Estuaries and mudflats

Estuaries are wild places where you can really get away from it all. As the tide advances to cover the mudflats, a breathtaking spectacle will unfold before your eyes. Thousands of wading birds are forced to take to the air and wheel around in the sky like clouds of smoke.

Featured reserve

Freiston Shore

At Freiston Shore you can get excellent views of waterbirds on the salt water lagoon, especially at high tide when wading birds roost, sometimes in their thousands.

Visitor tips

These tips will help you to make the most of your visit:

Consult a tide table before you go – try to be in position at least an hour before high tide
Find a spot with a clear view over the estuary, sit back and enjoy the show as the advancing tide slowly pushes the birds closer
The tide can go out a very long way at some estuaries and so do the birds - avoid the low tide period if you are hoping to see waders
Look for saltmarsh and mudflat plants - specially adapted to survive in salty environments and a colourful attraction on summer walks