Shingle Street, Hollesley Marshes & Common (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR220

The fishing hamlet of Shingle Street and nearby Hollesley Marshes, a short walk to the north, which are both superb for birds throughout the year. Add in the special wildlife of Hollesley Common and this is a day walk not to be missed!

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Join one of our expert local guides for a leisurely exploration of this hidden part of coastal Suffolk. The small fishing hamlet at Shingle Street sits opposite the tip of Orfordness, and the beach, fields and Hollesley Marshes, a short walk to its north, are a haven for shorebirds, wildfowl and breeding birds. A mysterious place, said to be the location of a failed German invasion in 1940, Shingle Street is a super ‘hidden’ spot on the Suffolk coast to explore for birds and wildlife. It lives a precarious life on the volatile shingle landscape off the tip of Orfordness, but hopefully will hang around just long enough for a visit! A walk on the beach enables a check for migrants and views of the sea – with chances of Gannet, Scoter and Red-throated Diver, while the pools at Hollesley (managed by the RSPB) host numerous waders such as Snipe, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Spotted Redshank, and wildfowl, such as Wigeon and Shoveler. Relocating a mile to the west, Hollesley Common is home to heathland birds such as Dartford Warbler and Crossbill. We will keep the itinerary fairly flexible to ensure the best use of the weather and recent sightings; the walk will be over easy ground (but sometimes muddy in winter, so bring wellies just in case). Covering up to 6 miles over the course of the day, we take our time to explore the reserve and its surroundings thoroughly, enjoying all the species we find. The car parks are both free. We operate this Day Trip throughout the year, so please click on our 'detailed information' below to discover the seasonal highlights.

  • The forgotten village of Shingle Street on the Suffolk coast
  • A walk along the beach and to Hollesley Marshes
  • Shorebirds include Avocet, Curlew and Wood Sandpiper
  • Birds of Hollesley Common include both Dartford Warbler and Woodlark
  • Migrants such as Wheatear, Whinchat and warblers

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.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Day Trip Location

Day Trip Location

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