Local January - April 2012 A news and events diary from wildlife and conservation groups in Wildlife the Ipswich area News

‘Resting Blur of Sunlight’ - Under 16 Photography Competition Winner © Sarah Kilshaw Page 2

The saving of Kiln Meadow Page 8

Produced by the Ipswich Wildlife Photography Competition

Access to Nature Ipswich and Ipswich Borough Council Wildlife Rangers are pleased to announce the results of our photography competition. We had a great response with very high standards of entries. A big thank you to our judges Matt Berry of the Wildlife Rangers, Darren Mann of CSV, and Peter Bargh of ephotozine.com. All the entries can be seen on the a2nipswich website and the winners plus a selection of others will be on the a2nipswich 2012 calendar – contact Becky at Access to Nature if you’d like one free of charge. Contact details on page 14. First Prize Over 16 Under 16 Nathan Farrell - ‘Frog in the Throat’ Sarah Kilshaw - ‘Resting Blur of Sunlight’

Judges’ comments: Nathan has managed to capture a fantastic Judges’ comments: The rays of light through the wings make this piece of nature in its rawest form - the constant fight for survival! The sparkle like a living jewel! The dragonfly also stands out very well due composition used works very well because it shows all the important to the uncluttered and attractive background. parts - the head of the snake and the partially consumed frog. Runners-up Over 16

Parrish Coleman - ‘Redwing’ Paul Smith - ‘Chalkhill Blue’ Clare Saul - ‘Kingfisher’ Judges’ comments: A beautiful, colourful and Judges’ comments: The composition of Judges’ comments: Clare has captured a well composed photograph! It is technically Paul’s photo is spot on! The curvature of wonderful look of sheer concentration on very well captured, with crystal clear clarity the Scabious stem then leads beautifully to the face of this Kingfisher! You can sense and well balanced framing. Parrish has got all the butterfly and is mirrored perfectly in its the tension in the scene and imagine the bird the elements right with this Redwing shot and proboscis as it sips up the nectar from the diving to catch a fish at any moment! I also like the added bonus of the berry in its beak is a flower. Even the wings of the butterfly follow a that the Kingfisher is shown within its habitat lovely touch too! similar line in the frame! and not set against a plain background. Runners-up Under 16

Lydia Ravenhall ‘An exploring Ladybird’ Emily Ravenhall - ‘Eating the apple’ Charlotte Ravenhall - ‘Fly in the sun’ Welcome Local Wildlife News Welcome to yet another packed edition of LWN, produced primarily by the Greenways Project, on behalf of over a dozen local wildlife, conservation and other ‘green’ groups. We are still very keen to receive any feedback about the publication – good or bad – and

© Tim Newton-Syms via © Tim Wikimedia Commons look forward to receiving any suggestions for improvements etc. Contributions We are always happy to receive articles of anything up to 800 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. 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 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, simply contact us (details above) and we’ll add you to the list. © Greenways Project

Contents Page Suffolk Wildlife Trust 4

Ipswich Wildlife Group 8

Friends of Holywells Park 9

Greenways Countryside Project 10

Access to Nature 12

Friends of Christchurch Park 13

IBC Wildlife Rangers 14

Landguard Partnership 15

Butterfly Conservation 16

© CMatt Berry RSPB Ipswich Local Group 18

Friends of Alderman Canal 20

Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group 20

Portal Woodlands Conservation Group 21

© Richard Brooks | rspb-images.com Local Wildlife News Snippets 21 Local Wildlife News produced by Greenways Countryside 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]

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

Magazines Conservation

Some of you may be wondering why the last delivery of An interest and involvement in conservation goes back a your magazine was late. Well, it was because HQ had long way in Ipswich too! I recently came across a photo a technical hitch in the production of “Suffolk Wildlife”. of the 1935 Jubilee celebrations in Ipswich showing a This prompted HQ to review the magazine delivery dates float in the parade proclaiming “Protect Wild Birds”. and they have decided to move these dates to: January, May and September. Chantry Park

This has improved the situation for deliverers as it avoids Recently about £4 million has been spent on upgrading the busiest holiday period and the pre- Christmas rush. Christchurch Park, so it is really good news that Ipswich However it has made it more difficult for the Ipswich Borough Council is proposing to make significant Group to get advanced advice of dates for meetings and improvements to Ipswich’s largest park, Chantry. They visits to you in good time. Your Committee has been are planning a ten-year programme in which they seek looking at ways to improve the situation; read on for a to involve local people in how to deal in future with, possible solution! for example, recreation and wildlife in the park. A new group, Friends of Chantry Park, is being formed. This Electronic Programme? would be a really worthwhile opportunity for our Ipswich SWT group to get involved. If you would like to take part Soon, if you are on line, you will be able to get reminders in this exciting initiative, telephone or e-mail Alan Gilbert a week or two in advance of our summer walks and for further information on 01473 423273 or alan.gilbert@ outings. Member Steve Pritchard has very kindly offered ipswich.gov.uk. run this facility for us, so if you would like to be included please e-mail Steve with your details. The details you Dave Munday supply will be used to construct a database for this (Chairman) purpose only and will not be passed to any third party. Steve’s e-mail address is:- [email protected] Forms will be available at forthcoming meetings for the same purpose. © Dave Fincham

The Environment

“Man has been endowed with reason, with the power to create, so that he can add to what he’s been given. But up to now he hasn’t been a creator, only a destroyer. Forests keep disappearing, rivers dry up, wildlife Dave Munday becomes extinct, the climate’s ruined and the land grows poorer and uglier each day.”

A conservationist moan from the last 10 - 20 years maybe? Not a bit of it; it was Anton Chekhov in 1897!

4 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Nightjars and glow-worms on the heath by Wendy Brown

The evening of Friday 1st July was cool and a bit breezy and it would have been very easy to stay at home and convince myself that I didn’t really want to see nightjars again. Blaxhall Common is just short of Snape and setting out at 8.30pm goes against the grain these days. However, we arrived in good time for the 9.30pm start and were met by the leaders from the Woodbridge SWT Group, Mervyn Miller to tell us about nightjars and Phil Smith to talk about the glow-worms that we hoped to see during the walk across the heath. Tim Newton-Syms via Wikimedia Commons © Tim By 9.30pm about 50 people had arrived – not put off by the chilly wind. By that time the sun was setting – not as spectacular as sometimes, but pleasantly orange and with broken cloud. We set off silently and walked towards the heath and soon we all stopped and stood and listened. All was quiet and then in the distance the Glow worm “shining bright like an LED” call of a tawny owl and at that moment it was magic to be out there. Very soon after that there were two there by our feet was the first glow-worm. It was in short nightjars churring – it comes in short bursts like the grass and its light was round and bright like an LED; it sound of a sewing machine that has suddenly become was the female glowing to attract the male to mate. She demented. We hoped to see the birds flying, as their call looks more like a dark caterpillar but glow-worms are in is protecting their territory and when they have called fact beetles. The males look more like beetles and have from one perch they fly around the territory, perch, and a rather weak flight but I think they were waiting for us call again. The procession across the heath continued to disappear before any ‘hunting’ began. The sun had and again the nightjars were churring in the distance but gone below the horizon as we turned to go back across when they did fly it was some way away. the heath. The path then had banks either side which were studded with these little lights - making the trip an By this time the sun was getting very low, and then, evening to remember. © Edurivero | Dreamstime.com

Nightjar

5 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Pensthorpe and Titchwell by Malcolm Clark © JI

Parrinder hide, RSPB Titchwell.

