Rare wasp spider found at Horsey

THE stunning wasp spider has been found in the Breathing Places wildlife reserve at the National Trust's Horsey Windpump in Norfolk and is only the fourth time it has been recorded in Norfolk.

THE stunning wasp spider has been found in the Breathing Places wildlife reserve at the National Trust's Horsey Windpump in Norfolk and is only the fourth time it has been recorded in Norfolk.

Volunteers and National Trust staff created several new areas dedicated to improving the wildlife value, and enjoyment for visitors, of the area around Horsey Windpump back in 2008 and this discovery shows how their hard work is paying off.

The areas include a wildflower meadow, traditional orchard and sensory garden with child and wheelchair friendly ponds.

Stephen Prowse, the Warden at Horsey said: “It's so exciting to find these spiders here in the new habitats. They're absolutely gorgeous creatures and it just goes to show that anything can turn up if you create a flower rich area like this. It's a credit to the volunteers who have created this wonderful wildlife area and I really hope that people will continue to enjoy and look after our new wildlife whilst visiting the windpump.”

Since its creation, the Breathing Places at Horsey Windpump have also hosted 25 species of butterfly and a wide range of other insects as well as barn owls, grass snakes and Chinese water deer.

And with one of the best views in Norfolk, the five-storey windpump provides the perfect place for surveying the beautiful broads and spotting some of the amazing wildlife found there. Horsey Windpump is open until November 1, so why not make like the wildlife, and head to the windpump before winter sets in.

See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-horseywindpump for opening times and details.