Our vision for the Suffolk Coast and the Broads priority landscape

Our vision for this priority landscape is a thriving, connected landscape of coastal and freshwater wetlands, alongside a network of Sandlings Heath, surrounded by wildlife-friendly farmland. It’s a place defined by people working together for nature, and a sustainable future in the face of a changing climate and coastline. 

This landscape stretches from the northern reaches of the Ant Valley in the Norfolk Broads to the southern bank of the Stour Estuary. The area is recognised as a sanctuary for wildlife. However, we need to help this landscape, its people, and wildlife to adapt to the challenges of a changing climate and coastline. 

The priority landscape is located across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Suffolk Coast and the Broads priority landscape contains 9 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) including 8 terrestrial and 1 marine, 5 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), over 50 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), 1 national park, 2 national landscapes and 6 Ramsar sites.  

The area also contains a significant part of the East Coast Flyway, which is a candidate for becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

This landscape has played a crucial role in the recovery of iconic species such as Avocets, Bitterns and Marsh Harriers. It’s closely aligned with the boundaries of the Broads National Park and the Suffolk and Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape, encompassing a substantial protected area. 

The area supports over 20% of the UK’s breeding Little Tern population and is internationally important for vast numbers of wintering waterbirds. Some of the UK’s largest areas of grazing marsh provide vital breeding habitat for waders such as Lapwings and Redshanks. 

The Suffolk Coast is also home to a vitally important population of Turtle Doves, which have suffered a 99% decline over the past six decades. The natural heritage of the landscape is embedded in local culture, too, shaping livelihoods and underpinning tourism and recreation. 

The Suffolk Coast and the Broads support an exceptional concentration of nationally and internationally important species and habitats. Although it’s one of the most protected landscapes in the UK, its wildlife remains vulnerable.  

Many partnerships are already well established, creating the right conditions for coordinated, landscape-scale action. With significant opportunities to restore and connect habitats, this landscape offers some of the greatest potential in the country for achieving long-term gains for nature. 

1. To increase populations of breeding Lapwings, Redshanks and Oystercatchers across the Broads and Suffolk Coast. 
2. To secure thriving, resilient colonies of seabirds and beach-nesting waders through initiatives that maximise their long-term prospects.  
3. To enhance the value of the coast for wildlife and drive the recovery of threatened species such as Turtle Doves. 
4. To ensure our wetlands continue to provide a home for the wildlife that lives here today and for the species that will seek sanctuary here as the climate changes.  
5. To support farmers and land managers to enhance the ecological value of farmland in ways that work for their businesses. 
6. To support and engage local communities so that people feel connected to the landscape and empowered to play a positive role in nature recovery. 

• Across the landscape, we’ve worked hard to improve the scale, condition, and connectivity of biodiverse habitats fundamental to the region’s natural heritage, supporting species such as Little Terns, Lapwings and Turtle Doves. 
• Through Operation Turtle Dove, we’ve developed strong relationships with land managers in areas with high potential for Turtle Dove recovery. This has led to wider uptake of supplementary feeding and improved foraging and nesting habitat across the landscape. 
• We’ve also supported over 50 farmers to enhance grazing marsh for breeding waders.  
• Our Tern Around project in East Norfolk and North Suffolk has delivered record success for Little Terns. Volunteers are central to this success, and engagement with local communities has strengthened support.  
• We helped establish the Lowestoft Kittiwake Partnership, bringing together key organisations to champion and manage the town’s growing Kittiwake population while addressing the challenges of an urban nesting colony. 
• We’ve also contributed to multiple coastal adaptation initiatives and are currently working with Harwich Harbour Authority on saltmarsh restoration in the Stour Estuary. 
• We provided substantial support for reducing recreational disturbance, through work on our own reserves, at key beach nesting sites, and through strategic input to Wildlife Wise and Bird Aware Essex. 
• In addition, we’ve engaged with local developments and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects to reduce the most harmful impacts, secure ecological gains, and ensure appropriate compensation for protected sites and priority species.  
• Finally, we have contributed actively to Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS), local plans and wider strategic frameworks to help shape an ambitious, locally grounded vision for nature recovery. 

Keep an eye on this page for updates and get in touch if you think there are opportunities to work together to protect, enhance and restore coastal habitats, freshwater wetlands and lowland heathland/acid grassland.  

We’re also keen to hear from organisations, groups and individuals with an interest in the conservation of Lapwings, Redshanks, Turtle Doves, Stone Curlews, Nightjars, Woodlarks, Kittiwakes, Sandwich Terns, Little Terns and other beach nesting birds such as Oystercatchers and Ringed Plovers.  

Contact us at: suffolkcoastandbroads@rspb.org.uk

Home - Operation Turtle Dove - Operation Turtle Dove - 

Signs of hope for England’s Little Terns after 2025 breeding success - Celebrating Little Tern success in 2025. Eccles-on-Sea is one of the core colonies wardened by RSPB staff within the priority landscape. 

suffolkwaders.org - Suffolk Wader Strategy webpage. 

Harwich Haven Authority Launches Project to Restore Saltmarsh at RSPB Nature Reserve and Boost Coastal Resilience - Harwich Haven Authority An insight into beneficial use of dredgings work undertaken by Harwich Harbour Authority in partnership with the RSPB. 

Our partners - The Broads Authority and their approach to working with partners in the Broads. 

The following RSPB nature reserves form part of our Suffolk Coast and the Broads priority landscape:  

Strumpshaw Nature Reserve, Norfolk 

Berney Marshes & Breydon Water Nature Reserve, Norfolk - The RSPB 

Minsmere Nature Reserve, Suffolk - The RSPB 

Dingle Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk - The RSPB 

North Warren Nature Reserve, Suffolk - The RSPB 

Boyton & Hollesley Marshes Nature Reserve, Suffolk - The RSPB 

Havergate Island Nature Reserve, Suffolk - The RSPB 

Stour Estuary Nature Reserve, Essex / Suffolk 

Surlingham Church Marsh Nature Reserve, Norfolk - The RSPB