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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 Лунь очеретяний and Сутора вусата, або синиця вусата, while the wet woodland is worth searching for Гаїчка болотяна, Підкоришник звичайний and Снігур звичайний. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of a Рибалочка блакитний whizzing up and down the river. You will hear Очеретянка середземноморська 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 Шпак звичайний 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 Бугай водяний. It is worth scanning Postwick Marshes with a scope at this time of year, as Гуменник короткодзьобий and the rarer Гуска білолоба 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 Свищ євразійський and Чирянка мала are both often found along the riverbank and in the wet woodland. For the keen eyed spotters, the marshes accomodate Баранець звичайний, Баранець малий and Слуква лісова.
Spring is a great time to visit Surlingham, as the sound of warbler song returns to the reedbed. You will be able to hear Очеретянка ставкова, Очеретянка лучна and possibly even Кобилочка-цвіркун. The resident Пірникоза велика will be displaying on the river. The wet woodland and scrub areas of the reserve will hold Кропив’янка чорноголова, Кропив’янка сіра and potentially Зозуля звичайна. Scanning over to Postwick Marshes, waders including Чайка чубата and Кулик-сорока may be seen, while Набережник палеарктичний can be spotted on the riverbank.
Summer is a great time to see and hear families of Сутора вусата, або синиця вусата roaming the reedbed, while looking up in the sky may reveal hawking Підсоколик великий, Серпокрилець чорний and flocks of Ластівка сільська, Ластівка міська and Ластівка берегова. Postwick Marshes sometimes holds Жовта плиска.
Autumn can be quiet at Surlingham, however, there is always a chance of finding returning Дрізд білобровий and Чикотень. It is always worth locating flocks of Ополовник звичайний, або синиця довгохвоста in the wet woodland, as there is chance of finding something rarer with them. Herons including the locally scarce Чепура велика may be seen from the hide. The marshland areas may hold families of Трав'янка чорноголова. 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.