Local Wildlife News, Produced by the Greenways Project to Promote the Activities of Local Conservation and Community Groups

Local September - December 2014 A news and events diary from wildlife and conservation groups in Wildlife the Ipswich area News

Majestic Millennium Wood - see page 20

Produced by the Suffolk Coastal ... where quality of life counts Fungal Foray

A Welcome to The Fifth Kingdom

Saturday Oct 4th and Saturday Oct 18th 10:00am – 12:30pm Sutton Heath south car park ( B1083 to Sutton village) Grid Ref: TM306475

Booking event: £4 adults, £2 under 18s, pensioners and students.

A beginners guide to Fungi. Ranger led Fungal Forays for all the family. Find out much more about the weird and wonderful world of fungi.

To book a place on this event please contact: 01394 444619 or e-mail [email protected] Welcome Welcome to the autumn and winter edition of Local Wildlife News, produced by the Greenways Project to promote the activities of local conservation and community groups. After a long, hot summer, it’s now becoming a little autumnal and the lovely long 5 © Jill Brook evenings are shortening. In the wildlife year, focus shifts from watching to getting on with habitat management! Throughout the winter months there are dozens of opportunities to join any of the local groups to help maintain and improve wildlife habitat on your doorstep! The Greenways Project will be holding its usual three ‘Megabash events’, including Belstead Brook Park on Sunday 16th November (see events listing). Purdis Heath and Martlesham Heath will follow in January and February. 9 Contributions We are always happy to receive articles of anything up to 600 words, photographs of local wildlife or conservation work and local sightings or wildlife ‘snippets’ – so please do send in anything which may be of interest to: Greenways Project, Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich, IP3 0PG. 01473 433995. [email protected] Mailing lists – Please note We are aware that some who are members of several conservation organisations may 15 © S. Corley well receive more than one copy of the newsletter. If this is the case we would be very grateful if you could pass on the spare copy to someone who will appreciate it and contact the Greenways Project on 01473 433995 or [email protected], stating which organisations you are a member of, so that we can ensure that you receive just one in the future. If on the other hand you don’t currently receive LWN regularly, but would like to, please consider joining one of the groups that distributes LWN to its members (i.e. Suffolk 18 Wildlife Trust, Ipswich Wildlife Group, RSPB etc). © Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) Remember, for those who don’t receive a copy, LWN is available online at www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/iwg

James Baker

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Contents Page 20 Suffolk Wildlife Trust 4 © Björn Schulz Ipswich Wildlife Group 8 Local Wildlife News is published by Greenways Countryside Project. Landguard Partnership 9 Editor: James Baker [email protected] Greenways Countryside Project 10 Tel 01473 433995 IBC Wildlife Rangers 13 Production Editor: Colin Hullis [email protected] Friends of Christchurch Park 14 Tel 01473 728674 Artwork production: Chris Saunders Portal Woodlands Conservation Group 15 [email protected] Tel 01473 721550 Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group 16 Printed by PJ Print RSPB Ipswich Local Group 18 [email protected] Tel 01473 276010 Friends of Holywells Park 19 Printed on recycled paper Friends of Belstead Brook Park 20 The opinions expressed in Local Local Wildlife News Snippets 21 Wildlife News are not necessarily those of the Greenways Project. Events Diary 22

3 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Chairman: David Munday 01473 217310 [email protected] Secretary: Wendy Brown 01473 259674 [email protected] Treasurer: Tony Clarke 01473 741083 [email protected] Newsletter Editor: John Ireland 01473 723179 [email protected] Group contact: [email protected] We are the Ipswich Group of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. We offer an interesting range of monthly meetings with guest speakers which take place usually on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. in the hall of St Margaret’s Primary School, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Trust members and non-members are equally welcome. During the summer months we offer a variety of trips, some local, others by coach. Details of these and our monthly meetings can be found in our ‘Diary’ section which follows, or on the SWT website, www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org.

Chairman’s Letter

Greenways Project 20 year Anniversary the short distance up Bolton Lane or to find alternative Details are to be found elsewhere in this edition of Local parking. To those of you on our e-mail list, please pass Wildlife News, but I wanted to add my congratulations on these details to anybody you know who comes to for this great achievement of 20 years working for the our meetings. Please do not let this deter you from community. From small beginnings the Project has attending, as we have an excellent programme of talks become a major force in practical conservation in and booked for the season. around Ipswich under the strong guidance of James Baker the Project leader. I should also like to thank the September Meeting local Councils and many Councillors for their faith and Just a reminder for those of you who get your Newsletter support which has been forthcoming even in difficult early, our first meeting of the new season is on times when it would have been so easy to slash their Wednesday 17th September. Sadly Simone Bullion is Greenways budgets unable to be with us due to an International Conference but I’m delighted to welcome Leonie Washington, Parking at St Margaret’s SWT’s Community Wildlife Adviser who is talking about Building work is due to be carried out at St Margaret’s “Tracking down our Ipswich Hedgehogs”. School Hall in the near future. This may mean that the school car park will not be available for our evening Dave Munday meetings. It seems likely, at the time of printing, that (Chairman) parking will still be available for our 17th September

meeting. The situation is fluid so if you are on our e-mail © Dave Fincham list it will be a good idea to check a few days before the meeting or if you are not, to contact any member of the committee. If you do not already receive e-mails about future events and would like to do so please contact Steve Pritchard at [email protected]

Once started, building will continue for several months. The nearest car park is at the bottom of Woodbridge Road where the Caribbean Club used to be and opposite the back of the Regent. It will probably be a good idea to set out a little earlier to allow you to park and walk Dave Munday

4 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Hickling Broad 31st May 2014 © Jill Brook Such was the popularity of this trip that our group, the other hides. visiting this National Nature reserve, had to be divided Here we saw pied into three parties for the boat trips. On the way to the wagtail and young, landing stage we passed through woodland with many coot, moorhen, nestboxes and along a boardwalk where common great crested lizard was seen and three species of dragonfly:scarce grebe, little egret, chaser, black tailed skimmer and the local speciality, swallow, a party Norfolk hawker. Our guide, David, pointed out recently of long tailed tits, completed work to improve water quality and control, reed, sedge and funded by Landfill Tax. We also saw one of several tunnel strident Cetti’s traps, designed to record footprints of visiting species. warbler, skylark, oystercatcher, pheasant, jackdaw, carrion crow and a tinkling charm

Avocets - synchronised preening

We were looking forward to the silence of an electric boat but the engine had broken down so we had to compromise with an outboard motor. Nevertheless the wildlife was abundant on what is the largest of Norfolk’s Broads, being about a mile long, three quarters of a mile wide and with an average depth of about four feet. We were soon seeing a marsh harrier mobbed by a black Swallowtail butterflies headed gull, a heron and common tern. John pointed out long booms at the foot of some reedbeds, to deter a distant cuckoo and another booming bittern. On the grazing greylag geese. A quiet entry into the back of way back a large patch of flowering white clover was a hide led to a sudden increase in species: lapwing attracting many foraging bees. From inquiries made of redshank, wigeon, shoveller, pochard, shelduck with four others we added peacock and speckled wood butterfly, young, egyptian goose, plus an avocet with one juvenile. Chinese water deer and saw an impressive photo of a The raft intended for nesting terns had been taken over swallowtail nectaring on thistle. Hopefully this iconic by black headed gulls and the first swallowtail of the species was seen by everyone and for at least one day flew past at some speed. Swifts were screaming person it was a ‘first ever’. overhead and a pair of marsh harriers, John told us, had a nest in the reedbed they were circling, one of nine Refreshments were taken at the nearby Pleasure Boat nests on the reserve. Inn and some wandered down to the waterfront, seeing a very large flock of greylag geese and a pair of swallows The tall Observation Tower had been a challenging and nesting in a boathouse. Perhaps the success of our day almost vertical climb on our last visit, in 1986, but now it can be measured by the fact that, even as we waited allowed easier access to a superb panoramic view right near the car park for the last boat trip to return, a hobby across to the coast. Our first booming bittern was heard flew overhead. That success was also due to Pam and some in one of the other boats saw, distantly, cranes Ireland, who organised the day with her usual careful in the grazing meadows. Even in the picnic area there planning. were chaffinches and magpies cleaning up the tables Richard Stewart while a great spotted woodpecker landed in a nearby tree. At the nearby dipping platforms we added azure [All these photographs were taken at Hickling on the day. damselfly to the list and spent the afternoon visiting Ed.]

