Park or Sanctuary ?
The creation of national parks is said to be imminent. One district, never mentioned as a candidate, is already a national park, which has now been most seasonably increased by Mr. Cator's most generous gift of two Broads to the Norfolk Naturalists' Trust. Of course, the national park is regarded by its promoters chiefly as a place of recreation and refreshment for the urban holiday-maker, not as in any sense a sanctuary for wild life. Indeed, it may prove the enemy of the sanctuary—that is a real danger. Even so fainous a sanctuary as Scolt Head or Blakeney Spit is now so popular that the wardens and watchers have no little trouble to save the clutches of terns and other ground-nesting birds from being trampled underfoot by careless and myopic invaders. Happily, the new addition to the Trust is in less danger. It is more difficult of approach, and the nests dear to naturalists are too widely scattered to become a peep-show. Is there any place in England where you may feel so " wrapt from the world " as in the- neighbourhood of some of the marshes and smaller Broads near Woodbastwick ? Even in full holiday times, when you are aware that the River Bure has some affinity with its exit at Yarmouth, you penetrate to a region of absolute peace within a few hundred yards of the river. The Trust will doubtless see to it that this sense of sanctuary is maintained, and we may hope that the rarer and wilder birds will become aware of their protection.
Previous page
