife Holidays Swallowtail Print Cllr Dr Clive Stockton Banister Charitable Trust Joshua’s Big Camp Out The Bakehouse Seasearch East Constance Mary Paxton Charlotte Platten – Cycling UK Power Networks South Norfolk District Council Charitable Trust marathon challenge Vine House Farm University of East Anglia D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Brian Budds – plant sales White Stuff Foundation and Wash and North Norfolk Essex & Water – Jon Clifton – The Long White Stuff, Norwich Marine Partnership Branch Out Walk Home Wildsounds and Books Frognal Trust Sarah Minney – XLT Distribution Our thanks to the many Love the Broads/ Pilates for NWT anonymous trusts, The Broads Trust Grace and Arlo – WITH IN-KIND foundations and individual Geoffrey Watling Charity 2.6 Challengers SUPPORT FROM: donors who support us in all Green Recovery And more than 170 Norfolk Acle Garden Machinery our work. Challenge Fund businesses and individuals Norfolk Chamber of Natural England – holding NWT collection boxes Commerce Water Environment Grant Richard Osbourne The National Lottery SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS Photography Heritage Fund In addition to subscriptions Swallowtail Print Privy Purse to our Investors in Wildlife Ranworth Trust membership scheme we have SUPPORTERS Robert’s Woodland Trust received generous sponsorship, Beetley Parish Council Rowan Bentall volunteering, delivery and District Council Charitable Trust promotional support from the Broads Authority Spurrell Charitable Trust corporate sector. Broads IDB Tesco Bags of Help District Council Viridor Credits Anglian Water Services Ltd Courtyard Farm Environmental Company Archant Crown Point Estate

22 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2020 -2021 23 Investors in Wildlife as at 31 March 2021

CORPORATE PARTNERS Norfolk Cottages D & F McCarthy Anglian Water Services Norfolk Hideaways Eastern Counties Aviva Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa Access Solutions Essex & Suffolk Water North Norfolk Howes Percival LLP Greater Anglia District Council Interconnector (UK) Ørsted Parker Communications John Innes Society Smith & Pinching The Pheasant John Lewis Financial Services Hotel & Restaurant Partnership (Norwich) Richard Osbourne Larking Gowen GOLD MEMBERS Photography Longwater Gravel Centrica – Kings Lynn Searle’s Leisure Resort Manorbrooke Events Power Station Swarovski Optik Mayday ESE Direct The Travelling Naturalist Media Associates Fritton Lake Retreats White Stuff Norfolk Chambers Loveday and Partners of Commerce Morgan Price BRONZE MEMBERS Orbital Foods International Healthcare Alan Boswell & Co Panks Engineers Norfolk Broads Direct AF Group Pinkfoot Gallery Norwich City Council Barker Bros Builders Poultec Training Richardson’s Boating Holidays The Bakehouse R G Carter George Shippam Bateman Groundworks ROAR!! Dinosaur Adventure Financial Services Ben Burgess Garden Ronaldo Ices Swallowtail Print Equipment SG Wealth Management UK Power Networks Birketts LLP Savills Vine House Farm Blue Sky Leisure Scira Offshore Energy British Sugar PLC Sibelco UK SILVER MEMBERS Brown & Co Sop – Scents of Place Abacus Hotels – BTS Group Sun Essences Knights Hill Hotel & Spa Busseys Tarmac Abacus Hotels – Catton Print Thursford Collection Le Strange Arms Hotel Cheveley Park Farms WRS Insurance Brokers Peter Beales Roses Cley Spy Whin Hill Cider Broadland Drinks Clippesby Holidays Wild Sounds & Books Cozens-Hardy LLP Daniel Connal Partnership Woodforde’s Norfolk Ales Empresa Cox’s Boatyard XLT Distribution Forest Holidays Creative Image Management Carl Zeiss Gardeners Cottage Blakeney HPB Barnham Broom HV Graves Norfolk Wildlife Trust Hansells Solicitors Bewick House, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY Harrison Group Tel: 01603 625540 • Fax: 01603 598300 Environmental Email: [email protected] Heacham Manor Hotel www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk Herbert Woods Registered charity no. 208734 Holiday Cottages Kett Country Cottages As a responsible charity we are proud of our code of conduct and our Keys Auctioneers resulting record in protecting our members’ details within the organisation. Lisa Angel www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/about-and-contact Lynton Wines IMAGES: Wheatear and northern pool frog byRobin Chittenden. Cley Marshes, pink- Marine & Industrial LLP footed geese, Bewick swan, hare and hedgehog by David Tipling. Silver-studded blue Martham Ferry Boatyard by Chris Gomersall/2020vision. Woman with common toad by Nick Upton/2020vision. Sparrow by Ben Hall/2020vision. Man reading by Eleanor Church. Woman gardening by Katrina Martin/2020vision. Fieldfare by Dave Kilbey. Swallowtail caterpillar by Lee Wright. Foxley Wood by Richard Osbourne

Saving Norfolk’s Wildlife for the Future