BERNEY MARSHES

ENGLAND

NORFOLK (Great Yarmouth), (W)

National Grid 00o00´/00o00´ 483 ha c.10m, grazing marsh, with open water and saline influence towards Breydon Water

Anytime (01.10.2008)

 

Birding Site Guide

Berney Marshes adjoins the larger Halvergate Marshes (6000ha) at the south and they also adjoin the south-west part of Breydon Water, though the canalised River Yare separates them. Breydon Water is an inland estuary, with large areas of inter-tidal mud that is extremely important for feeding waders and water birds year round. Much of these three areas are SSSI and all lie within the protective administration of The Broads National Park, and there are a host of other designations covering the sites from Ramsar to SPA.

To reach Berney Marshes is not easy, with the area isolated from main roads. Britain’s smallest railway station, Berney Arms, lies a couple of miles away. Access is also difficult though some public rights of way cross the site, and hard tracks lead to isolated houses. There are no facilities for the visitor. Breydon Water and Halvergate Marshes can be included with a visit here.

Berney Marshes is owned and run by the RSPB. Cattle grazing is let out to local graziers to maintain a short sward suitable for breeding waders such as Northern Lapwing and Common Redshank.

Nationally important numbers of the following species breed at Breydon. Common Redshank, Common Snipe, Avocet, Northern Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Nationally important numbers of the following wintering species occur: Pink-footed Goose, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler, Northern Lapwing and Golden Plover. Many other species of wader and waterfowl occur in good numbers.

Birds seen

  • Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
  • Little Egret Egretta garzetta
  • Mute Swan Cygnus olor
  • Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
  • Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
  • Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
  • Osprey Pandion haliaetus
  • Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
  • Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
  • Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
  • Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
  • Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
  • Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
  • Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus
  • European Herring Gull Larus argentatus
  • Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
  • Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
  • Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
  • Carrion Crow Corvus corone
  • European Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Author: BSG

 

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