Local Wildlife News

Local September - December 2012 A news and events diary from wildlife and conservation groups in Wildlife the Ipswich area News © Colin Hullis

‘New meadows for Ipswich’- page 8 ‘Glorious grasslands’ - page 14

Produced by the BELSTEAD BROOK PARK

MEGABASH Sunday 18th November 10am - 3.30pm

Come and help with woodland management in Spring Wood, Millennium Wood and scrub control in Kiln Meadow. A joint event with Greenways, Ipswich Wildlife Group, the Friends of Belstead Brook Park and Access To Nature. Coppicing, dead hedging, scrub removal, bonfire etc. Refreshments including tea, coffee, biscuits and baked potatoes. Meet near Bobbits Lane car park.

More details from Greenways 01473 433995 (up to 4pm Friday 16th) or 07736 826076 on the day.

Fungal Foray

A Beginners Guide to Mushrooms and Other Fungi

Fungal Foray A Beginners Guide to Mushrooms and other Fungi

Sunday 7th October 10:00am – 12:30pm Sutton Heath car park (SouthSunday) off the B10837th October 10:00am – 12:30pm

Sutton Heath car park (South) off the B1083 Do you know your Stink Horns from your Sulphur Tufts? If not, why don’t you join this Ranger led Fungal Foray. Find out much more about the weird and wonderful world of fungi.

Do you know your Stink Horns from your Sulphur Tufts? Wear stout shoes and bring waterproof clothing.

If not, why don’t you join this Ranger-led Fungal Foray. To book a free place on this event please contact us on: 01394 444619 or e-mail [email protected] out much more about the weird and wonderful world of fungi.

Wear stout shoes and bring waterproof clothing.

To book a free place on this event please contact us on: 01394 444619 or e-mail [email protected] Welcome Local Wildlife News Welcome to the Autumn issue of LWN, produced mainly by the Greenways Project providing a voice for local wildlife, conservation and other ‘green’ groups. In this issue plaudits are given by various organisations to the Parks Department of Ipswich Borough Council for their initiative in leaving areas of long grass throughout local parks and other open spaces. The IBC Wildlife Rangers explain the policy on page 14. Meanwhile, our cover photograph shows young Charlie enjoying an adventure in one of the long grass areas of Holywells Park. We are always keen to receive feedback about the publication and look forward to receiving any suggestions for improvement. Contributions We are always happy to receive articles of anything up to 650 words, photographs of local wildlife or conservation work and local sightings or wildlife ‘snippets’ – so please do send in anything which may be of interest to: Greenways Project, Stable Block, Holywells

© Matt Berry Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich, IP3 0PG 01473 433995 [email protected] Mailing lists – Please note We are aware that some who are members of several conservation organisations may well receive more than one copy of the newsletter. If this is the case we would be very

© Paul Sherman grateful if you could pass on the spare copy to someone who will appreciate it. If you don’t receive LWN regularly, how about joining one of the groups who distribute it to their members, i.e. Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Ipswich Wildlife Group, or RSPB local group. We have quantities of back issues of LWN that could be used for children’s craft activities or similar. Call the Greenways Project if you could make use of these.

Contents Page Suffolk Wildlife Trust 4

Friends of Belstead Brook Park 9

Greenways Countryside Project 10

Access to Nature 13 © Robert Garrod IBC Wildlife Rangers 14 Local Wildlife News is published by Greenways Countryside Project. Landguard Partnership 15 Editor: James Baker [email protected] Tel 01473 433995 Butterfly Conservation 16 Production Editor: Colin Hullis Friends of Christchurch Park 17 [email protected] Tel 01473 728674 RSPB Ipswich Local Group 18 Artwork production: Chris Saunders [email protected] Tel 01473 721550 Friends of Holywells Park 20 Printed by PJ Print [email protected] Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group 20 Tel 01473 276010 Portal Woodlands Conservation Group 21 Printed on recycled paper

The opinions expressed in Local Local Wildlife News Snippets 21 Wildlife News are not necessarily those of the Greenways project. Events Diary 22

3 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Chairman: David Munday 01473 217310 [email protected] Secretary: Wendy Brown 01473 259674 [email protected] Treasurer: Tony Clarke 01473 741083 [email protected] Newsletter Editor: John Ireland 01473 723179 [email protected]

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

Barn Owl Family 6th Scent?

Have you been watching the SWT Barn Owl family on Unfortunately I have lost a lot of my sense of smell so the live camera from the Barn Owl box at Redgrave and the perfume from my roses, carnations, honeysuckle is Lopham Fen? It’s fascinating! At the time of writing it now sadly lost on me. However the brain is an amazing was still up and running, but by the time in September thing and if I sit and imagine sniffing, for instance, a when you read this it may well be all done and dusted. punnet of strawberries the brain seems to be able Nevertheless it’s always worth having a look at the SWT to generate the smell for me – it doesn’t work for web site for the latest news and details of “What’s On” everything though! etc. Try www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org New Season Grassland Strategy I look forward to seeing you for our new programme Many of you were involved in supporting Ipswich of evening meetings which start on Wednesday 19th Borough Council in their proposal to do less grass September when Carl Powell will be telling us all about cutting and leave more areas for wildlife and your votes the SWT Sizewell Belts reserve. Full details of all our for certainly carried the day. But believe it or not some meetings are in the Diary section. people are moaning that the lovely wildflower areas look untidy! So please email your continued support and encouragement to the Parks Manager, Eddie Dave Munday Peters, at [email protected] and copy your (Chairman) email to Councillor Rudkin (portfolio holder for parks) at [email protected].

