December 2009-April 2010 Local Includes news and events from the following groups: Local Wildlife Trust a news and events diary Wildlife Wildlife Group from wildlife and Greenways Countryside Project conservation groups in News Friends of Belstead Brook Park Wildlife the Ipswich area Martlesham Conservation Group Portal Woodlands Conservation Group Ipswich Green Drinks News Ipswich RSPB Friends of Holywells Park IBC Wildlife & Education Rangers Ipswich Organic Gardeners' Group

produced by the Greenways Project, Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich, IP3 0PG Telephone: 01473 433995 e-mail: [email protected] www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways

over 40 local events: wildlife walks, talks and work parties

produced by the

The Orwell Estuary, see article inside Local Wildlife News new format!

Welcome to the second edition of Local Wildlife News! This Mailing lists - please note newsletter and programme of events and activities has With this edition of LWN, the distribution is increasing been brought together by the Greenways Project along with considerably to about 3000 households, and we are aware key conservation partners in the area. In essence, the that some who are members of several conservation publication replaces the very successful Ipswich Wildlife organisations may well receive more than one copy of the Group newsletter, which has developed over several years newsletter. We are very sorry if this is the case, and would into a much valued, shared resource for many local wildlife be very grateful if you could pass on the spare copy to and related groups, in and around Ipswich. someone who will appreciate it and contact the Greenways This new publication will build on this successful format, Project on 01473 433995 or allowing all the existing groups, and hopefully more in the [email protected], stating which future, to produce their own 'group pages' - thus passing organisations you are a member of, so that we can ensure relevant information to a far wider, but targeted, audience. that you receive just one in the future (hopefully!). Local Wildlife News is likely to continue to evolve over the next few editions, so please bear with us - and most Photographs and illustrations importantly, please do let us know what you think - we would love to hear of any ideas and suggestions that might LWN Stagbeetle logo - copyright Sarah Wilde (2008) Millennium Wood Planting in 2000 - copyright James Baker (2000) increase usefulness or enjoyment of LWN. Toads Crossing - copyright Duncan Sweeting (2008) Apart from each local group having its own pages, and the Spring Wood in Bloom, Clearing Scrub at Purdis Heath - copyright main diary of events, we would very much like to receive Dave Munday (2008) news and articles from you - whether a simple sighting of All other photos are released under a Creative Commons: Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share-Alike licence by the editor. an interesting species, or a complete report on a local wildlife site - or anything else!

Main photo: Millennium Wood - Planting in 2000 top left: River clean up 2009 top middle: Spring Wood in bloom top right: Millennium Wood - coppicing last winter

