| RSPB North Warren | | | | may be present. Offshore, views of red-throated |
| For great hiking or bird watching, RSPB's North | | | | divers are likely as internationally important numbers |
| Warren reserve near Aldebuurgh is a fantastic and | | | | winter off the Suffolk coast. On mild mornings from |
| easily accessible getaway. Way-marked trails lead you | | | | January onwards, woodlarks may be heard in song. |
| through a wide variety of habitats within a relatively | | | | At dusk, look for marsh harriers and starlings |
| small area. Stroll across the heathland to hear | | | | gathering to roost in the reedbed. Foxes often hunt |
| Dartford warblers and woodlarks, while bitterns and | | | | for rabbits. |
| marsh harriers can be seen in the reedbeds. The wet | | | | There are no hides at North Warren, though the |
| grassland supports breeding waders and wintering | | | | grazing marshes are viewable from the path adjacent |
| wildfowl, including some of the UK's only regular | | | | to the Aldeburgh to Thorpeness road. There is bench |
| tundra bean geese. | | | | at a viewpoint over the reedbed. In addition, three |
| In spring, breeding lapwings and redshanks on the | | | | marked trails - 5.5 miles (9 km), 4 miles (6.5 km) and |
| wet grassland along with a variety of passage | | | | 1.8 miles (3 km) - which are colour-coded. A reserve |
| waders. The path running through the centre of the | | | | leaflet is available from Minsmere or Aldeburgh Tourist |
| grazing marsh is alive with sedge and reed warblers. | | | | Information Centre. A number of other paths cross |
| Scanning over the reedbed should provide views of | | | | the reserve. Dogs are only allowed on public |
| marsh harriers and hobbies. Bitterns breed here, but | | | | footpaths and bridleways. |
| can be difficult to spot. On the heath you may hear | | | | Getting There |
| woodlarks and green woodpeckers can often be | | | | The nearest railway station is Saxmundham, 6 miles |
| seen, along with passing wheatears. In the scrub and | | | | (9.6 km) away. By bicycle, follow signs for Leiston, |
| woodland areas, many warblers and nightingales can | | | | then take the Aldeburgh road. Buses (First Buses |
| be heard and, with patience, observed. | | | | service 64) run regularly between Saxmundham and |
| In summer, look for male marsh harriers bringing prey | | | | Aldeburgh. |
| to feed their young. Bitterns are often easier to see | | | | If you're driving, leave the A12 on the A1094 for |
| at this time as females fly between feeding sites. | | | | Aldeburgh. Follow this to Aldeburgh town centre. |
| Look for swifts, swallows and martins over the | | | | After passing the church, go straight on at |
| reedbed. Many species of dragonflies and butterflies | | | | crossroads, then left onto Thorpe Road, towards |
| can be seen. Along the shingle beach, both sea pea | | | | Thorpeness. After leaving the town, and shortly |
| and yellow-horned poppies should be in flower. On | | | | before the 40 mph speed limit ends, there is a large |
| the heath, the heather will be in full flower, and look | | | | pay-and-display car park on the right. |
| for yellowhammers and stonechats. | | | | The reserve is easily reached on foot from |
| The autumn brings a variety of passage waders and | | | | Aldeburgh and Thorpeness. Many footpaths cross the |
| the first of the wintering wildfowl begin to return. In | | | | reserve. Two long-distance walks - the Suffolk Coast |
| early morning, many passerine migrants may be | | | | Path and Sandlings Walk - cross the reserve. A |
| present in the scrub areas, including warblers, | | | | permissive path follows the route of the old railway |
| whinchats and wheatears. Scarce migrants such as | | | | line. |
| wrynecks or yellow-browed warblers may be | | | | Accessibility--Nature trails |
| possible. In favourable conditions, gannets, | | | | The grazing marshes can be viewed from the |
| shearwaters and skuas can be seen offshore. | | | | surfaced path along the beach, and from the car |
| The grazing marshes support nationally important | | | | park. The old railway line path is accessible with |
| numbers of wigeons, gadwalls, shovelers, and | | | | difficulty. The rest of the route is not accessible. An |
| European white-fronted geese. This is one of the | | | | all-terrain wheelchair can be hired - contact Aldeburgh |
| few regular wintering sites for tundra bean geese in | | | | Tourist Information Centre (please note, this service |
| the UK. At high-tide, up to 2,000 dunlins and lapwings | | | | is not provided by the RSPB). |