suffolk/norfolk.

[hobo1]

Hi, i hope this is in the correct place .
I am going to Ipswich for a few days at the end of october ,(birthday pressie), , and i would like some advice on where to go and what to see , wildlife ect..Hope somebody can give me some good ideas .thanks Su ,

[Nicola Main]

Hi Su, a must would be the RSPB reserve at Minsmere (good for the special marshland birds bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit). Another good RSPB site would be Lakenheath Fen where the cranes are. Other RSPB reserves near Ipswich include Wolves Wood, Stour Estuary and Boyton Marshes. See this link to the Suffolk Wildlife Trust which shows nature reserves on an interactive map Reservesto visit. I'm sure you'll find a lot more places to visit and I hope you have a fab time

[shei111]

Hi su also go to minsmere to watch the deer rut its signposted for people that dont know the area, plus when you get there the locals will tell you the best places to be to get the best view. shei.

[Tursiops2]

Hi hobo1. Welcome (in advance) to Ipswich

If you want good birding, you could do a lot worse than spend a day or two exploring the Orwell estuary. If you're up for a long walk (about 11 miles), catch a bus (97/98) to Shotley and walk back to Ipswich, on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path, along the West bank via Pin Mill (refer to OS Landranger 169), the first half is along the river wall with excellent views over the river and grazing marshes, the second half is through pleasant woods and farmland. Plenty of birds about at the end of October - Brent Geese, Avocets, Black-tailed godwits, Little Egrets etc. For shorter visits by car, there is short-stay parking at Pin Mill, and long-stay parking at Shotley Marina.

For the East bank and Felixstowe area, check out this site: http://www.freewebs.com/proldfield/. Trimley Marshes is well worth a visit at that time of year, and Landguard may still have some late migrants.

Check out the Orwell Bridge for Peregrines; Christchurch and Holywell parks in Ipswich are nice in the Autumn; Alton Water, just south of Ipswich, can also be good.

Further afield, the RSPB have a new reserve at Boyton Marshes (I haven't been there yet, don't know access details, but it's had some good birds recently), and Abberton reservoir near Colchester often has good birds.

for up-to-date info on what's around in Suffolk: http://www.freewebs.com/suffolkbirding/index.htm

I'd offer to meet up and show you round, but I'm moving to Felixstowe next week, and I'm told it could be several weeks before my phone/broadband is reconnected, which will make communication rather difficult

Enjoy your stay
T2

[hobo1]

Thanks so much every one , i can now look up info on those places , and hopefully get some nice pics when i go .
Su ,