To manage and maintain the wood, IWG runs volunteer Spring Wood work parties on the third Sunday of every month from ~ Ipswich's best kept wildlife secret 10:30am onwards - see the events listing for further details. So where is this fragment of paradise? It is next to the A14, Did you know that within 3 miles of the town centre there is but to get there you need to go down (the an ancient wood that gives stunning displays of wild wood is on the right-hand side and there is a car-park at flowers, contains very old coppice stools of small-leafed the end of the lane.) It is also on the BBC's Breathing Places lime and provides shelter and winter quarters for the largest website, where full directions can be found. reported toad colony in England and Wales? - RAY SIDAWAY On a 1676 tithe map of Thorrington Hall, the wood is called New Fell'd Wood. This tells us what the wood has been Why did the toad cross used for and where it gets its name - the wood has been repeatedly coppiced by generations of local people and the road? then allowed to re-grow. This re-growth was known as the Spring - hence Spring Wood. Early last spring, a small group of volunteers spent many evenings and very early mornings patrolling up and down From the end of March to the end of May a sequence of Bobbits Lane with buckets and torches, catching and woodland flowers creates an ever-changing tapestry moving over 5,400 toads as they made their way from carpeting the woodland floor. We start with primroses, Spring Wood, Millennium Wood and Kiln Meadow - where celandines, sorrel and a profusion of anemones which in they had spent the winter - toward the wet meadows across turn give way to archangel, stitchwort, red campion, wood the lane to breed. In one evening alone the volunteers spurge and a sea of bluebells. moved over 800 toads. This year, the toads will march Spring Wood is a key factor in 3 important local again, and more volunteers are needed! environmental campaigns. These are as follows: The population has been increasing for the last 5 years 1 The Don't be a Tosser campaign now, and is the largest recorded toad road crossing in the This was instigated by Radio Suffolk after 2 presenters entire UK according to the national organisation Amphibian had seen the amount of litter deposited in the A14 lay-by and Reptile Conservation, which co-ordinates toad crossing adjacent to the wood. For the past 2 years, a large patrols, and the colony has even featured on the BBC's number of volunteers have turned out to litter-pick the World on the Move series on Radio 4. It is certainly the wood and its surroundings, and the campaign has now largest known toad colony anywhere in Suffolk. spread to other parts of Suffolk. Among our native amphibians, only toads migrate to their 2. Save Kiln Meadow breeding ground in such large numbers. They prefer to Kiln Meadow borders Spring Wood and offers food and a breed in large ponds - where the tadpoles will form shoals migration path to the local toad colony. Ipswich Borough in the deeper water - unlike frogs or newts which tend to Council has obtained outline planning permission with a breed in smaller, shallower ponds and ditches, and so do view to selling the land for residential development and not occur in such large populations. However, the numbers IWG has been conducting a campaign to persuade the found at this site over the last couple of years are truly council that the wildlife value of the site must be taken outstanding into consideration when planning its future. The lane is not heavily used by traffic, but what there is can 3. The British Beanpole Campaign wreak havoc among the vast numbers of toads as they Power lines run over some parts of the wood and so cross, so the volunteers really are needed to help the toads IWG volunteers make a virtue of necessity by across safely. maintaining a regime of coppicing under the wires and Once the temperature reaches around 6oC in late January or selling the products as beanpoles, peasticks and February, the toads will begin to move from their chosen firewood at the Ipswich Beanpole Festival. hibernaculae and start the annual migration toward their breeding ponds. Last year, although a few toads moved through this archive - it was unindexed, out of order, some 'While I note your comment that any subsequent earlier, the migration began in earnest in the last week of papers duplicated, altogether a researcher's nightmare. We application will be looked at in accordance with current law Join Ipswich Wildlife February and continued right through March until the early also looked at BDC's policy on wildlife. What we found and policies, it remains the case that, at the time outline days of April. They prefer to move in mild damp conditions, was:- planning permission was granted in 2007, the existing law Group! and really large numbers are best found after rain on a mild and policies which had changed from 2003/2004 were not • The planning permission, applied for in 2002 had taken If you aren't already a member of Ipswich Wildlife Group, evening. A few may move during daylight, but the vast bulk considered. I consider this to be fault by the council' 5 years to be granted. please consider joining - it won't break the bank, and here of them wait until after sunset. A surge of toads can then be Which meant we'd won. Also, we have a statement made are a few good reasons to take the trouble! found making their way towards the ponds for a couple of • The delays were mainly due to various discussions with by BDC's Deputy Chief Executive who wrote to us:- hours after which the numbers decline a little. They will IBC and others about numbers and classification of You get the opportunity to take part in a very wide range of move throughout the night however, if the weather is warm housing units, the parish hall, school provision etc. etc. 'I hope our correspondence with the Ombudsman does activities to help your local environment; receive this reassure you that Babergh takes nature conservation enough, and can still be found in large numbers on the • Suffolk Wildlife Trust, who were usually consulted on regular newsletter and programme featuring interesting interests and biodiversity very seriously, especially when road in the early morning before the sun rises, when the wildlife issues, had not been consulted. articles and events run by many local conservation groups; traffic builds up once more. dealing with developments such as the one at Thorington the chance to get out on sites and work to keep fit - better • An ecologist from Suffolk Wildlife Trust told them about Hall. In the case of this development, Babergh will ensure that going to a gym! You can learn new skills both Would you be prepared to spend some evenings or the toad numbers in March 2007. BDC planners ignored that these interests are fully taken into account when any informally 'on the job' and via formal training courses; mornings this spring helping with the toad patrol? Torches, this. further planning applications are submitted on the site attend social events and talks; help apply for grants to buckets, gloves and high visibility clothing will be • Babergh's wildlife policies on paper are good, but there improve local wildlife areas and through our input into provided, as will training. The critical times for patrolling The ombudsman also suggested that BDC should give us was no evidence of implementation in this case. various local fora, you can help to shape the local are the two hours or so immediately after sunset, and the £100 for our time and trouble. They got this time and environment for the better. hour before sunrise for a few weeks from February into • The planners seemed completely unaware of the two trouble cheaply, though I don't think the amount is March and, possibly, into April. You need come only for the new nature reserves that were created in the area important; we donated the money to IWG. The real victory The group also benefits from your membership: Each times that you choose, and I will ensure that everyone can (Bobbits Meadows and Millennium Wood) is that BDC planners should not, in future, ignore wildlife member gives IWG more influence and credibility; the legislation. Unless they want to go through another more members we have, the more likely we are to get work in pairs or small teams. • Legislation known as the Natural Environment and Rural Ombudsman case. successful grant applications; every new member brings If you would like to help, or just find out more, please Communities Act 2006 (aka NERC 2006) was ignored. - JEN JOUSIFFE new ideas and is a potential new committee member; the contact me on 07736 826069, or email We felt that wildlife hadn't been given a look-in on this one, more members we have, the more volunteers we should [email protected] so we wrote to the CEO and leader of the council. We had have helping at events and practical tasks. - DAVE FINCHAM an exchange of letters with planning officers. Their If you prefer not to become a full paying member, you can response, loosely translated from the pure bureaucrat-ese Just a minute? ~ well instead become a supporter: you will still receive the in which it was expressed, can be summarised as : 'Tough newsletter, with details of all the events, but have no voting SKiM update ~ the luck sunshine, it's too late and you can't do anything about perhaps 6 minutes! rights at the AGM. ombudsman case it.' We were not entirely satisfied with this response. So we thought about the Local Government Ombudsman. I IWG is looking for a Secretary to take the minutes at our To join the group visit the website at: The campaign to Save Kiln Meadow had two main strands - approached Friends of the Earth for advice, they weren't Committee Meetings which are held (in the evening) at the www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/iwg/join.htm the first part was to persuade Ipswich Borough Council to particularly helpful, seeming disorganised and lacking Stable Block at Holywells Park, usually about 6 times a year. or phone James Baker on 01473 433995 re-consider their plan to sell the land. The second part was knowledge. So we decided to go ahead anyway. Our Access to a computer to enable e-mailing of minutes main Thank you. to investigate the outline planning permission granted by complaint to the Ombudsman was that BDC failed to take requirement, ability to spell useful but not essential! - IWG COMMITTEE Council (BDC) in October 2007. This into account NERC 2006, and their own wildlife policies, Please think about it as we really do need some help. For proved trickier than expected. An internet search gave us when granting the planning permission. It took several more details and an informal chat please ring James Baker the planning application number B/02/01984 but not much months, we didn't really know what to expect from the on 01473 433995 daytime or any other committee member. other information on-line. So we phoned up BDC and said process but I think as long as you can clearly state the we'd like to view the planning documentation on this one; grievance it's a very straightforward procedure. BDC - DAVE MUNDAY they said it had been archived - onto microfiche. Well, I've continued to argue that they didn't have to take NERC 2006 no fear of microfiche - I've done family history research! But into account. - shock horror - sorry they couldn't find it. For three weeks. Finally, considering all the arguments, the Ombudsman Finally, they realised we weren't going to give up and we suggested a 'local settlement' and wrote to the council were allowed to view it. We spent a jolly morning going stating that River Ranger Midweek volunteering Haven Gateway grants Belstead Brook Park

