Local May - August 2017 A news and events diary from wildlife and conservation groups in Wildlife the Ipswich area News
© Joseph Hullis Kingfishers in the park - see page 15
Produced by the Big Wildlife Challenge Kiln Meadow, Ipswich Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th June
Help us record all the wildlife at this fantastic site. Lots of activities over 24 hours including moth watch, bat walk and night mammal search on the Saturday evening; dawn chorus walk, moth trap emptying, and small mammal surveying on Sunday early morning; throughout Sunday – expert-led walks and surveys for birds, plants, reptiles, insects, spiders, aquatic life, fungi, lichens, butterflies and many more - along with wildlife homes making and other children’s activities and stalls.
See Suffolk Wildlife Trust website for more details: wwwsuffolkwildlifetrust.org More information from: 01473 890089 (SWT) or 01473 433995 (Greenways). Kiln Meadow is in the heart of the Belstead Brook Park – a 250 acre informal country park stretching around the south-western edge of Ipswich. Location between Bobbits Lane and Marbled White Drive, off Ellenbrook Road, Pinewood. From the event location in Kiln Meadow, we can easily reach: Ancient Woodland; wet woodland, new dryer woodland, dry grassland, wet meadows, open water, the Brook itself, reedbed, hedgerows and other habitats.
Partnership between: Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Greenways, Ipswich Wildlife Group, Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk Biodiversity Information Centre and other conservation groups. Welcome Welcome to the summer edition of Local Wildlife News – produced by the Greenways Project to help promote the huge amount of excellent events and activities going on in and around Ipswich, to help wildlife to thrive. The RSPB local group pages highlight the excellent house sparrow survey carried out by large 6 numbers of volunteers last year – although the study tends to back the national trend of a worrying decline in this iconic (and increasingly urban) species, there is also some good news about growing colonies and returns to areas where the species had been previously lost – for more information and to see how you can help this species - see page 14. The Suffolk Wildlife Trust Ipswich Hedgehog officer, Ali North, is very keen for volunteers to help her make Ipswich the most hedgehog friendly town in the country – so if you’d like to help this (like the house sparrow) iconic but declining species – do get in touch (details on page 21). 9 This June (10th and 11th) the Big Wildlife Challenge is coming to Belstead Brook Park – experts on all forms of wildlife will congregate to survey for as many species as possible in a 24 hour period, and we would love you to help! The more eyes looking, the more we should find! There will be moth and bat surveys on the Saturday night along with night vision equipment to search for hedgehogs and other nocturnal species. Then on the Sunday there will be walks, surveys and activities for all the family throughout the day from a dawn chorus bird walk to an aquatic invertebrate search in the Belstead Brook itself. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from the county’s premier wildlife experts – and help us better understand the range of species in the Park – more details opposite. 15 In this edition there are well over 100 events and opportunities to get involved with nature – from practical work parties to indoor illustrated talks and everything in between. I sincerely hope you get to enjoy as many of these as possible and soak up some of the beautiful sites and precious wildlife that we have close to hand in this part of Suffolk. 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. 16 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 Wildlife Trust, Ipswich Wildlife Group, RSPB etc). LWN is available online at www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways/ James Baker
1718 Contents Page Suffolk Wildlife Trust 4 Ipswich Wildlife Group 8 Friends of the Dales 9
© Colin Hullis 19 Greenways Countryside Project 10 Local Wildlife News is published by Greenways Countryside Project. Wild Ipswich 12 Editor: James Baker [email protected] Portal Woodlands Conservation Group 13 Tel 01473 433995 Production Editor: Colin Hullis RSPB Ipswich Local Group 14 [email protected] Tel 01473 728674 Friends of Christchurch Park 16 Artwork production: Chris Saunders [email protected] Ipswich Borough Council Wildlife Rangers 17 Tel 01473 721550 Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group 18 Printed by The Five Castles Press Tel 01473 718719 Friends of Holywells Park 19 Paper produced from well-managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council Friends of Belstead Brook Park 20 The opinions expressed in Local 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
Welcome to the Spring Newsletter. Derek Moore Memorial Talk This time we have two articles by our own members. Malcolm Derek Moore, whose commemorative meeting we shall be Clark talked to us some time ago about his recording of hosting in November, was instrumental in dropping entrance birdsong. Here he tells us how he got into his fascinating charges for all SWT reserves. So why not take advantage of hobby and how he sets about his recording. The pictures this and visit some of our wonderful reserves this summer. show him at work in his garden, picking up birdsong in a tall tree some fifty yards away, and then editing his results on his Please note that this splendid evening with Dr Mark Avery computer. has now been confirmed as taking place on Wednesday 15th November (not 18th October). It is being held in the Great Martin Cant makes boxes for wildlife, anything from bee and School Hall, Ipswich School, with a 7.30 start. Admission is wasp ‘hotels’ to bird nest boxes and hedgehog shelters. by ticket only, available from SWT Headquarters: see details His article and photographs tell of how and where he makes elsewhere, or contact the Trust at www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org. them and where he locates them to the best advantage of the occupants. Dave Munday (Chairman) No doubt there are other activists in our Ipswich group, pursuing their wildlife interests. If you are one such consider contributing an article about your activity to the SWT newsletter. You are sure of an appreciative readership.
Martin Cant completing a Swift nest box in his workshop 4 Ipswich Group Newsletter
Martin’s Boxes
Having retired six years ago, I was enticed to join the Friends of Holywells Park as I wanted to help put something back into the park as our kids had grown up using the park in their youth and I found that the Friends were actively working to conserve nature and wildlife in the Park and run events for families and children to enjoy the park facilities. IBC Rangers in the park were busy with building bird boxes and helping them helped hone my skills for box building. I soon found that getting involved and joining the Friends committee got me deeper and deeper into work parties.
I started making bug boxes as a side line and soon found that families, especially children really enjoyed building boxes and using hammers. The Greenways Countryside Project was based at Holywells and joining their work parties also helped broaden my skills. At that point one tree looked just like any other to me. James Baker, Greenways manager was interested in promoting Homes for Nature and as I showed an interest in making bug boxes, it was only time before I was Completed boxes for hedgehog, bugs and birds reeled in. At IWG, we also work with schools and get invited to a variety As I had met several enthusiastic conservation volunteers, of schools all over Ipswich, hoping to educate the youngsters several who were members of Ipswich Wildlife Group, it into making homes for nature and sowing seeds of interest became apparent that the box making would help at various towards conservation and helping wildlife survive. I also work IWG events including school visits, as it drew families and with several Friends groups, IBC Rangers, SWT, Greenways, children in to help make wildlife homes, which they could take Butterfly Conservation and other volunteers to promote home for their garden. I also started making hedgehog houses homes for nature. which have also taken off, especially with the mammals being in decline, as everyone wants to help them survive.
At this stage, I was making kits in my garage with help from Peter Locke, but as the kits became more popular we struggled with demand and materials were getting more difficult to source. Greenways and IWG came to the rescue with materials and help. We set up monthly work parties at the Greenways barn and several IWG members/volunteers started to help build kits which meant the pressure was lifted from me somewhat. We now have fortnightly work parties to keep up with demand and our advertisements for materials have been popular with readers of LWN, donating bamboo and featheredge fencing on a regular basis for use in making bug boxes, hedgehog houses and bird boxes including swift boxes.
Work party constructing boxes in progress at the barn
I have kept a total of the boxes created since I started in my garage back in 2012 and I hope that we have given many insects, birds and mammals a home, whether it be for hibernation, shelter or breeding. I have even made a home for a tarantula, together with a home for a guinea pig as the lady had no hedgehogs in her garden. A man of many talents! The following kits have been completed: Bug boxes 981, Bird boxes 284, Hedgehog houses 273 Total homes 1538.
Anyone wishing to join us making kits or putting them together (no skill required!) at a wide.range of events can contact me for details on 07858436003.
Hedgehog box construction in expert hands Martin Cant 5 Ipswich Group Newsletter
Birdsong hotspots in Ipswich © Colin Hullis I began making sound recordings of birdsong at the end of the 1960’s when I lived in west Norfolk. This coincided with the advent of the cassette tape recorder which made mobile recording so much easier. The equipment was lightweight, tape duration was considerable and the quality of recording was of an acceptable standard, especially if one invested in a more expensive microphone than the cheaper version usually supplied with the machine. The advances in digital technology have provided even greater weight saving and a duration of recording potential measured in hours rather than minutes. I do still use my cassette recorders as well as digital ones, but purely on sentimental grounds.
