Marsh Harrier

What makes Suffolk special to you? Is there anything the county offers that one can’t find elsewhere?

Suffolk is special to me for a number of reasons. There is an incredibly wide range of habitats in close proximity, from woodland to heaths and estuaries bordered by grazing marshes to large reedbeds. Much of the coast is well away from main roads and, wherever you walk, there is a real sense of space. The birding is especially enjoyable because, alongside the species which are ‘expected’, there is always the chance of a surprise find, particularly during the autumn migration period.   

Suffolk is a county in which the seasons play a key role in what might be seen. Spring brings the promise of arriving warblers and hirundines, with the heath and woodland full of birdsong – Nightingale, Blackcap, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler to name a few. Summer is often dry and sunny but gives a chance to catch up with late arrivals like Nightjars and breeding birds like Stone-curlew; it also sees the early arrival of waders heading south from northern natal grounds. Autumn is a season full of promise: as the leaves turn gold each day is different and can give a chance of Wheatears and Whinchats, warblers and even scarce migrants like Red-backed Shrike; terns and other seabirds pass along the coast – you really never know what you will find. The cold, crisp weather of winter finds flocks of wildfowl at coastal wetlands and finches at inland woodland.

What are the birding highlights? What other species are of interest here?

For many, the draw of Suffolk is the reedbeds and coastal wetlands. Here, breeding and overwintering Avocets are always great to see, but the sight of a Bittern lolloping across the tops of the reeds at Minsmere, accompanied by Marsh Harriers food passing or Hobbies catching dragonflies, is always a highlight. Bearded Tits inhabit the reedbeds and reedy ditches so this species is a target on a number of the day walks, with autumn being the best time of year to see it, when sizeable and noisy parties form to sit in the sun early morning.

In winter the wetlands and marshes fill with water and on several walks we have the opportunity to look at a variety of dabbling ducks in pristine plumage, including handsome Pintail, Shoveler and Wigeon. On the estuaries we can see many species of wader such as Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit, and sometimes the air is filled by the evocative call of Curlews ‘singing’.  Flocks of White-fronted, Brent and Barnacle Geese graze the fields and, occasionally, Bewick’s and Whooper Swans appear. With luck, the Marsh Harriers are joined by the odd Merlin or Hen Harrier, and flurries of Snow Buntings may arrive from the north to spend the winter on shingle ridges next to the coast.

Spring and summer are great times to visit. Suffolk enjoys a wealth of breeding warblers, including Dartford, Garden, Reed and Sedge Warblers; sometimes reeling Grasshopper Warblers are found. Woodlarks are active on most of our coastal heaths, with their mellifluous song often heard and feeding pairs seen gathering food for young. Stone-curlew is possible near Minsmere and Hobbies are arriving, busy hawking for insects. Walberswick and Minsmere are great locations to listen out for the beautiful song of a Nightingale.

As summer turns to autumn the first waders arrive – often in full breeding plumage – with charcoal Spotted Redshank and spotty Green and Wood Sandpipers possible. This period of migration is always exciting because you are never sure what you might see! Sometimes, from mid-morning, groups of Starlings appear out at sea before heading overhead and inland, a wondrous spectacle; sometimes a Woodcock might come “in-off”. On one day there could be a big movement of Gannet, ducks or Brent Geese following the coast, whilst on another the bushes might be full of recently arrived Goldcrests and Redwings. And of course, there is always the chance of a scarcer bird: a Firecrest, Red-backed Shrike or even Yellow-browed Warbler in the bushes, while on the marshes we might spot a rare wader like a Temminck’s Stint or Glossy Ibis.

What’s your favourite guiding memory from the county?

I have a great many memories but, for now, will just mention two species. Short-eared Owl is the one which has provided the most ‘Champagne Moments’ on autumn and early winter day walks in Suffolk. At Shingle Street and nearby, owls often appear mid-afternoon to hunt over the fields and, in between, sit on posts allowing wonderful scope views. Further north along the coast, we have had magical encounters with birds heading towards land from out to sea as they complete their journey from Scandinavia or The Netherlands, experiences to live long in the memory.

On one of my first Naturetrek day walks the group was completing the circular stroll from Thorpeness when a Snow Bunting flew over calling. We thought that might be the last we saw of it, but we re-found the bird on the beach and it showed magnificently to all, down to a range of a few feet!