Birdwatching in Suffolk

Birdwatching in Suffolk

Birdwatching in Suffolk is a joy as the landscape of the county is diverse and varied, and so is the range of wildlife that inhabits it. Avid birdwatchers and novices alike can enjoy a coastal walk and the possibility of sighting a Marsh Harrier or Avocet, or head north to the southern edge of the Broads, where you can catch birds on migration and taking a break for some bathing.

Inland are the reserves of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and Natural England (formerly English Nature), many of which have dedicated hides, and all of which boast a variety of bird spotting opportunities.

Here are a collection of the primary birdwatching sites in Suffolk, listed alphabetically. Where possible, both directions and the Ordinance Survey Grid References have been included. For reference, the organization which maintains the sites is located in parenthesis next to the site itself. Happy birdwatching!

Birdwatching in Suffolk
View along the shoreline of Benacre Broad by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Benacre Broad (Natural England)
Land ranger Map 156 Grid Ref TM 530830.
Benacre Broad is located halfway between Lowestoft and Southwold. Formerly the site of peat diggings in the 1700s, this is now a popular spot for Wheatears, Meadow Pipits and Linnets. If you head inward to the rougher denes and the West Kessingland Levels, you may spot short-eared
Owls, Kestrel, Hen and Marsh Harriers, and wintering Geese. Nearby River Hundred by the Benacre sluice is a great place to view winter Duck and autumn waders.

Blyth Estuary (English Nature)
Grid Ref: TM4675
A great place to see avocet, black-tailed godwit, bittern, marsh harrier, and woodlark, the River Blyth flows from Southwold, Walberswick and Blythburgh. The Estuary is easily located off the A12 and is open year-round, and features a public footpath and bird hide. The estuary also features rare aquatic plants such as frog-bit and great bladderwort, which thrive in the estuary’s dykes; nearby meadows are home to marsh orchids, and bog beans, as well as many sedges and rushes.
Find out about Walberswick here.

Birdwatching in Suffolk
Mudflats and saltmarsh in the Blyth estuary, Walberswick by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Dunwich Heath (National Trust)
Grid Ref: TM4768
Signposted off the A12, this site is located 2 miles south of Dunwich Village, just 8 miles from Aldeburgh and Southwold. It is part of the Heathland Conservation area, being one of the few remaining areas of ancient Sandlings heaths in East Anglia. It also features a number of great walks with amazing views, and the chance to spot Dartford warblers, woodlarks, rare insects and heathland plants – and hear Nightingales. Admission is free but there is a charge for car parking.
Dunwich has a fascinating history so find out more about this famous former City of Dunwich here

Havergate Island RSPB
This is a small island in the River Ore accessible by boat from Orford Quay (B1084, B1078 to Orford) – and is important for avocets, spoonbills, brown hares and saltmarsh plants. This bird reserve also features 8 hides, where during the Spring and Autumn season a fantastic array of wading birds can be seen. Discounts for RSPB members and the admission charge also includes the cost of boat transport. Please see Havergate Island for more information.
Orford is well worth a visit in its own right, with an English Heritage Castle, quayside plus fabulous restaurants and Inns (it’s known as Suffolk top Foodie Town).

Birdwatching in Suffolk
Adrian Beaumont / RSPB nature reserve of Havergate Island

Lackford Wildfowl Reserve (Suffolk Wildlife Trust)
Grid Ref: TL 803708
Originally created from former gravel pits, the Lackford Lakes are a must-visit for birdwatchers in Suffolk. Rarities like black-nested Grebes can be viewed along with osprey, buzzard, and sparrowhawk. Summer brings sand martin, swallows, and kingfishers, and in the winter, gull roost and redshank nest in the area. Migrant birds are regulars here—look out for black terns and little egrets during migrations. Lackford Lakes boasts good walking conditions, wheelchair-accessible hides, and a year-round opening. Telephone 01284 728 706
There are plenty of other Activities in Bury St Edmunds too!

Lakenheath Fen(RSPB)
Grid reference: TL722864
Twelve years ago, the land that is now Lakenheath Fen nature reserve was a carrot field with little to offer in the way of wildlife interest. Now it’s a wetland area filled with life: marsh harriers, hobbies, bearded tits and warblers. It is one of the few places in the UK where golden orioles breed. There is a flexible nature trail network, four viewpoints and a visitor centre.
For full detials please see RSPB Lakenheath Fen.

Landguard(Suffolk Wildlife Trust)
Grid Ref: TM285320.
For a guided birdwatching experience, Landguard offers guided visits with a Ranger. This reserve in the south of Suffolk is an excellent place to catch migrant birds, little tern, black redstart and Weatear. South of Felixstowe, Landguard is also home to the Landguard Conservation Trust, a volunteer organisation and ringing station which is makes it one of the best recorded sites in Britain. Admission is free, and you can telephone 01394 673 782 to arrange a guided visit.

Birdwatching in Suffolk
Landguard Point by Tim Marchant, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Minsmere (RSPB)
Grid Ref:TM4766
Located off the B1125 and easily reachable from the A12, this famous RSPB reserve on the coast near Westleton is a fantastic reserve with a variety of habitats. The base for BBC 2014 Springwatch, RSPM, offers woodlands, marshes, heath, and beach all within the same area, so birdwatchers can expect a huge variety of different birds with over three hundred species in the area’s checklist. Be sure to look out for avocet, bearded tit, bittern, and marsh harrier. Minsmere is free to RSPB members and has a large visitor centre, shop, and cafe for the weary watcher.
See RSPB Minsmere for more details.