These days advancing years limit my mobility and stamina, so I content myself with recording mainly at sites within easy reach of home. I mostly visit the Dales Local Nature Reserve (the east side of Dales Road), Christchurch Park and Alderman Canal Nuthatch – a favourite Local Nature reserve (by Sir Alf Ramsey Way). Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat and Nightingale, and even the The Dales open space is popular with dog walkers, pre-school Oystercatchers which nested on Cattermole’s garage roof! nursery groups and infant school children, and teenagers with footballs etc, but there is much to enjoy for the naturalist, I long ago came to the conclusion that it is not easy to combine with the ponds, flora and fauna, especially in the spring. A sound recording and photography, but having opted for well-known mixture of resident and migrant birds provides a recording as my first love I would just say that to sit back with clamorous chorus in April and May, with always the possibility eyes closed and headphones on is far more evocative of the life of Common and Lesser Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and more of birds than looking at their pictures. rarely Nightingale or even Buzzard, and who knows what else? Malcolm Clark Christchurch Park and the Arboretum again can provide a full bag of the common British birds, including one of my favourites - the Nuthatch, plus a vigorous population of water birds on the Wilderness and Round ponds. Our recent winter visits from Goosanders show that one never knows what may turn up, as I learned to my cost a few years ago when I went out without my recorder and encountered a Redpoll singing well from the top of a tree by the Wilderness pond.
The unlikeliest site of all is Alderman Canal LNR situated as it is in a busy and noisy part of the town. But even here there is a healthy population of common birds with the occasional surprise. Despite some unsavoury activities by certain sections of society I have found it a rewarding place to visit with microphone and recorder, encountering Reed Warbler, Reed
Editing recordings on computer At work in the garden 6 Ipswich Group Newsletter
Dates for your Diary
Summer Outings 2017 and September Meeting
Coach Outing to How Hill and Norfolk Broads Saturday 27th May 8.30 am to 6.30 pm. Cost £30 This trip is now fully booked. Email [email protected]
Saturday 17th June 10.30am – 12.30pm Wildlife of Needham Lake Join a walk around Needham Lake with one of the rangers, discover the wildlife and hear how the site is managed for both wildlife and people. Parking and toilets at the lake (IP6 8NU). Refreshments afterwards at “The Lion” (IP6 8EH) for anyone interested. £3 donation to SWT. For more information and booking contact Leigh Williamson Email [email protected] Phone 01473 785600
Saturday 15th July 10.30am-12.30pm Dunwich Heath Nature Trail A 2.4.mile circular social walk from Coast Guard Cottages, Dunwich. A fun morning for the whole family. Why not bring a picnic to eat on the beach afterwards? Parking and toilets at National Trust car park (IP17 3DJ). £4.80 for non NT members. £3 donation to the SWT For more information and booking contact Leigh Williamson Email: [email protected] Phone 01473 785600
Saturday 5th August 10.30am-12.30pm Guided Walk at Captain’s Wood Andrew Bennett, a SWT warden, will lead a walk through this peaceful woodland with its ancient trees, wild flowers, deer and more. (IP12 2BE) Parking 400 metres past entrance. Nearest toilets in Orford (2.6.miles away) £3 donation to SWT. For more information and booking contact Leigh Williamson Email: leighwilliamson@btinternet,com Phone 01473 785600
Autumn Talks 2017 This talk is held at St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane Ipswich at 7.30 pm
September 20th 2017 Chris Durdin “Norfolk Crane Story” Cranes arrived at Horsey estate on the Norfolk Broads in 1979 and began breeding in 1982. Their lives and progress were protected and recorded by John Buxton, aided by our speaker, Chris Durdin, who wrote the book “The Norfolk Crane Story”. Their numbers are increasing as they spread westwards to reclaim some of the habitats from which they totally disappeared 400 years ago. See www.norfolkcranes.co.uk
Dartford Warbler on Dunwich Heath. The deer in Captain’s Wood
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.
Busy, Busy, Busy Wildlife Homes The Group has had a particularly busy few months during the Together with Ed Boyle from the IBC Wildlife Rangers we have winter. As well as our regular work party along the Alderman organised a couple of very special sessions with Avenues East, canal, the fortnightly Wildlife Homes box-making sessions and the local branch of a national charity that helps disabled people the winter coppicing work in Spring Wood, we have also joined get out and about and involved in their local community. with Greenways and other groups at the annual Megabashes on Purdis Heath and Martlesham Heath and had a stand to promote Held in the Reg Driver Centre in Christchurch Park, the groups the Group at the East Anglian Potato Day held at Stonham Barns. tasted a completely new experience for them, thoroughly But more than that we have taken on another exciting project . . . enjoying wielding hammers and electric drills and at the end of the session taking home a habitat box they had made We’ve got an Allotment! themselves. This was a most rewarding experience for the whole The kind people at Belstead Allotment field at the end of Bobbits group including the carers, Ranger Ed and IWG’s Martin and Lane, have donated us a plot that we are managing with wildlife Colin. in mind.
You will see from the photos that it was wildly overgrown when we took possession in January but we are gradually making progress clearing some areas to let the sunlight in whilst leaving the wildlife-friendly shrubs. And, we have a plan!
We plan to show how a regular plot can grow conventional crops and provide a valuable resource for wildlife. It is hoped that our plot will feature as a site in the ‘Urban Buzz’ project. We are cultivating an area for vegetable and fruit crops as well as creating a pond to encourage garden-friendly amphibians, dragonflies and other insects; planting nectar-rich plants to attract bees and butterflies; installing log piles as hibernaculum for beetles and toads and building a dead hedge to provide cover A most rewarding experience for all for birds and insects and anything else that would like to use it! Sidegate School We meet at the Allotment on the fourth Saturday of the month, if you would like to help, call Ray Sidaway.
Wildlife Ambassadors building bug boxes The IWG allotment plot - in there somewhere. We are involved in an ambitious project initiated by the school to enhance the school grounds for the benefit of nature and to stimulate the pupils interest and involvement in the natural world. James Baker at the Greenways Project, IBC Wildlife Ranger Ed Boyle and Ali North from Suffolk Wildlife Trust are also taking part giving help and advice to the newly-appointed ‘Wildlife Ambassadors’. These are the children who are particularly interested in nature and will take the lead in the project.
Some of the Wildlife Ambassadors have had a guided tour of Holywells Park and had great fun at an outdoor Wildlife Homes session making bug boxes and under the guidance of IWG Beginning to see the light. volunteers have also planted 60 trees in the school grounds. 8 Friends of the Dales
The Dales is a small Local Nature Reserve situated off Dales Road in Ipswich. For details of the Friends Group please contact Jessica Allen at [email protected] or find us on Facebook by searching Friends of the Dales
Spring has sprung in the Dales
I am writing this article during the first few weeks of March constructed a second when Spring is breaking out around us with exuberant energy log circle for the and the winter colours are changing. The Dales has burst into nursery school’s life with fruit blossom, bird song and it has been warm enough woodland adventures that butterflies have been seen. Birds easily seen are wood in the trees to pigeon, collared dove, magpie, robin and blackbird. Blackbird the south of the and dunnock have been seen with nesting material and we had wildflower meadow. up to five chiffchaff singing in the sunshine on the 13th March! The original log
© Parrish Coleman circle is in the small meadow to the south of the patch of willow trees and has proven popular. Ditches have been cleared and maintained and this has prevented the main cut through and path from becoming as clogged as in previous years.
As well as carrying out maintenance our members are picking up litter and dog poo. Considering the number of small children who play in the Dales it is hard to understand why some people do not pick up after their dogs. We are also having problems with people fly tipping garden waste on their back fences. We would like to remind people this is both illegal and potentially damaging to wildlife as garden plants are not always the best for our wild creatures.
The Ipswich Deaf Society on the corner of Dales Road and Wharfedale Road gives us a room to have our meetings, which are announced on the notice boards at the entrances to the Dales.
Please do come and have a look and explore the Dales, it really is a special place with some unique wildlife. ChiffChaff Joe Underwood
Frogs, toads and other amphibians are happily doing what they do at this time of year. The two established ponds are full of croaking adults and the newly dug ponds are looking really good as the vegetation has taken nicely and isn’t being eaten by ducks! Scarlet elf cup fungi has been found on wood that is sitting in some running water, another nice addition to the site species list.
Maintenance of the paths has continued this winter and many of the sycamore seedlings have been thinned to let light into the woodland and encourage the growth of native trees, wildflowers and bramble. The working parties have The ponds are full of croaking adults 9 Scout Headquarters (next to St Peter’s Church), Stoke Park Drive, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 9TH 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. Martlesham Common
This lovely heathland site, managed by Greenways on behalf In March, staff from local legal firm Barker-Gotelee joined of Martlesham Parish Council is a County Wildlife Site due to regular Greenways volunteers to make more dead hedges its importance for heathland habitat and species, and is now following extensive tree surgery work to reduce the risk of proposed as a new Local Nature Reserve. trees falling onto the road, and also to let light into a delightful veteran oak pollard which was rapidly being shaded out by fast Over the last three years, Greenways has been able to focus growing sycamore trees. more effort on the site, partly due to additional funding from Butterfly Conservation and partly thanks to increased commitment from the Parish Council.
The site lies between the A12, Main Road, Felixstowe Road and the Tesco superstore and has areas of acidic grassland, scrub and developing woodland, as well as the open heathland.
