Group January 2020 Your local wildlife news The seasons have brought unparalleled richness to Arger Fen. Will Cranstoun says now is the time to look out for snipe, barn owl and the first signs of spring. Arger Fen continues to surprise and delight scrub that will be valuable habitat for Will Cranstoun West Sites Manager visitors through the seasons. Whilst the breeding migrant birds, cover for reptiles and 01284 728541 spring boasts carpets of bluebells, the a source of nectar and fruit for whole host of summer has seen fantastic swathes of wildlife. woodland flora burst into bloom; ranging With welcome rains through autumn from pink campion, greater stitchwort, filling up many of the ponds and replenishing 01449 737996 foxgloves, vetches and orchids. As result cracked soils, we have witnessed one of the there have been good numbers of pollinators best seasons for fungi across the entire buzzing about the rides and wider open reserve. Arguably the most numerous and Giles areas of the reserve. The eastern ex-arable easily recognisable being parasol, sulphur Cawston land in various stages of early succession tuft and fly agaric. As the seasons progress Woodlands are indicative of the varying soil types and into winter look out for snipe and barn owl Warden conditions. The area known as Kingsland is flying over the Pecks Piece with roe deer now showcase to a great deal of emerging hiding along hedgerows. Joanne Atkins Wild Learning Bradfield Woods Officer Whether the sun is shining, or the rain pouring, Jo Atkins explains why there is never a better time to go into the woods. We had a few schools visit us last autumn. grandparents bringing their grandchildren to It’s a shame that we don’t get more, as it’s a play. The little ones love being out in the lovely time of year to be outside and what an woods, even on very wet days and we can amazing autumn it was for fungi and spindle warm up in the centre, drink hot chocolate or For more wildlife news, berries! Autumn and winter seems to be the have a fire, if it’s particularly cold. In 2020 we follow the team on time to study the Stone Age in schools and are also running Wild Tots sessions, and facebook: fortunately we offer a Stone Age day in the family activities on Pikes Meadow. Bradfield Woods– woods where children can experience a Over the last few years we have also taster of what life was like millennia ago. We grown our woodland craft courses. We make a camp in which to live for the day, added shrink pots and blacksmithing to the make paints with natural pigments to do list last year. In 2020 we have 25 courses some ‘cave’ painting, find out what we can including spoon carving, herbal medicine, eat in the wood and what we can use as rake making (Bradfield Woods used to medicine, and we scrape deer skin (to make provide wood for the nearby rake factory so clothing) and we make useful cordage from it’s great to be able to keep the tradition of lime bark. I have such fun on these days, so rake making alive), pole lathe turning and if you know any schools that might be bowl carving. New for this year is our interested, please send them over to evening class in green woodworking, six Bradfield Woods. evenings learning different techniques Our Wild Tots group is going from essential for green woodworking, and we’re strength to strength, we even have a few also hoping to have an axe forging course!

Your most local reserves l l Bradfield Woods Directions & maps Bulls Wood l l Mickfield Meadow suffolkwildlifetrust.org STOWMARKET WILDLIFE GROUP YOUR LOCAL NEWS WILDLIFE GROUP Stowmarket Wildlife Group is part of Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s county CONTACTS volunteer network. Led by local Trust members, the group organises NEWS & EVENTS events, talks and wildlife activities and raises money for the Trust, to John Thompson help safeguard our wild and beautiful county. 01449 676471 [email protected]

VOLUNTEER WORK PARTIES Combs Wood Keven Boyce 01449 676610 WHAT’S ON CELEBRATION Bonny Wood Wednesday 26 February 7.30pm During 2020 our group is celebrating its 15th Peter Holborn Talk: BROCKS AND FOULMARTS anniversary. Over those years, our core team 01449 736683 The Essex Weasel Family. has changed and developed, but always reflects how deeply we all care about wildlife Wednesday 29 April 7.30pm MAGAZINES and the environment and of Suffolk in Talk: HEDGEROWS, HERBS AND MEDICINES Delivering your Suffolk particular. This has also been mirrored in our Wildlife magazine by hand Suffolk plants used for food and medicine. choice of subject and speaker for our saves the Trust thousands of Saturday 16 May 10am evening meetings. pounds each year. We always Talk: TALES OF THE RIVER BANK welcome extra volunteer Our 15th year will be no less busy and deliverers. If you would like to A riverside walk in Stowmarket. interesting, culminating in an evening of help, please contact: Wednesday 24 June 7.30pm celebration in November. We would like to Hella Crosby Talk: WASPS invite you to share your wildlife experiences 01449 721226 There’s more to wasps than just being picnic through whatever medium you prefer. There or spoilers. will be our eagerly anticipated, fun wildlife Nic Martin quiz, cake, and even the Mayor has been Membership Manager Wednesday 30 September 7.30pm 01473 890089 invited! A celebration of Suffolk wildlife that Talk: BUGS ON THE MOVE membership@ we can all celebrate. How insects and other invertebrates use suffolkwildlifetrust.org signals to find food and mates. Wednesday 28 October 7.30pm A HAPPY ENDING If you would like to Talk: BRITISH OWLS In our last newsletter we featured a story of have a copy of the An overview on the five species of owl in a special encounter when Judith and Steve current newsletter or Britain plus urban owls. programme, these can Thompson discovered an injured otter cub be downloaded from: Wednesday 25 November 7.30pm near the River Rattlesden in Stowmarket. suffolkwildlifetrust. CELEBRATION 15 The cub was rescued by the RSPCA and org/wildlifegroups A special evening to celebrate our 15th taken to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife or by emailing us on anniversary. Centre on the night. This was then cared for swtstowmarket@ by Dave Webb, UK Wild Otter Trust in North gmail.com Devon, until it was old enough and healthy enough to be released back into the wild. Talks are held at the Village Hall, Church Road, While in rehab this otter cub bonded so well Stowupland IP14 4BQ. Entry £2.50. with another otter of a similar age that the Walks Ð booking is essential two were released together into the River For full description of events, visit Rattlesden where the first cub was found suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events abandoned.

Volunteer locally Reserve work parties are a great way to enjoy your local reserves. Call Will or Giles for details. How about helping with events or exploring nature with children? Chat to Jo Atkins. Or join the Stowmarket Group team. Go along to any of the group events or give them a call.

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