Bird Watching in Suffolk

 Suffolk, home to some of Britain’s most beautiful and rare bird species, is an idyll for holiday birdwatchers.

The Avocet

The avocet is the emblem of the RSPB and synonymous with Suffolk’s wildlife. After having been extinct in Britain for around a century, these water waders re-colonised the UK in Suffolk in the 1940s. Springtime is the perfect time to witness a large colony of avocets at the Suffolk RSPB nature reserve at Minsmere.  

The Bittern

Photo of a rare bittern, captured by rocketjohn on Flickr 
The Bittern is a very rare kind of heron. Its booming call can be heard across the wetlands of Suffolk during springtime, and the birds themselves can be seen year round. Bitterns are endangered in the UK and protected by law.

The Bearded Tit

Bearded tits can be seen in all seasons in Suffolk. They live in reed beds and the male bearded tit has bright, colourful plumage. 

The Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harriers can be seen in summertime from April onwards. These large birds of prey are seen mainly in the East of England.

Bird Watching Days Out in Suffolk

There are two large RSPB reserves with family facilities in Suffolk, and both are ideal destinations for experienced birdwatchers, nature enthusiasts, photographers and families alike. Snape Reserve is just under an hour’s drive from Male Bearded Tit: photo by chapmankj75 on FlickrSuffolk Character Cottages’ holiday lettings, Stay Barn and Wheelers Cottage. Minsmere Reserve is approximately seventy minutes' drive.

 
Closer to home, and about ten minutes’ drive from Suffolk Character Cottages’ luxury holiday lettings, Wolves Wood is a fantastic place to see great spotted woodpeckers and sparrowhawks. Ancient and enchanting, nearby Groton Wood is home to woodcocks and nuthatches. Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, the subject of one of our previous blogs, is only half an hour away.

Local Nature Watching around Suffolk Character Cottages

 Both Stay Barn and Wheelers Cottage are set in the heart of rural Suffolk, where wildlife and nature are always within reach. The charming ‘Splash’ ford at Kersey village centre frequently hosts a family of ducks, lambs can be seen in springtime and for nature related county events, see the What’s On pages.
The trees in Suffolk Character Cottages’ gardens attract birds all year round. Stay Barn’s country views with large, expansive skies make for good viewing of migrating birds, such as swallows, and barn owls can often be seen hunting at dusk.