Birdwatching in Suffolk
Airwolfhound, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

North Warren (RSPB)
Grid Ref: TM4559
Located between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh on the Coast Road, North Warren varies between grazing marshes, reedbeds, heathland and woodland. During the winter months, it is home to thousands of wildfowl, and in the summer is a fantastic place for birdwatchers to observe breeding bitterns, marsh harriers, nightjars, woodlarks, and nightingales. Admission is free, and there are four miles of well-maintained public footpaths throughout the warren. North Warren can be accessed by train from Saxmundham station. Telephone 01728 648 281 for more information.
Visit North Warren.
More Activities in Saxmundham

Orford Ness
Grid Ref: TM4549
Orford Ness, a secret military testing site from the first World War, is now the home to the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe. It contains a variety of habitats which act as breeding sites for migrant birds, making Orford Ness a great place for birdwatching and military historians alike. Reachable from the B1078 and B1084, it can only be accessed from Orford Quay. There is a charge for admission, please call 01263 733 471

Birdwatching in Suffolk
Stonyditch Point, Orford Ness by Rob Noble, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Sizewell Belts (SWT)
Grid Ref: TM 454638
Primarily known for its amazing assortment of wildflowers, birdwatchers can get a glimpse of kingfisher, water rain, and barn owl, as well as bittern and the flighty bearded tit. With marsh, reedbed, and wet woodland next to heathland and beach, Sizewell Belts offers many types of terrain. Visiting birds like wigeon, snipe, and shoveler are attracted to the flooded marshes during the winter. The best time to visit is May through July, and while dogs are not allowed, there is full wheelchair access to the Woodlands. This site is maintained by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT).
More on the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Birdwatching in Suffolk
Algae-infested ditch on Sizewell Belts by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Trimley Marshes (SWT)
Grid Ref: TM 260352
This fantastic wetland reserve is created almost entirely from arable land alongside the river Orwell and is a habitat managed primarily for birds and birdwatching. The wet meadows are grazed by cattle, sheep, wigeon and geese during the winter months. Wet conditions are maintained by a system of sluices, meaning perfect conditions for wintering wildfowl and breeding waders such as redshank, avocet, oystercatcher, and black-tailed godwit. The lagoon and islands provide a habitat for plovers, ducks, sandpipers, and greenshank. Trimley Marshes is located off the A45 near Felixstowe. Admission is free, and you can telephone 01473 710 032 for more information.
More about Felixstowe.

Walberswick (Natural England)
Grid Ref: TM4973
Walberswick features shingle beaches, inter-tidal mud flats, grazing and coasatal marshes, heathland and woodland. It’s accessible from many points, and has scores of footpaths. Over 280 bird species have been recorded, including bittern, marsh harrier, and nightjar. Natural England manages the nature reserve and current conservation work includes clearing the heathland of scrub and bracken to maintain healthy populations of birds, reptiles, and insects that these areas support. The Walberswick Reserve is located off the B137 just south of Walberswick village. The site is open all rear round and admission is free. Please telephone 01502 676 171 for more details.
More information on Walberswick.

Birdwatching in Suffolk
Track traversing Walberswick Heath by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Westleton Heath (Natural England)
Grid Ref: TM473672
At Westleton Heath, near Minsmere, birdwatchers can expect to find birds of open heath and light scrub, including Dartford warbler, stonechat and nightjar. In the woodland areas, you’ll find nightingale and woodcock. Westleton Heath is 1k.m North of the village of Westleton. The nearest train station is in Darsham, 5km to the West, and Bus services run along the A12 as well.

Birdwatching in Suffolk
A sea of purple, Westleton Heath by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wolves Wood (RSPB)
Grid Ref: TM 054437
This ancient woodland reserve is managed by traditional coppicing to benefit the myriad of wildlife that call it home. Perfect for early morning birdwatching, there are many nightingales and a wide variety of animal, bird, and plant life. It’s located off the A1071, accessible from the Hadleigh bus station and the Harling Road train station. Please telephone 01206 391153 for more details.
Please let us know what you’ve seen and where so that we can add it to this article (pics are appreciated too!). Email [email protected].

Also, take a look at Activities in Suffolk, Things to do in Suffolk and What’s On in Suffolk for other things to do in Suffolk.

Please tell us all about your best-ever birdwatching experience in Suffolk – or your favourite birdwatching spots. Send all opinions, comments and reviews to [email protected].

“We have just returned from a fantastic trip birding in the Lowestoft area. We came last year (we have a friend with a caravan at Corton), and that was a great success too – we saw Avocets, Plovers, Little Terns and Oystercatchers at Benacre, and then on the way home, a Little Owl stopped in front of the car! We watched him (her?!) for ages while two Marsh Harriers flew over the adjacent field. Amazing! Corton Marshes was also a great place for Warblers (easier heard than seen!!), and I saw a Cuckoo.
This year we returned to Benacre and saw Avocet chicks this time, but the real jewel in the crown was Walberswick. What an amazing place!! High points were Bearded Tits, which have been a major ambition for ages, and also Bittern (three times!) Dartford Warbler and Marsh Warbler. I want to come back as soon as possible and try to see Otters, Water Voles and Natterjack Toads. Can’t wait!

Suffolk is a really beautiful county with an amazing variety of wildlife, I wouldn’t want to go on holiday anywhere else!”

Warm Regards,
Fiona & Graham Bell

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