Work in the last few years has centred around controlling bracken, which had become quite dominant across the site, whilst maintaining gorse scrub and increasing the heather area. A variety of techniques have been used – some bracken has been sprayed with a specific herbicide (not something we like to use, but other methods are hugely time-consuming and thus expensive), which has been very successful, other areas have been scraped by a JCB to remove the bracken litter layer and expose the nutrient-poor, sandy soil - ideal for spreading heather seed onto. Our regular volunteers have also played a very significant part by hand-pulling bracken from sensitive Greenways volunteers constructing a dead hedge
The site also has a rich history, most notably as part of the Martlesham Heath airfield in the Second World War – remains of this can be seen from time to time as we carry out our work – barbed wire ‘pig tails’; brick rubble and other building remains etc
If you would like to know more about the site, please contact Greenways – or come to our Open Day event at the Common on Saturday the 2nd September, 11.00 – 3.30, when there will be guided walks on wildlife and history, ‘wildlife homes’ and other children’s activities, and the chance to see heathland species up close – especially butterflies, moths and reptiles. Details in the Events Diary. Strewing heather seed areas, around the expanding heather patches; spreading the heather seed on the scrapes; coppicing gorse and other scrub to maintain the open mosaic of different habitat types across the reserve; and building ‘dead hedges’ from material generated by essential tree work alongside Main Road and other parts of the site.
The dead hedges, made by laying cut branches into a line - held in place by wooden stakes, not only use the arisings from the tree surgery work (avoiding having to waste energy carting away, chipping or burning), but also create a valuable wildlife habitat in themselves – providing cover, food and sometimes even nest sites for a range of invertebrates, birds and small mammals along with many species of fungi. Glorious heather 10 Bobbits Lane Meadows – wetland enhancements
Towards the end of a helpfully dry winter, we were able to get a 15 tonne tracked excavator into the wet parts of the site to re-profile and enlarge the main ponds. Primarily this work was to remove the reedmace and other plants which had steadily grown across the ponds since their creation a few years earlier. We also aimed to improve the ponds for toads and other amphibians as well as a wide range of birds. Open water has been extended closer to the viewing tower and mound so that views of the ponds and their wildlife will hopefully be much clearer for several years.
The work has also resulted in improved retention of water within the wetland system, helping to maintain water levels longer into the summer – thus improving the chances of the toads and many other species. The new enlarged ponds The new enlarged ponds are easily visible now - only a minute’s walk from the Bobbits Lane car park (grid ref: TM147414) – or Sunday 11th June as part of the Big Wildlife Challenge – see you can come along and help explore the reserve’s wildlife on Events Diary.
New pond in Stoke Park Wood Toads Update
Despite the dry winter, a small new pond created for amphibians Organiser of the Bobbits Lane Toad Patrol Margaret Regnault, and birds in the Local Nature Reserve next to the Greenways reported in late March that to date 900 toads had been office on Stoke Park Drive, has started to fill up with water! recorded by the patrollers with some toads seen returning from the breeding ponds back to Kiln Meadow. The reserve has several wet areas and a remnant ditch, but the large pond that gave the site it’s former name, “Fish Pond This is an encouraging number as only 733 were recorded last Covert” was sadly filled in and lost when Stoke Park Drive and year although numbers are still way below those of five years St Peter’s Church were built several decades ago. The original ago. Very few frogs or newts were recorded this year. pond was, as the name suggests, a stock pond for Stoke Park – the manor house that stood on the edge of the reserve until the 1950s. FOR SALE The new pond, considerably smaller than the old, will Beanpoles, peasticks, bagged logs and loads and other woodland nonetheless greatly enhance the other habitats in the reserve produce, and wildlife homes including hedgehog houses, bird – and hopefully bring back some of the species that were boxes and insect homes. displaced.
Available (by appointment) from the Greenways Project office on Stoke Park Drive.
Contact [email protected] or 01473 433995 to discuss your requirements.
All produce from the sustainable management of nature reserves in Ipswich and proceeds to help fund management of the reserves and other wildlife projects.
Excavating the new pond 11 WILD IPSWICH
All the conservation organisations working together to inspire local people to help wildlife throughout the town and beyond.
‘Wild Ipswich’ - What it’s all about
Last October a meeting was organised by Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) to discuss a new concept for bringing all the The next step requires us to declare a vision for what we want conservation organisations with an interest in Ipswich, together Wild Ipswich to do. It is still being discussed but we expect it to under one banner – ‘Wild Ipswich’. be along the lines of the following: “Ipswich in 2050 is nature-rich town that puts wildlife at its The meeting was attended by representatives of Suffolk heart and on our doorsteps, giving everyone the opportunity Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Suffolk Biodiversity information Service, to experience the joy of nature every day.” Ipswich Wildlife Group, Suffolk Amphibians & Reptile Group, How this can be achieved will be featured in the next issue of Suffolk County Council, Greenways Countryside Project and Local Wildlife News. officers from IBC, including the Strategic Planning and Parks Matt Berry, Wildlife & Education Rangers, & Cemeteries Services. The suggestion received full support Ipswich Borough Council 01473 433998 around the table and from those unable to attend from Butterfly Conservation and Buglife. Urban Buzz is getting louder… National Charity Buglife is working in eight cities across the UK The idea has evolved out of the IBC Ecological Network plan, to promote the importance of urban areas for our struggling which as the name suggests, is a map and associated policy pollinating insects by creating new, nectar-rich habitat and showing the core wildlife sites and corridors, which together training volunteers as champions to promote their importance.
form a vital support and travel system for all the wildlife in the © Colin Hullis town. This plan and associated wording now forms an integral The great news part of the IBC Core Strategy, which when adopted will form is that Ipswich is a unique and strong policy to assist IBC in protecting and one of the eight enhancing biodiversity, particularly when it comes to town cities (even though planning and the development control process. This is a huge it’s a town!) to step forward towards making awareness and consideration of be working with biodiversity issues mainstream and as important as trees and Buglife, pioneering other more traditional considerations. this Urban Buzz Project. A Buglife The aspirations are high; to halt biodiversity loss and reverse Conservation the trend of decline to one of enhancement and expansion of Officer is being biodiversity instead. This matches national and international recruited and targets set accordingly, for 2020 and 2050. We all know how will start work on difficult this will be to achieve, but it is surely the only goal we the 1st July this should be considering and striving for if we want a wildlife rich year, based in the and healthy natural environment. Greenways Project team office on Ipswich is already doing good things. The ecological network Stoke Park Drive. approach has received numerous plaudits and praise for being something of a trail blazing initiative, especially because it is The project will last 20 months, and aims to create 100 new being taken much further forward than merely mapping where areas of nectar-rich habitat across the Greenways Project area, wildlife sites and corridors are – we’re actually trying to do including wildflower meadows, community orchards, formal something about making things better too! Then there has planting areas and living walls and green roofs (if possible!). been the Ipswich Heaths Project from Butterfly Conservation, The officer will work with local communities to identify possible a landscape level project for protecting the Silver-studded Blue sites for enhancement and following necessary consultations and other associated heathland wildlife, along with the habitats and discussions, will then carry out the practical improvements. themselves. And now we’re about to see Ipswich become The 100 sites will vary in size from several hectares down to an ‘Urban Buzz’ town with a new project funded by Buglife. small patches, perhaps in housing areas or school grounds. The aim of this is to create 100 new wildlife sites to benefit pollinators – clearly these habitats will benefit a multitude of The project also has targets to train and inspire dedicated other wildlife too, including butterflies and moths. champions (volunteers) and to involve large numbers of local people in planting projects and activities. So, if you would like There is also the SWT Hedgehog project currently underway to be involved in this exciting new project (which fits under in the town, a perfect demonstration for how vital a linked the ‘Wild Ipswich’ umbrella), please do get in touch with the landscape is to wildlife as hedgehogs can roam quite a Greenways Project in the first instance. Similarly, if you have distance and they also require significant areas in order to ideas for places that could be enhanced for wildlife (and sustain viable breeding populations. pollinating insects in particular) please also get in touch so we can add these to the list we are putting together for the new There has never been a better time for the level of interest in Urban Buzz officer. wildlife in Ipswich and there has never been more need than James Baker, Greenways Project Manager, there is now for some serious action to protect it! [email protected] 01473 433995 12 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. © P Davies © S. Corley On a beautiful autumn We were fortunate that morning in November, the Storm Doris in February Nature Explorers carried did not cause too much out what has become their damage, with only a few annual duty of surveying the trees being blown over. The bird boxes in the woods. storm did break off plenty Despite some boxes having of small branches from the become somewhat rotten, trees and scattered them all the survey revealed that 70% over the woods and paths. of the tit and 50% (an all-time After a little tidying up the record) of the robin boxes paths are now clear, and, as had been nested in. Overall, I write, the woods are in the this was a pleasing 16% full throes of spring growth, increase on last year’s box with carpets of snowdrops usage. The Nature Explorers and violets, clumps of carried out some urgent daffodils and blossom repairs to keep as many emerging on the trees. boxes in service as possible, but going forward we do We continue to look for plan to start replacing the new volunteers. All ages unusable ones with recycled and abilities are welcome 50% of Robin boxes had nests plastic models. Autumn in the woodland to join us in improving the woods for visitors, wildlife Our volunteers celebrated all their hard work during 2016 with and preserving local history. Please email us at pwcg. a festive work morning on the weekend before Christmas. [email protected] if you would like more information.