5 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Evening Walk from Levington Marina 17th July 2014.

An evening walk in July? An English summer? When We emerged from the Susanne and I first decided to do this walk I would have woods at the side of put money on dressing in thermal undies, several layers Loompit Lake and of clothing and waterproofs! I couldn’t have been more skirted round it. It was wrong.The group met at Levington Marina, the sun so warm I’m sure some shining, the temperature 20 – 24°C, and a warm breeze. of us were tempted to have a paddle along We headed out of the car park through woodland that with the greylag geese backs on to the marina, the path gave us intermittent which were present in views of the salt marsh and mud flats. Canada geese large numbers. Also were abundant, and we had fantastic views of black on the lake were tufted tailed godwits, I now think I could pick their rusty duck, a heron with two coloured necks out in a flock of waders, although I scruffy looking chicks, couldn’t guarantee that. An oyster catcher was seen on cormorants, coots, and Red Admiral the bank, and also some redshank which flew in and my personal favourite a noisily announced themselves. A house martin was seen great crested grebe sitting snugly on a nest. by one of our number as we passed a break in the trees. The great thing about a group walk is the wealth of experience of the other walkers. Anne is very knowledgeable about wild flowers and was telling us how to identify wild carrot, which I would have previously identified as some sort of cow parsley.

Past the lake we turned right, just as the lesser spotted pink hat made a bid for freedom from somebody’s head! Up over the hill we headed towards the farm. Swifts were seen and heard screaming above us as we walked along the farm track. In the distance deer were seen more than once, possibly roe deer.

In addition to the moth and butterflies seen earlier, caterpillars of the cinnabar moth (on ragwort) and small Great Crested Grebe tortoiseshell butterfly (on nettles) were spotted. As we passed the farm, house martins perched on and flew The chief excitement on the walk through the wood was round the farm buildings. A few of us were lucky enough a lime hawk moth spotted by one of the group on the to see a green woodpecker flying across scrubby grass ground. I had to look it up when I got home, but the adjacent to the buildings. “the book” said it was characterised by its scalloped wing edge, “the book” also said it flies in May and June, Heading back down the hill Susanne spotted a blue I guess the moth hadn’t read “the book”! A number of tailed damselfly. At the bottom of the hill in a hedge butterflies can be added to the moth, including a skipper, there were several small birds flying about. Later after small and large whites, red admirals, and a gate keeper. some debate and internet browsing we came up with an identification of juvenile linnet.

On the last leg of the walk a kestrel was hovering over a field, looking for dinner, which is what some of the group were doing too. Back at the marina we enjoyed a fantastic meal at the sailing club.

Thanks to Leigh Williamson for organising a great evening. Kerry Charlton

[Because of pressure on space the account of the visit to Lodge Farm, Westhorpe on 18th June is held over until our next issue. A chance to offset the winter cold with an Gatekeeper account of a glorious summer’s day. Ed.]

6 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Dates for your Diary - September 2014 to January 2015

All meetings unless otherwise stated, will take place in St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich at 7.30 p.m. Entrance £2.50 includes tea or coffee.

Wed 17th September at 7.30pm Tracking Down our Ipswich Hedgehogs by Leonie Washington Hedgehog numbers have declined dramatically in the last ten years across the country and they seem to be getting scarcer in towns and countryside alike. This year Suffolk Wildlife Trust is asking for all records of hedgehogs – living or dead – to see where the remaining populations are located. This talk will focus on the unique ecology of the animal, the likely reasons for its decline and what can be done to try to safeguard our remaining Suffolk hedgehogs.

Wed 15th October at 7.30pm Life in the Undergrowth by Roger Hance Roger is a semi-professional photographer, a member of the Royal Photographic Society, and a winner of many awards. Over the last 10 years he has specialised in Natural History photography and sits on the judging panel for the RPS awards. His talk, accompanied by his own photos, will concentrate on the often surprising small plants, fungi and animals found near the ground, in the places we often fail to notice – the undergrowth.

Wed 19th November at 7.30pm Bird Ringing by Mike Swindell Mike is a passionate bird ringer, spending almost all his time in this pursuit, so speaks very much from personal experience. He will give us an insight into the changing methods which have been employed from the very early days of ringing to the sophisticated tagging methods which can be used today. He is an active member of the Kessingland Ringing Group, who are carrying out a special study on the kittiwake. He insists that migration is only one of the uses of the data obtained by ringing. I’m sure he will reveal the others.

Wed 10th December at 7.30pm Voyage Around East Anglia by Robert Simper We are delighted to welcome Robert once again, our local sailor and the author of many books on sailing craft and the East Anglian Coast. This journey begins in Kings Lynn , travelling by boat as far as the river Thames at St Katherine’s Dock., with views of East Anglia seen only from the water. On the way he visits towns and rivers, relating tales of the many characters and events which have taken place along our shores.

Wed 21st January at 7.30pm Hedgerows, Herbs and Medicines by Martin Sanford Martin has managed the Suffolk Biological Record Centre, which is based in the Ipswich Museum, for more than 25 years. He is author of the Orchids of Suffolk and co-author of the Flora of Suffolk. He therefore has an exceptional knowledge of our local plants. His talk will cover the medicinal uses of some of our native plants, many of which can be found growing in our local hedgerows. © Eric Woods (rspb-images.com) © Dave Fincham © Duncan Sweeting

A full listing of all Groups’ events can be found from page 22

7 Ipswich Wildlife Group

Chair: Ray Sidaway 01473 259104 www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/iwg facebook.com/ipswichwildlifegroup Ipswich Wildlife Group is a registered charity, relying entirely on volunteers, that promotes interest in, and conservation of, wildlife and habitats in and around Ipswich. We seek to inform and educate the local communities of Ipswich about the wildlife and habitats that can be found in the area, and the issues affecting them, as well as involve local people in practical wildlife conservation. We carry out practical conservation tasks, bid for grants to improve wildlife and green areas around Ipswich and work closely with the Greenways Project, Friends of Belstead Brook Park and other local groups with similar aims. Garden Suburb - Northern Fringe Development

We have recently made submissions to Ipswich Borough In an area already lacking in publicly accessible open Council concerning the development of a garden suburb space, this is unacceptable. in the northern fringe of Ipswich. In our submissions, we have made the following proposals:- 2. All existing hedgerows and trees should be retained, and any new plantings and landscaping should be 1. Work on the proposed country park should commence carried out using native trees and shrubs. as soon as the first house is built, so that trees can be planted and footpaths established. At present, the 3. Considerable use should be made of wild flower plan is to build 1000 houses in the southern section sowings and long grass areas to encourage the of the development and 500 more in the Henley Gate development of invertebrate populations. area and only then to start work on the country park. 4. Wildlife surveys should be detailed and freely available to the public. Any mitigation strategies thought to be necessary should be carefully monitored after being

5. Wildlife habitats, such as green corridors, bat boxes, swift bricks etc. should be incorporated into the development.

We think that the garden suburb, with its country park, surface water, green corridors and gardens could represent a wildlife and biodiversity gain compared with the existing fields with their monocultures and regime of spraying. So far, the noises being made from the council have been encouraging, but time will tell. The Northern Fringe development area from Henley Road – little opportunity for wildlife at present. Ray Sidaway. Homes for Wildlife gathering pace

Meanwhile our ‘Homes for Wildlife’ project has been and other Group members had a busy day helping gathering pace - we had a most rewarding and visitors build boxes for their gardens.

successful day at the Maidenhall Allotments and © Colin Hullis Community Gardens ‘Garden Party’ in July. Several members were involved as ‘apprentices’ to Martin Cant who led the on-site construction of bird boxes, insect boxes and hedgehog homes. Martin had put tremendous work into providing pre-cut timber for the boxes so that visitors could help in their construction and then take them home to put up in their gardens.

In August our pagoda was also part of another ‘Homes for Wildlife’ event, this time in partnership with the Greenways Project and Friends of Belstead Brook Park. Held on Ellenbrook Meadow, the objective was to create awareness amongst local residents of the importance of their gardens as part of a wildlife corridor from Peter Locke and Martin Cant getting down to the serious Stonelodge Park to Ellenbrook Meadow. Again Martin business of wildlife house building.

