The estuary is important for its wintering wading and waterbirds.  For more information see Deben Estuary SPA Review, Suffolk Ornithologists and Wetland Bird Survey. 

See The Deben Autumn 2017 for an article on seals in the Deben.

Protecting wildlife when canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding on the Deben

We are very fortunate that the river Deben is designated as being of international importance for wintering birds and has national protection for both breeding and wintering birds. We have brent geese, redshanks, curlews, avocets and lapwings, to name but a few.

In order to protect our wonderful estuarine environment and its wildlife, please look at the attached maps to see which are the most sensitive wildlife areas to avoid – areas to avoid.