This is a great time to explore the bird rich county of Suffolk, as the breeding specialities will be swelled by migrants from across the North Sea and maybe further afield, and so it is a super place to spend an Autumn break. We visit three RSPB reserves, including Minsmere, plus two national nature reserves and a nuclear power station!
We depart Eastwood at 9am and drive south east to arrive at the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Lackford Lakes reserve in time for lunch. We spend the afternoon birding from the hides on this reserve on the lookout for specialities like Water Rail, Hobby, Kingfisher and Little Ringed Plover, as well as other waders. Continuing our journey eastwards, we shall be staying at The Randolph, a lovely late Victorian hotel, built by the local Adnam’s Brewery in Reydon, just over a mile from the coast near Southwold. All rooms are en-suite with TV and tea/coffee making facilities and I am sure you will love it here.
We have two full days to explore this peaceful and scenic stretch of coast, according to news of what turns up where, as migration time can be lively, but targets will include the North Warren RSPB reserve for Green Woodpecker, Woodlark, Whinchat and Wheatear, Sizewell Beach for Kittiwake and the rare Black Redstart, plus Walberswick National Nature Reserve and nearby Minsmere and Dunwich Heath, where the unique juxtaposition of several different habitats makes this one of the country’s top birding locations, with an amazing diversity of special birds, augmented at this time by the likelihood of all kinds of exciting migrant visitors. Breeding specialities to look out for include Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Avocet, Cetti’s and Dartford Warblers and Bearded Tit, while we can also expect a feast of waders, as up to twenty species are possible, such as Knot, Little Stint, Common, Green and Curlew Sandpipers, Ruff, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank. We can also hope for visits by the likes of Spoonbill, Mediterranean, Little and Yellow-legged Gulls, Arctic, Sandwich and Black Terns, and who knows what else! With so many hides to choose from our views should be first class. This remote area also has the largest wild herd of Red Deer outside Scotland and at this time we may encounter majestic rutting stags.
After a final session on the coast to coincide with high tide, we return home via the Lakenheath Fen RSPB reserve, with another chance for Water Rail, Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Bearded Tit, and maybe even Common Cranes which now breed here! We shall leave the area around 4.30pm and so we should be back in Eastwood by 7.30pm. Few places in Britain can hope to match such a fantastic bird list at this exciting time of year, so don’t miss out on this trip!
What the price includes:
Return transport from the Nottingham area, three nights half board en-suite accommodation, bird checklist, and the services of your guide, but not entry fees to reserves.
Deposit £100
Single supplement: £105
Bearded Tit