8 Landguard Partnership

Landguard Bungalow, View Point Road, Felixstowe IP11 3TW Tel: 01394 675283 Email: [email protected] www.landguardpartnership.org.uk Ranger Blog: http://www.landguardpartnership.org.uk/nature_reserve/rangers_blog Twitter: https://twitter.com/landguardranger The Landguard Partnership was formed in 2009 to ensure that the Landguard Peninsula in Felixstowe is managed in a sustainable manner, contributing to the nationally important environmental conservation, cultural heritage, educational resources and economic prosperity of the area and adding to the quality of life and enjoyment of the local community and visitors. The Partnership consists of all the organisations and a charitable trust who have either a vested interest in the Peninsula or are concerned about conserving and protecting this valuable resource. The Peninsula incorporates the historic Fort, the important collections of the Felixstowe Museum, the Landguard Nature Reserve and the popular View Point overlooking the Orwell Estuary. Born to run

High Brown Fritillary

In the last edition of LWN I mentioned that I was starting chicks to fledging. It’s well documented that only a up a Volunteer Ranger initiative. I have to say that it got small percentage of them survive their first year. To see off to a shaky start with only Jill Brook from Ipswich the first three chicks fledge and take test flights along stepping up to the plate. Jill had contacted me not the beach was definitely a highlight of my conservation long after starting my Landguard post last September, career. Equally, finding out that a nest has been wanting to know what we were intending to do to further completely predated, on or just before hatching, as one protect the ground nesting birds at the Reserve. Her was, has got to count as one of its low points. I should e-mail really spurred me into action, considering all blow our collective trumpet and say that this year has possible options. The pros and cons of electric fencing already been a screaming success comparing it against were gone into amongst other ideas. I felt that having the previous four years! Volunteer Rangers would be very effective as the perception was that human disturbance was an issue. Last Saturday morning will live in my memory. While The Ranger post at Landguard is part time and then introducing Wendy Marshall to the Reserve as part there are other commitments such as writing this article! of her Volunteer Ranger induction we saw a Small So any additional patrolling, raising visitor’s awareness Tortoiseshell butterfly on a Buddleia. I wanted to take of the sites’ habitats and vulnerable wildlife should work a closer look just in case it was a Scarce Tortoiseshell, very well. So far we have recruited seven Volunteer otherwise called a Yellow Legged Tortoiseshell. A few Rangers and they have spent an impressive amount of had apparently come across from the Netherlands on time on the Reserve for which I am very grateful. The favourable winds. As we looked I saw another Butterfly Volunteer Rangers have played an important part in the come to rest on the Buddleia. Wendy not seeing it as success of the nesting Ringed Plovers this year. clearly as I was, thought that it might be a Comma but I could already see that it wasn’t. It was some type of As at the end of July, the Fritillary. Wendy and I exchanged places so that she fledged Ringed Plover total could take some photos with her camera. Considering stands at five with a further the distance from the Butterfly she managed to get two chicks still running some great shots. Back at the office it quickly became around on the shingle that apparent that it was a toss up between being a Dark just might fledge. Looking Green Fritillary and a High Brown Fritillary.It looked more at the scale of their legs like a High Brown Fritillary but all the information told to the rest of the chick’s me that they don’t occur in Suffolk anymore. It has now bodies they are born to been confirmed as a High Brown Fritillary by the Suffolk run! Obviously a lot of Butterfly Recorder Bill Stone. The first confirmed sighting luck is involved in the since 1959. Ringed Plover chick survival of Ringed Plover Chris Ryde

9 Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich IP3 0PG Office: 01473 433995 [email protected] www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways The Greenways Countryside Project exists to protect and enhance the countryside, landscape and open space across an area of about 100 square kilometres in and around the town of Ipswich, and home to around one quarter of the population of Suffolk, for the benefit of wildlife and local people. The project relies on volunteers to complete much of its practical conservation work. The Greenways Project is a very successful and well-established partnership between Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Babergh District Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and the local community. Annual Report – April 2013 to March 2014

This report includes some examples of the work of the Greenways Project over the last financial year. The map below shows the approximate locations of the sites where we have worked, with the Belstead Brook Park area expanded to show more detail. It is not possible here to give details of the work and activities on each site – if you would like more information please contact the Project on 01473 433995 or email: greenways. [email protected] Our improved website has an interactive version of this map and includes some more details of the sites, but is still under construction as at Sept 2014. www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways/

Habitat building Greenways Project Area Map

10 Site Work Events Examples of practical site maintenance work include As well as practical site management work, we also run woodland management; tree and hedge planting; educational events at some sites to encourage more meadow cutting; heathland clearing; wetland involvement of local people. The largest event each year management; litter picking; cleaning signs and is the Spring Wood Day on the Mayday Bank Holiday, information boards; improving path surfaces; building which attracted almost 1000 visitors who enjoyed a wide and repairing bridges and boardwalks; installation of range of activities from horse logging demonstrations habitat features; path cutting and installation of rustic and guided walks to having a go at woodland crafts and seats. willow weaving. Other events have included the official opening of Kiln Meadow as a Local Nature Reserve, the Sandlings LNR Wildlife activity day and a picnic and ‘bioblitz’ (wildlife survey) event at Kiln Meadow.

Bioblitz surveying on Kiln Meadow Entertaining the visitors at Spring Wood Day

Volunteers List of sites Every year, whilst compiling the annual report – it is obvious that our regular volunteers are the beating Belstead Brook Park 32 Lyttleton’s Meadow, Grundisburgh heart of the Greenways Project! In the last year, 1 Spring Wood (LNR) 33 Kiln Farm Meadow (CWS), Gt and extraordinary 1,968 volunteer days have been 2 Kiln Meadow (LNR) Bealings 3 Millennium Wood (LNR) 34 Former St Mary’s Convent site, contributed, with the vast majority made up by regular 4 Bobbits Lane Meadows (LNR) Woodbridge Rd. volunteers. It represents the equivalent of 9 full-time 5 Ashground Plantation (LNR) 35 Fonnereau Way staff working for the Project. This can be valued (using 6 Bobbits Lane – upper area 7 Butterfly Ride Western Fringe and the River Lottery rates) at £132,700 – a staggering figure – and a 8 Stoke Park Wood (LNR) 36 Alderman Canal (LNR) huge thank you to all of those who have contributed. 9 Ellenbrook open space and 37 River Path – Stoke Bridge Playing Field 38 River Path – Princes St to West Although the majority of volunteers help us with practical 10 Burnet Meadow End Rd site management, many also help with a very wide range 11 Belstead Meadows 39 River Path – West End Road 12 Belstead Lower Meadows (CWS) 40 River Path – West End Rd to of tasks from updating the website and designing Local 13 Thorington Hall Farm area Handford Rd Wildlife News to delivering flyers, setting up events and 14 Belstead Heath 41 River Path – Handford Rd- leading volunteer work sessions. All the different roles Yarmouth Rd Southern fringe 42 River Path – Yarmouth Rd to are essential for the smooth running of the Project. 15 Netley Close open space Riverside Road 16 Belmont Road Wood 43 River Path – Boss Hall 17 Braky Wood 44 River Path – ex-Sugar Factory Funding 45 River Path – A14 to Sproughton The Greenways Project partnership has been running Eastern Fringe 46 Churchman Way 18 Purdis Heath (SSSI), Purdis Farm successfully now for 20 years. The four main funding 19 Pond Hall Carr Meadow, Orwell Recent new sites partners: Ipswich Borough Council (which leads the Country Park 47 Bourne Park Project), Suffolk County Council, and Suffolk Coastal and 20 Martlesham Heath (SSSI) 48 Gippeswyk Park 21 Martlesham Common (CWS) 49 Belstead Road Tree Belt Babergh District Councils – have continued to back the 22 Mill Stream (LNR), Rushmere St 50 Limes Pond Rushmere Project and appreciate the excellent value for money that Andrew 51 Britannia School 23 Sandlings, (LNR), Rushmere St 52 Rushmere Hall School it offers. Andrew In 2013-14, the contributions were: 24 Warren Heath (CWS) LNR = Local Nature Reserve 25 Farthing Wood, Kesgrave Ipswich Borough Council - £21,570 26 Long Strops Pond, Kesgrave Suffolk County Council - £18,180 27 Cedarwood Green, Kesgrave 28 Legion Green, Kesgrave Suffolk Coastal District Council - £7,200 Babergh District Council - £5,500 Northern Fringe 29 Chestnut Pond, Rushmere St Andrew The total budget for the Project in 2013/14 was £87,860 30 Whitton Footpath Link – with the remainder of the income coming from Parish 31 Grundisburgh Millennium Meadow and Town Council grants, project income, and other grants including for land management.

