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Mute
swans on the flooded path at Thorpe Marshes.
“Streets
full of water. Please advise.” It’s a famous telegram about Venice’s canals,
certainly tongue-in-cheek, and though the wording and origin is disputed, the
spirit of the quip came to mind as I walked around NWT Thorpe Marshes.
The
path through the marshes was under water after recent high tides. Three mute
swans were surprised to see me as I waded along the path while I took the usual
circuit around the reserve. It was that way round – the swans being surprised,
not me. When the reserve is flooded the swans seem to choose the flooded paths
over the ditches and water-filled marshes. There was a half-hearted hiss as I went
past the trio, as if to say, “This is our kind of place today, what are you doing
here?”
NWT
Thorpe Marshes gets inundated by the tidal River Yare at some point in most
winters. It’s usually when there’s a combination of high river flows after rain
and high tides. It may be inconvenient for a few days for visitors and dog
walkers, but I certainly don’t mind. It underlines that a wetland nature
reserve is the ideal use for the area.
The
Yare here retains some elements of a naturally functioning river system: in other words,
it should flood. On these occasions, the marshes act as a temporary water storage
area, a kind of safety valve that contributes to protecting people and property
elsewhere.
Anyone reading this ahead of the next guided walk at Thorpe Marshes on 17 December may be wondering if the walk will be affected. It depends on the next few days, of course, but from experience the water drains away quickly. If paths across the marshes are under water, then the walk will simply stick to the higher riverside footpath that leads to the viewpoint over St Andrews Broad. But do wear wellies!
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| Floods in a gateway at Thorpe Marshes. |
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