Conservation & Sustainability
We are very conscious of our responsibilities in nurturing this land in the best way possible for future generations. Ranworth Estate undertake a number of projects to create a space for research and learning to best provide a safe haven for wildlife and biodiversity.
Hedgerow Planting
Approximately 40% of UK hedges (95,000 miles) are ancient or species-rich. These living tapestries may include a mix of shrubs and trees, such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, ash, and oak. Whether newly planted or centuries old, hedgerows play a vital role in halting biodiversity decline and combating climate change.
Hedges are bustling wildlife habitats. They support a diverse array of flora and fauna. Their flowers, berries, and nuts provide vital sustenance for invertebrates, birds, and mammals. From blue tits to hedgehogs, these green corridors offer shelter and sustenance. Even bats use them as “commuter routes” for foraging and roosting.
They also act as natural barriers to harmful air pollution in our streets. Their presence at pedestrian level makes them effective filters, contributing to cleaner air.
At Ranworth, we’re planting 3 km of hedging between 2024 and 2029. Once these hedgerows mature, they’ll serve as safe havens for birds and insects.
Science & Monitoring
We are committed to partnerships with the scientific community to ensure that we have best understanding of the benefits of wetland, rewilding and sustainable farming.
We are partnered with the UK Centre of Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) to better understand the flow of water in and out of the marshes and the importance of wetlands for flood management and carbon capture. We are working with UKCEH to install a monitoring station in the marshes that will monitor the flows of carbon to understand how wetlands act as a carbon sink.
We hope that this research will help the return of less productive farmland to wetland for the benefit of society and biodiversity in the UK.
Reed Harvesting
Norfolk and Suffolk have a long history of working in harmony with the wetlands that make up so much of our landscape. Before World War One, the wetlands between Great Yarmouth and Norwich were vast wet grass meadows that were harvested by hand using scythes. This grass was sent to London to feed the horses that lived there, pulling carriages and working in mills.
Another big industry was reed harvesting for use in thatch on roofs. Norfolk and Suffolk have about 600,000 thatched properties. Thatch is not just environmentally friendly building materials but lasts just as long as a tiled roof and provides a lot more insulation.
At Ranworth, we continue the centuries old tradition of reed harvesting and have invested in modern machinery to cut the reed, dyke clearance to ensure the best water quality for the reed, and new sluices to manage the flow and levels of the water.
Reed cutting is also great for the local wildlife. Without the large herds of herbivores that would have grazed our marshes centuries ago, it is essential that we act as the grazers and cut the reed. This encourages the growth of invertebrates like snails and slugs, and amphibians like frogs and toads and in turn, these animals feed the various rare birds that we have in the area. Every year, the cranes wait for our reed cutters to finish cutting so they can come in behind them to eat their dinner.
Our reed is of such good quality that was selected to be used on the Globe Theatre restoration project!
Water Management
Maintaining the right water levels and the best water quality is critical to growing high quality reed and is great for the local wildlife. We have ancient walls around our marshes that would once have been dug by hand. These are used to maintain water levels and direct the flow of water on and off the marsh at certain times of year. For example, when the reed cutters need to cut the reed, they need the water levels to be low so their machines don't get stuck.
Recently, with heavier rainfall, rising sea levels and tide locking, we've seen higher and higher water levels in the Broads. As a result, the river has come over these barriers and flooded areas that have never flooded before. To counteract this, we have received a grant from FiPL (Farming in Protected Landscapes), to build up the bank and prevent the flooding.
Wildlife
Cranes
The Common Crane is one of Europe’s largest birds with a wingspan of between 1.8 to 2.2 metres. Once common across East Anglia, the crane became extinct on the British Isles approximately 400 years ago when the fens were drained. In 1979, a few cranes from continental Europe settled in the Norfolk Broads in the east of Britain. We are extremely fortunate to host one of the breeding pairs on our marshes and they have returned year after year to raise their young here. Reed cutting clears the marshes, enabling the cranes to hunt they prey of frogs and small mammals.
Bitterns
We are home to at least 2 breeding pairs of bitterns, of the 60 total in the UK. The bittern is one of the rarest breeding birds on the UK. If you walk along the public footpath around Leist's Farm during March and April, you will here their distinctive booming call.
Ducks
Ranworth Estate is home to a variety of breeding and migratory ducks. You can see mallard, widgeon, teal, pochard, golden eye, gadwall, shovellor and more around the river and broads. Ranworth Broad is home to a large duck roost over the winter, with around 2,000 ducks calling it home for several of the colder months. You can view these duck from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Visitor's Centre.
Water voles
Due to the high water quality and plentiful habitat, we have a thriving population of water voles in Ranworth, despite a national scarcity. We hope that by improving water quality and by creating more natural habitats, we will be able to continue to help populations grow.
