Suffolk Bird Reserves


	The Monthly Web Magazine for Birdwatchers

Where to Stay in Suffolk

For suggestions of where to stay in Suffolk (hotels, B&B's and self-catering), see our new Accommodation Guide.

Other useful Suffolk sites;
Bungay Town Guide
Southwold Scene

Suffolk

Bird and Nature Reserves

Dunwich Heath and Minsmere Beach - National Trust

Heathland Conservation Area. Location: 2m S of Dunwich Village, 7m N Aldeburgh Admission: Free Road: A12, signed Telephone: 01263 733471 Features: Important conservation area with good walks and spectacular views. Converted coastguards cottages offer information on the heath and the history of the lost town of Dunwich.

Havergate Island - RSPB

Bird reserve. Location: Island by Orford Ness, access from Orford Quay, 9m E Woodbridge Road: B1084, B1078 to Orford Facilities: 8 hides. Admission: Charge (reduced for RSPB members) - includes boat transport. Telephone: 01394 450732 Features: Britain's largest colony of Avocets, also many wading birds in Spring and Autumn.

Minsmere - RSPB

Photo © Mike Page Norfolk Skyview Famous RSPB reserve on coast. Location: Minsmere, 6m N Aldeburgh Road: B1125, Signed from A12 Bus: Theberton - 3 miles away, twice daily. Facilities: Parking, extensive marked trails and hides. Large visitor centre, shop and tea room. Admission: Charge (Free to RSPB members) Telephone: 01603 661662 Features: A variety of habitats including woodlands, marshes, heath and beach makes this a superb reserve to view a range of different birds with over 300 species in the checklist! Breeding Bittern, Bearded Tit, Avocet and Marsh harrier.

North Warren - RSPB

Bird reserve. Location: Between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh, 1 1/2 m N Aldeburgh Road: Coast Road, Aldeburgh - Thorpe. Bus: Aldeburgh Train: Saxmundham station - 6 miles. Facilities: Parking Admission: Free Telephone: 01728 688481 Features: Four miles of public footpaths takes you through heathland, reedbeds and wet meadows. In the summer waders breed here, the winter sees large numbers of white-fronted geese.

Orford Ness

Shingle spit reserve. Location: Orford, access from Orford Quay Only, 9m E Woodbridge Road: B1078, B1084 Facilities: Parking Admission: Charge Telephone: 01263 733471 Features: The largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe, containing a variety of habitats which support a significant number of nationally rare plant communities. A 4 1/2 mile walk takes you around these sites along with important breeding sites for migrant birds and historic military buildings from its history as a secret testing site from 1915.

Wolves Wood - RSPB

Ancient woodland reserve. Location: 2 miles E of Hadleigh, 7m W Ipswich Road: A1071 Bus: Hadleigh - 2 miles Facilities: Parking Admission: Charge Train: Harling Road station , 0345 484950 Telephone: 01255 886043 Features: One of the last remaining pieces of the ancient woodland that once covered East Anglia. Still managed by coppicing in the traditional way. The wood still supports a wide variety of animal, bird and plant life.

Landguard - Suffolk WT

Coastal reserve with bird observatory. Location: Road south of Felixstowe. Facilities: Guided visits arranged by Ranger Admission: Free Telephone: 01394 673782 Features: Best known as excellent area for migrant birds. Also breeding Little tern, Black redstart and Wheatear.

Trimley Marshes - Suffolk WT

Wetland reserve. Location: Trimley St. Mary, near Felixstowe Road: Off A45 Facilities: 2 mile walk from car parking. Hides and visitor centre (limited opening). Admission: Free Telephone: 01473 710032 Features: Wetland with lagoons and reedbeds. Wide variety of breeding, pasage and wintering birds.