My name is Peter Scotcher and I have just started in the opportunities The Haven Gateway grants, awarded to the Project to Megabash new job of River Ranger working for the Greenways deliver green infrastructure improvements in the Belstead The Greenways Project's main volunteer group meets ~ Sunday 15th November 2009 Countryside Project. The job is externally funded by the Brook Park and along the river corridor, are being spent on every Tuesday (except one or two around Christmas!), This year's bash in BBP will focus attention on Millennium Haven Gateway Partnership. target. The funding for next financial year is still uncertain, Wood and Spring Wood, including coppicing hazel to make leaving Holywells Park at 9.30am and returning by about but we are very hopeful that it will come through. Between Some of you will know me through my past work for nine beanpoles and peasticks, and cutting willow to reduce its 4.30pm. The group is very well established and essentially now and the end of March 2010, we will be dredging the years as an IBC Ranger, or through my work on the dominance and keep it away from the overhead wires! carries out the practical management work on about 45 wetland in Bobbits Lane Meadows to improve the site for committees of the SWT Ipswich Group and Friends of There will be opportunities to learn more about the history nature reserves and green spaces in and around Ipswich. many species but the very large colony of common toads in Holywells Park Group. I live locally and know Ipswich and and wildlife of Spring Wood; the wetland management work The group is very friendly and welcoming to new particular. Access improvements in Belstead Meadows will the river well. Prior to moving to Ipswich in 1999, I progressing in Bobbits Lane Meadows; and, of course, a volunteers, as well as being highly productive. include newly surfaced paths, new seats and benches, and undertook a degree in nature conservation management nice big bonfire to keep warm by and cook baked potatoes Typically there are between 12 and 15 volunteers each much more. Already completed - about 100m of raised and worked as a volunteer for Essex Wildlife Trust. for everyone! Tuesday, all of whom are extremely keen to look after and timber boardwalk in Ashground Plantation and 650m of The River Ranger job entails improving, enhancing and improve their local wildlife sites. We provide tea, coffee and surfaced path in Bobbits Lane Meadows. Don't worry if you miss this one, there are two other promoting the river corridor from Stoke Bridge, Ipswich to biscuits, all the necessary tools and equipment - volunteers - JAMES BAKER megabashes to look forward to in the New Year - Purdis Sproughton. Through this work, it is intended to increase need to bring a packed lunch and drink, wear suitable Heath on Saturday 23rd January and Martlesham Heath on usage and enjoyment of the river corridor, which with its clothes for the work and the weather, and simply enjoy a Millennium Wood Saturday 20th February - more details in the events footpaths, cycle-ways, views, green open spaces and productive day! ~ 10 years old! programme. Please do come and join in if you can - the wildlife provides environmentally-friendly opportunities for more the merrier! A smaller group of volunteers meet most Fridays, with Many local volunteers may remember helping with the both moving about Ipswich and recreation, whether - JAMES BAKER similar arrangements to the Tuesday sessions, but it is commuting, getting away from things for a few minutes or creation of this new woodland adjacent to Spring Wood in important to contact us prior to attending as transport is exploring the length of the river. In due course I hope that the Belstead Brook Park. Several planting days were held more limited, and tasks are not always taking place. more people will discover their river and that it can truly with as many as 100 local people turning out to help plant Promoted walks Similarly, we now have a regular Thursday work party run become a River for All. oak trees to act as a nursery crop for natural regeneration by our new River Ranger, please call 01473 433995 for more of a wide range of tree and shrub species from seed blown The Fonnereau Way and Churchman Way - virtually traffic I am already involved with the 'Wild About Westgate' group information. from Spring Wood itself. The new woodland is thriving and free routes from town to country, are set for a re-launch which wishes to improve an area within their stretch of the Midweek group activities are not pre-planned in the today has the general appearance of a woodland - not bad with a reprint of updated leaflets planned for the new year. river corridor and I hope to work with other communities programme section - if you would like to know what work is for just 10 years. It will take much, much longer for the When originally launched a few years ago, the walks were too. planned for any Tuesday, you can call us on the Monday or wood to even approach having the same biodiversity value an instant success and the leaflets were snapped up very If you would like to help improve the river corridor, raise join our 'mobile phone text group' - receiving a text each as Spring Wood, but it is gradually improving. Volunteers quickly. The new leaflets will be available to anyone who issues or get involved in any way please contact me Monday with details of the following day's task and location. have helped to coppice willow and hazel under the requests one, and should also be downloadable from the (details below). I will also be running volunteer work powerlines, replicating the traditional coppice structure of Project's website. There are always other opportunities to help the Project - parties on Thursdays (not during Christmas!) meeting at part of Spring Wood; and large pieces of dead wood have - JAMES BAKER either on other days by arrangement, or in other ways, such the Stable Block at Holywells Park, Ipswich at 09:30 or been placed in the wood along with stag beetle habitat as: delivering leaflets, conducting visitor surveys etc. picking up at Bibb Way, Alderman Road Recreation Site at piles etc. The meadow area within the wood is developing 09:45. More details about the midweek groups and other well with an increase in species diversity despite the volunteering opportunities are available by 'phoning 01473 River Ranger contact details: continual encroachment of willow. 433995 or email: [email protected] Peter Scotcher A leaflet about the creation of Millennium Wood will be 01473 433995, 07736 826054, - JAMES BAKER available before Christmas - please get in touch if you [email protected] would like a copy.