11 2013/14 Annual Report continued Case Studies

Britannia School Purdis Heath The Project joined with Ipswich Wildlife Group to work with staff and pupils at the school to create new wildlife homes, including log piles, bug boxes, stag beetle piles, bird boxes and dead hedges. This is a good example of how easy it can be to enhance the wildlife value of school grounds – and enable youngsters to see the benefits direct!

Management work on Purdis Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) continued over the winter, still benefitting from landfill tax grant obtained by Butterfly Conservation to improve heathland around Ipswich for the Silver-studded Blue butterfly and other species. Our annual Megabash attracted more than 50 volunteers and a huge area of gorse and birch scrub was cleared and dead hedges constructed to make useful habitat from the cut material. Heathland improvement work was also carried out at Martlesham Heath SSSI, Martlesham Common, Warren Heath and Belstead Heath.

Voluntary task leaders River Action Group regular work parties Since the end of the Access To Nature project in May 2013, we have been fortunate to have had the help of a group of ‘voluntary leaders’. With appropriate training, these volunteers have led volunteer work parties, drive volunteers to sites and carry out other responsible jobs. Having volunteers prepared to take on this level of responsibility is extremely valuable to the Project as it allows us to run more work parties and events and provide opportunities for more people to get involved.

Voluntary leaders, drivers and admin assistants required! As most of our volunteer leaders have achieved gainful employment (massive congratulations to them), In partnership with the River Action Group and Ipswich we need up to three new volunteers to help with Wildlife Group, we help run a monthly work party managing practical work parties. This involves driving on the first Saturday of each month. One aim is to our vehicles, preparing tools and materials, instructing provide opportunities for people available to volunteer and supervising other volunteers and reporting back at the weekend to get involved in a range of tasks at as required. We will provide necessary training and Alderman Canal and along the River. Work has included specialist courses and support. We are also keen coppicing, reedbed management, long grass cutting, to find a replacement for our last admin volunteer, building dead hedges and the inevitable litter picking. who has also gone on to become fully employed! If Alderman Canal and the river through the town form you have a few hours a month to spare and would probably the most important wildlife corridor, and be prepared to take notes at a few meetings etc – it despite the urban setting, the area is surprisingly would be great to hear from you. To find out more diverse in wildlife. If you’d like to get involved, please contact James Baker, Project Manager on 01473 see the listing in the Regular Events section on the 433995 or email: [email protected] back page.

12 Wildlife Rangers

Office : 01473 433993 [email protected] Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich IP3 0PG The Wildlife & Education Rangers are responsible for the management of wildlife areas within the town’s parks and other green spaces. As well as carrying out practical management, the team runs an events programme and works with many local schools to engage and inspire the public about the wildlife Ipswich has to offer. Moth Trapping at Pipers Vale © Neil Sherman The Rangers together with Butterfly Conservation held a moth trapping evening on Pipers Vale in the Orwell Country Park on 27th June.

The site (if you don’t know it) is a great mosaic of acid grassland, regenerating heather, scrub, and broad- leaved woodland, with areas of reed bed at the edge of the river close by. With this mixture of habitats we were hopeful of some interesting species from this under- recorded site. So loaded up with actinic lights, ID books, tea, coffee, biscuits, and a group of willing participants we headed out onto Pipers Vale.

After setting up we had a bit of a wait until the light faded and the first moths began to show up, so Sharon Small Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila porcellus) Hearle of BC very kindly showed everyone some prize specimens she had caught at home the previous evening bear in mind for future management of the site. It also (which were all carefully transported back again before indicates just how special the parks, nature reserves and being released), including a Small Elephant Hawkmoth wildlife sites around Ipswich are, that a species such as (Deilephila porcellus). Thanks also to David Dowding, this can pop up right under our noses – all we had to do who showed us a range of brilliant moth caterpillars he is was look. raising at home. Many thanks to all those who came along and made it As the night drew on, the moths began to appear and such a great evening. soon our experts were scooping up specimens into pots, taking photos and thumbing through books while If you would like to learn more about moths in Suffolk the rest of us moved from one lamp to another, trying you can visit the Suffolk Moth Group at: http:// to see the next interesting species that had fluttered in. suffolkoths.org.uk/ for information and events.

After a few enjoyable hours spent this way we had a © Neil Sherman list of 31 species, many of them common but beautiful nonetheless, such as the Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis).

Our list did also include the nationally scarce Festoon (Apoda limacodes) and one Red Data Book species, the Shaded Fan-foot (Herminia tarsicrinalis). This species is mostly found in parts of East Anglia and the New Forest living in bramble thickets. For the Rangers it is a very useful record because this is a species we will need to

“If you would like to enjoy some fresh air and exercise whilst helping the wildlife in Ipswich, the Wildlife Ranger’s work party is held every Thursday across the parks, nature reserves and county wildlife sites within the borough. We welcome all ages and abilities, asking nothing but enthusiasm! Please contact [email protected] for more Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) information.”

13 © Tim Kenny Friends of Christchurch Park

Secretary: Ann Snook 01473 251037 Membership Secretary: Robert Fairchild 01473 254255 Events/Meetings: David Routh 01473 255680 The sole purpose of the Friends Group is to help look after the Park for the public good, and to promote its welfare. Anyone who shares this aim is welcome to join. For a small annual fee of £5 you can join in Friends activities all year round, including Illustrated talks and discussions, Guided Park walks and Practical conservation work. You will also receive an informal seasonal newsletter.

Black and white destroyers © Paul Sherman I had a call in late June from a nature-loving friend whose garden borders Christchurch Park. He was complaining bitterly about the damage that ‘those black and white birds’ had done to the wildlife in his garden. I quickly sympathised with my friend stating that until the mid- 1970’s there were no magpies in our Park owing to the stringent efforts of gamekeepers to keep the numbers of all corvids, including rooks, down to a minimum. I also pointed out that the crow and magpie population in Christchurch Park is likely to carry on rising for some years yet, as these birds are great scavengers and have adapted to living quite comfortably on our leftovers – as well as young songbirds and eggs.

At this point my frustrated friend interrupted: “I am not talking about magpies. I am moaning about those other black and white birds – the great spotted woodpeckers!” He related his sad story of how one of these black and white birds had hammered away at a bird box on his apple tree enlarging the hole by a considerable margin and then devouring what was in the blue tits’ nest. “... and, not only that,” he went on, “this spring I positioned in my garden near the Park boundary, a new bird feeding device. It was made up of three hanging feeders, one habitat for corvids and, from what my friend, himself a of wire-netting for peanuts, which the grey squirrels very keen naturalist has observed, it appears that our Park quickly tore apart, and two of plastic for niger seeds is ideal for our two larger woodpeckers. and sunflower hearts. I used to enjoy watching the goldfinches feeding from the plastic tubes but I can’t any How sorry I am that our wildfowl have had yet another more because this morning a black and white, marauding disastrous year with only two or three goslings being woodpecker assaulted the plastic feeders and completely successfully reared with no mandarin, mallard or destroyed them.” He was obviously very upset but he moorhen youngsters surviving the attacks of the large carried on: “. . . my tool shed now has half a dozen large gull population of Ipswich. Numbers of wildfowl in the holes where a green woodpecker has hammered away.” Park are rapidly in decline with the loss of the mandarin What could I say except that both great spotted and green posing a real problem. A female mandarin with fifteen woodpeckers have had an excellent year in Christchurch ducklings lost her entire family within two days. We used Park? Why did I start to put the blame on magpies? to have a healthy population of mandarins but I venture to suggest that, as a direct result of the piratical gulls, we are Green woodpeckers too are not blameless in upsetting down to just a few. I do not quite know where our adult people. A farmer friend had a bargeboard on his 400-year mandarins have disappeared to – certainly it would seem old farmhouse almost wrecked by a green woodpecker. not to Holywells Park as a large amount of pond dredging The bird drove him mad with its early morning ‘home’ is taking place there. Can anyone come up with an idea of excavation under the eaves of his house. He toyed with where our mandarins are now living? the idea of replacing the bargeboards with plastic but I pointed out that would not deter a green woodpecker. Christchurch Park, although being in the centre of Ipswich, still has new bird sightings being added to the In our Park, the predator species, and I include crows Park’s list. In the last couple of years we have recorded and magpies amongst them, have done particularly well shoveler, goosander, golden oriole, alpine swift, short- with crow, magpie and jackdaw fledglings seemingly all eared owl and, this year, two more new species, that of over the Park. How long can corvid numbers continue to honey buzzard and raven. Not bad for a town Park. increase? Well, I suppose until we stop providing the ideal conditions for them. Christchurch Park is a wonderful Reg Snook

