Brettenham Heath National Nature Reserve covers 233ha of Breckland heath, with just a few scattered trees. It is surrounded by a fox-proof fence: human access is forbidden during the breeding season. The A11 runs through the middle of the heath.
This is probably the most important site for nesting Curlews in the whole of the Brecks, and it also supports other typical Breckland birds, including Nightjars and Stone Curlews.