The Great British Bird Race - Suffolk

Summary

Join Naturetrek this January for an exhilarating winter bird race across Suffolk, a county renowned for its rich mosaic of coastal, heathland, woodland and wetland habitats. With sites ranging from the iconic RSPB Minsmere reserve to the windswept forests of the Brecks, Suffolk offers a diverse array of wintering and resident species to challenge and inspire birders of all levels.

The goal: to record as many bird species as possible in 48 hours. We will be in friendly competition with the best birding counties in Britain, so every species will count. .

We’ll begin our race along the coast, where lagoons, marshes and reedbeds around Minsmere and the Suffolk estuaries provide ideal conditions for Avocets, Marsh Harriers, Water Rails and wintering ducks and geese. Offshore, Red-throated Divers and seaducks are regular sights, while the reedbeds may conceal Bearded Tits or even a Bittern.

Inland, the Brecks offer a sharp contrast: dry heaths, conifer plantations and open farmland where we’ll search for Hawfinch, Woodlark and elusive woodland species such as Goshawk or Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Flocks of Brambling, Siskin and Redpoll may add to our count, alongside the occasional surprise from this under-watched region.

Led by expert guides and set at a fun, energetic pace, this winter bird race blends the thrill of the chase with Suffolk’s peaceful winter landscapes — delivering both memorable sightings and great company to start your birding year.

Join us for birds, banter, and the thrill of a winter bird race!

• The thrill of the bird race
• Goshawk in the Brecks
• Bitterns & Bearded Tits in the reedbeds
• Wintering waders at Minsmere
• Divers & grebes offshore
• Search for owls after dark
• Wintering raptors
• Potentially a big total in a rich and diverse county