The local group outing to north Norfolk on 9th July was RSPB Titchwell, by contrast, is a place of wide Norfolk an opportunity too good to miss. Pensthorpe Park and skies, distant vistas, vast reed beds, extensive coastal Titchwell RSPB reserve in one day; how could we resist? marsh and brackish and freshwater shallows. Mid- summer is possibly not the best time of year for birding When it was announced a few years ago that Pensthorpe here, but avocets, redshanks (including one spotted), was to be sold we were most concerned for its future, ruffs, juvenile gulls, shelducks, plovers and wagtails, but it having been taken over by Jordan’s, the food with an occasional marsh harrier floating on the wind, manufacturer, all our fears were dispelled. provided constant interest. For those with legs there is a straightforward public footpath to the beach. I will never The life of the park has been reinforced and taken forget the day, some years ago, when Thelma and I forward, especially in its conservation work. For those stood there and watched wave after wave of inestimable not familiar with this wonderful place near Fakenham numbers of common scoters arrive on the perfect tide suffice it to say that the lakes, aviaries, gardens, walks, for their feeding requirements. The sea was black with shop and restaurant are a joy for anyone interested in the them. How do they know when to come? Special lives of birds and plants. measures have been taken in the last year or two to protect the reserve from sea-rise inundation and two new For photographers the aviaries in particular provide 21st century Parrinder hides have been built with clever superb opportunities for close-up work with waders and window opening systems. Titchwell is second only to other species associated with water and its vegetation. Minsmere (lucky us) in its popularity and visitor numbers: For myself I grasped the chance to record the voices it is a key tourist attraction in this beautiful stretch of the of the waders and the ever-cooing turtle doves. My north Norfolk coast. highlight of the day was recording the courtship conversation of a pair of allopreening bald ibises which At the end of a very full day there was a welcome cup were within touching distance of me. The conservation of tea from the café before we boarded the coach for a dimension of the park, ably described by the guide strangely somnolent ride home. Thank you, Pam, for a consigned to our group, includes breeding corncrakes delightful day out for re-introduction in East Anglia. The hard-pressed red squirrel and the scant population of UK breeding [As many readers will know, Malcolm has created a large European cranes (at Horsey and Lakenheath) are collection of sound recordings of birds he has made over supplemented too. many years. Ed]

6 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Dates for your Diary - January 2012 to May 2012

Evening Meetings

All meetings, unless otherwise stated, take place in St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich at 7.30 pm. There will be a charge of £2 which includes tea or coffee. Free car parking in the school playground.

Wednesday 18th January - Wildlife Photography and Field Craft by Lloyd French Lloyd comes from a family of gamekeepers and lives on the heritage coast in Suffolk. He grew up surrounded by wildlife, leading to a deep understanding of nature, and helping develop his skills in photography. He claims that a knowledge of fieldcraft is essential if you wish to get that extra special shot. View some of his work on www.coppersky.co.uk

Wednesday 22nd February - Wildlife of Costa Rica by David and Anne Healey In Central America, nestled between Panama and Nicaragua is the beautiful country of Costa Rica. It has a variety of climatic zones, scenic beauty and a density of wildlife and biodiversity seen in few other places in the world. Come and enjoy David’s photos, on what will almost certainly be a cold winter evening.

Wednesday 21st March - What is Happening to our Climate? by Jo Stokes The weather has been extraordinary this year, with extremes of rainfall and temperature. Jo is fascinated by climate change, and will tell us in a very understandable way what has happened to our climate in the past, and what is most likely to happen next. And, most importantly, is there anything we can do about it?

Wednesday 18th April - Bees and Wasps by Adrian Knowles Bees and wasps are some of our most familiar insects. The bees perform a vital role in pollinating our flowers, and wasps are useful to gardeners as they eat many types of garden pests. But apart from these there are many solitary bees, leaf cutting bees, mining bees, digger wasps and endless others. Come and learn about the huge variety of Hymenoptera which are present in our countryside, and their strange ways of life. This meeting will be preceded by a short AGM

Summer outings

Saturday 5th May at 10.30am - Visit to Bradfield Woods The warden, Peter Fordham will be our guide for a walk through this ancient woodland, with its huge botanical richness and interesting cultural history. It has a new visitors’ centre completed in summer 2011. You are invited to bring a picnic lunch, which could be eaten around a fire in the craft area or at Hewitt’s Meadow. Meet in the car park Felsham Road, Bradfield St. George IP30 0AQ. Grid Reference TL 933575. No need to book. £2 donation to SWT. Contact Leigh Williamson 01473 785600

There will also be outings in June and August and a coach trip in July. Details in the next issue in May.

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

7 Ipswich Wildlife Group

Acting Chair: Ray Sidaway 01473 259104 www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/iwg 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. The saving of Kiln Meadow

Remember how we left things in the last issue? Well, considering the financial pressures that exist, they stuck we had the prospect of a public inquiry regarding to their previously expressed views, and voted on 22 the planning application submitted by Redrow (the November to revoke the sale. They expressed the view developers) to Babergh District Council (the planning that avoiding the destruction of a brilliant wildlife site authority). The public inquiry was because Redrow had was a priority. They also pointed out how Ipswich’s appealed against non-registration of their detailed plans. green reputation and aspirations to be ‘the greenest county’ were damaged by the previous decision to sell. A public inquiry would have cost Babergh DC huge They have requested officers to report on the future sums. So they disagreed with the Planning Inspector, management of the area by 31 March. So now we arguing that Redrow couldn’t appeal against plans that just need to settle the future of the site for wildlife and hadn’t even been registered and they said they would people. This was a brilliant result. We have been on a request a Judicial Review of the Planning Inspectorate’s long journey since 2008, but we are getting there! decision to allow the appeal by Redrow. So it was referred to the Treasury Solicitor, who agreed with Grassland Strategy Babergh that the Planning Inspectorate’s decision was Ipswich Borough Council have a proposed a Grassland wrong. So Redrow’s appeal failed. So the planning Strategy for 26 areas around the town. The idea is to permission expired. A great moment. Given that Kiln allow some green spaces to be left uncut for most of the Meadow is now a County Wildlife Site, it seems unlikely year and managed to encourage biodiversity. This is a that such a massive housing development would be great initiative which any lover of wildlife should support. allowed in the future. Annual General Meeting Redrow then withdrew from the sale. So Ipswich The AGM is set for Monday 23 January 2012 at the Borough Council were left with the land, but no Railway Hotel, Foxhall Road, Ipswich 7pm for a 7.30 planning permission. In May 2011 the Labour Group start. All members and prospective members are warmly had won control of the council from the previous Tory/ invited to hear of the group’s recent and future activities. LibDem coalition. The Labour group had supported There will be time for socialising, so please join us for an us in opposition to the sale. To their great credit, informal but informative evening.

Kiln Meadow - a fantastic area for wildlife

8 Friends of Holywells Park

Contact Peter Scotcher 01473 463860 or [email protected] The Group aims to work in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council to improve and promote the Park.

Since the last Local Wildlife News the Friends Group Apple Day was a big success with some 300 people have run a Bat Night/Walk in August; a separate Bat attending and getting through all the produce, food, Emergence Survey; several work parties; our annual refreshments and cakes! Many commented on how Apple Fun Day (with the RSPB Ipswich Group) and have wonderful the Orchard was looking and this was taken commented on the IBC’s Winter Tree Works Programme as a huge compliment by the FOHP work parties who for the Park. manage the site.

The Bat Night/Walk was attended by 35-40 people. It featured many pipistrelle bats and a bit of astronomy with the International Space Station passing overhead and the planet Jupiter shining brightly. © Ivan Kuzmin

Apple Day fun

The Park was awarded Green Flag status in the summer and we await news of progress to the next stage of the Heritage Lottery Bid.