It seems appropriate at this stage to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved in the establishment of the new wood. - JAMES BAKER Chestnut Pond, 2009 rivers clean up New website Update Rushmere St Andrew The September Rivers Clean Up was very successful once The Ipswich Group now have a brand new website which is The following brief update was written by Steve Thorpe This winter, the Project is helping Rushmere St Andrew again, despite far fewer volunteers that we have had in linked into the main RSPB site. The direct address of the prior to his recent, sad death. The next issue of LWN will Parish Council to improve the pond opposite Chestnut previous years. The 50 volunteers who did join in on the new site is: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/ipswich . include a tribute to Steve and his invaluable work with the Close on The Street. For several years the pond has Gipping or Belstead Brook must have worked hard Friends of Belstead Brook Park and many other local The new website will carry all the info you need to get the suffered from a lack of oxygen in the water caused by however, as just as much rubbish was cleared as ever! organisations. most out of local birding with the Ipswich Group, including considerable leaf drop into the water along with large scale Litter pickers ranged from the Skate Park on Stoke Bridge the full programme of events and field trips, trip reports Another year has quickly passed and we look forward to duck feeding. The preliminary tree work has been carried upstream to the old sugar factory collecting the usual haul and items of news as they happen. There are also links to 2010 with the major improvements to Belstead Brook Park, out to reduce the amount of leaves dropping into the water of bikes, trolleys, life belts, road cones and even an army local sites and ideas for local birding. This is your local from the grant obtained from the Haven Gateway. We must and to facilitate access for a digger which will hopefully be helmet! On the Belstead Brook, the most unusual find was a website so give us a look. pass our thanks to all who have made it possible a special on site during October to remove the accumulated silt. bath - floating gently downstream - with no occupant! thanks to James B for his hard work. On our work parties we Once the pond has been de-silted, we hope to be able to An alarming proportion of the litter collected was alcohol hope to help out where possible and continue our create a new path and viewing platform over the pond bottles and cans, highlighting the growing problem with endeavours. I thank all the volunteers for their commitment along with an information board. In order to keep the pond alcohol abuse in Ipswich, particularly along the river and look forward to their support next year. We have a as valuable for wildlife as possible, we will be trying to corridor. The new River Ranger will be collecting statistics further event on Saturday 5th December and I look forward discourage duck feeding. Whilst feeding ducks is a very about the type of litter being collected, and will be to seeing you there. We still would like to see new faces! popular and enjoyable past-time, it is ultimately self recycling everything possible, including keeping aluminium defeating, as it is extremely harmful to wildlife in the cans for their scrap value! following ways: With the River Ranger working along the river corridor on a (1) In many cases, the bread and other foods offered are regular basis, we expect the Rivers clean up to take a not appropriate for a duck or goose to be eating, and different form next year, probably focussing on the tidal can be harmful. Orwell and the Wet Dock - watch this space for details next (2) feeding almost always leads to an artificially high year. population of ducks and geese that then destroy the For any further information about the Greenways Project, its natural habitat by denuding the area of invertebrates work or how to get involved, please contact us on 01473 Green Drinks and vegetation. 433995 or [email protected] or see our (3) duck food either sinks, uneaten, to the bottom of the website at: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways The Ipswich Green Drinks meetings are informal monthly pub get-togethers for anyone local who works in, or just pond, or is 'deposited' in the pond by the ducks, - JAMES BAKER leading to a lack of dissolved oxygen (required by has an interest in, environmental issues, be it Wildlife, other pond life) as bacteria break down the rotting Recycling, Global Warming, Renewable Energy, Organic material. Gardening or well, you name it: anything green. It's not a formal meeting - there's no agenda or committee, no (4) the practice impacts on other species in a more direct Friends of Holywells Park invited speakers etc.- it's just a chance to meet and chat way when, inevitably, rats and other vermin are with a selection of like-minded people over a drink. attracted by the plentiful supply of bread etc., and The Friends of Holywells Park is a voluntary group visitors call upon pond owners to control rats. The rat established by local people wishing to work with Ipswich Ipswich Green Drinks is part of an international movement poison used, almost always, ends up killing other small Borough Council in improving and enhancing Holywells that now has meeting in over 600 towns, cities and villages mammals and thus higher predators such as owls and Park, Ipswich. The Friends Group undertakes practical work - Green Drinks International. You can read more about it at: foxes. and holds events to celebrate and encourage people to use www.greendrinks.org. and explore the Park. - DAVID FINCHAM It is a difficult subject to tackle, but an important one nevertheless. Perhaps signs saying Duck feeding kills - PETER SCOTCHER wildlife will do the trick?! The Gipping from Handford Road

