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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 Barna rétihéja and Barkóscinege, while the wet woodland is worth searching for Barátcinege, Hegyi fakusz and Süvöltő. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a Jégmadár whizzing up and down the river. You will hear Berki poszáta 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 Seregély 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 Bölömbika. It is worth scanning Postwick Marshes with a scope at this time of year, as rövidcsőrű lúd and the rarer Nagy lilik can sometimes be found. The marshes are also frequented by hunting Vándorsólyom and Gyöngybagoly. There are better reserves in the area to search for wildfowl, but Fütyülő réce and Csörgo réce are both often found along the riverbank and in the wet woodland. For the keen eyed spotters, the marshes accomodate Sárszalonka, Kis sárszalonka and Erdei szalonka.
Spring is a great time to visit Surlingham, as the sound of warbler song returns to the reedbed. You will be able to hear cserregő nádiposzáta, Foltos nádiposzáta and possibly even Réti tücsökmadár. The resident Búbos vöcsök will be displaying on the river. The wet woodland and scrub areas of the reserve will hold Barátposzáta, Mezei poszáta and potentially Kakukk. Scanning over to Postwick Marshes, waders including Bíbic and Csigaforgató may be seen, while billegetőcankó can be spotted on the riverbank.
Summer is a great time to see and hear families of Barkóscinege roaming the reedbed, while looking up in the sky may reveal hawking Kabasólyom, Sarlósfecske and flocks of Füsti fecske, Molnárfecske and partifecske. Postwick Marshes sometimes holds sárga billegető.
Autumn can be quiet at Surlingham, however, there is always a chance of finding returning szőlőrigó and fenyőrigó. It is always worth locating flocks of őszapó in the wet woodland, as there is chance of finding something rarer with them. Herons including the locally scarce Nagy kócsag may be seen from the hide. The marshland areas may hold families of cigánycsuk. 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.