14 Portal Woodlands Conservation Group

Enquiries: Martlesham Parish Council 01473 612632 www.pwcg.onesuffolk.net or email [email protected] The group was formed to conserve the woodlands west of the Suffolk Police HQ and alongside the A1214. Volunteers meet each month to work on a variety of projects. Anybody is welcome to join this friendly group. Training and tools are provided. © S. Corley In recent months we have been very busy with public events. We had a stand at Birchwood School’s Summer Fete and have hosted over 130 people from Gorseland School, Brownies and Guides groups who have enjoyed learning about the wildlife of the woods. We also had a good turnout for our Annual Glow Worm Survey and Bat Walk at the end of June. We counted 26 female glow worms and two males. We also detected four species of bat. If you would like to arrange a visit to the woods for a young person’s group please contact us.

© S. Corley We were sad to learn of the passing of Bob Pawsey, which was just two years after the passing of his wife Vera. We were honoured that their family has supplied two bird boxes to be put in the woods in their memory and we are very thankful for their generous monetary donation. As part of their wildlife habitat activity, the Nature Explorers have put up the boxes and we look forward to them being occupied next year.

We are pleased to announce our new project for a small Keeping the paths open classroom facility in the woods for Nature Watch Club and Nature Explorers. Amongst other benefits, this The Volunteers have been mainly focused on keeping will prevent us from being at the whim of the weather! the paths open and safe following all the bad weather. It’s a fairly long term project and is subject to planning They have been clearing the perimeter track of mud and permission and funding, so if you can support this relaying the wood chippings, the fresh chippings are worthy cause in any way please let us know. raised above the normal ground level and can be a little loose until they have bedded down, so please take extra Please be aware that to help with the safety of all care in these areas. woodland users, walkers have the right of way over cyclists – so we ask cyclists to please be vigilant and to Following a poll of Nature Watch members, their take extra care when passing users on foot. Please also preferred day of the weekend for meetings. was note that cyclists should keep to the perimeter track. Sunday mornings rather than current Saturdays. Please note the change to the September date listed in the Information and dates for 2014 volunteer work mornings, previous issue of LWN. The change has proved to be a Nature Watch Club and Nature Explorers are available at good decision with attendance back to normal levels. http://pwcg.onesuffolk.net/ Members have had fun catching small mammals, pond dipping, making bug hotels and catching moths. Volunteer Work Mornings: meet at the Education Area from 10am - Noon Saturday 20th September, Sunday 19th October, Saturday 22nd November, Sunday 14th December © S. Corley Nature Explorers (11 to 18 year olds): meet at the Education Area from 9am -11am, booking essential, please email [email protected] Saturday 20th September, Saturday 22nd November

Nature Watch Club (5 to11 year olds): meet at the Martlesham Heath Control Tower from 9am -11am, booking essential, please email naturewatch.pwcg@ martlesham.org.uk Sunday 21st September, Sunday 26th October Nature Watch members make homes for bugs

15 Secretary Phil Whittaker, Oak Barn, Pipps Ford, Needham Market Ipswich IP6 8LJ [email protected] Membership Secretary Matthew Deans, 49c, Hollesley, IP12 3JY www.sogonline.org.uk Twitter: suffolkbirds1 SOG is the Group for people interested in the birds of Suffolk, and provides a network and a voice for birdwatchers in the county.

SOG Projects in 2014 include: Planning is well underway for the Rook survey due to start 2015. A comparative study for one that took place in Suffolk 40 yrs ago. The BTO Atlas/Birdtrack will support this work and birdwatchers can still plan/ suggest possible survey sites. Contact: Gi Grieco Tel. 07814 137432

A Swift Box Project is underway and SOG is seeking to forge contacts with councils or building firms that may be able to accommodate boxes on their building projects. A joint SOG/SWT Swift evening was held recently in Stowmarket and more events are to follow with installation of Swift Boxes around the county Greenshank planned. Contact: Adam GrettonTel.01473 829156 that may be seen include Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Local Hotspots: Trimley Marsh Merlin and Short-eared Owl. The reserve hosted what This reserve is a real gem and despite the lengthy walk it is known as a ‘Mega’ in the birding world in June 2013 always provides excellent birdwatching! when a Pacific Swift was present for two days attracting birdwatchers from all over the country. The biggest Trimley Marsh was created in 1990 from arable land mass invasion of Suffolk by ‘twitchers’ for some years! by the River Orwell after the loss of nearby important Fagbury mudflats due to the expansion to the Port of There are a number of hides and a viewing platform Felixstowe. It is a combination of wetland and grazing overlooking the reserve, offering good views of the marsh, containing scrapes with islands, a reservoir, wetlands and the main reservoir. scrub, reed bed, ditches and wet meadows. A sluice system controls the water to enable suitable conditions Recent Suffolk Rare Bird News for wintering geese and ducks, while during the summer Autumn passage begins early in Suffolk returning optimal conditions for breeding waders such as migrants start to appear in early June. The first Green Redshank, Avocet and Lapwing. The site is managed by Sandpipers re-appeared ‘right on cue’ on June 10th the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. closely followed by Little Ringed Plovers, Common Sand Pipers and Dunlin. At Trimley SWT, a Great White Egret Bird species: Marsh Harrier, Avocet, Bearded Tit. In arrived and a few Wood Sandpipers, Ruff, Whimbrel and winter a variety of duck and geese species can be Spotted Redshank joined the wide range of species that found including predominately Brent Goose, some can be seen from now and into late autumn and early White-fronted Goose with occasional small numbers winter at coastal locations. A Savi’s Warbler (June 15th of Pink-footed and Bean Goose. The reserve holds on) put on a fine vocal show at Walberswick. Its ‘reeling’ good numbers of Wigeon, Gadwall and Teal along with song being heard from the depths of the reedbed Mallard, Pintail and Shoveler while on the reservoir though showing itself only infrequently. A few Spoonbills Tufted Duck and Pochard. Other species include Coot, were wandering around coastal areas and were even Cormorant and Little Grebe. Many species of waders seen in West Suffolk! include Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Redshank, Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Knot. The Peregrine from Felixstowe In July a Great Knot caused great excitement and a Docks/Landguard occasionally visits. Other raptors temporary increase in the population of the Lowestoft area (a bird that has only appeared in the UK four times). Next up for what was becoming a ‘purple patch’ for Suffolk birders was a very obliging Collared Pratincole

© Colin Hullis (15th July-on) which spent its time hawking for insects over Minsmere and landing frequently to rest on the East scrape giving excellent views from the hide. It was the first sighting of this species in Suffolk since 1996.

The finding of a family party of six Black-winged Stilts at Cavenham pits (19th July) was truly intriguing as two adults accompanied four juveniles! Just where did these Male Shoveler British rarities breed?

