“A tranquil, lonely place made up of a mosaic of marsh and fen.”

Carpets of rich pinks and yellows are likely to greet visitors, as the spectacular flowering plants burst into life during spring and early summer. Ragged-robin, yellow flag, marsh marigold and southern marsh orchid are all easy to spot.

A network of dykes and two ponds provide a rich habitat for a wealth of watery wildlife. In summer, long after the toad and frog multitudes have spawned, pause by the ponds to watch the acrobatic antics of dragonflies and damselflies. These nimble aeronauts, which include the scarce hairy dragonfly, are defending their territories. Look out too for grass snake soaking up the sun close to the footpath.

In winter hen harrier are on patrol and snipe scan for juicy worms along the edges of pools and ditches. Surrounding hedgerows provide berries for flocks of wintering fieldfare and redwing. In May the distinctive song of reed, sedge and grasshopper warbler can be heard among the fen vegetation. Barn owl and marsh harrier hunt over the marsh all year.

In Suffolk, barn owl are making a comeback after numbers plummeted in the 1950s due to habitat loss and pesticide poisoning

Otter, though seldom seen, leave their droppings in gateways and on bridges. Water vole also live here, although the characteristic ‘plop’ as they dive into the water means they have seen you first – they’ll often reappear if you wait quietly!

The marshes were kindly donated to Suffolk Wildlife Trust by the Rodocanachi family in 1984. Through management with grazing cattle and sheep they have been restored to their former glory.

Other Trust reserves nearby: Dingle Marshes, Sizewell Belts

STAR SPECIES
Otter
Southern marsh orchid
Snipe