NWT Hoe Rough contains an interesting mix of grassland, heath and wetter fen habitats.
Numerous notable plants occur including green-winged and early marsh orchid, as well as around 200 invertebrate species. Otter, water vole and white-clawed crayfish have been recorded in the River Whitewater (a tributary of the Wensum), which forms the northern boundary of the reserve.
Great Crested Newt
The UK’s largest and rarest newt, males in breeding condition develop a jagged crest along their backs, which, coupled with their orange- and black-spangled bellies and rough warty skin is quite a sight.
Access
Hoe Rough is located 3.2km (2 miles) north of Dereham, close to Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse museum. Access is from a small roadside car park off the B1146, next to the river.
Spring
Plants - Green-winged orchid, yellow rattle, cuckoo flower, bogbean, common milkwort, meadow saxifrage
Insects - Broad bodied chaser, orange tip
Reptiles and amphibians - Adder, great crested newt
Summer
Plants - Yellow rattle, cuckoo flower, bogbean, heather, common milkwort, bird’s foot trefoil, meadow saxifrage, lady’s bedstraw
Insects Orange tip, yellow meadow ant
Reptiles and amphibians - Adder, great crested newt
Autumn
Reptiles - Adder
Fungi - Fly agaric