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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 Eja močvarica and Brkata senica, while the wet woodland is worth searching for Siva senica, Kratkokljuni puzić and Zimovka. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a Vodomar whizzing up and down the river. You will hear Svilorepi cvrčić 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 Čvorak 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 Vodeni bik. It is worth scanning Postwick Marshes with a scope at this time of year, as Kratkokljuna guska and the rarer Lisasta guska can sometimes be found. The marshes are also frequented by hunting Sivi soko and Kukuvija. There are better reserves in the area to search for wildfowl, but Zviždara and Krdža are both often found along the riverbank and in the wet woodland. For the keen eyed spotters, the marshes accomodate Barska šljuka, Mala šljuka and Šumska šljuka.
Spring is a great time to visit Surlingham, as the sound of warbler song returns to the reedbed. You will be able to hear Trstenjak crvrkutić, Trstenjak rogožar and possibly even Cvrčić tršćar. The resident Ćubasti gnjurac will be displaying on the river. The wet woodland and scrub areas of the reserve will hold Crnoglava grmuša, Obična grmuša and potentially Obična kukavica. Scanning over to Postwick Marshes, waders including Vivak and Ostrigar may be seen, while Polojka can be spotted on the riverbank.
Summer is a great time to see and hear families of Brkata senica roaming the reedbed, while looking up in the sky may reveal hawking Lastavičar, Crna čiopa and flocks of Seoska lasta, Gradska lasta and Bregunica. Postwick Marshes sometimes holds Žuta pliska.
Autumn can be quiet at Surlingham, however, there is always a chance of finding returning Mali drozd and Drozd borovnjak. It is always worth locating flocks of Dugorepa senica in the wet woodland, as there is chance of finding something rarer with them. Herons including the locally scarce Velika bela čaplja may be seen from the hide. The marshland areas may hold families of Crnoglava travarka. 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.