This was combined with a special Nature Watch Club wreath © S. Corley making session. After a concerted effort clearing more of the northern burial mound, the morning ended with the volunteers enjoying a well-earned woodland buffet and refreshments, accompanied by Christmas music and tree. All the Nature Watch youngsters went home with their lovingly made wreaths in-hand, ready to proudly hang on their front doors.
Work has progressed apace with conserving the two burial mounds, helped significantly with a number of new volunteers boosting the workforce. Both mounds have now been cleared of the majority of shrubs, brambles and bracken, and pathways have been diverted to prevent erosion from walkers’ feet. The mild and damp weather, combined with the sunlight now reaching the ground, has allowed fresh new green grass to burst forth. Our vision of two new sunny grassy glades is at last becoming a reality. We hope English Heritage, A carpet of Spring snowdrops under which we have been carrying out the work, approve of progress and the mounds will maintain their Ancient Stephen Corley, Chairman Monument status. (Contributions from Publicity Officer Chloe King, and Deputy
© S. Corley Publicity Officers George Pennick and Sam Cork)
Volunteer Work Mornings (all welcome - no need to book) Meet at the Education Area from 10am - Noon Saturday 20th May, Sunday 18th June, Saturday 15th July. NO WORK MORNING IN AUGUST
Nature Explorers (11 to 18 year olds) Meet at the Education Area from 9.00am - 11.00am. Booking essential, please email [email protected] Saturday 20th May, Saturday 15th July.
Nature Watch Club (5 to 11 year olds) 2017 dates to be announced. Please email pwcg [email protected] for more information New pathway through the woodland 13 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 Rushmere St Andrew Church Hall, 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. Ipswich House Sparrow Project - The Results
Firstly, a really big thank you to all who participated in last year’s Some examples of more positive responses from the House Sparrow Survey and/or Questionnaire. Over 75 percent questionnaires:- of our designated survey squares covered and a whopping • First time they have used the nestbox since put up 10 years 125 completed questionnaire forms were returned! What a ago. Only returned to the garden in 2015 after 20 odd years superb effort! So what did we find out about our town’s house when small groups used to dust bath in northwest corner. sparrows? 4.5.16 first attempt. Nest four eggs - three young fledged 2-24. • Moved here in 1969. About six sparrows regularly seen. Back in 2006, the group conducted a similar but less detailed Numbers dwindled till none seen. In last two years one male study that produced an Ipswich house sparrow distribution seen infrequently. Delighted recently to see a male and a Some examples of more positive responses from the questionnaires:- map (see below). At the time we were concerned about the female more frequently. Long may they stay and increase! many reports showing serious declines in the house sparrow ·• _First A few time theysmall have groups used the locally,nestbox since triple put nestup 10 yearsbox ago.put Onlyup returned- successful to the garden in 2015 after 20 odd years when small groups used to dust bath in northwest corner. population across much of the UK. 4.5.16this first year attempt. for Nest the four first eggs time - three after young 2fledged years 2 -24.with no interest. One pair nesting in central box but usually 3-5 birds around the · _Moved here in 1969. About six sparrows regularly seen. Numbers dwindled till none seen. We now know the house sparrow declined by 71 percent In lastnest two siteyears inone privet male seen hedge. infrequently. Delighted recently to see a male and a female between 1971 and 2008. This precipitous decline was the main more frequently. Long may they stay and increase! reason the birds were Red Listed as a species of conservation ·And _A few for small balance groups locally, some triple examples nest box put of up more- successful negative this year responses:- for concern in 2002, an unenviable position they have retained in the• Therefirst time isafter no 2 yearsdoubt with that no interest. there One are pair far nesting fewer in centralsparrows, box but dueusually I feel,3-5 birds around the nest site in privet hedge. the most recent report published December 2015. mainly to the proliferation of plastic soffits and fascias, and Andalso for balance because some examtheyples are of moreprevented negative responsesfrom visiting:- the roof space
IpswichIndeed Houseour 2006 Sparrow survey, Project echoing - The theResults wider national picture also · _Thereclose is noto doubt it’s gutteringthat there are far fewer sparrows, due I feel, mainly to the proliferation of plastic soffits and fascias, and also because they are prevented from visiting the roof space Ffoundirstly, a reaa reducedlly big thank distributionyou to all who participated and population in last year’s from House historicalSparrow Survey • Until about 10 years ago regularly had a pair of sparrows close to it's guttering and/or Questionnaire. Over 75 percent of our designated survey squares covered and a levels. For the 2016 project, we decided to take a dual approach visiting front garden vegetation and feeding. This is an whopping 125 completed questionnaire forms were returned! What a superb effort! So what didso we as find to out obtain about our both town’s qualitative house sparrows and? quantitative results. · _UntilEdwardian about 10 years mid-terrace ago regularly hadhouse a pair and of sparrows I believe visiting they front nestedgarden vegetation in the andsoffits feeding. This of theis an Edwardiannext door mid house-terrace housewhich and wereI believe poorly they nested maintained. in the soffits Back in 2006, the group conducted a similar but less detailed study that produced an Ipswich of the next door house which were poorly maintained. houseThe questionnairesparrow distribution mapfor residents(see below). At produced the time we were some concerned really about valuable the many • The flock here has declined by up to 50 percent since we reportsinformation, showing serious allowing declines participants in the house sparrow to record population their across detailed much of the UK. · _Themoved flock here here has indeclined 2002 by up to 50 percent since we moved here in 2002 · Welocal now knowledge know the house aboutsparrow declinedthe sparrows by 71 percent where between they 1971 live. and 2008.In some This precipitouscontrast d eclineto the was declines the main reason and the local birds extinctions were Red Listed reported as a species in of 2006, conservation concern in 2002, an unenviable position they have retained in the most recent reportthe 2016 published study December has 2015. revealed a more mixed picture, with at least
Indeedsome our optimistic 2006 survey ,and echoing positive the wider storiesnational picture in amongst also found athe reduced gloom! distribution andWhile population some from negative historical levels. reports For the and 2016 colony project, welosses decided continued, to take a dual approach so as to obtain both qualitative and quantitative results. evidence also emerged of stable colonies, some even with Theincreasing questionnaire populations. for residents produced Most some hopeful really valuableof all, inwereformation, a few allowing reports participants to record their detailed local knowledge about the sparrows where they live. In someof house contrast sparrows to the declines returning and local extinctions to locations reported fromin 2006, where the 2016 they study hadhas revealedpreviously a more disappeared. mixed picture, with Thisat least gives some optihopemistic that and positive the species stories in amoncangst be the gloom! While some negative reports and colony losses continued, evidence also emerged ofresilient, stable colonies, especially some even with with increasinga little conservation populations. Most hopefulminded of all, sensitivity were a few reportsfrom ofthe house human sparrows communities returning to locations where from ourwhere sparrows they had previously make disappeared. their This gives hope that the species can be resilient, especially with a little conservation minded sensitivityhomes. from the human communities where our sparrows make their homes.
2016 Map (Questionnaire and cycle survey) Green pins = positive 2016 Map (Questionnaire and cycle survey) Green pins = positive reports, Red pins = nullreports, reports, Red Blue pins pins = = nulldeclining reports, colonies. Blue pins = declining colonies.
As well as valuable qualitative information the questionnaire also provided some quantitative data, i.e. ‘Big Garden Birdwatch’ style maximum number counts, categorisation of habitat features, information on nest sites and provision of food.
The 2006 Survey Map Key: green = sparrows present in square, red = a null report. Blank areas were not surveyed. Our second approach was a detailed controlled-effort The 2006 Survey Map Key: green = sparrows present in square, red = a null report. Blank areas were not surveyed. 14
Ipswich Local Group
survey using the Protocol for Censusing Urban Sparrows, a Both the questionnaire and the survey revealed that areas of
methodology tailor-made for the unusual task of monitoring a relatively poorer housing with lower levels of maintenance appear breeding species in a heterogeneous urban environment. This to favour house sparrow colonies, providing greater opportunities As well as valuable qualitative information the questionnaire also provided some quantitative data,was i.e. applied ‘Big Garden to Birdwatch’a defined style samplemaximum numberof the counts,town categorisationusing a rasterized of habitat for nesting sites. features,grid system information allocated on nest sites to and volunteers provision of food.via an interactive map.