16 Field Event Hemley/River Deben 1st February 2014 Leader: Justin Zantboer © Gi Grieco

After the wet, windy weather of last winter it was nice The grazing marsh at the back of Kirton Creek was quiet to arrive at Hemley Church for the start of the trip in with just a couple of Curlew, Greylag Geese and some relatively calm conditions and some bright sunshine. Teal, although a Marsh Harrier quartered the reedbed Around the church several House Sparrows called from and more Buzzards circled overhead. some bushes and a Blue Tit was very vocal. Taking the track back toward Hemley village, a flock of Scanning the grazing marshes adjacent to the river, a finches were present on the edge of woodland, some group of Curlews were feeding, a distant Marsh Harrier dropping down into the ditch below. Scanning revealed on the far side and a couple of Brent Geese flew down a mixed flock of Chaffinch and Brambling, with at least river. Walking along the footpath by the saltmarsh some twelve of the latter being noted - a nice surprise find. Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and some smaller birds flitted amongst the Sea Purslane and Samphire. With patience, The Buzzards now totalled six and a Jay was heard, with the birds often dropping down before we got a good plus a large group of small birds included the Chaffinch look, we picked out two Twite among some Goldfinches. and Brambling along with at least one Greenfinch and Yellowhammer. Scanning around we picked up a number of Common Buzzards, in ones or twos, with a group of four also We decided to finish off further up river at Waldringfield. seen. A Marsh Harrier caused a large group of frightened The tide was high and as a consequence few birds were Lapwing to fly up along with a smaller party of Golden about. We saw some Redshank and Dunlin along with Plover and Curlew. Groups of waders and ducks were on Wigeon and Little Grebe, while across the river a group the far shore and included Grey Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, of Pintail, Shelduck, four Goldeneye and surprisingly few Wigeon and some Black-tailed Godwit flew down river. Great Crested Grebes. Justin again picked up the Red- Justin then found a lovely male Red-breasted Merganser breasted Merganser, this time up near Kyson Point - this mid-river; a species that is very scarce on the Deben. On was most likely the same bird seen earlier in the day that an area of saltmarsh close to Kirton Creek, at least two had drifted up river with the tide. Jack Snipe and eight Common Snipe were encountered. This was a treat for me as it was now in the area that had been my old patch for fourteen years and was the first time I had encountered one there! © Gi Grieco Our leader then found another good bird for the river, a female Common Scoter that proved difficult to pick up as it was diving, though eventually everybody got to view it. As the tide was so high, small groups of waders, such as Redshank and Dunlin were seen flying down river, trying to find somewhere to roost.

Many thanks to Justin for leading such a lovely trip - a fine day to be out birding along the Deben, and good to Brambling meet up with everyone.

17 Ipswich Local Group

Membership Secretary: c/o 19, Marlborough Road, Ipswich, IP4 5AT Email: [email protected] www.rspb.org.uk/groups/Ipswich Ipswich RSPB Local Group is for everyone interested in birds and other wildlife in the Ipswich area and beyond. Come along to our indoor talks, held monthly between September to April at Sidegate Primary School, or (throughout the year), get out and experience nature first hand on one of our regular field meetings, visiting some of the best spots for wildlife in the area. Three times a year the ‘Orwell Observer’, keeps readers abreast of the latest developments at nearby RSPB Reserves as well as news of Group activities, along with members’ photographs and accounts of birding exploits from home and abroad. Membership costs £3 per year (£1 for Juniors). For more information see the Events Diary in this magazine, visit our website or write as per details above. House Martin alert © Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) An email alert on my phone back in early June, revealed a message relayed from our RSPB Ipswich website.

Every spring and early summer brings a slew of calls and emails; requests for help for abandoned nestlings, birds the cat’s brought in, complaints of murderous dive- bombing gulls and once a gang of peacocks, terrorising a suburban garden! These messages come despite stating that the RSPB does not run bird hospitals or a rescue service. Mostly, these pleas come from people with genuine concerns for animal welfare, although occasionally they are rather less benign, such as the House Martin man demanding how I proposed to get rid of the Ipswich peregrines that were preying on his racing pigeons, Countryside Act 1981, destroying birds nests while being through to the woman who complained “I have bird make built, is as culpable as destroying a completed nest in nest in my garden. When you come get rid of it?’ use, taking or destroying the nest or indeed killing or destroying the birds or their young and that in addition, On this occasion the email concerned a report from such actions could result if prosecuted, in a £5,000 fine a neighbour about a nearby resident of a cottage, and/or six months imprisonment. repeatedly using a wire brush to destroy the efforts of some ‘very excited’ house martins delichon urbicom, I am confident that the gentleman believed that he struggling to build a nest under their eaves. The was not behaving outside the law and is no doubt correspondent had stated ‘ I don’t wish to create an upstanding citizen. He assured me that he would problems…nor may this gentleman be doing anything henceforth desist from his actions to deter the birds from illegal but I do believe that these charming birds, despite nesting and I can happily report that the house martins, the small amount of mess which they make deserve did successfully complete their nest. As of my most recent something better!’ visit in late July, the parents were busily feeding well grown chicks in their under eaves nest! Well, I couldn’t have agreed more and besides, the gentleman concerned certainly was doing something Quite likely one reason why the gentleman may not have illegal! had house martins attempting to nest on his house for several years, is that data suggests a 15% decline in the Deciding to act immediately, I called on Ray Sidaway, UK population during the past decade alone. Indeed, over Chairman of Ipswich Wildlife Group to be a witness as well a longer period it is thought that we have probably lost up as to provide some welcome moral support! We headed to two thirds of our house martins, which is why they are off to the village beside the Orwell and lost no time now an Amber listed species of conservation concern. identifying the cottage where plastic bags hung under the eaves to further deter the hirundines from nesting. This autumn look out for house martins as they head back south and next year please do what you can to The rather elderly resident immediately owned up, saying help protect them. Artificial nests, (available from the the nests were unsightly, made a dreadful mess and also RSPB), can help to encourage new colonies, similarly the commented that this was the first time in many years provision of wet mud can help birds construct natural these birds had tried to build on his house. Furthermore, nests. Finally, please keep a look out for any illegal nest he said “I am not doing anything illegal, as I am destroying destruction or disturbance and do let us know, so we can their nests before they can finish building them and put take appropriate action to help keep these charming birds them to use”. a regular feature of our Suffolk summer skies for many years to come. I calmly pointed out to him that under the Wildlife and Chris Courtney

18 Friends of Holywells Park

The Group aims to work in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council to improve and promote the Park. Contact: [email protected] www.holywellspark.org.uk facebook.com/holywellsparkipswich

The variety of ecology in Holywells Park is a joy to behold. Around the Dell there is a mildly tropical micro- climate. Between ponds three and four, the newly inundated area grows a fine crop of bulrushes. There is a great deal of wooded area with various mixes of species. The Mandarin ducks seem to like the woodland cover that Holywells Park has to offer and there are various meadows, including the one by the canal. In this meadow one can find knapweed and tansy and who knows what else if one’s eyes are kept open!

Meanwhile the restoration (financially supported by the National Lottery, IBC and FoHP itself) of the Park is in full swing. The new toilet block by the Play Area was opened by the Mayor of Ipswich in early August—a “great relief” to parents, grandparents and anyone else looking after youngsters, whether in the Play Area or not. Pruning in the orchard

The spoil from this year’s pond dredging has shrunk Fund included—would be distraught if any environmental considerably in volume and will finally be spread out later damage were to occur to Holywells Park as a result of on this year. As plant life grows in to the spread areas, the restoration project. The work on the Stable Block what was spoil will become incorporated in to topsoil. and Orangery required a licence in respect of the bats in the Stable Block. As a result of this, two new bat Further work includes new and restored footpaths with boxes will be installed. One is on the outside wall of an aim of increasing access for those of us who are the Stable Block, and another in a nearby tree. And the mobility impaired, as much as the natural topology recently renewed Green Flag accreditation would be of the Park allows. New outside classrooms will help lost if any serious damage were to be done to the park’s to encourage a life-time appreciation of and interest environment. in nature, as found in Holywells Park and elsewhere. The restoration of the Stable Block and the Orangery is well under way. These new resources, including meeting rooms and education rooms, are just waiting for imaginative uses.

With all this work, what’s happening to the natural environment of Holywells Park? A key factor in the planning, and execution of the restoration project is the maintenance of the natural character of the park and its ecology. All of us - the contractors and Heritage Lottery

Holywells Park Green Flag plaque

FoHP look forward to seeing you in the orchard for Apple Day, Saturday 18 October (see Events pages) or at one of our work parties, or simply enjoying the many delights of Holywells Park.

