Suffolk birding - April 2024

Updated: Jun 20

Staying at our usual place near the village of Saxmundham we arrived on the 12th of April for a week's long birding trip in Suffolk. Accommodation here is reasonably priced when compared to neighbouring Norfolk but both counties can be explored from Saxmundham an historic Market town near the Coast. We stayed at Carlton meres holiday park which is set in countryside next to ancient woodland. Below: Stone Curlew.

Lynford Arboretum

Located in the county of Norfolk close to the border with Suffolk Lynford arboretum is managed by friends of Thetford forest and Forestry England, entrance and parking is free. A great location for birds and wildlife we came here specifically for Hawfinch, and an area 100 yards or so passed the Coffee truck is the best place to find them, they can be viewed from a gate on the left off the main path. Below: Hawfinch.

Westleton heath

National Nature Reserve (NNR) and one of the best remaining heathlands in Suffolk attracting a variety of birds and wildlife. There are several access points around the heath where you can park including a few small car parks and lay-bys, parking charges apply at the main car park. This is a great area for nesting birds such as Nightjar, Woodlark, Dartford warbler and Green woodpecker. Below: Nightingale.

RSPB Minsmere

Home of the Bittern with around 17 booming males, Minsmere is one of the first RSPB reserves in the UK and a premier birding location in Suffolk with mixed and diverse habitats which include reedbeds, lagoons, wet grasslands, heathlands and vegetated shingle providing sanctuary to a wide array of rare and endangered bird and wildlife species including Otter and Deer. Below: Bittern.

Dunwich heath

The lowland heath and acid grassland is part of the National trust and is located along the Suffolk coastline next to RSPB Minsmere. The habitat here like Westleton is great for breeding Dartford warblers, Nightjar, Woodlark, Antlion and Adder. Car park charges and specific opening times apply. Below: Dartford warbler.

Walberswick and Southwold

Walberswick lies to the South of the river Blyth while Southwold lies to the North, in an area of outstanding natural beauty with a colourful beach hut lined promenade, sandy beach, working Lighthouse and harbour with moorings. Southwold has the vibrant feel of a traditional seaside town. Below: Surf scoter.

Hen reedbed

With a mixture of reedbeds, dykes and pools, Hen reedbeds was created in 1999 to provide new breeding habitat for Bittern and other wildlife, entrance is free and there's a small off road car park while across the road there is a viewing platform which overlooks Wolsey creek marshes, at low tide exposed mudflats are ideal for a variety of wading birds. Below: Sedge warbler.

Boyton

Boyton Marshes is an important wetland habitat, consisting of saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, and intertidal mudflats. The reserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, including wading birds such as Avocets, Redshanks, and Curlews, as well as ducks, geese, and swans. Mammals found here include Otters and Water voles, the area is also home to a range of invertebrates. Below: Black-tailed godwit.

Hollesley marshes

The marshland habitat near the open prison at Hollesley was originally created by the RSPB to attract some of the birds which had been displaced by gulls at nearby Havergate island, now established as one of the best examples of coastal grazing marsh on the Suffolk coast, sustaining a healthy population of breeding Avocets, Lapwings and Redshanks along with wintering ducks and geese. Below: Glossy ibis.

Vault Hill

The roads around Minsmere are great to explore during early mornings and evenings and in particular Vault hill which is a good location for viewing Stone curlew. A footpath takes you along Scott's hall farm down to Saunder's hill and through Hangman's new wood. This area can also be viewed from an un-named road off Sheepwash lane and is of a similar habitat to neighbouring Whin hill. Below: Stone Curlew.