Suffolk - Walberswick Old Town Marshes & Common (Day Trip)

Spring:

From the harbour, we take a relaxed clockwise walk south along the shingle bank checking the sea, shore and pools for waders such as Sanderling and Spotted Redshank and perhaps the first Wheatears. Out to sea there is often a good chance of Gannet, Scoter and Red-throated Diver. The famous reedbed is lively with Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier and Sedge Warbler, plus the chance of Great Egret and Bittern booming. In the afternoon we stroll onto the common, checking 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:

Marsh Harriers quarter the reedbeds which are also home to plentiful Bearded Tits, Sedge and Reed Warblers, elusive Bittern, while Lapwing and Redshank breed in the cut areas. A small number of Turtle Dove are sometimes present, while Stonechats and Grasshopper Warblers inhabit the scrubby edges of the marshes. Hobbies chase the numerous dragonflies, among them Four-spotted Chaser, Norfolk, Southern and Brown Hawkers. 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.

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 reedbeds can seem full of Bearded Tits. it is a good time to see Bittern as they are more active at this time of year, 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, 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 flock of Snow Bunting. Marsh Harriers can be seen alongside Hen Harrier and the local 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.