OurThis second dual approach approach, was a detailedprovided controlled both-effort continuity survey using with the Protocol the 2006 for Censusing study Frequently, sparrow colonies were found to be highly fragmented Urbanbut withSparrows, some a methodology improved tailor survey-made for techniques, the unusual task enabling of monitoring a amore breeding with significant gaps between populations. Many colonies species in a heterogeneous urban environment. This was applied to a defined sample of the townconsistent using a rasterized sampling grid system of sparrow allocated tocolony volunteers presence via an interactive and populationmap. were found to be dependent on only a few houses in a street, Thisdensities dual approach, across provided the bothtown. continuity with the 2006 study but with some improved sometimes just a single dwelling when nests were typically survey techniques, enabling a more consistent sampling of sparrow colony presence and population densities across the town. located in old soffits, barge boards or under a roof tiles and Detailed survey results were amalgamated into a Heatmap guttering. It was frequently apparent, that a small amount of well Detailed survey results were amalgamated into a Heatmap providing a convenient high-level visualproviding picture of a house convenient sparrow populatihigh-levelon densities visual and picturedistributions. of house intentioned but insensitive maintenance work could quite easily sparrow population densities and distributions. result in the local extinction of yet another isolated colony.
I personally observed a thriving extended colony in a 1930s social housing development where the corbelled arrangement of the brickwork by chance provides a series of perfect sparrow- sized nest spaces under the gable ends of the houses.
In contrast, new housing developments (with a single exception of a location adjacent to a large pre-existing colony) were found to be altogether sparrow unfriendly environments. New build houses are effectively hermetically sealed boxes, with no convenient nooks and crannies for wildlife.
Future Outcomes Given our success in covering 40 out of 53 survey squares, we have issued an appeal for The larger circles and warmer colours indicate the highest population volunteers to help gap-fill densities. The red dots show the 13 squares we did not manage to survey. the remaining 13 squares. The larger circles and warmer colours indicate the highest population densities. The red dots show the 13 squares we did not manage to survey. This should help to The Heatmap shows sparrow concentrations in peripheral answer some outstanding The Heatmap shows sparrow concentrations in peripheral areas. Particularly in the northwest andareas. south -Particularlyeast. These two inconcentrations the northwest appear strong,and south-east. healthy and dense. These In total 184 questions, such as whether sparrowstwo concentrations, were counted by the appear controlled strong,-effort survey. healthy a number and that dense. does not In equate total to the the south-west hotspot is total sparrow population of the sample areas. This is due to logistical constraints of both time and184 space sparrows, when conducting were surveys counted and becauseby the in controlled-effort most urban settings observations survey. aare contiguous and if the south- limitednumber to viewing that the does road -notfacing equate fronts of buildings.to the totalSurveyors sparrow were required population to mark eastern hotspot extends inaccessible areas, on their survey maps. of the sample areas. This is due to logistical constraints of further south. Numbersboth time of sparrows and space recorded when in sample conducting squares, ranged surveys between 28and and because zero. The habitat category ‘residential suburban’ was the most favoured by house sparrows in Ipswich, followed in most urban settings observations are limited to viewing the We are also interested road-facing fronts of buildings. Surveyors were required to mark in further disseminating inaccessible areas, on their survey maps. our results to a range of audiences including Numbers of sparrows recorded in sample squares, ranged local planners, housing between 28 and zero. The habitat category ‘residential suburban’ associations, Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service and other was the most favoured by house sparrows in Ipswich, followed locally based conservation organisations. Our aspiration is for by ‘rural villages’. Town centre locations were the least populated our results to better inform more sensitive building maintenance, with none recorded in the central shopping area. (By contrast encourage a greater take up of sparrow nest boxes, and use many European urban centres do have sparrows i.e. Paris, where of nest bricks in new build housing, as well as conservation of sparrows penetrate retail districts). sparrow habitat features such as thick hedges.
Likewise, our main urban green spaces are mostly sparrow free If you are fortunate to still have resident sparrows where you live zones. None were found in Christchurch Park and the cemeteries then please consider (if not already doing so):- also recorded little or no sparrow presence. It would be of • Putting up some sparrow boxes on your home interest to ask some of our older residents whether they can • Providing food and water including if possible live or dried recall sparrows in Christchurch Park in former decades, as the meal worms from late May through June and July - proven to profile of the surrounding housing would seem sparrow-friendly. significantly increase chick survival and successful fledging. • Volunteering to become a Neighbourhood Sparrow Champion Our findings are largely consistent with the BTO research that also reports UK green spaces being generally ill-favoured by Lastly but very much not least, I must extend a huge thank you house sparrows. “Habitat preferences of House Sparrows”, BTO to Richard Mudhar, our IT wizard and science trained sparrow Research Report No. 599, June 2011, ISBN 978-1-906204-97- 6 supremo, without whom this project (and the previous one) would quite simply never have happened! Another finding from this source also seemingly applicable to Ipswich is the positive correspondence between house sparrow See our website for links to the full report. populations and areas of social deprivation. Chris Courtney
15 © Tim Kenny Friends of Christchurch Park
Secretary: Sylvia Patsalides 07971 467042 Membership Secretary: Robert Fairchild 01473 254255 www.focp.org.uk Follow us on Facebook@Christchurch Park and Twitter@ChristchurchPk 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. A walk in the Park meeting all kinds of wildlife
One of the pleasures of strolling around Christchurch Park is that you will always bump into some of the characters that inhabit this green space. Inevitably, the first animals that you encounter are dogs, most of them loose, all sizes and lots of them. The Park is becoming more and more popular with both dog owners and dog carers – no wonder green woodpeckers regularly seek the lawns of neighbouring gardens in which to search for food. Some dogs, however, (not very many) will be on leads. How often do I nearly come to grief by a chaperone on one side of the path attached to a dog on the other side of the path by means of a flexible lead several metres long?
There are, of course, other four-legged beasts in the Park. Few people will have seen foxes but many people will have heard them especially at night. We have at least two pairs. You may get a glimpse of a fox on our Dawn Chorus walk. David Miller Steve Leech They can easily be overlooked but are far more common than most people think. Even more elusive is the muntjac, again Walk into the Upper Arboretum and you may get a glimpse of not easily seen unless one gets its head stuck in the railings. our FoCP Chairman, David Miller. I say glimpse because he This has happened more than once. Do we want more is usually located waist deep in a large hole. David has taken muntjac? No! Like the grey squirrel, it should not be here. We upon himself the responsibility for refurbishing the arboretum have hundreds of grey squirrels in our Park. Personally, I am with new and unusual trees. He, together with Steve Leech, anti these animals. So too are many of the above-mentioned the Park’s tree specialist, have for some years now been dogs. The terrier-type dogs out for ‘walkies’ have sussed out digging large holes and have planted over 200 specimen how to cull these non-indigenous animals. Caught between trees. Planting is only the beginning of the exercise because two trees, grey squirrels are no match for hunting terriers. for months David has been carrying water over the grass to care for these precious new trees. There are other animals of note to be found whilst on a stroll. You might see me or you might see Philip Murphy – top bird In this day and age, it is difficult to keep our Park up to recorder of our Park – or may even see us both together, scratch. Nationally, money for the upkeep of Parks has been for instance, when leading the Dawn Chorus Walk in May. drastically cut, in some cases by more than 90%, so it is Despite Philip and I recording well over a hundred birds gratifying that Park staff are doing an excellent job in trying in the Park over the last forty years, neither of us saw the to control vandalism, graffiti, litter and other anti-social five goosanders which dropped in for breakfast early one behaviour. Volunteers are essential and no one needs them morning in March. It is a good job that other people are also more than Park Ranger Joe Underwood. Joe and his team, making notes. Who would have thought a few years ago that supported by the FoCP, have planted over 200 buckthorn from our Park you could see goosander, peregrine, honey specifically to encourage certain species of butterfly as well buzzard, raven and red kite and who would have thought as controlling unwanted scrub around the Wilderness Pond. that we would lose tree sparrow, lesser spotted woodpecker, With so much work, Joe and his team have little time to hawfinch and spotted flycatcher? ‘stand and stare’.
It is little wonder that butterfly numbers in towns and cities are falling as more and more home owners turn their front gardens into paved-over car parks. What is that you are thinking? Too many cars and not enough parking spaces? Where will it all end? Because of concrete instead of flowerbeds 25 species of once common butterflies are rapidly declining some by as much as 75%. The Park’s butterfly expert, Richard Stewart, is advising Joe on what plants are needed not just in the butterfly garden but elsewhere in the Park. Losing butterflies is a national disaster. At least we are doing our best in our Park to provide habitat for the Park’s 25 species.
Reg Snook
Reg Snook and Philip Murphy from a book illustration 16 Wildlife Rangers
Office : 01473 433998 [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. Winter work Update © Colin Hullis It’s been another busy winter of habitat management work in our parks, open spaces and nature reserves for the wildlife team. We have been focusing our resources on our key sites as usual and this winter has been particularly busy with plenty of tasks to tick off! Below is a roundup of the habitat management work we have undertaken on Bixley Heath, the only Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) we have in the Borough of Ipswich. Bixley Heath is the surviving remnant of a much larger heathland that was swallowed up when the Broke Hall housing estate was built in the 1970’s. It is accessed from a small driftway off Bucklesham Road and from Salehurst Road within the estate.
