Surlingham Church Marsh

We're working hard to make our nature reserves safe and ready for our staff, visitors and wildlife. Many have now re-opened in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, although some facilities are not yet available. Some reserves remain closed for now. See our COVID-19 updates page for the latest information (link below).

Address: Surlingham Church Marsh, Church Ln, Norwich NR14 7DF

Grid ref: TG304066

See our reserves Covid-19 updates page for which sites are open and other important details.

This small nature reserve is a great place for marshland bird watching on a circular walk around reedbeds, fens and pools. In spring and summer, marsh harriers, kingfishers and warblers can be seen, while wildflowers provide a riot of colour. The site floods in winter, attracting bitterns and gadwalls.

Plan your visit

Open at all times.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: Free

Children: Free

Facilities

Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

Full accessibility information (external website)

How to get here

By train

If you wish to travel by train, it is best to stop at Norwich station and then take the bus, as below.

By bus

The service 001 from Norwich to Surlingham village runs from Monday to Saturday. Operated by Anglian Coaches, from All Saints Green, John Lewis layby.

By bike

The marsh is on the Yare Valley cycle route, Norwich to Reedham, and National Cycle Network interim route 1.

By road

From Surlingham village centre, head west via Walnut Hill for 0.6 mile (1 km), then turn right into Church Lane. A footpath leads directly down to the reserve from the church.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Other ways to get there

There is an alternative route on foot, via riverside public footpath (Wherryman's Way) from Surlingham Ferry or Bramerton. If visiting by boat, there are mooring facilities at Bramerton Common, near Woods End (1.5km) by footpath.

Get directions from Google Maps

RSPB reserves on Google Earth

14 degrees, Sunny day

Contact Surlingham Church Marsh

Surlingham Church Marsh, Church Ln, Norwich NR14 7DF
strumpshaw@rspb.org.uk
01603 715191
@RSPBNorfolkLinc
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Hobby

Hobbies are falcons which arrive at Surlingham in late April, leaving in September.

Kingfisher

Kingfishers are a year-round attraction at Surlingham Church Marsh, especially active in spring and summer.

Marsh harrier

Look for marsh harriers in spring as pairs perform their breathtaking 'skydancing' displays high in the sky.

Sedge warbler

Another warbler that returns from Africa in spring, the sedge warbler is easy to see.

Water rail

Watch for water rails emerging to feed on the edge of the channels and pool within the reedbed.

Courting marsh harriers can be seen performing their spectacular 'sky-dancing' displays. The reserve comes alive with the songs of spring migrants including sedge, reed and grasshopper warblers, cuckoos and whitethroats.

In summer, the fen is filled with a rich display of wild flowers. The reserve is host to a wide variety of butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Kingfishers may be seen around the pools or along the river. Hobbies can be spotted hunting dragonflies and marsh harriers and barn owls bring food to their young.

In early autumn, wading birds can be seen on the reedbed pools where with luck you may catch a glimpse of a water rail feeding. With the first winter floods, teals and other ducks begin to arrive for the winter.

Ducks including teals, gadwalls and shovelers, feed in the reedbed pools. Winter
thrushes such as redwings and fieldfares may be seen feeding on berries in the scrub surrounding the fen as can bullfinches. Flocks of siskins, goldfinch and redpolls can also be seen feeding in the tall alder trees.

About Surlingham Church Marsh

Habitat

Surlingham Church Marsh is made up of habitats including reedbeds, fens and pools which attract marsh harriers, kingfishers, water rails, and reed and sedge warblers in spring and summer. Wetland wild flowers provide a riot of colour. The site floods in winter, attracting bitterns, gadwalls and shovelers.

Conservation

Work on the reedbeds includes removing scrub and invasive plants, summer mowing and grazing, and seasonal flooding. We are also managing our fen meadow for its flora and breeding snipe by maintaining water levels, clearing rushes, grazing and mowing, and trampling with livestock to create boggy ground.

We are managing our wet grassland for the benefit of wintering waterfowl and breeding waders, using grazing and topping to create suitable sward heights. We also cut back encroaching rushes and scrub, and control ditch water levels, while retaining boggy areas and pools.

We are managing our wet woodland for key breeding birds, including Cetti's warblers, willow tits and bullfinches. Our intervention here is minimal, except to control alien plants, protect standing dead wood and keep water levels high enough from April to July.

We are managing our pools, ponds and ditches for the benefit of aquatic flora, wildfowl, otters, water voles and bitterns. Work includes maintaining ditch edges, improving water quality, removing vegetation from open pools and increasing the number of fish.

Site information

Small nature reserve for marshland bird watching and a circular walk around reedbeds, fens and pools.

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