Please join us for our events or work parties - enquiries Pipistrelle bat to Peter Scotcher. © Kydriashka | Dreamstime.com Perils and delights of the park after dark by Peter Locke Late afternoon of the day before Holywells Apple and nettles! A fox appeared just yards away and Day, Peter Scotcher and I were in the office making surprised me more than it frightened the fox. It information tags for the orchard trees. I judged moved around close by me for some minutes. there was time for me to go to the orchard and tie them on the trees before it got dark. In the gathering As I was returning to the Stable Block there was gloom a fox barked just near me in the allotments a dark shape - I stopped and strained my eyes to and a Tawny Owl hooted and screeched in the see what it was. The shape turned and disappeared poplars along the canal. very quickly along the tarmac. The only clue was the tickety-tick, tickety-tick sound it made – surely It was very dark by the time I got to my last tag - the the little hooves of a Muntjac deer! one denoting a Yew tree. I knew where an example was as I had planted it some years ago. I had I must say that I quite enjoyed the perils and trouble finding it but no trouble finding brambles delights of the park after dark.

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.

thE RIVER and Its sEttIng New ‘River For All’ IpswichLeaflet is located where it is because of its river. The River Gipping becomes the River Orwell at or near the tidal limit. Technically, the River Gipping enters the River Orwell at sluice gates at Yarmouth Road and West End Road.

Ipswich, originally named Gippeswyk, was developed as port and river crossing point by the Anglo Saxons. In the eighth century Ipswich was one of the four most important towns in the country. The Gipping was used by the Vikings a and later, in mediaeval times, to transport Caen stone to Bury A new leaflet for the river path through Ipswich has been the whole riverSt Edmunds to build thecorridor Abbey and Cathedral. – the new A RiveR YOUR RIVER In the 1790s, the River Gipping was upgraded by The river running through the Ipswich, along with its various engineering works associated cycle-ways, paths, bridges and green spaces – produced to help encourage people to use the route for signs (fingerincluding locks andposts) cuts. give MadestinationInta FOR ALL allows local people to enjoy relatively traffic-free routes to and InIng thE RIVER from town, work, school and other It became known as the greenways Project Volunteers Ipswich and Stowmarket sIdE Navigation or Orwell and Within Ipswich, the river path and green spaces along it, A three mile Along the river there are opportunitiesfacilities. for you to walk and leisure and commuting. The leaflet has been funded by and distanceGipping Navigation. information. are maintained by the Greenways Countryside Project and accessible cycle for leisure or commuting, walk your dog, watch wildlife, Barges plied their trade Ipswich Borough Council. If you would like to get involved and open space go fishing, enjoy your lunch break, have a picnic, run, or Ipswich Historic Waterfront simply enjoy the pleasant surroundings and escape from your up and down the Gipping help out as a volunteer, please contact the Greenways Project from and on to London and on 01473 433995 for further information. busy life! The river offers a unique perspecti other ports. Walk along the Email: [email protected]. to Sproughton. its buildings, artworks, history and wildlife, that you c a grant from the Haven Gateway Partnership – as part of The River Ranger post thatWebsite: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/ we have appreciate from the roads. river path and you will be ve on the town, following in the footsteps River a Although land alongside the river is in different ownerships,annot of the horses that pulled ction group greenways/ there is access along at least one bank all the way from Stoke many of the barges. The River Action Group (RAG) was set up in 1997 to bring together local groups with an interest in the river and its Bridge to the old sugar factory and beyond. T a much wider package of improvements along the river had for nearly two years has now leaflet shows the green spaces alongside the river includin From the 1890s, river trade lost out to the new railway setting. Since then, the group has produced a strategy for Alderman Canal Local Nature Reserve, the Old Cattle Yard, system, which served the same destinations more quickly and the river, raised funds for improvements and promoted the he map in this at lower cost. river to local people. The Group continues to work to maintain West End Road Wildflower Bank, Riverside Road Meadow and improve the river corridor and is always happy to receive and the Skate Park near Stoke Bridge. g and particularly at Alderman Canal. Other improvements ceased following the endoffers of help of or any comments the or suggestions. The Group includes representatives from: the Ipswich Society; Sustrans; Ipswich Wildlife Group; the River Gipping Trust; Greenways Different sections of the Project; Environment Agency; Ipswich Borough Council and river have very different over the last two years have included nearly 400m of funding from Haven Gateway.Suffolk County Council. You can contact We the RAG via the characteristics – some are Greenways Project (contact details above). tidal and have concrete and steel banks, others are freshwater and more raised timber boardwalks, two new bridges, 250m of had hoped to be able to continue natural looking. Different wildlife species use these varied habitats and provide interest and surprises to new tarmac surfaced path along the Canal and four new the post but it has not been the passer-by. Otters and estuary birds such as oystercatcher,water cormorant voles haveand little been egret, are common sights on the tidal stretches.seen at The Alderman West End Canal, Road Wildflower Bank and Riverside Road Meadow have a wide information boards. possible to secure the necessary range of plants, insects, amphibians and reptiles. Although canoeing and rowing are not presently allowed along the river (the navigation rights were stopped in 1932), we hope that one day there will be facilities for launching and funds at this stage. possibly even boat hire. We are also starting to install directional signage along

Free event - open to all Spring Wood Day Bank Holiday Monday 7th May 11.00am to 4.00pm

A day of celebration of Spring Wood, ‘spring’ and ‘wood’!

Join the Greenways Project, Access To Nature and Ipswich Wildlife Group for a great day of wildlife walks, children’s activities, woodland crafts, morris dancing, horse logging, bluebells and much, much more.

Light refreshments available, or bring a picnic and stay for the day.

Parking available in Bourne Park (off Stoke Park Drive) with a minibus shuttle or half mile guided walk through nature reserves to the event.

10 Volunteers

Over the last few months, we have had the highest volunteer numbers ever!

I would like to say a massive thank you to all who have helped us, and been prepared to bear with us, whilst we try to organise and occupy as many as 28 people on the regular Tuesday work parties. Between April and November 2011, volunteers have contributed more than 1200 days of their time to help us – which is an amazing amount. This equates to about seven full-time staff working on our sites.

Volunteers have always been the life-blood of the Greenways Project, and they continue to allow us to look after almost 50 different sites throughout the wider Ipswich area. The work varies through the year with Much of the cut material has been used on site to build winter being the busiest time. Winter is characterised by ‘dead hedges’. These features not only use the cut woodland and heathland work - coppicing and removing material but also provide a useful habitat for insects, scrub and small trees to benefit the wildlife that has birds and small mammals. They can also help to protect evolved to live there. areas of the wood from too much access from people and dogs, which can disturb nesting birds, dormice and This winter, the Greenways volunteers have been busy other species. in Millennium Wood, coppicing willow and other species that have grown up in just 11 years since the site was In the Spring, when birds are nesting and other wildlife is an arable field. The Wood already looks like a well- active again, our work shifts more towards maintaining established woodland and is beginning to develop more paths, bridges, fences and other infrastructure in the interest with a wider range of plants, fungi, insects and nature reserves and green spaces. birds. Perhaps most importantly, the Wood is critical in the life cycle of the large toad colony that breeds If you would like any more information about the in Bobbits Lane Meadows and it also supports a Greenways Project volunteer work parties (Tuesdays, population of dormice (a European Protected Species). Thursdays and Fridays), please contact us.

All pictures © Greenways Other News

The Haven Gateway grants we have received for The Belstead Brook Park ‘Megabash’ in November was improvements in Belstead Brook Park and along the a great success with over 30 local people and regular river and Alderman Canal LNR are now almost at an end. volunteers getting stuck into coppicing in Spring Wood Remaining items to finish include installing directional and Millennium Wood. I look forward to great turnouts for signage along the river and throughout Belstead Brook the Purdis Heath and Martlesham Heath Megabashes! Park (BBP), and publishing a leaflet for BBP. (see events listing).

11 Access to Nature

For more details about Access to Nature Ipswich see www.a2nipswich.org.uk or contact Becky on 07717 507348 or [email protected].

Access to Nature Ipswich has had a really busy summer!

Relaxing after a hard day’s work at the River Clean-Up.