- JAMES BAKER Orwell Estuary Portal Woodlands Conservation Group

If you think of the Orwell Estuary what images conjure in Little is known about the impact of the current levels of Hello, here is a brief introduction to who we are and what We are friendly bunch of volunteers and we always you mind? The Orwell bridge, the river, ships, boats, water activity on the estuaries bird populations. The intensity of we do: We are a local Conservation Group (a Working welcome new people along. For more information about sports, fisherman, bait diggers, a place to walk your dog, a activities is expected to increase as further industrial and Group of Martlesham Parish Council), that meet monthly in PWCG and its activities, please access our website at place to visit with the family, or unfortunately, anti-social residential developments around the Orwell estuary is Portal Woodlands. This woodland lies behind the Suffolk www.martlesham.org.uk/portalwoodlandsgroup, or if you behaviour? planned. Low water counts of birds on the Orwell are Police HQ at Martlesham Heath and is generally used by have any questions please email us at showing a decline in wading bird populations, which is Yes, the Orwell Estuary is a hive of activity. Over hundreds residents living in the area, but is open for all to enjoy. It is [email protected] or phone Martlesham Parish bucking the trend of other estuaries in East Anglia. Studies of years it has been an important trading route and is by far a small woodland, but to my slightly biased mind perfectly Council on 01473 612632. A monthly update is also available have been carried out on the Orwell Estuary which have the most commercialised of all of Suffolk's estuaries, having formed! It is home to many different species of wildlife and on the website. found that dogs off leads cause the most disturbance to also houses a wildlife pond. The wood is also of historic a significant economic role as the location for nationally As well as monthly work days, we also hold a Nature Watch birds. Hopefully with good foresight and sustainable interest with some good examples of WWII artefacts and important ports which, together with marinas, fisheries and Club during March-October for children. This club is aimed management the Orwell Estuary can retain it's integrity. ancient tumuli. other industries, provide many jobs to the surrounding at children 4-11. Again for more details, please use the communities. Being within the Suffolk's Coast and Heaths When I think of the Orwell Estuary, my mind wanders off to This month, we are very proud to announce that: we won contacts above. The club has covered subjects such as: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty also makes it very cold windy autumn days with grey overcast skies, when it the 'Anglia in Bloom' award for 'Best Wild Flowers and Wildlife Habitats, Reptiles and popular for a wide range of recreational activities including is a stark lonely place and the only company you have is Conservation Project'. It is really fantastic to win Amphibians, Butterflies and Dragonflies, Mini Beasts, Moths walking, bird watching and sailing. the wildlife and the estuaries own beauty shining through. this award and be recognised for all the hard work that and Small Mammals, Bird Nests and Eggs, and Bats. goes on in our little wood. Well done to all volunteers and If this does not make the estuary busy enough, during the If you enjoy the estuaries and coastline of Suffolk you can - JOCELYN COOK winter months it becomes even busier with a huge influx of become a Volunteer Warden to champion the coast and supporters. (I am secretly sitting here feeling rather proud visitors. They start arriving in autumn and by spring they estuaries of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty by and smug about this, and have patted myself on the back!) have all disappeared again. From October through to March being their eyes and ears, monitoring all activities and Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Ok, I could not contain it the Orwell and Stour estuaries becomes home to over wildlife, collecting and providing information, helping a moment longer!! 63,000 waterfowl. Ducks, geese, grebe and a plethora or visitors and being a regular presence. If you are interested wading birds over winter on the estuary feeding on the tens contact the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Unit on 01394 384948. of thousands of invertebrates that lives in the estuaries mud. Ipswich Borough Council are also running a Bird Watching The Orwell Estuary is a lowland coastal valley of Cruise along the Orwell Estuary on Saturday 28th of international importance comprising of extensive mudflats, November from 11.00am-1.30pm. The boat sails from low cliffs, salt marsh and small areas of vegetated shingle. It Neptune Quay at the Port of Ipswich and travels down the provides habitat for an important assemblage of wetland estuary to Levington Creek. On board will be a local bird birds in the non-breeding season and supports expert and Ipswich Borough Council Greenspace Wildlife internationally important numbers of wintering and Rangers talking about the importance of the estuary and passage wildfowl and waders. pointing out birds we see on the way. There is a bar on board serving hot drinks with a free hot jacket potato to The Orwell is designated as a special protected area (SPA) keep everyone warm. If you are interested in booking under European Law, a Site of Special Scientific Interest please phone 01473 433994. The cost is £14.00 per adult, (SSSI) and a Ramsar site (for wetland habitats) because of £12.00 concessions and £8.00 for children. the number of birds and range of species that are present - RICHARD SHARP on the estuary during winter. The Stour and Orwell Estuary Management Group, a partnership of more than 20 organisations has duties to protect the designated sites. The group's aim is to 'promote the sustainable use of the Stour and Orwell estuary through management of human activity in a way that is compatible with the conservation of the estuarine ecosystems.' Clearing Scrub at Purdis Heath SNIPPETS SNIPPETS