Bixley Heath Lots of management work has been completed in both the heathland and wetland areas of this (SSSI). The area of fen habitat we have has been greatly improved by cutting the common sedge and reed mace from between the greater Sedge Warbler tussock sedge. This prevents them from becoming too dominant and out-competing the tussock sedge and also of the ten year programme; having between 2% and 10% of encourages the growth of other more sensitive plants where common/western gorse of a varied age structure, bare ground they once were. Willow has also been cut back to increase the between 1% and 5% and bryophytes and lichens covering at amount of wet grassland where the greater tussocks thrive and least 10% of the heathland by year ten. encourage better structure on the woodland edge. To achieve these targets we have been busy scalloping gorse As part of the higher level stewardship scheme we have along path edges, removing small trees from the heath, some pretty serious targets (indicators of success) to meet in spraying areas of bracken, removing larger trees that drop lots our reedbed. Natural England specifies that we must have a of leaves and supress heather growth and cutting the heather minimum of 30cm of water covering the reedbed throughout to vary the age range. the year, have no more than 5% of undesirable plants and have breeding reed and sedge warbler. Prior to cutting, and after This summer is a big milestone for Bixley Heath as we are turning the water control pipe, we had very little water (see expecting a visit from our advisor to analyse the success of picture 1). However, after cutting the reedbed, digging some the last ten years of higher level stewardship. The scheme ditches and putting the plug back in as such - this happened! has now changed and we will be applying for the higher tier (see picture 2). of countryside stewardship this time round as our ten year scheme ends on the 31st of October 2017. Fingers crossed The heathland work has also been working towards strict that they are impressed by all our hard work and that this indicators of success set by Natural England. These included special site gets the funding required to keep the positive having at least 60% cover of bell and ling heather by year three momentum going!
Picture 1 Picture 2 17 Membership Secretary Kevin Verlander, 9 Heron Close, Stowmarket, IP14 1UR [email protected] 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.
The Value of Volunteers
A lot of the work carried out around the environment, conservation and wildlife is by volunteers. At the recent Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group AGM those volunteers within the local birding community were brought to the attention of the meeting. Those that were thanked and praised were volunteers who are on the committee organising and planning, the field trip leaders who run the bird outings, the producers of publications such as The Harrier and the Suffolk Bird Report, support teams involved in important projects such as Save our Suffolk Swifts and last but not least those that attend the meetings who enjoy our beautiful countryside and the amazing wildlife that inhabits it.
At the SOG AGM, which was held in early March, annual awards were given in recognition of those who do so much to promote, contribute and protect Suffolk birds and wildlife. The first was the Denis Ockleton trophy, awarded annually since 2001. This was awarded to Nick Mason, editor of Dedicated bird-ringer Ellie won the Garrod Award, with Jean Garrod Suffolk Birds. This annual report, which is produced in collaboration between Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group and The decline of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker means that Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, documents a review of the birds only in north-west Suffolk, along parts of the Little Ouse in the county. Nick first edited Suffolk Birds 2007, the most can it now be encountered. We were lucky enough to watch recent one was his ninth edition, a remarkable amount of one there on a recent trip. Less than a generation ago this work. He is also involved in survey work, organising and species was breeding in the town parks of Christchurch and participating in the WeBS count, the BTO Breeding and Holywells and it is sad to think this diminutive woodpecker Winter Atlas and he jointly edited the recent publication of species has almost disappeared completely. Although there Suffolk Dragonflies with Adrian Parr. are a number of species declining in the county some are encountered more often, one of which is the Cattle Egret with more and more sightings in recent years.
Nick Mason receives the Denis Ockleton Award from John Grant
Another award given at the SOG AGM is the Garrod Award, this time to the next generation of bird and wildlife enthusiasts and is awarded for their contribution to birds and wildlife. Nominated and selected this year was Ellie Zantboer. A dedicated bird-ringer she was the youngest person to be a licensed BTO ringer at the age of eight.
SOG arranges a number of field trips during the year and although most are towards the coast, due to its myriad of habitats and migration hotspots, some are in the west of Cattle Egret now seen regularly in Suffolk the county and sometimes further afield. One recent trip highlighted the changes that can occur for some species. Gi Grieco 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 © Joseph Hullis
Kingfishers have made a home in Holywells Park
As I write, it is the first day of spring: the daffs are out, insect including the planting of Buckthorn. There are other species of are flying, birds are nesting, and the mammals, not so many butterfly to be spotted in Holywells Park, including Orange Tip, in the park, are getting frisky! Suddenly there is a lot to see various Blues and Whites, Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Purple and do in Holywells Park. There are birdboxes on the island Emperor, Comma, Speckled Wood, and Fritillary. There are in the Big Pond, put up for the benefit of Kingfishers. A FoHP many more to be seen if your recognition skills are better than work party, keeping their eyes open and scanning the horizon, mine! did see, a year or two ago, not one but a pair of Kingfishers flying there. The birds were flying in a straight line, and The most obvious way to spot a mammal in the park—pet weaving around one another in spectacular fashion. Whether dogs and humans excepted—is by sense of smell. The that couple used the bird boxes we don’t know, but it was a appalling niff of a Fox’s earth is very distinctive, though the privilege and a delight to see. chance of seeing mister or missus Reynard is quite small. There is plenty of cover in Holywells Park for an animal to hide Brimstone Alley starts at an area of planted buckthorn near the within. Toad’s friend Ratty—the Water Vole—can sometimes Nacton Road entrance to Holywells Park (west by south-west, be seen when walking along the canal footpath. The vole can approximately) and extends westwards towards the orchard. be distinguished from the Rat by its chunkier shape, having Brimstone butterflies, the male is a sulphur yellow, the female smaller ears than a rat, and that a rat is generally much less is white, are on the wing from March to November, most likely scared of a human than a water vole. If it freezes, rather than to be seen in May, with a second peak in August as the brood going about it’s previous business when you disturb it, it’s hatches. The Brimstone caterpillar, coloured green to match probably a vole. There are a few Muntjac Deer, an introduced the leaf, only feeds on Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn, and species, to be seen in the park, though they tend to be quite nothing else. The adults are much less fussy about food, and secretive, and take advantage of all the ground cover that hibernate over winter. The presence of Brimstones in the park Holywells Park has to offer. They are more likely to be seen off is a credit to practical and applied conservation management, the beaten track, but one has to be quick.
The next opportunity to visit the orchard is on May 13th, when FoHP host our Blossom in the Orchard with Scarecrows event. With luck there will be plenty to see and do, including spotting Brimstone butterflies, both male and female. Our following event is during the evening of the 19th August when we hold our Bat Walk. That’s an opportunity to see, and hear via the bat detectors, more native British mammals as dusk turns in to evening. We’d be delighted to see you at either or both of those events.
FoHP work parties continue, do come and make your positive contribution to Holywells Park. Wednesday mornings, 10:00am, meet near the Stable Block. Further details from Martin Cant 07858 436003 Robin Gape The secretive Muntjac Chair of FOHP 19 Friends of Belstead Brook Park
Website: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/fobbp 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.
For our last work party event in December we were joined by Greenways and Ipswich Wildlife Group volunteers to clear scrub and invasive young trees from part of Kiln Meadow thereby restoring it back to a habitat area suitable for grasses and wildlife that prefer that type of landscape. During the day we had mince pies with our tea/coffee to keep us going and at the end of a hard day’s work we treated ourselves to baked potatoes that had been heated in the embers of the bonfire we had lit to dispose of the cut scrub.
The first work party of 2017 in January, was one of those days when in some ways you’d rather have stayed in bed but once outside it was a glorious frosty Coppicing hazel in Millennium Wood winter’s day. We soon got warm cutting which started just as we were having our morning coffee break. down the trees under the power lines in On a very pleasant spring day in March we sprinkled gravel Spring Wood. The onto the muddy sections of paths around Spring Wood in cut material was readiness for the annual Spring Wood Day on the 1st May. We processed so that we also collected about 8 blue bags of litter from around Spring ended up with bean Wood and the eastern end of the A14 layby. This litter pick was poles, pea sticks and our contribution to the Great British Spring Clean. Fortunately fence posts with the the dead wood hedge seems to be working reasonably well. remaining bits either It was great to have seven Friends out helping on what was a put in the dead hedge lovely day to be outside. or left on the stumps to deter the deer from Please note: If you have signed up to our E-Newsletter but not Felled trees in Spring Wood nibbling the regrowth. received it for a while, it may be lurking in your Spam folder. If it is, make sure you mark it as not Spam and it should then In February we cleared some scrub in Belstead Meadows, in be delivered to your usual Inbox. Your computer doesn’t know the field near the grove of trees. This is encroaching onto the how important we are! Meadow at an alarming rate with huge patches of brambles and wild roses. Unfortunately this session was cut short by rain Ann Havard
Another good day’s work from our trusty volunteers 20 Local Wildlife News Snippets
A Loveliness of Ladybirds How much wood would a woodpecker peck?
