Barton Broad

Barton Broad is the largest Broad in the Ant Valley. It is a man-made landscape impacted by natural processes - the open water is a result of flooded peat diggings. The fen habitat around Barton Broad contributes to the largest fenland expanse in the UK and contains rare vegetation. It is home to key species including bittern, marsh harrier, otter, fen orchid and Desmoulin’s whorl snail.

Barton Broad and the surrounding margins, reedbeds, fens and wet and dry woodland was purchased in 1945.

What to look for

Spring/summer

common tern, black-tailed skimmer, swallowtail butterfly.

Autumn/winter

redpoll.

Year round

great crested grebe, heron, cetti’s warbler, pochard, tufted duck, mallard, teal.