NOTES FROM A DIARY Saturday 9th October 00:10 'A DORMOUSE ON MY SHOULDER!' CONTRIBUTIONS Tuesday 28th July 21:05 - 21:25 Walking back from Ron's house at ten past the witching Whilst drinking tea and enjoying the peace of Priestley If you have any news items, short articles (upto 500 words hour, I can hear the contact calls of thrushes (redwings or Wood in Barking the other day, a fellow volunteer suddenly Quite an incredible sight and I'm sure it will be one of my or so), details of up-coming events or photographs of local possibly song thrushes?) flying overhead in the darkness. pointed out that there was a small mouse on my shoulder! best wildlife memories for 2009 - just after sunset but whilst wildlife or related events please contact us. We cannot offer These winter migrants will have flown hundreds and Once recovered from my neck, I could see that it was a still quite light, ten to twelve noctule bats are criss-crossing payment, unfortunately, but would be glad to print any possibly thousands of miles to over-winter in Britain. young dormouse. Having been involved in the the sky hunting over my house, just north of the River contributions. If you can send any items electronically: by reintroduction of the species to the Barking woods some Gipping in western Ipswich. They are feeding on high- - PETER SCOTCHER email to [email protected] or on a CD to nine years ago, and having followed their progress over the flying insects, presumably borne over my garden by a Greenways Project, Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, years, I was truly delighted to have the chance to see one slight breeze from the River. More typically I can expect to Ipswich IP3 0PG, that would be preferable, but good old BRIDGE WOOD BATS of these most beautiful creatures again. We will probably see just one to three noctules hunting over the river for a pen and paper to the same address is also quite never know how it got to be on my shoulder (I had been few minutes only or just flying through. After putting up around 30 bat roost boxes in Bridge Wood acceptable! standing in an open clearing), but the fact that it was an last December, I was very pleased when carrying out a Saturday 15th August incredibly windy day may lead one to think that it was The deadline for the next issue is Sunday 14th February 2010 check on the boxes this autumn to find three pipistrelles blown out of a nearby hazel tree?? Saw a pair of male and female long-winged coneheads (a occupying them, and droppings in another box, showing - DAVID FINCHAM (EDITOR) bush-cricket) courting in my back garden. Ten years ago that it had been used as well. Bats can be very The young dormouse was offered and gratefully accepted this species was only recorded in southern Dorset and conservative in their habits, so I wouldn't have been at all a piece of apple before being shown back into the relative Hampshire. Seemingly responding to climate change and a surprised to find that no bat had ventured into the boxes safety of a hazel - which it climbed very swiftly and lack of severe winters, this species has now colonised much for the first year or two. These, the UK's smallest bats, were disappeared. of southern England to a line including Lincolnshire. building up fat reserves before hibernating elsewhere over It is these chance encounters with our wonderfully varied the winter months. I look forward to checking the boxes Also nearby but on the banks of the River Gipping western wildlife that make conservation volunteering such a joy - I again in Spring 2010, once the bats have emerged from there is a substantial colony of its near relative, the great- shall remember that day for some time! green bush-cricket. I was really excited when I first found hibernation. - JAMES BAKER this colony, almost on the very doorstep of my house - for - DAVID FINCHAM it's an animal I had long wanted to see but always failed to find! The great green bush-cricket is a truly spectacular beast and Britain's largest Orthopteran (cricket/ SIBERIAN VISITOR grasshopper), at about 5cm from head to wingtip, - all - the Yellow-browed Warbler green, long wings and very loud by day and night (in fact it is a bit of a nuisance when using a bat detector!). A visitor from Siberia has been observed in Holywells Park late in September, the tiny yellow-browed warbler. Friday 25th September Just a little bigger than Britain's smallest bird, the goldcrest, Today I have seen a buzzard, a little egret and a grey seal. the yellow-browed warbler spends its summers in the Have I been to Cornwall, Scotland, Orfordness or forests of Siberia before migrating to over-winter in south- Minsmere? No. - I saw all of these in Ipswich. The buzzard east Asia. Every year a few birds, instead of flying east was circling and following the river east from the railway and south, fly west and pass through the south and east of station, the egret hunting at the river's edge near the Sir Britain (or maybe try to over-winter?). The yellow-browed Bobby Robson Bridge and the seal was in the wet dock (I warbler is one of the 'leaf-warblers' - so named because of just hope it gets out before it exhausts its food supply). All their predominantly green upperparts. In autumn it often these animals were carrying on their business seemingly associates with goldcrests. Its call is variously described oblivious to the people around them and I seemed to be the as 'sweest', 'tsoeest', 'tsueeht' or 't'sweeet', - not unlike a only person to have noticed any of them, two of which (the coal tit. buzzard and egret), were until only recently, extinct in - PETER SCOTCHER (Friends of Holywells Park) Suffolk. By contrast a friend tells me how a large crowd formed on Station Bridge to marvel at an otter eating a fish in the river near the railway station at midday. Volunteers at the Purdis Megabash Events Events