I found this collection (a loveliness) of ladybirds on the Friends shed in the Orchard at Holywells Park during January. They were sheltered from the cold weather under the window cover. How do they communicate and all congregate in the same place? Marvellous! Martin Cant Thought your readers might be interested to see the damage being done by woodpeckers to our bird boxes in Holywells Park. We have used metal plates to try and stop the damage but as you can see this appears fruitless. Peasticks, Not Faggots! While we are tying up bundles of peasticks in Spring Wood, We plan to trial chicken wire to reduce the access and thus passers-by sometimes stop and ask us why we are making hope to restrict the size of the holes being made, thereby faggots and what we do with them. helping young birds avoid being predated by the woodpeckers. It is possible that the woodpecker is just looking for a hole It’s remarkable that faggots, only a memory now (except to roost or nest in so perhaps we need to put up several in a few specialised areas), are what people think of, whilst woodpecker boxes which might help resolve the problem. peasticks that are about in today’s gardens and allotments are not generally recognised as such. Watch this space! Martin, Friends of Holywells Park Oliver Rackham in his book Woodlands, noted that faggots ranged in size from Ostrey faggots, a small bundle used for fire lighting, through Kids and Bavins up to Two Band faggots. Presumably these latter being taller and branchier, requiring Hedgehog project needs volunteers two bindings of honeysuckle to keep them in order.
We try to grade our peasticks by size as far as possible, and I like to think we are carrying on a tradition, but I feel that just calling ours ‘big-uns and little-uns is un-imaginative and letting our ancestral Woodlanders down. Su Fox (Ipswich Wildlife Group)
Murmuration at Morrisons
Ipswich Hedgehog Project is recruiting volunteers!
The project, run by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, aims to make Ipswich We’ve had a lovely Starling mumuration at Morrisons the most hedgehog friendly town in the UK. We are looking supermarket in Felixstowe all winter. for help with running community events and hedgehog surveys. This will provide opportunities to help promote Would you believe that people were actually complaining local conservation action, increase hedgehog awareness, about the mess they made flying to the bramble bush learn wildlife survey techniques or just try something new! where they roosted! Fearing that the bramble may be cut Information on how you can get involved can be found on back, I contacted the East Anglian Daily Times for help. our website: www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/volunteer/ipswich- The murmuration was featured in the EADT and Morrison’s hedgehog-project. confirmed that the bramble roost was safe. Joe Underwood Ali North
21 DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE REGULAR EVENTS ON PAGE 24 Events Diary For events covering a broader range of environmental issues go to www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/diary/diary.php
Monday 1st May Bank Holiday 11am - 4pm SPRING WOOD CELEBRATION DAY Join the Greenways Project, Ipswich Wildlife Group, Friends of Belstead Brook Park and many others for a celebration of this wonderful area of Local Nature Reserve. Guided walks, woodland crafts, family activities, demonstrations, music, food and much more. Parking at Bourne Park off Stoke Park Drive with free minibus to the event on Kiln Meadow. More information from 01473 433995 or 07736 826076 on the day and at Ipswich Wildlife Group on Facebook.
Wednesday 3rd May 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING Purdis Heath for summer birds. Meet at Bucklesham Road lay-by TM213424. 2 hours, 2 - 3 miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791
Friday 5th May 8.15pm - 10pm Suffolk Wildlife Trust Hedgehogs NIGHT SAFARI Hedgehog Awareness week is run every year by British Hedgehog Preservation Society. Come along to our Ipswich hedgehog project event to learn more and help us discover the elusive nocturnal wildlife of Holywells Park. We’ll use a range of survey equipment to help us look for amphibians, insects and mammals like bats and hedgehogs! Meet at Cliff Lane entrance, Parking not available in the park. Limited spaces and weather dependant. Book online suffolkwildlifetrust.org. For details contact [email protected]
Saturday 13th May 2pm - 4pm Friends of Holywells Park BLOSSOM IN THE ORCHARD For more information contact [email protected]
Tuesday 16th May 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Pipers Vale. Meet at car park at Vale entrance TM178419. Leader Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839
Wednesday 17th May 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING Rushmere Common for summer birds. Meet at Heath Road entrance TM197445. 2 hours, 2 - 3 miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791
Wednesday 24th May 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING SWT Newbourne Springs Reserve. Meet at Reserve car park TM275433. 2 hours, 2 - 3 miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791
Saturday 27th May 8.30 am - 6.30 pm SWT Ipswich Group COACH OUTING Coach Outing to How Hill and Norfolk Broads. ThisMay trip is now fully booked. Email [email protected] Sunday 28th May 10am Friends of Holywells Park SKETCHBOOK STROLL Details at www.holywells-creatives.com
Tuesday 30th May 10.30am - 12.30pm SWT Education Ranger WILD PARKS: PONDEMONIUM! Go pond dipping and find out about the amazing creatures that live in and around the pond. Holywells Park, Ipswich. Free event for 8 to 14 year olds, please book. Contact Susannah O’Riordan 01473 890089
Wednesday 31st May 11am - 3pm Greenways ‘WILD IPSWICH’ Chantry Park. Joint event with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Ipswich Borough Council and Ipswich Wildlife Group. Come and see how you can help make Ipswich even better for wildlife! Make wildlife homes to take back to your garden, sow wildflower seed or make a log pile and explore the wide range of wildlife living in the town’s largest park. Free event. More information from the Greenways Project [email protected]
Wednesday 31st May/Thursday 1st June SUFFOLK SHOW Come and see Greenways and Ipswich Wildlife Group in the Suffolk Wildlife Trust wildlife area where we will be building bug boxes to take home. More information from the Greenways Project [email protected] 01473 433995.
Friday 2nd June 10.30am - 12.30pm SWT Education Ranger YOUNG WARDENS Practical conservation activities, Holywells Park, Ipswich. Free event for 10 to 16 year olds, please book. Contact Susannah O’Riordan 01473 890089
Friday 9th June 9pm – 11pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR EVENT Blaxhall Heath for Nightjars. Meet at Blaxhall Heath Map Ref: TM383565. Leader Ashley Gooding 07808 044611.
Saturday 10th June 9.30am RSPB FIELD MEETING Bourne Park, Kiln Meadow and Spring Wood for summer birds. Meet at Bourne Park car park, Stoke Park Drive TM152419. 3hours, 5 miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791
Saturday 10th June Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR EVENT Stanford Training Area near Thetford. Permits have been reserved for 15 members to visit this unique unspoilt area. For details, cost and to reserve your place, contact Jonathan Lawley 01449 711331. Leader Paul Holness.
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th June BIG WILDLIFE CHALLENGE Kiln Meadow/ Belstead Brook Park. Help us record all the wildlife at this fantastic site. Lots of activities over 24 hours including expert wildlife surveys and walks for all the family. See ad on page 2. See Suffolk WildlifeJun Trust website for more details: wwwsuffolkwildlifetrust.org More information from: 01473 890089 (SWT) or 01473 433995 (Greenways).
Tuesday 13th June 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Christchurch Park. Meet at Soane Street entrance TM165448. Leader Kathy Reynolds 01473 714839
Mid June RSPB FIELD MEETING Date to be confirmed. Nightjar evening at Hollesley Heath. Meet at 8pm at car park TM335471.Details from website or [email protected]
Friday 16th June 7pm – 10pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR EVENT Minsmere RSPB . Meet at the Reserve car park for evening walk ending with Nightjars on the heath. Leader Paul Gowen 01473 311263.
22 DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE REGULAR EVENTS ON PAGE 24
Saturday 17th June 10.30am – 12.30pm SWT Ipswich Group GUIDED WALK Wildlife of Needham Lake. Join a walk with one of the rangers, discover the wildlife and hear how the site is managed for both wildlife and people. Refreshments afterwards at “The Lion” (IP6 8EH) for anyone interested. £3 donation to SWT. For more information and booking contact Leigh Williamson . Email [email protected] 01473 785600.
Sunday 25th June 7am – 6pm Suffolk Wildlife Trust Hedgehogs SPONSORED WALK: ORWELL 25 Join Team Hedgehog for all or some of the Orwell 25 mile walk to raise funds for Ipswich hedgehog action. Help Suffolk Wildlife Trust raise funds by heading to our Just Giving page for ‘Making Ipswich the most hedgehog friendly town in the UK’, or donate to Humphrey the Hedgehog – our mascot that will be walking the whole route! Head to http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/news/2016/12/01/walking-hedgehogs to find out how to join us.
Sunday 25th June 10am Friends of Holywells Park SKETCHBOOK STROLL Details from www.holywells-creatives.com
Sunday 25th 10.30am - 12.30pm. SWT Education Ranger WILDJun SKILLS: BIO CHALLENGE Christchurch Park, Ipswich. £2.50, please book, 10-16 year olds. For more information contact Susannah O’Riordan 01473 890089 www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Wednesday 28th June 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING Landguard Reserve for summer flowers and birds. Meet at Manor Terrace car park TM290325. 2 hours, 2 - 3 miles.Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791
Tuesday 4th July 7pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group SAVE OUR SUFFOLK SWIFTS Lavenham Village Hall. Join experienced ornithologist Edward Jackson to hear all about swifts and the Save our Suffolk Swifts project.
