Buxton Heath SSSI is a rare heath-with-fen site north of Norwich TG 175218.
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The site is only small but supports a superb valley mire surrounded by wet heath, this changes to dry acid heath as you go up the valley sides. The site supports plenty of rare species such the Silver Studded Blue Butterfly, the Marsh Gentian and a variety of orchids. Its also a fantastic place to see reptiles; adder, grass snake, slow-worm and lizard are regularly seen in the summer. Other regular wildlife visitors include Red Deer, Roe Deer and Muntjac; Barn Owl is regularly seen hunting over the site and other bird species of interest include Crossbills, Jack Snipe and Turtle Dove.
The Heath is owned by the Hevingham Fuel Allotment Charity, but managed by Norfolk Wildlife Trust along with the volunteers of Buxton Heath Wildlife Group. This group was founded by Colin Penny in May 1992. Since Colin's move to Hungary the group has continued under the guidance of new voluntary warden one time UEA student Phil Davison (now working for CEFAS). Phil brings a minibus from Norwich regularly throughout the year allowing students from UEA's Conservation and Wildlfe Society to get out of the city and provide some valued man power. Currently Phil is also supported by knowledgeable long term members Colin Thompson (renowned for his superior fire lighting skills!) and Lepidoptera expert David Ruthven, and occasionally by ex-student and local ecologist Susie Dickinson of Wild Frontier Ecology[1] Members of the group are known as 'Heathlings' More information about the site and conservation work is available on the Buxton Heath Wildlife Group website[2]
In order to maintain the habitat much work is required. Currently Norfolk Wildlife Trust are overseeing a restoration project of woodland and scrub clearance. Although areas of the site now look very bare where they have been stripped it is hoped that these bare areas and short regenerating vegetation will be ideal for the rare silver studded blue butterfly.[3] The wildlife group cannot realise such big projects they assist with vital continued clearance of gorse and birch from the heath and mire. This is cut and burnt on site. They also monitor the wildlife and have recently had a yearly pond digging exercise to encourage further diversity.
The site is open to the public. It's situated between, and easily accessible from the B1149 ans A140. It is a lovely place for a walk although wellies are highly recommended all year if crossing the mire. Grazing sometimes occurs so please keep dogs on a lead.