You might have seen us at major events in Ipswich last Our radio show is on Ipswich Community Radio on Monday summer, from Music Day in Christchurch Park to the One evenings 7-8.30pm. Tune in on 105.7fm in the Ipswich Multicultural Festival in Alexandra Park. Our volunteers area, or www.icrfm.co.uk wherever you are in the world! It did a sterling job entertaining kids with potato-heads and is repeated on Friday mornings at 10am as well as being pinecone critters and giving out thousands of our goody available on ‘listen again’ online. You can also keep in bags of wildflower and sunflower seeds. touch with us on facebook, twitter and our website www. a2nipswich.org.uk We also ran our own events and activities including Night Walks, a Bushcraft Day in Rendlesham Forest, and Wildlife There are loads of opportunities for volunteers to help with Walks, as well as conservation based activities from Tree everything from conservation work to radio show to film- Surveying to bench building. These activities get new making. Volunteers can do as much or as little as they like people out enjoying and learning about the natural world and there is free training. Get in touch with Becky to find out and helping them get involved in caring for the green more. spaces around them. Our volunteers are involved in these activities, from planning and organising to getting stuck in As we head into 2012 we’ll be planning our schedule of on the day - we couldn’t do it without them! activities and events – check our website or get in touch to be added to our mailing list so you don’t miss out, hope to Our biggest event was the annual Ipswich Rivers Cleanup see you soon. day – now in its sixth year. It was a partnership event with Greenways, Ipswich Wildlife Group, Friends of Belstead Brook Park, CSV and Diveline diving school working together, and once again skips were kindly donated free of charge by Sackers Recycling. Around 80 people collected four tons of rubbish including 31 pushbikes, 16 traffic cones, a bundle of 60 bike tyres, a vacuum cleaner, and over 45 shopping trolleys! We gathered on Alderman Recreation Ground for food and drinks afterwards, the sun shone - another successful day!

We also ran a photography competition in partnership with the Ipswich Borough Council Wildlife Rangers. The winning entries appear on the inside front cover. A good day’s fishing at the river clean-up!

12 Friends of Christchurch Park

© Tim Kenny

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.

Large gulls naturally predate young ‘fluffy’ things. survive. Surprisingly perhaps, some youngsters did Unfortunately these gulls are not taking young puffins, survive on the Round Pond that has no cover whatsoever. kittiwakes or guillemots. Rather, they are eating young Five Canada goslings and three Mandarin ducklings waterfowl from the Wilderness Pond. Mallard ducklings matured to the adult stage despite one duckling nearly formerly had few real predators although I have seen being swallowed whole by a herring gull. Only the bravery them being killed by a drake mallard, Canada goose, of the mother duck, which ferociously attacked the gull, carrion crow and heron. However, over the last few years, prevented her duckling from going the same way as lesser black-backed gulls and to a lesser extent herring those many others. It seems that the Round Pond gives gulls have colonised Ipswich, nesting on the roofs of the adult waterfowl a better all-round view and therefore commercial buildings and (sadly for the Park’s waterfowl) far fewer opportunities for surprise attacks. However, in the chimney pots of private houses in nearby High there is no answer to the predation of the waterfowl by Street. these large gulls at present; it will no doubt continue next season as the lesser black-backed gull population keeps Strangely, the bird that was public enemy number one on increasing. when I was a child was the now much missed house sparrow. Very soon, public enemy number one will be the One reason for the increase in lesser black-backed gull lesser black-backed gull. It is a very aggressive scavenger numbers could be man’s ability to create food waste upon with a raucous voice and seems to have no fear as it which the gulls thrive, not just from refuse tips such as searches for discarded food in the very centre of Ipswich. that at Foxhall but also from all the discarded products from fast food outlets. Suitable nesting sites pose no By this time of the year, lesser black-backed gulls have problem either for these gulls – commercial buildings, departed for warmer climes. So what legacy did they factories, industrial areas, housing estates, even railway leave behind? Sadly, the mallard in our Park raised no stations and supermarkets provide good nesting sites. young. Plenty of eggs were laid producing dozens of What is the answer? I would not like a cull, and traps, youngsters, all of whom were eaten by these large gulls. In poison and shooting are inadvisable. So, the ducklings in fact the Wilderness Pond, despite all of its vegetation, saw our Park will continue to disappear and the onward march no young Mandarin, mallard, Canada goose or moorhen of these quite beautiful scavengers will go on

REG SNOOK

On a Group note, numbers continue to rise at the Friends’ various Park bird walks: Philip Murphy’s recent autumn walk saw 32 Friends attending. Some Friends still work to help maintain the Park Road entrance borders. The planting of extensive iris beds in the Wolsey Garden by renowned iris expert Barry Emmerson is a tremendous addition to the Park.

But the most significant Group effort this year has been the publication of our first book, Portrait of a Park; a year with the wildlife of Christchurch Park written and illustrated by Reg Snook. This beautifully illustrated book is a collection of Reg’s fortnightly writings originally posted over the past three years on the Friends’ noticeboard by the Reg Driver Centre in the Park. Members were offered a free copy of the book before it went on sale in November at a price of £7.50. Portrait of a Park can be purchased from all the usual retail outlets as well as from the Ipswich Tourist Office and the Reg Driver Centre. Profits from its sale will go to help finance further wildlife projects in the Park.

RICHARD WILSON Chair FoCP

13 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. Grass management for biodiversity

The IBC Parks & Open Spaces department have proposed to change the management of areas of short mown grass in 26 different sites around the town, amounting to 35 hectares of land – or to put it another way, an area roughly the same size as Christchurch Park.

The proposal is to convert the amenity grass areas to a mixture of meadow, scrub and woodland. Importantly, mown footpaths will be included to enable and encourage people to visit and enjoy the areas, and so that the Wildlife Rangers can run environmental education events with local schools. Furthermore, signage, including wildlife interpretation, will be installed to inform people about the value of the habitats and the kind of wildlife they may be lucky enough to see once the habitats begin to establish.

There will also be lots of opportunities for the public to get At the time of going to press the public consultation phase actively involved in the project. This includes tree planting of the project is well underway. It appears that although events, wildflower plug planting and volunteering work one or two proposed sites have received a negative involved with managing the habitats – meadow raking, response, overall there is a positive mood about the coppicing and so on. Schools and community groups concept of changing the management of some amenity may also get involved in other ways, such as collecting grass. Watch this space for more news about the project and growing seeds from native trees and wildflowers. later this year!

Rangers Events 2012

Ipswich Borough Council’s Wildlife & Education Rangers have just launched their events programme for 2012. The team would like to invite you to join them in finding out about, and celebrating, the diverse range of wildlife that can be found within Ipswich’s many fine Parks & Open Spaces.

Throughout the year there will be lots of different events taking place. During the first part of the year there are both dawn and dusk choruses to look forward to. If you are not an early bird and don’t fancy getting up at 4am, you can come along for an evening in Orwell Country Park instead and be serenaded by a chorus of melodious Nightingale song! Also, why not come along to our Moth Night in the summer? It really is the “new birding” and a lot of fun; you never know what might turn up in one of our traps! Other highlights include a wildlife river cruise on the Orwell in June, plus lots of guided walks for things such as bats, mini-beasts and fungi!

If you would like a copy of the events leaflet they can be found in the Tourist Information Centre, most Ipswich libraries and sports centres. Also, it is available to download from the Council website www.ipswich. gov.uk. Alternatively, telephone the Rangers on 01473 433994 and they will be glad to post one to you.

14 Landguard Partnership

Landguard Bungalow, View Point Road, Felixstowe IP11 3TW Tel: 01394 675283 Email: [email protected] www.landguardpartnership.org.uk 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.

The Landguard Nature Reserve covers approximately 33 hectares (81 acres) - and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rarity of vegetated shingle habitat, and a Scheduled Ancient Monument because of the historic military significance of the sites fortifications spanning over the past 400 years.