Thursday 10th December Sunday 20th December Thursday 14th January Wednesday 20th January December 2009 8:00pm 10:30am 8:00pm 7:30pm Febr uar y Green Drinks, Dove Inn IWG & FoBBP, Spring Wood Green Drinks, SWT, Bolton Lane Saturday 5th December, DRINKS AND CHAT WORK PARTY Dove Inn TALK: THE WILDLIFE OF SOUTH Wednesday 10th February 10:00am Join us at the Dove Inn for a drink, a Join us for a morning of coppicing and DRINKS AND CHAT AFRICA 7:30pm FoBBP, Bobbits Lane chat and a bit of networking with other processing in Spring Wood, followed Join us at the Dove Inn for a drink, a This illustrated talk by David Healey, SWT TREE O'CLOCK environmentally-minded people. Look by festive snacks. Meet at the stepped chat and a bit of networking with other is hosted by the Ipswich group of the Bolton Lane As part of National Tree Week the out for the Green Drinks sign on the entrance to the wood. environmentally-minded people. Look Suffolk Wildlife Trust at St. Margaret's TALK: OUR CHANGING Friends of Belstead Brook Park are table. All welcome. Details from Ray Sidaway out for the Green Drinks sign on the School Hall in Bolton Lane and starts at COASTLINE joining the BBC's Breathing Places Tree Details from Steve Pritchard 01473 259104 table. All welcome. 7:30pm. Admission £2. This illustrated talk by Grant Lahoar, O'Clock challenge. Join us at 07724 004272 Details from Steve Pritchard Details from Dave Munday is hosted by the Ipswich group of the Pinewood Community Cente to help Tuesday 22nd December 07724 004272 01473 217310 Suffolk Wildlife Trust at St. Margaret's set the Guinness World Record for the Sunday 13th December, 10:00am - Noon School Hall in Bolton Lane and starts at most trees planted in one hour across 10:00am - 1:00pm IBC Rangers, Bridge Wood Saturday 16th January Saturday 23rd January 7:30pm. Admission £2. the UK. MCG, Martlesham FESTIVE WINTER STOMP 10:00 - Noon 10:00am - 3:00pm Details from Dave Munday Details from James Baker WORK PARTY Wrap up warm for a walk through PWCG, Purdis Heath 01473 217310 01473 433995 Join the Martlesham Conservation Bridge Wood. Leave the hustle and Martlesham Heath PURDIS MEGABASH Group on Martlesham Heath SSSI bustle of Christmas and relax, WORK PARTY Come along and join Ipswich Wildlife Thursday 11th February Wednesday 9th December today for their regular work party. learning about some festive plants Come along and lend a hand at Group, the Greenways Project and 8:00pm 7:30pm Meet at the Douglas Bader pub in with mince pies and mulled juice. today's Portal Woodlands many other groups and individuals for Green Drinks SWT, Bolton Lane Martlesham. Cost £1 per child, £2 per adult. Conservation Group work party in the a day of scrub clearing on the heath. Dove Inn TALK: AN INTRODUCTION TO Details from Phil Smith Booking essential on 01473 433994 woodland. Meet opposite the Police Refreshments will be provided, but DRINKS AND CHAT THE SUFFOLK HORSE 01473 62563 0 sports field entrance in Portal Avenue. bring a packed lunch if you are Join us at the Dove Inn for a drink, a This illustrated talk by Nigel Oakley, is Wednesday 30th December Details from Duncan Sweeting staying all day. chat and a bit of networking with other hosted by the Ipswich group of the Tuesday 15th December 10:00am 01473 612632 Details from James Baker environmentally-minded people. Look Suffolk Wildlife Trust at St. Margaret's 10:00am Ramblers, Rushmere 01473 433995 out for the Green Drinks sign on the School Hall in Bolton Lane and starts at RSPB, Christchurch Park FYNN & FOXHALL WALK Sunday 17th January table. All welcome. 7:30pm. Admission £2. MIDWEEK BIRDING WALK Come along for a 5 mile walk today 10:30am Monday 25th January Details from Steve Pritchard Details from Dave Munday Meet at the Soane Street entrance to with the Ipswich Ramblers group IWG & FoBBP Evening 07724 004272 01473 217310 the Park (TM165448) for a two hour starting at the Rushmere Sports Spring Wood IWG walk. Centre (TM204460). WORK PARTY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Saturday 13th February Thursday 10th December Details from Chris Courtney Details from Dave Munday Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and the The venue and time for the Ipswich 10:00am 7:30pm 01473 423213 01473 217310 Friends of Belstead Brook Park in Wildlife Group AGM are to be FoBBP RSPB, Sidegate Lane coppicing and processing beanpoles confirmed, and will be sent to Belstead Brook Park CHRISTMAS SOCIAL AND TALK: Sunday 20th December and peasticks in the wood today. members shortly. WORK PARTY NEPAL (Birds on the Journey to 10:00am-Noon Meet at the stepped entrance to Come along and help clearing scrub Everest base camp) PWCG, Martlesham Heath January 2010 Spring Wood. Saturday 30th January in Belstead Meadows today with the Come along for this festive get WORK PARTY Details from Ray Sidaway 10:00am - 3:00pm friends of Belstead Brook Park. Meet together and talk at Sidegate Primary The Portal Woodlands Conservation Sunday 10th January, 01473 259104 Greenways by the gate into the meadows at the School by Paul Oldfield, the editor of Group work party today will be 10:00am - 1:00pm Alderman Canal end of Cottingham Road. Felixstowe Birding website. Price: followed by Festive & 10th MCG, Martlesham CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Details from James Baker Members £1.80, non-members £3. Anniversary of the Group WORK PARTY Join the Greenways River Ranger for a 01473 433995 Concessions are available Celebrations. Meet opposite the Police Join the Martlesham Conservation day of practical work. Meet at Bibb Details from Chris Courtney sports field entrance in Portal Avenue. Group on Martlesham Heath SSSI Way. Come for the morning or bring 01473 423213. Details from Duncan Sweeting today for their regular work party. lunch and stay longer! Tea, coffee and 01473 612632 Meet at the Douglas Bader pub. biscuits provided. Details from Phil Smith Details from Peter Scotcher 01473 62563 0 07736 826054 Events Events

