Boyton Marshes Field Trip
Saturday 18 March
Twelve hardy members braced a chill easterly wind to join the field trip to the RSPB Reserve at Boyton. The reserve is a wet meadowland reserve with a scrape created from Intensively grazed farmland adjacent to the Butley River in one of the quieter picturesque Areas of Suffolk. The reserve has extended over the years and there are hopes to extend this Important type of habitat still further. The long spell of cold winds had prevented any early Migrants arriving and most winter visitors had diminished in number. Nevertheless good numbers of birds were noted.
Duck included Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Pintail, Mallard and Shoveler. Waders included Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank, Golden and Grey Plovers. The tide was approaching high tide on the Butley River covering the mud and part of the saltings. The group walked out to the Point where the Butley river meets the Alde to view across to Havergate Island and the Herring Gull and Lesser Black backed gull colonies on Orfordness. A Marsh Harrier was watched patrolling the area adjacent to Gedgrave marshes on the opposite side of the Butley River. Once geese marshes these have now been drained and fertilised to provide intensive Sheep grazing. The party then retraced its steps and headed up the Butley River and on to Burrow Hill to view the area for raptors and other birds. In the conditions little was noted But a least a Skylark put on a low-level song flight for us. Returning to the car park at Banters Farm the party were afforded superb views of the resident barn owl quartering the Marshes and dykes. A fine end to an enjoyable visit. In 2007 it is hoped to do a more extensive visit to the Butley and Boyton areas which offer some excellent bird watching and walking opportunities.
Stephen M
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