In 2011 the Landguard Partnership secured funding of over £80,000 from the SITA Trust. This is an ethical funding organisation dedicated to making lasting improvements to the natural environment and community life. Operating under the Landfill Communities Fund they distribute funds donated by the recycling and resource community company SITA UK. This funding has been used on the Landguard Nature Reserve in the enhancement of the habitat, through protection and restoration. Smart, new fencing marks the Nature Reserve A new boardwalk has been built around the actual ‘point’. This took six weeks to complete and was put in by the habitat is returning, with vegetation growing back up and Ranger and a group of volunteers. It uses materials made around the boardwalk. The rare Stinking Goosefoot has of recycled plastic so it is long-lasting and good for the re-appeared again in this location, and the area of Sea location and its conditions. The boardwalk is designed Pea is expanding. New interpretation boards will shortly to protect the plants that grow in this area, where a large be added to the boardwalk, whilst a new disability-based four metre wide walkway had started to appear. Now the trail is being developed in conjunction with Suffolk County Council.

At the other end of the Nature Reserve, the former pond was re-dug and re-profiled. New fencing was added to the area to protect this important environment. This has allowed pond plants to colonise the area, attracting dragonflies and damselflies. We have also included a composting area of grass cuttings to attract grass snakes and a lizard house built of rocks, rubble and earth. The pond will provide Landguard with an excellent future resource for educational visits.

Other work involved with the SITA Trust was the removal of the ugly and derelict fencing which once divided the reserve around the radar tower area. New attractive post and rope fencing now highlights the perimeter area of the Nature Reserve.

In a separate piece of work, a new cycle path has been constructed through the Nature Reserve stretching from the Manor Terrace car park to the View Point. This was undertaken in January 2011 and forms part of Route 51 of Completed boardwalk and fencing. the ‘Sustrans’ National Cycle Network.

15 Butterfly Conservation Saving butterflies, moths and our environment

Membership Secretary 01379 643665 www.suffolkbutterflies.org.uk [email protected] Butterfly Conservation is dedicated to saving wild butterflies, moths and their habitats throughout the UK. All Butterfly Conservation members who live in Suffolk are automatically members of the branch and receive our newsletter, the Suffolk Argus, three times a year. The Suffolk branch is run by volunteers and we would be very pleased to hear from you if you would like to get involved. Brimstones & Buckthorn update by Julian Dowding

area. Some of these places already have good core Brimstone populations and will be used as stepping stones we hope, to help populate new areas, provided © Matt Berry we can get some bushes planted in the key locations. Of course, this also spreads the word about wildlife gardening and can be a great stepping stone to getting involved in conservation.

Good coverage in the media and local wildlife magazines helped our list of people grow considerably. Those participating in the initiative receive a FREE pack of four Buckthorns to plant in their gardens to attract Brimstones. So far, about 190 packs of four whips have been requested. These have been paid for by generous donations from Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation, Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, and Ipswich Borough Council, as well as generous private donations. Packs of Brimstone four whips cost about £6 sent to the door, so if you are interested in supporting this project financially please We are still looking for people to plant Buckthorns send donations to: for Brimstones and thus help fill in some of the black holes in the recording map for the species in Suffolk. The Treasurer, Suffolk Branch, Butterfly Conservation, In particular, if you know of anybody who would be The Old Bank House, Wickhambrook, Newmarket, interested in planting in their gardens etc, at places CB8 8XG along the coast such as Aldeburgh, Pakefield, Covehithe, etc, we’d be pleased to hear from them. Ipswich and For more information about the initiative, please email: Felixstowe are now well covered, as well as the Beccles [email protected] Matt Berry shares his experiences, thoughts and tips for photographing butterflies and other wildlife.

How do you get the shots? I tend to keep things simple and use as little equipment

as possible. For me the technicalities involved in taking © Matt Berry a shot are just a necessary evil in that I have to know something about how the camera works, but I’m really only interested in the end result and in trying to make something that is appealing to myself and hopefully to others as well. For macro work the Tamron 90mm f2.8 SP DI macro lens I have tends to produce the most desirable results at between f/7.1 and f/11, providing good detail where I want it, balanced with reasonably clean backgrounds. Swallowtail

16 Butterfly Conservation Saving butterflies, moths and our environment

Where do you shoot most of your work? Anywhere outside is the simple answer! You can find nature almost anywhere and actually large areas of the © Matt Berry countryside can be a bit of a green desert of agriculture. So even if you live in a town or city you will have access to a garden, a park, allotments or nature reserves, where an amazing array of wildlife can be found. I tend to spend most of my time in the parks & nature reserves end of that spectrum though, because I like to get as close to nature and gain as strong a sense of space and tranquillity as I can – it’s a necessary break from the chaotic urban jungle for me.

Do you have anything you like to focus on? Cover Small Copper more than anything else? Although I do dabble a bit in plants, reptiles and nature To capture the subjects I shoot most (invertebrates) I use inspired abstract, I tend to specialise in invertebrates a mixture of shooting early mornings or late afternoon - butterflies in particular. I’m an active member of the to evening (when subjects are less active) and fieldcraft national charity Butterfly Conservation and since my (to find, stalk and creep up on them). I also use luck! For childhood I’ve been fascinated with the process of example, sometimes an individual butterfly will seemingly metamorphosis from caterpillar to adult, one of natures want to be photographed and will sit still readily and for many miracles! I also don’t have the patience or some time, whereas another of the same species and equipment to get seriously into other areas, such as bird on the same day will fly the minute you even think about photography. I like the fact that I can carry just one or two going near it! Some days the luck can be with you, on fairly light lenses with me. I also like that with invertebrates another you just want to throw in the towel and go home. I seek them out and don’t have to wait, say in a hide for hours, for them to come to me. I put it down to having What interests you most about Macro photography? a mix of the hunter / gatherer instinct, albeit the animals I shoot walk (or fly) away afterwards unharmed and the I think primarily it’s because it opens up a way of seeing images I gather fuel only my own inner fire for more! things and in a level of detail that the human eye can’t, without assistance. If you see a butterfly land on a Do you have any tips or hints that you’d like to share? flower you may see and enjoy its beauty, but only as far My number one tip for nature photography is to get as the naked eye can see and only for a brief moment. out there, as often as you can! It’s obvious when you However, a well-captured macro shot can enable one think about it but the more time spent in the field, the to start seeing and studying far more. For example you more chances you will have of finding and shooting may notice the colour of its eyes, length of its proboscis, something, plus of course you will build up your intricate wing patterns and indeed see the individual experience and skill level. wing scales. You can even see that butterflies are hairy, more so in some species than others. Take a close look To see more of Matt’s work go to www.flickr.com/photos/ at a Small Heath and you’ll see what I mean! matt-berry/

Do you plan your shoots? Yes and no. I enjoy photographing the natural world

because the one thing you can be sure of with nature © Matt Berry is that you can’t actually be sure of anything and that a surprise can always be around the next corner. That makes it exciting. So sometimes I’ll just go to a local nature reserve or park and see what happens. If I don’t get a shot my philosophy is that I’ve still enjoyed a walk in a beautiful location and kept myself moderately fit at the same time! When it comes to planning a shoot, this is usually to find and photograph a particular species of plant or animal. Knowledge plays a large part on the route to success; if you know where and when to look then you’re already more than halfway there to achieving your goal. Red Admiral

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 finding out more about the birds and other wildlife to be found in the Ipswich area and beyond. Why not come along to one of 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. Received by members three times a year the ‘Orwell Observer’, keeps readers abreast of the latest developments at the nearby Suffolk RSPB Reserves as well as news of Group activities, along with members’ photographs and accounts of birding exploits from both home and abroad. Annual Membership costs just £3 per year (£1 for Juniors). For more information please see the Events Diary in this magazine, visit our website or write to the Membership Secretary, all as per details above. Movements, migrations, irruptions and dispersals by Christopher Courtney

The spring before last I travelled through Syria, fortunately missing by twelve months the ‘Arab Spring’ that was to unfold with such violence and bloodshed a year later. There I experienced very many wonderful wildlife spectacles, including the highly protected but vulnerable bald ibises at their Palmyra breeding cliff and the spectacle of witnessing several hundred migrating Levant sparrowhawks descending onto a television

mast to roost at dusk. However, no image etched itself © Richard Brooks | rspb-images.comy more indelibly on my memory than watching swallows, delicately picking their way across the vast deserted steppes, as they expertly navigated their return journeys, each bird back to a very specific northern natal locale. A sense of the truly epic nature of these rather understated journeys was impossible to ignore.

