RSPB Surlingham Church Marsh

Surlingham Church Marsh is a small RSPB nature reserve in the Norfolk Broads. It lies north of Surlingham village and south of the River Yare, covering 28 hectares of wetland. The reserve mixes open water, dykes, reed and sedge fen, willow carr and deciduous woodland along its southern edge. A footpath of about two kilometres circles the whole site, starting from Surlingham Church and running beside the river. A single hide overlooks a shallow pool where birds gather. The reserve is worth visiting for its breeding birds such as gadwall, shovelers and several warblers. Marsh harriers visit regularly and sometimes nest here. In winter hen harriers and bearded tits appear, while migrants include jack snipe and green sandpiper. Dragonflies, butterflies and a wide range of wild flowers also thrive here. The site was bought in 1984 to create a habitat for marsh harriers and bitterns. Visitors walk the riverside path and use the hide to watch waterbirds at close range. Highland cattle graze the fen in summer, helping to keep scrub under control. Nearby, the ruin of St Saviour’s church holds the grave of the naturalist Ted Ellis. The reserve shows how carefully managed water levels and grazing can support rare plants and insects alongside breeding and wintering birds.