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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 Болотный лунь and Усатая синица, while the wet woodland is worth searching for Черноголовая гаичка, Обыкновенная пищуха and Снегирь. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a Обыкновенный зимородок whizzing up and down the river. You will hear Соловьиная широкохвостка 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 Обыкновенный скворец 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 Большая выпь. It is worth scanning Postwick Marshes with a scope at this time of year, as Короткоклювый гуменник and the rarer Белолобый гусь can sometimes be found. The marshes are also frequented by hunting Сапсан and Сипуха. There are better reserves in the area to search for wildfowl, but Свиязь and Чирок-свистунок are both often found along the riverbank and in the wet woodland. For the keen eyed spotters, the marshes accomodate Бекас, Гаршнеп and Вальдшнеп.
Spring is a great time to visit Surlingham, as the sound of warbler song returns to the reedbed. You will be able to hear Тростниковая камышевка, Камышевка-барсучок and possibly even Обыкновенный сверчок. The resident Чомга will be displaying on the river. The wet woodland and scrub areas of the reserve will hold Славка-черноголовка, Серая славка and potentially Обыкновенная кукушка. Scanning over to Postwick Marshes, waders including Чибис and Кулик-сорока may be seen, while Перевозчик can be spotted on the riverbank.
Summer is a great time to see and hear families of Усатая синица roaming the reedbed, while looking up in the sky may reveal hawking Чеглок, Чёрный стриж and flocks of Деревенская ласточка, Воронок and Береговушка. Postwick Marshes sometimes holds Жёлтая трясогузка.
Autumn can be quiet at Surlingham, however, there is always a chance of finding returning Белобровик and Рябинник. It is always worth locating flocks of Ополовник in the wet woodland, as there is chance of finding something rarer with them. Herons including the locally scarce Большая белая цапля may be seen from the hide. The marshland areas may hold families of Черноголовый чекан. 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.