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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 Saz delicesi and Bıyıklı baştankara, while the wet woodland is worth searching for Kayın Baştankarası, Orman tırmaşıkkuşu and Şakrak. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a Yalıçapkını whizzing up and down the river. You will hear Kamış Bülbülü 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 Sığırcık 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 Balaban. It is worth scanning Postwick Marshes with a scope at this time of year, as Küçük Tarla Kazı and the rarer Sakarca can sometimes be found. The marshes are also frequented by hunting Gök doðan and Peçeli Baykuş. There are better reserves in the area to search for wildfowl, but Fiyu and Çamurcun are both often found along the riverbank and in the wet woodland. For the keen eyed spotters, the marshes accomodate Su çulluğu, Küçük su çulluğu and Çulluk.
Spring is a great time to visit Surlingham, as the sound of warbler song returns to the reedbed. You will be able to hear Saz Kamışçını, Kındıra kamışçını and possibly even Çekirge Kamışçını. The resident Bahri will be displaying on the river. The wet woodland and scrub areas of the reserve will hold Karabağlı ötleğen, Akgerdanlı ötleğen and potentially Guguk. Scanning over to Postwick Marshes, waders including Kızkuşu and Poyrazkuşu may be seen, while Dere düdükçünü can be spotted on the riverbank.
Summer is a great time to see and hear families of Bıyıklı baştankara roaming the reedbed, while looking up in the sky may reveal hawking Delice doğan, Ebabil and flocks of Kır kırlangıcı, Ev kırlangıcı and Kum kırlangıcı. Postwick Marshes sometimes holds Sarý kuyruksallayan.
Autumn can be quiet at Surlingham, however, there is always a chance of finding returning Kızıl ardıç and Tarla ardıcı. It is always worth locating flocks of Uzunkuyruklu baştankara in the wet woodland, as there is chance of finding something rarer with them. Herons including the locally scarce Büyük ak balýkçýl may be seen from the hide. The marshland areas may hold families of Taşkuşu. 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.