A visit to Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve

- June 13, 2009

Carlton Marshes, together with Oulton Marshes, is a lowland reserve in the Broads National Park. It consists of meadows, wet grassland, reedbeds, marsh and woodland. It is run by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. We spent a pleasant few hours here and promised ourselves a revisit sometime.

Scarce Chaser - a species of dragonfly. The adult male has a bright blue abdomen with patches of black, while the adult female and juvenile male each have a bright orange abdomen. It is about 45 mm in length with an average wingspan of 74 mm.

Cuckoo spit begins to appear in late spring at a time when the familiar call of cuckoos can be heard, but otherwise has no connection with the bird. It is caused by frog hopper nymphs

Southern Marsh Orchid - hopefully!. The Southern Marsh-orchid typically grows to between 30 and 50 cm in height although taller specimens up to 70 cm can occur. Difficult to distinguish from the Northern Marsh-orchid, Dactylorhiza purpurella, the lip of the Southern Marsh-orchid is gently rounded and folds back on itself. The lip of the Northern Marsh-orchid is more angular.

Yellow iris or Iris pseudacorus for the Latin name. Did you know? - The yellow iris is thought by some to be the original 'fleur-de-lis' - a common symbol of heraldry.It is apotropaic, i.e. believed to avert evil. Thus it was hung in bunches outside the doors on the Feast of Corpus Christi in Ireland. The things people believe!

Medicinally used for its astringency, to stop blood flow. Also the roasted seeds have been used to make an coffee-like drink.

We stayed overnight in Lowestoft and this is the house we stayed in. This magnificent Grade II listed Victorian town house was the birthplace of composer Benjamin Britten and his family home for 21 years. Shame is was for only one night. Another time maybe.