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The day trip was well organised and led by an expert ornithologist. The result was a fascinating and very enjoyable day of discovery of the local birds. The leader provided a wonderful commentary on every aspect of the great variety of birds and other wildlife encountered. [Naturetrek is] A well respected and expert operator in the field of wildlife.
P.W. West Sussex, Sept 22
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Suffolk - Aldeburgh & Alde Estuary (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR174The little-birded Alde Estuary in Suffolk is a delight as wildfowl arrive for the winter. The estuary holds a large wintering flock of over 700 Avocet, along with many other shorebirds, including Knot.
1 days
from
£50
£50
Highlights
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Summary
Renowned as the home of the composer Benjamin Britten, Aldeburgh sits on the River Alde at the north end of the huge shingle spit of Orfordness on the Suffolk coast. It is an ideal place to start a relaxed day’s birding at the southern edge of town. Close to the Napoleonic-era Martello Tower and yacht club at Slaughden Quay, we walk along the north river wall, checking the river and town marsh for waders and the riverbank for pipits and Stonechat, before cutting back to town where Short-eared Owl and Marsh Harrier can be seen quartering the fields.
In the afternoon we relocate, via Snape, to Iken Cliff on the southern edge of the estuary, where we walk along the edge of the mud east towards Iken Church. This rarely birded spot is a hotspot for feeding waders, with good numbers of Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Knot and Curlew often present.
- The birdlife of the Alde Estuary at Aldeburgh and Iken
- A walk along the north and south side of the river
- Shorebirds include Avocet, Curlew and Knot
Day Trip Location
Reviews
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The Albeburgh & Alde Estuary Day Trip was amazing. So many different varieties of birds seen on the river wall, North Warren and Iken Cliffs - I wouldn't have seen half of them without Brian's expert guidance. He's such a brilliant guide and I learn so much from his days. Very good information sent out prior to the trip and very well organised.
W.M. Suffolk, Feb 22 -
Visit to the Alde Estuary in Suffolk. Visible migration of finches, pipits and larks gave the day an exciting start and after that we saw lots of waders (species and sheer numbers), White-fronted Geese and a Peregrine eating a bird it had just caught. Overall more than eighty species. Great initiative by Naturetrek to organise very affordable day birding trips across the country with really knowledgeable guides.
A.P. Buckinghamshire, Oct 20
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 21st Feb – Fri 21st Feb
SPACES
£50
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
David Walsh
Tour Leader: David Walsh
David has been a keen birdwatcher since his primary school days and still has his notebooks from the early 1970s to prove it! He ran bird clubs at his schools and is very proud of the fact that several of the boys who he inspired as 11-year-olds are now working in full-time conservation; he continues to encourage young birdwatchers whenever possible. David retired from full-time teaching in 2015 but continues to do part-time maths tutoring. In his spare time he enjoys singing in various local choirs.
In 2008 he used a sabbatical to spend three months in Southeast Asia, which included a successful quest to find the endangered White-eared Night Heron in Vietnam. At home in Suffolk, he puts his love of bird songs and calls to good use, running surveys to monitor breeding birds in the spring and searching out migrant passerines in the autumn. He also co-ordinates the submission of Suffolk’s records to the national Rare Breeding Birds Panel, knowing the birding sites in the county very well indeed having lived in Suffolk since 1992.
David has guided over 90 overseas tours since his first to La Brenne in 1986. In the last 10 years he has focused on Europe, North Africa, Asia and South America and has enjoyed developing his interest in butterflies and dragonflies as well as birds. David’s boundless energy and enthusiasm, coupled with a determination to ensure that everyone in the group sees the birds, has understandably made him popular with clients! He is delighted to be joining the Naturetrek team in 2023.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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