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Our guide, Brian was outstanding. He'd spotted 5 notable birds before introductions were completed! I was a nervous novice and he put me at ease immediately. His knowledge of the history, geology and geography of the area was impressive, whilst his ability to spot distant birds and recognise calls of birds both far and near was outstanding. Thank you Naturetrek for a wonderful day and the first steps on my new pastime. The organisation of the day tours is impeccable and their advice and explanation when dealing with tour enquiries is extensive.
K.H. West Midlands, May 21
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Shingle Street, Hollesley Marshes & Common (Day Trip)
Tour Code: GBR220The 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!
1 days
from
£50
£50
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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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.
Day Trip Location
Reviews
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It's difficult to put into words how fantastic this Day Tour was. I'm right at the beginning of my adventures in birdwatching and was nervous at the prospect of being with very knowledgeable people. Brian, our guide, was magnificent. His ability to spot birds and quickly train the telescope on them meant I was able to see and learn an amazing amount in just a few hours. He put me at my ease and helped me learn about my binoculars.
K.H West Midlands, May 2021 -
I saw at least double the birds I would have seen had I been on my own! Brian Small is so knowledgeable not only about birds but butterflies and flowers. I am fairly local to the area but we went to places I didn't know existed! A great day out and such good value for money.
W.M. Suffolk, May 21
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 5th Sep – Fri 5th Sep
SPACES
£50
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
David Walsh
Tour Leader: David Walsh
David has been a keen birdwatcher since his primary school days and still has his notebooks from the early 1970s to prove it! He ran bird clubs at his schools and is very proud of the fact that several of the boys who he inspired as 11-year-olds are now working in full-time conservation; he continues to encourage young birdwatchers whenever possible. David retired from full-time teaching in 2015 but continues to do part-time maths tutoring. In his spare time he enjoys singing in various local choirs.
In 2008 he used a sabbatical to spend three months in Southeast Asia, which included a successful quest to find the endangered White-eared Night Heron in Vietnam. At home in Suffolk, he puts his love of bird songs and calls to good use, running surveys to monitor breeding birds in the spring and searching out migrant passerines in the autumn. He also co-ordinates the submission of Suffolk’s records to the national Rare Breeding Birds Panel, knowing the birding sites in the county very well indeed having lived in Suffolk since 1992.
David has guided over 90 overseas tours since his first to La Brenne in 1986. In the last 10 years he has focused on Europe, North Africa, Asia and South America and has enjoyed developing his interest in butterflies and dragonflies as well as birds. David’s boundless energy and enthusiasm, coupled with a determination to ensure that everyone in the group sees the birds, has understandably made him popular with clients! He is delighted to be joining the Naturetrek team in 2023.
Fri 12th Dec – Fri 12th Dec
SPACES
£50
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
David Walsh
Tour Leader: David Walsh
David has been a keen birdwatcher since his primary school days and still has his notebooks from the early 1970s to prove it! He ran bird clubs at his schools and is very proud of the fact that several of the boys who he inspired as 11-year-olds are now working in full-time conservation; he continues to encourage young birdwatchers whenever possible. David retired from full-time teaching in 2015 but continues to do part-time maths tutoring. In his spare time he enjoys singing in various local choirs.
In 2008 he used a sabbatical to spend three months in Southeast Asia, which included a successful quest to find the endangered White-eared Night Heron in Vietnam. At home in Suffolk, he puts his love of bird songs and calls to good use, running surveys to monitor breeding birds in the spring and searching out migrant passerines in the autumn. He also co-ordinates the submission of Suffolk’s records to the national Rare Breeding Birds Panel, knowing the birding sites in the county very well indeed having lived in Suffolk since 1992.
David has guided over 90 overseas tours since his first to La Brenne in 1986. In the last 10 years he has focused on Europe, North Africa, Asia and South America and has enjoyed developing his interest in butterflies and dragonflies as well as birds. David’s boundless energy and enthusiasm, coupled with a determination to ensure that everyone in the group sees the birds, has understandably made him popular with clients! He is delighted to be joining the Naturetrek team in 2023.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Tour Reports
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