An eating apple from Holywells Park orchard, yum, yum! Robin Gape, (Chair of FoHP)

19 Friends of Belstead Brook Park

Website: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk Go to Links and click on Friends of Belstead Brook Park. E-mail: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/fobbp Friends of Belstead Brook Park (FoBBP) was set up in 2002 to help look after the 250 acres of informal country park on the south-western fringe of Ipswich. The group runs practical work parties, helps raise funds for improvements and acts as ‘eyes and ears’, passing information back to the Greenways Project.

Our April work party saw a group of five getting ready for Spring Wood Day by filling the ruts on the main track at Kiln Meadow with gravel.

Spring Wood Day on May Bank Holiday was a great success with many local people taking part in the activities on offer. The Friends had a stand and signed up about 20 new members – we hope they will enjoy receiving our newsletter, looking at our Facebook page and come and join us working in this lovely area on the second Saturday of every month.

In May we did some path maintenance in Bobbits Meadow, filling dips in the path and covering Hazel nuts ripening for the dormice some of the textile underlay which was hibernation, a dormouse eats as much as it can in order showing through. to build up a fat store. Some major engineering work It then makes a nest deep in a hedge or on the ground, was also undertaken lines it with grass, wool, leaves etc., and prepares a little as the recent, store of food in case it wakes up during a warm spell. very heavy rain Then it curls up into a tight ball and goes to sleep. had washed away some of the gravel The body temperature drops to that of its surroundings path. To stop this and its heart and breathing rate are often reduced happening again, the by 90% or more - this saves energy and allows the team dug a trench dormouse to survive on its body fat for about six and laid a pipe to months. As the weather warms up, a hibernating channel the water under the path. We also created a mini dormouse’s body temperature begins to rise and it takes bund alongside the path to help. about 20 minutes to become fully awake. © Björn Schulz We had a lovely morning in June trimming the overhanging vegetation on the paths in Millennium Wood. The light filtering through the young green leaves was a real pleasure to work in. It’s amazing that in just a few weeks the plants suddenly burst into life and what was a wide path now looks like a small track into a jungle! We saw several clusters of hazel nuts and purposely left some of the branches above head height to form an arch over the path so that the dormice can use this to get from one tree to another.

It’s great that we have a resident population of dormice in Spring Wood as they are such charismatic little creatures. They spend nearly all their lives high up in Dormouse the trees, rarely coming down to the ground. They eat a varied diet of flowers, honeysuckle and pollen in spring. Did you know - Dormice open hazelnuts in a very Followed by fruits, hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts, as particular way. They make a round hole in the shell of the well as aphids and other small insects, in the autumn. nut and leave clear teeth markings on the outside of the The old English name for the dormouse is ‘the sleeper’; shell whilst the inside has no marks and is very smooth. it is the only British rodent which hibernates and it does this from about mid-October until April or May. Before Ann Havard

20 Local Wildlife News Snippets

Do not disturb A New Bee for Suffolk. In early spring a post box in a A new bee to look out for this autumn is the Ivy Bee (Colletes Suffolk village was been put out hederae). As its name suggest its main food plant is Ivy, so it of action after a bird built a nest is a bee that emerges late in the year (from early September to inside it. November). I was lucky enough to find these on the ivy in the walled garden at Holywells Park last September - the first Villagers were asked not to record of this bee for Suffolk. use the box in Gedgrave Road, Orford by Royal Mail who It is a recent addition to the European list of bees being apologised for any inconvenience described as new to science in 1993. It was first recorded in and thanked customers for their England in 2001 in Dorset and is quickly gaining a foothold all patience. over southern England and Wales. The thorax is foxy red, and the abdomen has broad yellow stripes on black. Later, the Blue Tit family expressed their appreciation by Rob Garrod singing and giving flying displays.

Buzzard nest near Ipswich © Colin Hullis I watched this baby Buzzard grow from a bundle of grey fluff (with a huge beak) to this proud juvenile perched just above the nest in a woodland just outside Ipswich in June this year. I suspect that he was contemplating his first flight as one of his parents was perched a few feet above him keeping a careful watch. How exciting to know that these terrific birds are now content to breed in our county. Colin Hullis

Friends of the Dales

New Friends Group

The Friends of the Dales met to elect officers on Monday 21st July and details can be obtained from the secretary [email protected]

The Dales is an Open Space and Nature Reserve situated off Dales Road in Ipswich that belongs to Ipswich Borough Council. It is used by a wide variety of people of all ages including dog walkers and nursery schools. There is a wide range of habitats; meadows, woodland and ponds and a children’s playground. Wildlife includes a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, wild flowers, trees and fungi. It is a lovely place, do come and visit.

Jessica Allen

21 DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE REGULAR EVENTS ON PAGE 24 Events Diary

Sunday 7th September 7am/9am Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR MEETING SOUTHWOLD FOR AUTUMN MIGRANTS. Meet at Southwold shelter at 7am for seawatching or 9am for walk in search of migrants. Map Ref: TM510764. Leader Ashley Gooding. Tel. 01473 415651.

Thursday 11th September 7.30pm RSPB INDOOR MEETING Marsh Harier conservation in the UK with Adam Rowlands, Senior Sites Manager North Suffolk Coastal Reserves. Sponsored by A W Hart Builders. Hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich. Members £2 non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Sunday 14th September 8.30am RSPB FIELD MEETING Orford Ness. Boats leave Orford Quay at 8.30am. Advance booking £8 (National Trust members £4). Max 24 people. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Tuesday 16th September 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Holywells Park including Conservation Area. Meet at Stable Block off Cliff Lane TM176432. Leader Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839

Wednesday 17th September 7.30pm SWT TALK Tracking Down our Ipswich Hedgehogs by Leonie Washington This talk will focus on the unique ecology of the animal, the likely reasons for its decline and what can be done to try to safeguard our remaining Suffolk hedgehogs. St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Entrance £2.50. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310

Saturday 20th September 8.30am Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR MEETING SHINGLE STREET & HOLLESLEY MARSH. Meet at Coastguard Cottages at 8.30 am. (Long walk possible.) Map Ref: TM369431. Leader Steve Fryett. Tel. 01394 383413.

Saturday 20th September 9am - 11am Portal Woodlands Conservation Group NATURE EXPLORERS Meet at the Education Area. Booking essential, pleaseSep Email [email protected] Saturday 20th September 10am - 12 noon Portal Woodlands Conservation Group WORK PARTY Meet at the Education Area. For details contact 01473 612632 Email [email protected]

Sunday 21st September 9am - 11am Portal Woodlands Conservation Group NATURE WATCH CLUB Meet at the Martlesham Heath Control Tower. Booking essential, please email [email protected]

Thursday 25th September 7.30pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group INDOOR MEETING Five Years in the Desert: Birds & Birding in Arabia, Nick Moran BTO. Sun, sand and scarce migrants! Nick spent five years living and birding in southern Arabia and will take us on a season-by season virtual tour of this fascinating region. Non-members welcome. Admission £2. Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich. Details from Phil Whittaker, [email protected]

Saturday 27th September 7.30am Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR MEETING ORFORDNESS (NATIONAL TRUST) RESERVE. Meet at Orford Quay at 7.30am. Some places available to stay overnight on Saturday in self-catering dormitories. Current entrance fees will apply. Map Ref: TM425495. Leaders Steve Piotrowski and John Grant. For further details and to reserve your place, contact Gi Grieco Tel. 07814 137432.

Saturday 27th September 6pm for 6.30pm Butterfly Conservation SUFFOLK AGM AGM and members evening, Bucklesham Village Hall, Levington Lane Map Ref: TM24419 The AGM will be followed by light refreshments and members’ slides. For more details www.suffolkbutterflies.org.uk

Thursday 9th October 7.30pm RSPB INDOOR MEETING Birdwatching in Italy and the work of LIPU with David Lingard UK LIPU Manager. Sponsored by Birketts Solicitors. Hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich. Members £2 non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 11th October 7.30am Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR MEETING CORTON FOR SEAWATCH AND MIGRANTS. Meet at Corton Church. Map Ref: TM538980. Leader Gi Grieco. Tel. 07814 137432.

