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LOWESTOFT OUTER HARBOUR
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There is no general access to Lowestoft Harbour, but fortunately most of it can be viewed from three locations.
Hamilton Dock forms the northernmost section of Lowestoft Harbour and is easily viewable from Hamilton Road which runs along the northern edge of the dock. Ness Point House, the long building on the southern side of Hamilton Dock, is home to several fish processing companies and so is the favoured haunt of most of the gulls that frequent the harbour. It is also often home to wintering Shags and occasionally divers and ducks. Hamilton Road is also one of the best places to look and listen for Black Redstarts, at any time of year.
At low tide a small sand and shingle beach is exposed in the north-east corner of the dock which small waders regularly use. Usually Turnstones, but Purple Sandpiper, Sanderling and Ringed Plover can often be found there as well.
Waveney Dock is the larger, central section of the outer harbour. Lowestoft fish market is housed in the long building along the western edge of the dock, and is another favourite roof for gulls, especially when fishing vessels are unloading there. The best place to view Waveney Dock is undoubtedly from the top floors of the Battery Green multi-storey car park which overlook the harbour. Car parking charges apply here, but you can always park elsewhere and walk there for free. The fish market building blocks the view directly in front of the market but most of this area can be seen distantly looking north from the South Pier.
South Pier - From here you can view the Outer Harbour, the Yacht Marina and part of the old Trawler basin. The main purpose of a visit to the South Pier is to view the Kittiwake Wall at the northern pier head; in the summer for Kittiwakes and in the winter for Shags. Over the years this has become the favoured site for any wintering Shags to roost. The South Beach just south of the pier is usually a favoured wintering site for Sanderling as well.
The Google map/photo below shows the layout of the area well. You can zoom in and out of, and scroll around this map.