Wednesday 12th July 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING Levington Creek for migrant waders and summer birds. Meet at Stratton Hall Lane near Levington Marina TM245384. 2 hours, 2 - 3 miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791
Thursday 13th July 7pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group SAVE OUR SUFFOLK SWIFTS Framlingham United Free Church. Join experienced ornithologist Edward Jackson to hear all about swifts and the Save our Suffolk Swifts project.
Saturday 15th July 10.30am - 12.30pm SWT Ipswich Group SOCIAL WALK Dunwich Heath Nature Trail. A 2.4.mile circular social walk from Coast Guard Cottages, Dunwich. A fun morning for the whole family. Why not bring a picnic to eat on the beach afterwards. £4.80 for non NT members. £3 donation to the SWT. For more information and booking contact Leigh Williamson. Email: [email protected] 01473 785600
Thursday 20th July 7pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group SAVE OUR SUFFOLK SWIFTS Haverhill Old Independent Church Hall. Join experienced ornithologist Edward Jackson to hear all about swifts and the Save our Suffolk Swifts project.
Saturday 22nd July 11am - 3pm Ipswich Wildlife Group/Suffolk Wildlife Trust Hedgehogs BIG GARDEN PARTY Lots of family activities, wildlife walks and stalls at the People’s Community Garden, Halifax Road, Maidenhall, Ipswich.
Wednesday 26th July 12noon – 4pm WILDLIFE FUN DAY A family fun day in Holywells Park focussing on the rich diversity of wildlife there. Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Ipswich Wildlife Group, the Greenways Project and Ipswich Borough Council’s Wildlife Rangers will be thereJul with many other organisations and attractions. Thursday 27th July 7pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group SAVE OUR SUFFOLK SWIFTS SWT Carlton Marshes Centre. Join experienced ornithologist Edward Jackson to hear all about swifts and the Save our Suffolk Swifts project.
Saturday 29th July 7am - 9am Suffolk Wildlife Trust Hedgehogs SURVEY: MAMMAL MORNING Learn how to monitor mammals, including hedgehogs! Close encounters of mice and voles possible. You will also have the opportunity to find out more about our Ipswich hedgehog project and how you can monitor hedgehogs in your own gardens using our footprint tunnels and trail cameras. Christchurch Park, outside the Reg Driver Centre. Parking not available in the park. Free event but limited spaces. Book online suffolkwildlifetrust.org. For details contact [email protected]
Sunday 30th July 10am Friends of Holywells Park SKETCHBOOK STROLL Details from www.holywells-creatives.com
July activities with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Ipswich Education Ranger Sunday 16th 10.30am - 2.30pm WILD SKILLS: WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY Christchurch Park, Ipswich. £2.50, please book, 11-16 year olds. Wednesday 26th 12 - 4pm WILDLIFE DAY at Holywells Park. Free, just drop in. Friday 28th 10.30am - 12.30pm YOUNG WARDENS at Holywells Park. Free, please book 10-16 year olds. For more information contact Susannah O’Riordan 01473 890089 www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Wednesday 2nd August 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING River Deben, Melton for migrant waders. Meet at Melton Riverside car park TM288503. 2 hours, 2 - 3 miles. Leader Stephen Marginson 01473 258791.
Saturday 5th August 10.30am - 12.30pm SWT Ipswich Group GUIDED WALK Guided Walk at Captain’s Wood. A walk through this peaceful woodland with its ancient trees, wild flowers, deer and more. £3 donation to SWT. For more information and booking contact Leigh Williamson . Email: leighwilliamson@btinternet,com Phone 01473 785600
Sunday 6th August Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR EVENT Havergate Island (RSPB) Reserve . A joint SOG/Ipswich RSPB meeting. Permits have been reserved for 12 members only and the current charge for the boat trip will apply. For further details and to reserve your place contact, Gi Grieco 07951 482547. Leader David Walsh. Thurs 17th August 11am – 3pm WILDLIFE CHALLENGE Aug Ipswich Wildlife Group and Greenways are joining Suffolk Wildlife Trust for a day of wildlife discovery on Bourne Park, help identify and record the park’s wildlife and meet the SWT Ipswich Hedgehog Officer.For more details: wwwsuffolkwildlifetrust.org
Friday 18th August 8pm - 9:30pm Suffolk Wildlife Trust Hedgehogs WILDLIFE WALK: NIGHT SAFARI Help our Ipswich Hedgehog Officer discover the elusive nocturnal wildlife of Christchurch Park. We’ll use a range of survey equipment to help us look for amphibians, insects and mammals like bats and hedgehogs! Parking not available in the park. Free event but limited spaces and weather dependant. Book online suffolkwildlifetrust.org. For details contact [email protected]
2323 Saturday 19th August 8pm - 9.45pm Friends of Holywells Park BAT WALK For details contact Robin Gape 07711 793804 [email protected] Website: www.holywellspark.org.uk
Sunday 27th August 7am – 1pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group OUTDOOR EVENT East Lane, Bawdsey. Meet at East Lane car park (at the far end of East Lane by the sea), Map Ref: TM357400. Leader Gi Grieco 07951 482547.
Sunday 27th August 10am Friends of Holywells Park SKETCHBOOK STROLL Details from www.holywells-creatives.com
August activities with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Ipswich Education Ranger Thursday 3rd 1 - 3pm FAMILY ACTIVITY: BUG BONANZA Rushmere Heath, Ipswich. Free, just drop in. Friday 4th 10.30am - 12.30pm WILD PARKS: WEIRD AND WONDERFUL WILDLIFE Chantry Park. Free, please book, 8-14 year olds. Tuesday 8th 1.30pm - 3.30pm Wild skills: TREES & WHITTLING Bridge Wood, Ipswich. £2.50, please book, 10-16 year olds. Wednesday 9th 12 - 4pm FAMILY DAY at Holywells Park. Free, just drop in. Thursday 10th 10.30am - 12.30pm WILD PARKS: BRILLIANT BUGSAug & FABULOUS FLOWERS Rushmere Heath, Ipswich. Free, please book, 8-14 year olds. Tuesday 15th 10.30am - 12.30pm WILD PARKS: AWESOME AMPHIBIANS & REMARKABLE REPTILES Holywells Park, Ipswich. Free, please book, 8-14 year olds. Thursday 17th 11am - 3pm FAMILY ACTIVITY: WILDLIFE CHALLENGE Bourne Park, Ipswich. Free, just drop in. Friday 18th 10.30am - 12.30pm WILD PARKS: WATER BUGS AND BEASTIES Chantry Park, Ipswich. Free, please book, 8-14 year olds. Wednesday 23rd 10.30am - 12.30pm WILD PARKS: MAD ABOUT MAMMALS Bridge Wood, Ipswich. Free, please book, 8-14 year olds. Thursday 24th 10.30am - 12.30pm WILD SKILLS: INCREDIBLE INVERTEBRATES Holywells Park £2.50 please book, 10-16 year olds. Wednesday 30th 10.30am - 12.30pm WILD PARKS: GOING UNDERGROUND Christchurch Park, Ipswich. Free, please book, 8-14 year olds. For more information contact Susannah O’Riordan 01473 890089 www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Saturday 2nd Sept 11am - 3.30pm Greenways MARTLESHAM COMMON OPEN DAY Guided walks on wildlife and history, ‘wildlife homes’ and other children’s activities, and the chance to see heathland species up close – especially butterflies, moths and reptiles.More information from the GreenwaysSep Project [email protected] 01473 433995 Regular Events
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 field gate at top of bridleway in Kiln Meadow. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082
TUESDAYS 10am 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 10am to about 4pm. Contact [email protected] or call 01473 433995.
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
SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH Friends of The Dales WORK PARTY Contact Jessica Allen for the details [email protected].
THURSDAYS 10am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY A smaller group than on Tuesday, but operates in the same way – please see details above for Tuesdays Work Party.
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 Gerry Donlon on 01473 726082.
FRIDAYS 10am 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 Work Party.
THIRD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 10am Ipswich Wildlife Group/Greenways BOX KIT MAKING Come and join in making the kits for bird, hedgehog and insect habitat boxes for our Wildlife Homes project. Only the most rudimentary of woodworking skills needed. Thorington Hall Barn, Bobbits Lane, Ipswich. More information from Martin Cant 01473 413627 [email protected]
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.
FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH 10am Butterfly Conservation WORK PARTY (October to March) Meet at Purdis Heath to help restore the heath for the benefit of butterflies. Use the lay-by in Bucklesham Road. More information from Helen Saunders [email protected]
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/fobbp or email [email protected]
MOST SATURDAYS 10.30am - 1pm Ipswich Wildlife Group Northgate Allotments WOODCRAFT & WILDLIFE Get involved in coppicing and woodland skills at the Wildlife area. Call Geoff Sinclair to confirm dates 07860 595376
FOURTH SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH 10am - 1pm Ipswich Wildlife Group WILDLIFE ALLOTMENT Come and lend a hand to help create our wildlife friendly plot. More information from Ray Sidaway 01473 259104. 24