While you’re out discovering the varied wonders of Halvergate and Berney marshes, wander just a little further to Berney Arms Mill and you find yourself on the banks s of the river Yare, it looks and smells much more like a marine environment here with plenty of mud and seaweed,  the water is often rich in silt.
The fresh breeze announces the proximity of the sea so turn to your left and wander along the wall towards Gt.Yarmouth, the sheer expanse of water (and mud at low tide) means this has  to be one of the most important sites around the east coast for wintering waders and wildfowl. Get out there in the new year when the tide’s rising and the breadth of mud contracts so birds move closer to your scope . There can be over 10,000 Golden plover and Wigeon, vying for position with unbelievable numbers of Lapwing. Wait around for a Kestrel, or with luck a Merlin, to dash through and ‘put them up’ the breath-taking display of huge numbers of birds in the air is worth the numbing cold.  A place like this will always bring the odd rarity, A Caspian Tern brought hundreds of ‘twitchers’ down here while I was out cycling  a couple of years ago, needless to say I missed it, did see a grubby looking Flamingo once long ago, must have been an escapee, strange sight against the Herring Gulls ! Don’t just concentrate on the birds though, look around the path as you wander along the top of the wall, you may see the mortal remains Sand Eels that have been plucked out of the water,  constituting  an avian meal earlier in the day.
Seals are also reasonably regular visitors, either small friendly looking Common, and larger more powerful Grey, the sight of any marine mammal is always a thrill. So try & find the time to get out to Breydon, 'because you're worth it' (ho ho)!

The best way to visit Berney marshes is walk up from Wickhampton church, if you’re pushed for time park at Asda in Gt.Yarmouth and walk under the cantilever bridge, the hide’s a short walk down, (it’s all too close to the A47 for me up here though).

What amenities are there? A couple of hides towards Gt.Yarmouth.

Need more information, Call  the RSPB on 01493 700645
 

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