Sunday 14th February Sunday 21st February Sunday 14th March Saturday 20th March Saturday 3rd April Sunday 11th April 10:00am - 1:00pm 10:30am 10:00am - 1:00pm 10:00am - Noon 11:00am - 2:00pm 10:00am - 1:00pm MCG IWG & FoBBP MCG PWCG FoH P MCG Martlesham Spring Wood Martlesham Martlesham Heath Holywells Park Martlesham WORK PARTY WORK PARTY WORK PARTY WORK PARTY EASTER EVENT WORK PARTY Join the Martlesham Conservation Coppicing hazel and processing the Join the Martlesham Conservation Come along and lend a hand at Open to members of the Friends of Join the Martlesham Conservation Group on Martlesham Heath SSSI material into beanpoles and peasticks Group on Martlesham Heath SSSI today's Portal Woodland Conservation Holywells Park and non-members Group on Martlesham Heath SSSI today for their regular work party. is the task for today with Ipswich today for their regular work party. Group work party in the woodland. alike, this is a family fun event with today for their regular work party. Meet at the Douglas Bader pub. Wildlife Group and the friends of Meet at the Douglas Bader pub. Meet opposite the Police sports field activities for children including: Meet at the Douglas Bader pub. Details from Phil Smith Belstead Brook Park in the wood. Meet Details from Phil Smith entrance in Portal Avenue. treasure trail, bonnet-making; spring Details from Phil Smith 01473 62563 0 at the stepped entrance to the wood. 01473 62563 0 Details from Duncan Sweeting sticks, spring curtain, colouring and 01473 62563 0 Details from Ray Sidaway 01473 612632 refreshments. The event is free but we Saturday 20th February 01473 259104 Wednesday 17th March seek donations for refreshments. Find Sunday 18th April 10:00am - 3:00pm 7:30pm Sunday 21st March us on the Terrace, Holywells Park. 10:00am - Noon Martlesham Heath SWT 10:30am Directions from the Stable Block (itself PWCG MARTLESHAM MEGABASH Bolton Lane IWG & FoBBP found near the Cliff Lane entrance). Martlesham Heath Come along and join Martlesham March TALK: GARDEN BIRDS Spring Wood Details from Peter Scotcher WORK PARTY Conservation Group, Ipswich Wildlife This illustrated talk by Mike Toms WORK PARTY 01473 463860 Come along and lend a hand at Group, Greenways and many other Thurs 11th March from the British Trust for Ornithology, Coppicing hazel and processing the today's Portal Woodlands groups and individuals for a day of 8:00pm is hosted by the Ipswich group of the material into beanpoles and peasticks Thurs 8th April Conservation Group work party in the scrub clearing on the heath. Green Drinks Suffolk Wildlife Trust at St. Margaret's is the task for today in the wood with 8:00pm woodland. Meet opposite the Police Refreshments will be provided, but Dove Inn School Hall in Bolton Lane and starts at Ipswich Wildlife Group and the Green Drinks sports field entrance in Portal Avenue. bring a packed lunch if you are DRINKS AND CHAT 7:30pm. Admission £2. Friends of Belstead Brook Park. Meet at Dove Inn Details from Duncan Sweeting staying all day. Join us at the Dove Inn for a drink, a Details from Dave Munday the stepped entrance to the wood. DRINKS AND CHAT 01473 612632 Details from James Baker chat and a bit of networking with other 01473 217310 Details from Ray Sidaway Join us at the Dove Inn for a drink, a 01473 433995 environmentally-minded people. Look 01473 259104 chat and a bit of networking with other Sunday 18th April out for the Green Drinks sign on the Saturday 20th March environmentally-minded people. Look 10:30am Sunday 21st February table. All welcome. 10:00am - 12:45pm out for the Green Drinks sign on the IWG & FoBBP 10:00am - Noon Details from Steve Pritchard Greenways table. All welcome. Spring Wood PWCG 07724 004272 River April Details from Steve Pritchard WORK PARTY Martlesham Heath DISCOVER YOUR RIVER - A 07724 004272 Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and the WORK PARTY Saturday 13th March GUIDED WALK April - date to be confirmed Friends of Belstead Brook Park for the Come along and lend a hand at 7:30pm From Sproughton church to the Wet Greenways, FoBBP, IWG Saturday 10th April final processing of the coppiced today's Portal Woodland Conservation SWT Dock, Ipswich. Meet at The Wet Dock Belstead Brook Park 10:00am material in preparation for the Group work party in the woodland. Henley car park, Duke Street, Ipswich. The DON'T BE A TOSSER III FoBBP Beanpole Festival next week. Meet at Meet opposite the Police sports field QUIZ NIGHT Greenways Rangers will ferry you by Keep your eyes open for the third Belstead Brook Park the stepped entrance to the wood. entrance in Portal Avenue. The Ipswich group of Suffolk Wildlife vehicle to our starting point at clean-up event in this series, centred WORK PARTY Details from Ray Sidaway Details from Duncan Sweeting Trust host this general knowledge Sproughton from where we will walk around Spring Wood. Join the Friends of Belstead Brook Park 01473 259104 01473 612632 quiz at Henley Community Centre for back to the Wet Dock. Some of the Details from James Baker for a day of work to improve the paths teams of up to 6. £8 each or £45 for a route is on non-hard surfaced paths 01473 433995 and access to the park. Meet in table of six, including a hot supper. with steps. Suitable footwear needed. Bobbits Lane car park. Bar available. Distance about 3.5 miles. Details from James Baker Booking essential on 01473 748778 Booking essential on 01473 433995 01473 433995 Ron Wragg Events REGULAR EVENTS

Wednesday 21st April 7:30pm Local Regular Tuesdays Most Saturdays SWT 9:30am 10:30am - 1:00pm Bolton Lane Wildlife Greenways IWG TALK: CREATING A LIVING CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Northgate Allotments LANDSCAPE, AND AGM News The Greenways project has its WOODCRAFT AND WILDLIFE This illustrated talk by Michael Strand regular volunteer day every Come along to the Allotment of SWT, is hosted by the Ipswich Tuesday. Meet at The Stable Block Forestry and Wildlife Area in the group of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust at in Holywells Park, from where we Northgate Allotment field and get St. Margaret's School Hall in Bolton travel to one of over 40 sites involved in coppicing, woodland Grey Seal - see 'Snippets' Lane and starts at 7:30pm. around Ipswich for a day's skills and general site Admission £2. practical task. management tasks. Call to Details from Dave Munday Details from James Baker confirm that the group is 01473 217310 01473 433995 operating on any particular Saturday. Sunday 25th April Thursdays Details from Geoff Sinclair 11:00am - 3:00pm 9:30am 01473 327720 IWG, IOGG Greenways Northgate Allotments RIVER PRACTICAL WORK DAY IBC BEANPOLE FESTIVAL If you would like to help improve Wildlife Rangers Ipswich Wildlife group, Ipswich the river corridor the River Ranger The Wildlife Rangers carry out Organic Gardeners' Group and many will be running volunteer work practical conservation tasks each others invite you to buy your locally parties on Thursdays (not during week in the town's Parks & Open produced beanpoles and peasticks Christmas) meeting at the Stable Spaces, including Holywells Park, and enjoy the many other attractions, Block at Holywells Park, Ipswich at Christchurch Park, Orwell Country workshops, displays and 09:30 or picking up at Alderman Park & . Volunteers demonstrations around the Northgate Road Recreation Site at 09:45. are always welcome. allotment field today - bring a picnic Details from Peter Scotcher Details from The Rangers and make a day of it. 07736 826054 01473 433993 Details from Geoff Sinclair 01473 327720 Most Fridays 9:30am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY As well as Tuesdays, the Toads crossing - see 'Why did the toad cross the road?' Greenways Project, has a smaller, but just as welcoming group of Pipistrelle Bat - see 'Snippets' volunteers most Fridays. Meet at The Stable Block in Holywells Park, from where we travel to one of our many sites around Ipswich for a day's practical task. Contact us to confirm that we are working on any particular Friday. Details from James Baker 01473 433995