Like so many of us, I can’t help but marvel when I see swallows, swifts, whitethroats and nightingales, returning Blackbird so faithfully to little patches of habitat all around where we live. just the summer visitors whose welcome return and loud proclamations of song we all enjoy so much. The truth about migration however, extends far beyond

© Steve Knell | rspb-images.com Many far less conspicuous visitors, including many common garden species, that also quietly or not so quietly, slip in to swell the ranks of what we often take to be the regular denizens of our local patch.

Clearly, undertaking any migration is a multi-risk strategy, with establishing sufficient body fat, falling to a predator or simply getting lost, being among the perils that must be overcome. So there must be some pretty powerful advantages to offset these risks and of course for most migratory species increasing lifetime reproductive success by being able to exploit seasonally available food sources is very central to this strategy. Although much recent data shows very serious population declines among the majority of migratory bird species in all of the world’s major migratory flyway systems.

For all of the insectivorous species mentioned above, enjoying the profusion of large insect populations during Starling murmeration northern temperate summers is the big attraction.

18 Ipswich Local Group

However, not all food sources are entirely predictable so in combination with weather patterns, some migrants will fluctuate in their use of certain territories such as the waxwings, we see every winter in Ipswich in small numbers but in some years (i.e. winter 2009/2010) occurring in sizeable flocks. Reflecting this unpredictable element, this type of migration is known as ‘irruptive’.

Other more local movements can occur, associated | rspb-images.comy © Roger Tidman with dispersal that takes place as young birds become independent of their parents, (natal dispersal), to allow new breeding territories to be established. This process occurs in both sedentary as well as migratory species and generally involves a one-way journey. Some species may also change nesting location, (breeding dispersal) in response to variations in habitat suitability and resources and a similar process can apply to wintering areas, (non- Swallow breeding or wintering dispersal). As mentioned above, many garden species also are Vagrants (i.e. essentially birds that have become partial migrants with for example a proportion of lost) from Siberia and the far-east and other unusual blackbirds, migrating from more northern latitudes passage migrants can also occur around Ipswich, with such as Scandinavia to winter in the UK but also some birds frequently using the river as a navigational aid. southern populations moving yet further south, thus Consequently, this October saw the second record of setting up some quite complex movement patterns. yellow-browed warbler in Hollywells park, a where it is Blackbirds from countries such as Russia, Germany, always worth keeping an eye out for the unusual, such Belgium and the Netherlands, also migrate to or through as the ring-ouzel seen on 9th October last year. Suffolk. © Andrew Parkinson | rspb-images.com During this past autumn for example, more than 1000 blackbirds were counted flying over Landguard in a single day on 6th November, as well as smaller movements throughout the season. Ringing studies show that many of these birds will be simply passing through, on their way to wintering grounds in France and Spain, but some may well be heading to your garden, with many first winter males having a characteristically black beak.

Many other common species seen in and around Ipswich during winter will also have had their ranks seriously augmented by birds from the areas listed above. Continental chaffinches, greenfinches, siskins, and goldcrests will all build up numbers during this season, to appear in our gardens and parks. Large numbers of starlings arrive from as far afield as northern Russia, Scandinavia, the Baltic republics Poland Germany and the Benelux countries to sometimes build to one of natures most stunning phenomena, the winter roost, murmuration.

So do remember as you are feeding or enjoying watching your apparently regular birds this winter, as well as some obvious Scandinavian visitors like the redwings, that chaffinch on the feeder just may have hatched out in a Norwegian forest and that blackbird on the lawn, come springtime he might be singing not in your garden, but Adult male siskin gracing that of a Russian dacha.

19 Friends of Alderman Canal

Alderman Canal and Recreation Ground Update by Robert Kensit

The new boardwalks have now been completed and I have often seen have received many compliments from visitors. They not groups, and not only provide a more effective means of walking through necessarily youths, the grounds, but make a pleasant feature, especially sitting on the junctions where the boardwalk leads from the start of the of the boardwalks conservation area up to one of the new bridges, which drinking, which hardly positively invites people to walk across the open space encourages people to and up to the canal. walk along them. One conservation group clearing litter from the boardwalks Unfortunately, inviting more people to make use of the filled two bin bags - almost all of it alcohol containers, area means that some of the people who have now many of which had been hidden under the boardwalks. moved into it are putting others off. To anyone who When I went through the same area the following is familiar with this part of Ipswich (and I live in it) this morning, the usual bench was again surrounded by a will not be a surprise. Despite years of reassurance variety of bottles, cans and food containers. and promises of action from the local police, there are still constant problems with alcohol use, littering and Despite the fact that very often reporting incidents to worse. The groups that hang around every possible the police rarely seems to do much good, please bear in public space have now started to make use of the area mind that reports are logged and statistics kept, and the of the boardwalks and benches. Of course, there were more people complain about an issue, the more attention many problems in this part of Ipswich before the area the police will give it. If you do see any suspicious was improved, and they were probably far worse than activity in this area, do report it to PC Stephen Bright now. However, the fact that there have been two serious [email protected] or PCSO Stuart crime incidents on Alderman Park this year hardly makes Parkinson [email protected], or anyone using the area feel easier. telephone 101.

Secretary Phil Whittaker email: [email protected] www.sogonline.org.uk SOG is the Group for people interested in the birds of Suffolk, and provides a network and a voice for birdwatchers in the county. The Group is administered by Suffolk birdwatchers for Suffolk birdwatchers, keeping them in touch with what is going on and with each other. Through the Group’s Council, SOG has good links with other naturalist and conservation organisations in the region.

SOG organises an extensive programme of field combined membership rates and meetings and indoor meetings - see Events Diary. entitling members to a copy of the The Group’s bulletin, ‘The Harrier’ keeps members annual ‘Suffolk Bird Report’ as in touch with what’s going on - stories about birds, well as to the SNS bulletin ‘White conservation, reserves and people. Admiral’, published three times a year. The group manage an active website www.sogonline. org.uk and can now also be followed on Twitter. Surveys this year include a Membership of SOG is open to anyone with an interest 2011/12 winter survey of in the birds of Suffolk. Membership is £15 for singles Merlins and Hen Harriers in and £17 for families. A joint membership with Suffolk Suffolk. A Nightingale survey in 2012 Naturalists Society is available for £28 for singles will be based upon target sites - and £32 for families representing a saving of £2 on recorders are required for both.

20 Portal Woodlands Conservation Group

Enquiries: Martlesham Parish Council 01473 612632 www.martlesham.org.uk/portalwoodlandsgroup 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.

