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Description
RSPB Surlingham Church Marshes is a small reserve which offers birders a short 2km circular walk, with a mixture of habitats that supports a wide variety of species throguhout the year, and boasts some of the more highly sought after birds in the Yare Valley! This peaceful reserve has something to offer throughout the year, and is well worth a couple of hours of your time if you are in the area.
In all seasons, the reedbed at the centre of the reserve is home to iconic species of the area including Καλαμόκιρκος and Μουστακαλής, while the wet woodland is worth searching for Καστανοπαπαδίτσα, Βουνοδεντροβάτης and (Κοινός) Πύρρουλας. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a (Ευρωπαϊκή) Αλκυόνη whizzing up and down the river. You will hear (Ευρωπαϊκό) Ψευταηδόνι on most visits too.
In winter, paths around the reserve are susceptible to flooding and may also become muddy and slippery. Sturdy, waterproof footwear is highly recommended. However, it is also a great time to visit the reserve as large flocks of (Ευρωπαϊκό) Ψαρόνι will put on a fantasitc display at dusk as group together before they drop into the reedbed to roost. Colder weather will bring opprotunities to see elusive (Ευρασιατικός) Ήταυρος. It is worth scanning Postwick Marshes with a scope at this time of year, as Pink-footed Goose and the rarer Ασπρομέτωπη Χήνα can sometimes be found. The marshes are also frequented by hunting Πετρίτης and Ανθρωποπούλλι. There are better reserves in the area to search for wildfowl, but (Ευρωπαϊκό) Σφυριχτάρι and (Ευρωπαϊκό) Κιρκίρι are both often found along the riverbank and in the wet woodland. For the keen eyed spotters, the marshes accomodate (Κοινό) Μπεκατσίνι, Κουφομπεκάτσινο and (Ευρασιατική) Μπεκάτσα.
Spring is a great time to visit Surlingham, as the sound of warbler song returns to the reedbed. You will be able to hear Καλαμοποταμίδα, Σχοινοποταμίδα and possibly even Θαμνοτριλιστής. The resident Σκουφοβουτηχτάρι will be displaying on the river. The wet woodland and scrub areas of the reserve will hold Μαυροσκούφης, Θαμνοτσιροβάκος and potentially (Ευρωπαϊκός) Κούκος. Scanning over to Postwick Marshes, waders including (Ευρωπαϊκή) Καλημάνα and (Ευρωπαϊκός) Στρειδοφάγος may be seen, while Ακτίτης can be spotted on the riverbank.
Summer is a great time to see and hear families of Μουστακαλής roaming the reedbed, while looking up in the sky may reveal hawking Δεντρογέρακο, (Κοινή) Σταχτάρα and flocks of σταβλοχελίδονο, Λευκοχελίδονο and Οχθοχελίδονο. Postwick Marshes sometimes holds Κιτρινοσουσουράδα.
Autumn can be quiet at Surlingham, however, there is always a chance of finding returning Κοκκινότσιχλα and Κεδρότσιχλα. It is always worth locating flocks of Αιγίθαλος in the wet woodland, as there is chance of finding something rarer with them. Herons including the locally scarce Αργυροτσικνιάς may be seen from the hide. The marshland areas may hold families of Μαυρολαίμης. Visitors to the reserve are encouraged to share their sightings on the board in the hide.
Details
Access
Park at Surlingham Church (postcode: NR14 7DF), and take the Wherryman's Way footpath past the cottage, which leads down a slight slope towards the river. This will put you on the circular path around the reserve.