Shingle Street, Hollesley Marshes & Common (Day Trip)

Spring

From Shingle Street village, after a quick check of the bushes and shingle to its south for migrants such as Greenland Wheatears, we take a relaxed walk north to the public footpath along the sea wall, which gives a fine view across Hollesley Marshes RSPB reserve. Flooded in winter, the water levels in spring can be perfect for waders such as Little Ringed Plover and Wood Sandpiper, breeding Redshank, Avocet, and many more. Marsh Harriers float across the marshes and looking across the river we will check out the large roost of Cormorants at the tip of Orfordness. Back at Shingle Street, we look for lingering Short-eared Owls across the fields. Moving to Hollesley Common for our afternoon stroll, singing Stonechat, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler will certainly be on the cards.

Summer

A host of summer breeders will have arrived and these include Sedge and Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Lesser Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler, as Swift and House Martin chase insects. Marsh Harriers quarter the marsh, while Avocet, Lapwing and Redshank breed on the islands or visit from nearby Havergate Island. A small number of Turtle Doves are sometimes present and there is a chance of Spoonbill, too. Incredibly, autumn begins in July for shorebirds and on the shore pools we could well pick up the first returning Spotted Redshanks or Wood Sandpipers. On the heath, Stonechat and Dartford Warbler are busy feeding young and Hobbies chase the numerous dragonflies.

Autumn

As autumn draws in, the Suffolk coast is a haven for passage migrants as they head south. Wheatears and Whinchats dot the areas round the village, and 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. After the breeding season the bushes can be alive with warblers and late Hobbies and Short-eared Owls can be seen quartering the marshes.

Winter

In winter, good numbers of Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon gather on the coastal lagoons and marshes, alongside Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew and good numbers of Lapwing. Rock Pipits and Skylarks can be especially numerous along the beach and occasionally joined by Snow Bunting. Peregrine may come through searching the flocks of Lapwings. 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.