Geosites work in NE Norfolk

Post date: Jun 24, 2011 7:06:15 PM

Site surveying update

Thanks to funding from Natural England via the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership (www.norfolkbiodiversity.org), geologist Martin Warren (www.northfolk.org.uk) has completed work on a review of 23 geodiversity sites/features in north-east Norfolk. This continues our programme of work on a ground-truthing survey of sites & features listed in the Norfolk Geodiversity Audit.

The sites were chosen in consultation with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust for having overlapping geodiversity and biodiversity interest, for example County Wildlife Sites or SSSIs not designated for their geodiversity interest.

Ground-truthing work involves examining and photographing the extent, condition and location of geo-features at a site, finding out about access and ownership, and examining site extent/boundaries. It is interesting work, as one get to know more about the local landscape, and site owners often have useful information to impart.

North Norfolk District

  • Beeston Regis & Runton, Roman Camp and Beeston Regis Heath

  • Cromer Cliffs

  • Edgefield Heath

  • Great Ryburgh, Starmoor Wood

  • Happisburgh Dunes

  • Kelling, Muckleburgh Hill

  • Knapton Cutting

  • Mundesley Cliffs Interglacial Site & Mundesley Cliffs North West

  • Runton, Incleborough Hill

  • Salthouse Heath

  • Sea Palling Dunes

  • Upper Sheringham, Pretty Corner

Exposed podsol soil on Runton Heath.

Photo Martin Warren

Happisbugh Dunes, looking north.

Photo Martin Warren

Broadland District

  • Blickling, Bucks Common & Bunkers Hill & Five Acre Pit

  • Frettenham, Frettenham Chalk Pit & Howes Pit

  • Great Witchingham, Great Witchingham Common and Pits

  • Great Witchingham, Lenwade Gravel Pits (East)

  • Great Witchingham, Lenwade Gravel Pits (West)

  • Horstead, Horstead Old Gravel Pits

  • Marsham, [Heath Pit 1]

  • Oulton, Itteringham Gravel Pit

  • Taverham, Ringland Pits

  • Thorpe St Andrew, Thorpe Disused Pits

Great Yarmouth Borough

  • Fleggburgh, Billockby Sand Pit

Horstead Old Gravel Pit, centre.

Photo Martin Warren

The results of the survey will be used to recommend candidate sites for County Geodiversity Site status, and to improve information in the Audit. They will also help the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's Mineral County Wildlife Sites programme. We plan to house the results of the surveys in a new online database at NBIS (www.nbis.org.uk).

Download a summary of the results by clicking on the PDF link below.