Wildlife

The Broads is renowned for its biodiversity. It is home to more than a quarter of the rarest wildlife in the UK. Birds are in particular abundance like teal and wigeon, reed and sedge warblers. The marsh harrier has made a comeback and bittern numbers have also increased in recent years.

At Cotenham Barn we often see buzzards and marsh harrier above and barn owls hunting in the field next to us. We have green and great spotted woodpecker in the wood. It is not uncommon to spot a deer wandering through the wood or garden- hopefully not nibbling on too many of the plants and flowers. For several years now we have seen swallowtail butterfly in the garden in June which is a real treat. The pond is a particular magnet for wildlife and we have seen otter, kingfisher and little egret visiting as well as the resident moor hen and ducks.