The Nature Watch morning in July was lovely and Younger committee members attended the Martlesham sunny when unusually all the children brought a male Heath Aviation Society Fun Day where some new relative with them. They hunted for mini beasts in the volunteers were recruited. Our recent work days have education area and were rewarded with a tadpole of the involved clearing overhanging trees and foliage along the great crested newt in the pond area. There was great A1214 border and removing weeds to allow the hedge excitement on the reptile day in September when the planted several years ago to thicken up. There have children got up close to an adder (not too close!), two been further sightings of the black squirrel in the woods. grass snakes, a slow worm and a baby lizard. The last Nature Watch session of the year was entitled ‘Trees If you are walking through the woods please keep to and Fungi’. Children and parents had great fun learning the recognised paths. Otherwise you may be destroying about trees; hugging and measuring them, taking bark delicate habitats and disturbing nesting birds. A plea to rubbings and studying leaves. Although fungi numbers those dog walkers who leave full doggie doo bags in the were low for the season, woods - we would rather you left the ‘doo’ in the woods the children made a new to degrade naturally (off of the paths of course) or put discovery for our woods - an the bags in a dog bin. Earthstar. Nature Explorers had an enjoyable time in Volunteer Work Days 10am - noon Saturday 21st September planting hazels January, Sunday 19th February, Saturday 17th March, in the new hazel wood, and Sunday 15th April. foraging for raw material from Nature Watch Club (for ages 5 - 11) Saturday 21st April the woods to make stakes for (times to be arranged) tree guards, and in November Nature Explorers (for ages 11+) 9am - 11am Saturday working on the causeway to 21st January, Saturday 17th March. Earthstar fungi the southern revetment. LYN PARKER

Local Wildlife News Snippets

Barn Owl in Greenways Sub-aqua stoat Barn Coming across the Ore The barn owl has been from Orford Quay towards recovering in Suffolk, Orford Ness, a trip which I largely it seems thanks now do two or three times to the Suffolk Barn Owl a day, I spotted a couple of Project. A key feature of gulls plucking at something this project has been the floating in the water. One gradual encouragement of the gulls lifted the thing of barn owls (via boxes from the surface and tried and land management) to to fly off with it. The ‘thing’ colonise westwards from the squealed and wriggled, © John Mottram barn owl’s former retreat of causing the gull to drop it. It was a live stoat in mid-stream, predominantly the north- and in a stretch of river with a very strong current. east coastal strip of Suffolk. © Matt Berry I began turning back in order to get closer and possibly It was therefore a great pleasure to encounter a barn owl that attempt a rescue, but the gulls continued worrying away had taken up residence in The Greenways Barn just south of at the struggling stoat and carrying it a few metres further Ipswich in early October. Opening the barn doors early in the away each time. At last, I saw the stoat go under and return morning I disturbed what I took to be a juvenile because of to the surface white belly upwards. There were no further its resplendent fresh colours. Upset by my presence it flew movements from the animal and I let the gulls have their way. several lengths of the barn before settling on a beam to watch me. I did my best to get away as quickly as I could and leave The question is: did the stoat voluntarily swim the channel, or it in peace did the gulls carry it from the shore and drop it there? Peter Scotcher Dave Fincham

21 Events Diary

Sunday 8th January 10am RSPB Shotley Marshes WINTER WILDFOWL AND WADERS Meet at 10am at Shotley Marina Control Tower TM251338. 3hrs. 4 miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.

Thursday 12th January 7:30pm RSPB TALK: ‘COST RICA’ Illustrated presentation by renowned wildlife photographer Bill Baston. Sponsored by Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary and hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Sidegate Lane. Ipswich RSPB group members £1.80, non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Tuesday 17th January 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Holywells Park Holywells Park (including Conservation Area). Meet at Stable Block off Cliff Lane TM176432. Leader Kathy Reynolds. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Wednesday 18th January 7.30pm SWT TALK: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AND FIELD CRAFT Illustrated talk by Lloyd French at St Margaret’s School, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Admission £2. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310

Saturday 21st January 10am - 12 noon PWCG Martlesham Heath WORK PARTY Join the Portal Woodlands Conservation Group for the regular work morning. Meet opposite the Police sports field entrance in Portal Avenue. Details from Duncan Sweeting 01473 612632

Saturday 21st January 10am to 3pm Greenways PURDIS HEATH MEGABASH Purdis Heath (parking at Ipswich Golf Club off Bucklesham Road). Join the Greenways Project and Butterfly Conservation for a day of heathland clearing to improve the chances of the Silver-studded Blue butterfly. Please bring a packed lunch, we will provide hot drinks and baked potatoes at the end of the day. Details from Greenways Project 01473 433995.

Sunday 22nd January 10.30 - 1pm IWG Spring Wood WORK PARTY Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and Friends of Belstead Brook Park for a morning of coppicing work in the wood. Meet at the entrance to the wood at the far end of Bobbits Lane. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Monday 23rd January 7 for 7.30pm IWG ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Railway Hotel, Foxhall Road, Ipswich. AllJan members and prospective members are invited to attend to learn of the Group’s recent and future activities. There will be time for socialising, so do join us for an informal but informative meeting. Details from Colin Hullis 01473 728674

Thursday January 26th 7.30pm Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group INDOOR MEETING ‘The Jewel Hunter – A quest to see all the world’s Pittas in a year’. There are 32 species of Pitta in the world and are often called Jewel Thrushes because of their striking plumage. Chris Goodie set out to see all of them taking a year off work and travelling extensively. Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich. Details from Phil Whittaker Email [email protected]

Saturday 28th January 10am - 4pm RSPB BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH Bypass Nurseries, Capel St Mary. Children’s craft activities, garden wildlife information and sales stall to promote Europe’s biggest Citizen Science event. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Sunday 29th January 9:30am IDNHS FIELD MEETING: ORWELL SHORE - BIRDS Meet in the lay-by at Monkey Lodge, Freston Hill. 9.30am to start walk at 10am Map ref. TM174401. Distance approx. 4 miles. Rubber boots essential, bring packed lunch. Leader Brian Ranner. Details from Janet Eley 01473 785557

Saturday 4th February 9am RSPB FIELD MEETING Alton Water Alton Water for winter wildfowl and woodland birds. Meet at 9am at Lemons Hill north car park, Tattingstone TM137377. 4hrs. 5miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.

Sunday 5th February IBC Rangers ORWELL ESTUARY WALK at Orwell Country Park A guided walk along the banks of the internationally important estuary, to see some of the many waders and wildfowl that spend their winter there. For more information and to book places contact Rangers 01473 433994.

Thursday 9th February 7.30pm RSPB TALK: FARMLAND BIRDS Talk by Simon Tonkin, RSPB Senior Conservation Officer. Sponsored by Collins Waste Solutions and hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Sidegate Lane. Ipswich RSPB group members £1.80, non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 11th February 7:30pm IDNHS Oddfellows Hall TALK: FLORA OF SUFFOLK An illustrated talk by Martin Sanford hosted by the Ipswich & District Natural History Society at the Oddfellows Hall, High Street, Ipswich. Details from Janet Eley 01473 785557

Tuesday 14th February 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Chantry Park Chantry Park. Meet at car park (Hadleigh Road entrance).Feb TM138443. Leader Kathy Reynolds. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213 Tuesday 14th February 11am IDNHS FIELD MEETING: LYNFORD ARBORETUM, Mundford Meet at 11am in car park. Map ref. TL817934. Directions from the A134 exit at the Mundford roundabout, take a minor road to the left. After about one mile take the left hand turning, signposted track to Lynford Arboretum. Distance approx. 2 miles. Bring packed lunch. Leader: Jim Foster. Details from Janet Eley 01473 785557

Saturday 18th February 11am – 2pm FOHP Holywells Park COLD FAIR Celebrate the park in winter, activities, tree-dressing, wassailing, warm soup and rolls. Free event but donations please for refreshments. Details from Peter Scotcher 01473 463860

22 Sunday 19th February 10am - 12 noon PWCG Martlesham Heath WORK PARTY Join the Portal Woodlands Conservation Group for the regular work morning. Meet opposite the Police sports field entrance in Portal Avenue. Details from Duncan Sweeting 01473 612632

Sunday 19th February 10.30 - 1pm IWG Spring Wood WORK PARTY Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and Friends of Belstead Brook Park for a morning of coppicing work in the wood. Meet at the entrance to the wood at the far end of Bobbits Lane. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Wednesday 22 February 7.30pm SWT TALK: WILDLIFE OF COSTA RICA Illustrated talk by David and Anne Healey at St Margaret’s School,Feb Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Admission £2. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310 Saturday 25th February 10am to 3pm Greenways MARTLESHAM MEGABASH Meeting point and details to be confirmed. We will have a big bonfire and will cook baked potatoes at the end. Please bring a packed lunch if you are staying all day. Details from Greenways Project 01473 433995.

