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This was a full day on the coast and in the reed beds, the woodland and the heath viewing fauna and flora. The focus was on birds. The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the various species we saw and heard (70+ species identified). The day was enjoyable, interesting and as a novice bird watcher I learned so much. I couldn’t believe how quickly our guide was able to set up his scope so that we could all view the different birds. I was particularly pleased to see a Whimbrel, Dartford Warblers and Stone Curlews. We walked a good 6 miles over the course of the day so I was glad to have my walking boots on.
G.D. Essex, Aug 23
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Dunwich & Westleton Heath - Suffolk (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR173A day exploring the varied habitat and birdlife of the old Suffolk port of Dunwich.
We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
A day with one of our expert local guides exploring the varied habitat and birdlife of the old Suffolk port of Dunwich and heath at Westleton. The beach, shore pools, reedbeds and woodlands are home to shorebirds, wildfowl and herons; the heath and forest has numerous localised species, including Stonechats, Dartford Warbler and Woodlark. We will keep the itinerary fairly flexible to ensure the best use of the weather and recent sightings; the walk will be over easy ground (but sometimes muddy, so bring wellies just in case). Covering up to 6 miles over the course of the day, we take our time to explore the area thoroughly, enjoying all the species we find. The car parks are both free and there are free toilet facilities at Dunwich car park. We operate this Day Trip throughout the year, so please click on our 'detailed information' below to discover the seasonal highlights.
- The lovely village of Dunwich on the Suffolk coast
- A walk along the beach and through Dunwich Forest
- Birds of Westleton Heath include Dartford Warbler and Woodlark
Spring
From the beach car park at Dunwich we head north along the beach with views of the sea, shore and pools for waders such as Snipe and Redshank, whilst in Sole Bay are chances of Gannet, Scoter and Red-throated Diver. The first Wheatears may join the local Skylarks on the cropped grass and Stonechats will be feeding young. The patches of reedbed host Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, Sedge Warblers, with a good chance of both Little and Great Egret. In the afternoon we head onto Westleton Heath for a walk amongst the heather and gorse for Dartford Warbler, Stonechat and Woodlark, all of which should be in song. Nightingales arrive in mid April and can then be heard in song.
Summer
Incredibly, autumn begins in July for shorebirds and on the shore pools we could well pick up the first returning Spotted Redshanks or Green and Wood Sandpipers. Marsh Harriers quarter the fields which are also home to plentiful Bearded Tits, Sedge and Reed Warblers; Lapwing and Redshank breed in the cut areas. On the heath a small number of Turtle Dove are sometimes present, while Stonechats and Dartford Warblers will have bred. Hobbies chase the numerous dragonflies, among them Four-spotted Chaser, Norfolk, Southern and Brown Hawkers and the heath here is well known for its Silver-studded Blues.
Autumn
As autumn draws in, the Suffolk coast is a haven for passage migrants as they head south. Wheatears and Whinchats dot the areas north of the village, and swallows, finches, buntings and pipits move south. Commoner shorebirds include Ruff, Curlew, Little Stint and Common Sandpipers and there is always the chance of something more exciting. There can be a mix of ‘fresh-in’ winter wildfowl such as Wigeon and late-staying Hobbies quartering the marshes.
Winter
In winter, good numbers of Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon gather on the coastal lagoons, alongside Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew and good numbers of Lapwing. Rock Pipits and Skylarks can be especially numerous along the beach joined by the local wintering flocks of Snow Bunting and Twite. Marsh Harriers can be seen alongside Hen Harrier and the local Peregrine may be accompanied by a Merlin or Short-eared Owl. On the sea the local Scoter flock reaches its largest and may hold Velvet Scoter. On a crisp winter’s day there are few better places to be.
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Reviews
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Brian Small, our guide, was superb: knowledgeable, articulate, affable, patient and, most importantly, brilliant at spotting invisible birds for us all then to see.
A.C. Mar 22 -
We thoroughly enjoyed the company of Brian Small, he is an excellent guide. We've never visited the area before and appreciate the work he put in to make the best of our day, despite the inclement weather. His knowledge of the patch was superb and his ears and eyes were honed perfectly. Add to this some fascinating anecdotes and great sense of humour and it adds up to a most enjoyable day out in weather when most people would have stayed indoors!
M.C. Buckinghamshire, May 21 -
We met at 9am at Dunwich beach to begin an incredible day with Brian Small, our birding guide. He clearly knew his local area in great detail and was able to guide us from village to forest then to the pools, scrapes and the sea. In the afternoon, we moved to Westleton Heath for some really special birds although a few kept their heads down in the cold wind. In total, the group saw 94 species of bird in a day which, to birders, is like winning quite big on the lottery. I saw over 90 myself which was due to Brian's quick moves to point them out to us before they flew out of sight. A wonderful day out in a very special part of Suffolk. [Naturetrek] are always up for making their clients' experiences really special. They have responded to the covid restrictions, and especially the Rule of Six, by providing day trips within the UK with expert guides who would normally be leading abroad. Booking is easy and efficient.
J.H. Hertfordshire, Apr 21
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