APPENDIX 8A - National Infrastructure Planning

County Wildlife Site
(Ref No: 404)
Site Name: Saddlebow Reedbeds Parish: King's Lynn
Grid Reference: TF 615181 Area: 6.9 ha
Site Description:
This is a large area of fen with a small area of encroaching scrub. It is surrounded by earth banks
colonised by tall herb species. The site is managed on a basis of cyclic succession which has
resulted in the creation of several pools within the fen area which are now being left to recolonise.
Although the site does not support a large number of plant species, such a large area of
fen is uncommon and provides an important habitat for many bird species.
The fen is dominated by reed (Phragmites australis) with occasional patches of great willowherb
(Epilobium hirsutum), hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) and hedge bindweed (Calystegia
sepium).
Spoil from the creation of fen pools has been used to build the surrounding earth banks. These are
colonised by scentless mayweed (Tripleurospermum maritimum) which is scarce in Norfolk,
hemlock (Conum maculatum), nettle (Urtica dioica), cleavers (Galium aparine) and cock's-foot
(Dactylis glomerata). Other species include rye-grass (Lolium perenne), wild carrot (Daucus
carota) and cornflower (Centaurea cyarius).
To the north is an area of dense hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and elder (Sambucus nigra) has
developed over the fen vegetation.
Survey date: 1995; Boundary revised: 15/06/1998