WILDLIFE

Swannington Estate was once a much larger farm and what remains is a remnant of relatively poor agricultural land with woodland and marsh. This land, having been almost uncultivated has become a haven for wildlife. The surrounding area includes woodland other marshland as well as three commons, Swannington Upgate, Alderford and Hengrave – which is part of the Estate.

What this means to any visitor is that using the network of footpaths ‘England as it was’ can be experienced. Insects buzz and birds sing.

All the common garden birds as well as woodpeckers, herons, jays and jackdaws plus some less common ones, including tree creeper, nuthatch, little egret, kingfisher. In the summer there are many warblers and we are pleased to say nightingales too. The dawn chorus in May can be quite loud. We have resident buzzards, kestrels and the passing peregrine falcon.

Mice, moles and voles, foxes, muntjac and roe deer. 5 varieties of bat. Frogs, toads, newts and harmless grass snakes. And the occasional otter.