Saturday 11th October 10am - 1pm Friends of Broom Hill Park CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Joe Underwood (IBC Wildlife & Education Ranger) will lead the first conservation work party on Broom Hill Park, adjacent to Westbourne Library . The task will involve coppicing trees (mostly Elm and Sycamore) to improve the woodland structure. Joe will also talk about the benefits of managed woodland and is bringing some logs so the younger members can build a Stag Beetle pyramid. Children can come with adult supervision. Meet in the car park outside Westbourne Library, Sherrington Rd, Ipswich, IP1 4HT. Details from Joe Underwood, 07736 826302 Email: Joe.Underwood@ ipswich.gov.uk

Tuesday 14th October 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Pipers Vale, meet at car park at Vale entrance. TM178419.Oct Leader Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839 Wednesday 15th October 7.30pm SWT TALK Life in the Undergrowth by Roger Hance Accompanied by his own photos, Roger will concentrate on the often surprising small plants, fungi and animals found near the ground, in the places we often fail to notice – the undergrowth. St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Entrance £2.50. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310

Saturday 18th October 9am RSPB FIELD MEETING Felixstowe Ferry, River Deben and North Felixstowe for Autumn birds. Meet at Ferry car park. 3 hours, 3 miles. TM328376. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.

22 DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE REGULAR EVENTS ON PAGE 24

Saturday 18th October 11am - 2.30pm Friends of Holywells Park APPLE DAY Come and enjoy the Orchard, apples galore, food and drinks - fun for all the family. Free event, all welcome. For more information contact [email protected]

Sunday 19th October 10am - 12 noon Portal Woodlands Conservation Group WORK PARTY Meet at the Education Area. For details contact 01473 612632 Email [email protected]

Sunday 19th October 10am - 3pm Ipswich Wildlife Group COPPICING TEACH-IN Learn all aspects of coppicing with experts within the Group, from its origins and purpose to the practicalities of processing into beanpoles. Thorington Hall Barn off Bobbits Lane - all members welcome. More details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082.

Sunday 26th October 9am - 11am Portal Woodlands Conservation Group NATURE WATCH CLUB Meet at the Martlesham Heath Control Tower. Booking essential, please email [email protected]

Wednesday 29th October 4pm - dusk Friends of Chantry Park DISCOVER CHANTRY PARK Come along and see what has been going on the in the historicOct Walled Garden, wander around, buy a plant or two and have a drink and a piece of cake. At 5pm there will be a talk on the history of Chantry Mansion and Park. Or take a walk around the park with the Wildlife Rangers looking at the wild animals that live here. The Walled Garden is signed from the Sue Ryder car park. For details contact Ann Havard 01473 211095

Thursday 30th October 7.30pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group INDOOR MEETING ‘Japan & South Korea –The Frozen Far East’, Ed Keeble. What should prove to be an interesting account of birding in these far-flung exotic regions. Non-members welcome. Admission £2. Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich. Details from Phil Whittaker, [email protected]

Saturday 1st November 8am Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR MEETING AUTUMN OPEN MORNING AT LANDGUARD BIRD OBSERVATORY. Meet at main car park, View Point Road, Felixstowe. Map Ref: TM284319. Leader Nigel Odin. For details contact Gi Grieco Tel. 07814 137432.

Thursday 13th November 7.30pm RSPB INDOOR MEETING Birds and Climate Change with James Pearce-Higgins, BTO Principal Ecologist. Sponsored by Alder Carr Farm. Hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich. Members £2 non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Sunday 16th November 10am - 3.30pm BELSTEAD BROOK PARK MEGABASH Join Greenways, Friends of Belstead Brook Park and Ipswich Wildlife Group for a day of woodland management - coppicing, dead hedging, scrub clearing etc. Refreshments provided but bring a packed lunch. More details from Greenways 01473 433995, 07736 826076 on the day.

Tuesday 18th November 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Bourne Bridge area and Park. Meet at Bourne Park car park (Bourne Bridge entrance) TM161419. Leader Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839

Wednesday 19th November 7.30pm SWT TALK Bird Ringing by Mike Swindell Mike insists that migration is only one of the uses of the data obtained by ringing. I’m sure he will reveal the others. St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Entrance £2.50. Details from Dave MundayNov 01473 217310 Saturday 22nd November 9am - 11am Portal Woodlands Conservation Group NATURE EXPLORERS Met at the Education Area. Booking essential, please Email [email protected]

Saturday 22nd November 10am - 12 noon Portal Woodlands Conservation Group WORK PARTY Meet at the Education Area. For details contact 01473 612632 Email [email protected]

Thursday 27th November 7.30pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group INDOOR MEETING ‘Birds of the Okavango Delta, Botswana’, Ashley Gooding. Non-members welcome. Admission £2. Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich. Details from Phil Whittaker, [email protected]

Sunday 7th December 8.30am Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR MEETING KESSINGLAND TO BENACRE. Meet at Church Road car park, near Wash Lane, Kessingland (Long walk possible.) Map Ref: TM533862. Leader Ashley Gooding. Tel. 01473 415651.

Sunday 7th December 10am RSPB FIELD MEETING RSPB Boyton for Winter birds.Meet at Banters Barn, Boyton. 3 hours, 4 miles. TM387475. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.

Wednesday 10th December 7.30pm SWT TALK Voyage Around East Anglia by Robert Simper We are delighted to welcome Robert once again, our local sailor and the author of many books on sailing craft and the East Anglian Coast. St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Entrance £2.50. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310

Thursday 11th December 7.30pm RSPB INDOOR MEETING Travels in Croatia with Tim Kenny, Group member, world traveller and birder extraordinaire. Sponsored by Ipswich Microwave Centre. Hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich. Members £2 non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 13th December 9.30am Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR MEETING Oct THE WANTISDEN VALLEY. Meet at Daisy’s Walk car parkDec (Long walk possible.) Map Ref: TM350502. Leader Steve Fryett. Tel. 01394 383413.

Sunday 14th December 10am - 12 noon Portal Woodlands Conservation Group WORK PARTY Meet at the Education Area. For details contact 01473 612632 Email [email protected]

Tuesday 16th December 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Christchurch Park, meet at Soane Street entrance TM165448. Leader Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839

2323 DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE REGULAR EVENTS BELOW Regular Events

TUESDAYS 9.30am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY The Project’s largest weekly work party – carrying out a wide range of practical tasks across the 50 or so sites that we manage. For all Greenways work parties, volunteers need to be registered via a short informal induction prior to joining us – please contact us for further details. Work party runs from 10.00am to about 4.00pm. Contact [email protected] or call 01473 433995.

THURSDAYS 9.30am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY A smaller group than on Tuesday, but operates in the same way – please see details above.

FRIDAYS 9.30am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Another opportunity to work on the 50 or so sites managed by the Project – please see the details above for Tuesdays and Thursdays.

MOST SATURDAYS 10.30am - 1pm IWG Northgate Allotments WOODCRAFT & WILDLIFE Get involved in coppicing and woodland skills at the Wildlife area. Call Geoff Sinclair to confirm dates 01473 327720

SECOND THURSDAY OF THE MONTH 8pm ‘Green Drinks’ Dove Inn, Ipswich DRINKS AND CHAT Join us at the Dove Inn for a drink, a chat and a bit of networking with other environmentally-minded people. Look out for the ‘Green Drinks’ sign on the table. All welcome. Details from Steve Pritchard on 07724 004272

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH 10.30am - 1pm SPRING WOOD WORK PARTY Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and Friends of Belstead Brook Park for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood in Bobbits Lane. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

WEDNESDAYS 10am Friends of Holywells Park HOLYWELLS PARK WORK PARTY Besides doing positive work as part of a small team of volunteers your time will be matched by cash from the Lottery enabling further work in the Park. Meet at the Stable Block located down the driveway from Cliff Lane. Contact Martin Cant for details 07858 436003

FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH 10am - 1pm Ipswich Wildlife Group RIVER WORK PARTY A joint work party with the River Action Group along Alderman Canal and the River Gipping, maintaining footpaths and making these splendid waterways areas to be proud of. Meet at Bibb Way alongside Alderman Road recreation ground. More information from Ray Sidaway 01473 259104.

SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH 10am - 1pm Friends of Belstead Brook Park CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Come and join us for a morning working in the fresh air. For further details visit our website : www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk - go to Links and click on Friends of Belstead Brook Park or email [email protected] Photo by SU ANDERSON courtesy of East Anglian Daily Times

Greenways Countryside Project staff and volunteers celebrate the 20th anniversary