Sunday 4th March 10am RSPB FIELD MEETING Felixstowe Ferry Felixstowe Ferry and Kingsfleet for waders and wildfowl. Meet at 10am at Felixstowe Ferry car park TM328376. 3hrs. 4miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.

Thursday 8th March 7.30 RSPB TALK: ‘Suffolk Brecks at their finest’ Talk by locally based Birding Tour Guide Alex Bass. Sponsored by Goddard and Co Estate Agents. Hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Sidegate Lane. Ipswich RSPB group members £1.80, non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 10th March 7:30pm IDNHS Oddfellows Hall TALK: BIRDS OF EAST ANGLIA An illustrated talk by Liz Cutting hosted by the Ipswich & District Natural History Society at the Oddfellows Hall, High Street, Ipswich. Details from Janet Eley 01473 785557

Tuesday 13th March 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Bourne Bridge to Orwell Bridge Bourne Bridge to the Orwell Bridge. Meet at Bourne Park car park (Bourne Bridge entrance) TM161419. Leader Kathy Reynolds Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 17th March 10am - 12 noon PWCG Martlesham Heath WORK PARTY Join the Portal Woodlands Conservation Group for the regular work morning. Meet opposite the Police sports field entrance in Portal Avenue. Details from Duncan Sweeting 01473 612632

Sunday 18th March 10.30 - 1pm IWG Spring Wood WORK PARTY Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and Friends of Belstead Brook Park for a morning of conservation work in the wood. Meet at the entrance to the wood at the far end of Bobbits Lane. Details from Gerry DonlonMar 01473 726082 Wednesday 21st March 7.30pm SWT TALK: WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR CLIMATE? Illustrated talk by Jo Stokes at St Margaret’s School, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Admission £2. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310

Thursday 22nd March 10:30am IDNHS FIELD MEETING: SHINGLE STREET Meet at Shingle Street. Map ref. 365427. A walk of general interest, distance approx. 4 miles. Leader: Brian Ranner. Details from Janet Eley 01473 785557

Thursday, March 22nd 7.30pm Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group INDOOR MEETING ‘Golden Orioles in Britain - The story’. The Golden Oriole is a much-admired bird, sought by serious and casual birders alike for the beauty of its plumage and song, as well as for its rarity. Paul Mason was one of the people at the forefront of the ultimately successful battle to save the Orioles’ last breeding area, Lakenheath in Suffolk from deforestation. Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich Details from Phil Whittaker Email [email protected]

Wednesday 4th April IBC Rangers EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Join the Wildlife Rangers for their Easter egg hunt in one of the town’s many fine Parks. There will be a wildlife quiz to solve, with the promise of a chocolate surprise for the winners! For more information and to book places. Contact Rangers 01473 433994.

Saturday 14th April 9am RSPB FIELD MEETING Boyton Marshes RSPB Boyton Marshes for wildfowl and spring birds. Meet at 9am at Banters Barn Farm TM387474. 4hrs. 4miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.

Saturday 14th April 7:30pm IDNHS Oddfellows Hall TALK: FUNGI An illustrated talk by Neil Mahler hosted by the Ipswich & District Natural History Society at the Oddfellows Hall, High Street, Ipswich. Details from Janet Eley 01473 785557

Sunday 15th April 10am - 12 noon PWCG Martlesham Heath WORK PARTY Join the Portal Woodlands Conservation Group for the regular work morning. Meet opposite the Police sports field entrance in Portal Avenue. Details from Duncan Sweeting 01473 612632

Sunday 15th April 10.30 - 1pm IWG Spring Wood WORK PARTY Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and Friends of Belstead BrookApr Park for a morning of conservation work in the wood. Meet at the entrance to the wood at the far end of Bobbits Lane. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Tuesday 17th April 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Bridge Wood Meet at Orwell Country Park car park TM188408. Leader Kathy Reynolds. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Wednesday 18th April 7.30pm SWT TALK: BEES AND WASPS Illustrated talk by Adrian Knowles at St Margaret’s School, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Admission £2. This meeting will be proceeded by a short AGM. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310

23 Thursday 19th April 7.30pm RSPB AGM and TALK ‘Galapagos’ (Note 3rd Thursday) AGM followed by ‘Galapagos’ by Tim Kenny, Group Member and World Travelled Birder. Sponsored by Fynn Valley Golf Club and hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Sidegate Lane. Ipswich RSPB group members £1.80, non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 21st April 9am - 11am NATURE EXPLORERS CLUB Martlesham Nature Explorers is aimed at young people 11 years or older, to come into the woods with their parents or guardians to enjoy organised nature projects and develop practical conversation skills. For more details and to book places, please email [email protected] Details from Duncan Sweeting 01473 612632

Saturday 21st April IBC Rangers SHOOTING STARS The Orwell Astronomical Society will be setting up in one of the Parks, explaining the night sky. Gaze up at the stars and constellations, learning their names using the society’s telescopes. For more information andApr to book places. Contact Rangers 01473 433994. Wednesday 25th April 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING Barking Churchyard Barking Churchyard to study flora and fauna of a Suffolk churchyard. Meet at 6.30pm at Barking Church TM076535. 2hrs. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.

Thursday 26th April 2:30pm IDNHS FIELD MEETING: BLUEBELLS Wherstead Woods Map ref: TM155407. Leader: Richard Edmunds. Details from Janet Eley 01473 785557

Sunday 29th April 11:00am - 3:00pm IWG & FoBBP Spring Wood Beanpole Festival Come along today as Ipswich Wildlife Group, the Greenways Project and Friends of Belstead Brook Park sell the beanpoles and pea sticks that have been produced from the wood over the winter months. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Saturday 5th May 8.30am RSPB FIELD MEETING Upper Hollesley Common Upper Hollesley Common for heath and woodland birds. Meet at Upper Hollesley car park TM335471. 3hrs, 4 miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.

Saturday 5th May 10.30am SWT VISIT TO BRADFIELD WOODS You are invited to bring a picnic lunch. Meet in the car park MayFelsham Road, Bradfield St George IP30 0AQ. Grid Reference TL 933575. No need to book. £2 donation to SWT. Contact Leigh Williamson 01473 785600

Monday 7th May Bank Holiday 11am - 4pm SPRING WOOD DAY Join the Greenways Project, Access To Nature and Ipswich Wildlife Group for a great day of wildlife walks, children’s activities, woodland crafts, Morris dancing, horse logging, bluebells and much, much more. Light refreshments available, please bring a picnic and stay for the day. A FREE event open to all. Parking available in Bourne Park (off Stoke Park Drive) with a minibus shuttle or half mile guided walk through nature reserves to the event. Details from Greenways Project 01473 433995.

Saturday 12th May 11am – 2pm FOHP Holywells Park BLOSSOM AND SCARECROW’S TEA PARTY Tea/refreshments in the Orchard at blossom time with scarecrow making/dressing. Scarecrow frames and some scarecrow clothes provided - to avoid disappointment please bring your own old clothes. Take your scarecrow home with you if you wish. Free event but donations please for refreshments. Details from Peter Scotcher 01473 463860.

Regular Events

TUESDAYS 9.30am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Meet at the Stable Block Holywells Park to visit one of over 40 sites around Ipswich for a day’s practical task. Contact 01473 433995

MOST FRIDAYS 9.30am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY As well as Tuesdays, the Greenways Project, has a smaller but just as welcoming group of volunteers most Fridays. Meet at the Stable Block, Holywells Park from where we travel to one of our sites around Ipswich for a day’s practical task. Contact 01473 433995. Please contact us before coming to check that we are holding the work day.

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 IWG & FoBBP Spring Wood Work Party Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and the Friends of Belstead Brook Park for for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

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