On the morning of August the 14th, twelve group members gathered at the Froize at 8.30am, to meet with David Walsh and me. Our plans for the morning were outlined by us guides over a morning coffee, before it was time for us to head out in the beautifully sunny summer weather. We set out in our convoy, headed for the incredibly diverse Hazlewood marshes at 9am. As we began walking from the car park, the bushes either side of the footpath were spattered with the occasional Butterfly and various insects including Hoverflies and Damselflies, all gathering to enjoy the heat of the rapidly rising sun. Red Admirals and Gatekeepers danced around the Bramble flowers as Meadow Browns flickered around above the high summer grasses. 

It didn’t take long to identify the first of the morning’s birds. A small squad of glossy blue House Martins, gliding effortlessly above the nearby houses. Common, but undeniably charming Blue and Great Tits peeped to each other in the overgrown Hawthorn tunnel we moved through. A noisy Wren ticked away in the nearby bracken and a Chiffchaff revealed its presence with its brief fluting contact calls. 

As we made our way down towards the mudflats, it quickly became apparent that the timing of our visit had been executed impeccably. The tide was still falling and was almost at its lowest. This left the higher areas of mud completely exposed, meaning numerous wading birds and mudlarking species were beginning to gather in good numbers.  

Our initial scan revealed very large numbers of Common Redshank dotted amongst the various channels and areas of open water. Some elegant Curlew were present, striding around in the mud and probing for tasty invertebrate morsels in the silt and mud. A small flock of beautiful Golden Plover raised the excitement levels in the group. We admired their slowly receding, but glorious nonetheless, gold spangled summer plumage. Our wading bird species count was steadily increasing, as we added Turnstone and Oystercatcher to our list too. We hadn’t planned to spend a great deal of time at this first viewpoint at Hazlewood marshes, but new species continued to reveal themselves, keeping us hooked for longer! 

With each new species which was spotted, the excitement grew within the group. Group member Sally Nelson expertly zeroed in on a brutish Great Black-backed Gull perched atop a wooden post. It’s stocky build, dark back and wing feathers and sheer size was to be admired, as it roosted casually, out in the open without a care in the world. This was followed by a real treat, as group leader David Walsh picked out a gorgeous Grey Plover in summer plumage. This bird strutted around, as if fully aware of its magnificence, with silver and black spotted upperparts and a black face, neck and belly. The heat was evidently building as we noticed the first raptor species of the day, taking flight. A Kestrel hovered above the masts of distant boats; as an even more distant Common Buzzard circled higher and higher on a thermal, above the iconic towers of Cobra Mist towards Orford. We then made our way back to the path to begin our walk to the hide. 

As we wandered, we admired some wonderful species of flowering plant including vivid splashes of yellow Evening Primrose flowers. More Speckled Wood butterflies danced in the cooler glades close to our path, as Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers showed well in open areas. Several Pied Wagtail could be seen hopping around hurriedly together in a nearby garden, likely some recent fledgelings keeping a keen eye and learning from the nearby adult birds. As the path became more shaded beside a woodland, we heard a Green Woodpecker cackling away nearby. A small trio of Swallows danced above as a Common Whitethroat dived between Hawthorn bushes, allowing good views for many in the group. 

As we approached the bird hide, we walked along onto an exposed area where a Male migrant Hawker was performing beautifully, even allowing some photographic opportunities. David picked out a scarce Grayling butterfly on the path, which he tracked with keen vision onto a nearby post. It perched with its wings closed, its cryptic colouring providing the Grayling with excellent camouflage. The group were all able to get good telescope views of this seldom seen and declining coastal and heathland specialist. It was time to scan from another excellent vantage point, showing lots of channels and exposed mud. A beautiful Black Tailed Godwit showed very well, before a new pale looking wader was located. David confirmed its’ identification as a Spotted Redshank, adorned in its autumn/winter finery comprising of pale under part, a grey back and obvious eye stripe. A couple of Stock Doves raced by overhead with hurried wingbeats, as a small band of Shelduck also passed over us. Right beside the path, we enjoyed crippling views of a Migrant Hawker dragonfly, which patrolled the dyke pausing every so often to perch on exposed twigs. 

We arrived at the hide and the group divided in two, taking turns to scan for birds in the shaded wooden hide and outside of it too. Several wonderful new species began to show up, including 3 regal looking adult Spoonbills; one of which was sifting through the sediment with its impressive black utensil shaped bill. As we enjoyed good views of the spoonbill, a Common Greenshank whizzed over the hide and settled on a far bank to feed. A Common Sandpiper began calling with its trademark disyllabic ‘peep’ as it took flight, giving many group members some nice brief flight views. The group were also able to watch a small flock of Dunlin, feeding in the mud by the hide, committing their black belly patch and small down curved bill to memory. 

After a very warm and pleasant morning, it was time to begin wandering back to the car park to make it back in time for the notoriously magnificent lunch at the Froize. 

We walked past the iconic Hazlewood dead trees by the reedbed, where some group members could hear a Water Rail squealing loudly. The new species had not finished there, as a pair of Red Kites circled relatively low down, quickly rising on thermal updrafts and soon becoming distant specks. A passing tit flock reminded us that despite the heat of the day, autumn was on its way and the smaller woodland birds were beginning to group up. Some group members picked out the distinctive yellows of a Willow Warbler, high up in a tree following the tit flock, a lovely bonus species. The group then took in fabulous views of some Goldcrests in a fir tree, squeaking away in their incredibly high pitch. 

After all the excitement, it was time to head back to the Froize for lunch. An array of beautifully prepared dishes were awaiting us, and they certainly did not disappoint. David, as ever, had delivered an incredible diversity of flavoursome and sustainably sourced dishes. Many of the wonderful vegetables were in season and straight from the garden. A beef dish with oriental flavours, a creamy wild Mushroom Risotto and Tender Rabbit, cooked with prunes in a rich cider sauce were just a few of the mouthwatering dishes on offer. 

Followed by several dessert options including the trademark Froize allotment chocolate courgette cake, a poached apricot crumble and panna cotta with summer berries to name a few. In the end, I couldn’t resist the rich chocolate courgette cake, served warm with delicious vanilla ice cream. It was the perfect ending to a memorable day. We had enjoyed an impressive variety of species, as well as the excellent company on the days event. A top tier location for Suffolk wildlife, some perfect weather and food to be savoured. 

Before we went our separate ways, David and I discussed the next Froize events. 

Full details on the Froize website https://froize.co.uk/.