Sluggish Summer

Have you got an allotment and nice garden and have © Dave Fincham you been plagued with slugs and snails this year? And are you tormented by the choice of slug bait or no slug bait? I put a lot of time and money into my allotment but don’t want to potentially poison the birds and hedgehogs with slug bait, and beer traps are a lot of bother and I’d rather drink the beer! I was therefore interested in a suggestion heard on the radio to sprinkle Dave Munday raw oats (must be raw) which is apparently poisonous to slugs, and any leftovers the birds can have. So now I’m looking for a row of brassicas that haven’t been marmalised already to use as a test bed. If it works it will make me oats so happy!

4 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Walberswick Walk 9th June by HP

On Friday 8th June, for the first time in its 180-year history, the Suffolk Show had to be cancelled because of extraordinarily strong wind and rain. On Sunday 10th June the rain and wind returned, although with © Colin Hullis not such great force. But Saturday 9th June dawned bright and sunny, and although it was still windy a few Suffolk Wildlifers seized the opportunity for what turned out to be a delightful ramble around Walberswick. They say this village was once the home of the Walberswick Whisperers, men noted for their loud voices, which could be heard across the river and the marshes in Southwold.

Not any more, though. Walberswick is no longer the busy port it once was before C14th storms dumped sand and shingle on its shore, creating the sand bar which strangled it and Dunwich. Now dunes fringe the sea, providing ideal habitat for maritime plants such as the yellow wild lupin and round clumps of birds-foot trefoil Muntjac Deer - bitter complaints or ‘eggs and bacon’. The dunes offer some shelter for the Dunwich River, which flows under the bridges where although the lofty tower was kept as a seamark. We children go crabbing as mute swans float by, these ones passed the time of day with a gardener, who complained looking unusually scruffy. Hunkered down against the bitterly of the muntjac deer, whose barking kept him stiff breeze a pair of avocets were feeding on its shallow awake at night and who then ate his vegetables. From margins. On the boardwalk across the marsh a male here our way led through heathland, with spectacular common lizard sunned itself until our footfall made it drifts of purple and white foxgloves. An enormous scuttle off into a crack. As we turned inland through bracket fungus clung to a gorse bush and the delicate meadowland and scrub, graceful alexander and lofty white flowers of bedstraw blanketed the open areas. spear thistle lined our path. A blackcap sang heartily Soon we were eating our picnic lunch on the green, from a bush and a skylark rose from the field nearby. We taking in the atmosphere of this lovely place. re-entered the village and passed the church, a small C17th building surrounded by the ruined walls that are Our thanks go to Leigh Williamson, who did a great job all that Cromwell and Dowsing left of the gothic original, researching and ‘pre-walking’ this outing. Kew Gardens 14th July by David Prynn

8.30am Saturday 14 July 2012: 35 damp SWT-ers left an ambitious nine acre garden around Kew Palace. rain-sodden Ipswich, bound for Kew Gardens. The Following the work of Directors William Chambers, weather, and visibility, deteriorated during the journey Joseph Banks and William and Joseph Hooker in the but Dave, our driver, safely steered us to Kew’s Victoria 19th century Kew developed as a centre of botanical Gate at around 11 o’clock, where thankfully the sky excellence sending plant collectors all over the world. was brighter and the rain lighter. Pam ably organised Today, as well as a major international visitor attraction our tickets and we all went off to explore the splendid comprising 132 hectares of landscaped gardens Gardens and Kew Palace in our own separate ways: so including some 14,000 trees, Kew is a world leader much to see and do! For the next six hours we enjoyed in plant science, research and conservation with the a cloudy sunshine and showers day – at times it was Earth’s largest and most diverse botanical collection wetter inside the glasshouses than it was outside! and has always seen itself as primarily a scientific In 1759 Princess Augusta, mother of George III, started institution. continued on next page 5 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Close to the Victoria Gate and the Campanile (chimney) tower, stands the icon of Kew, perhaps the world’s most notable surviving glass and iron structure based on ship design: the magnificent Palm House, built in 1844-48 © John Ireland by Richard Turner (and an army of Irish navvies) to Decimus Burton’s design. Beautifully reflected in the pond with its surrounding sculptured Portland stone Queen’s Beasts, the Palm House creates conditions similar to tropical rainforest, with many threatened palm species and cycads, living fossils, including the oldest pot plant in Britain, brought to Kew in 1775. The enormous palms are best viewed from the upper wrought iron walkway. In the basement is an impressive Marine Display emphasising the importance of protecting marine environments such as coral reefs and estuaries. Huge Amazonian water lillies

The Palm House contains a great variety of plants of twice as extensive as the Palm House. In the recent economic significance. Kew was instrumental in the Davies Alpine House (2006) the most up-to-date shading distribution of major crops all over the colonies, notably and temperature techniques are employed. rubber from South America to Malaya, cocoa, tea, coffee and sugar-cane. Giant bamboos, coconuts, bananas, Outside these great glass houses, the rain held off to peppers and mango trees are all represented, though permit an appreciation of some of the beautiful gardens ironically the extensive cultivation of such rich oil- of Kew; particularly notable were the Secluded Garden, producing plants as the African palm has resulted in the whose scents and sounds appeal to all the senses, widespread destruction of rainforests, notably in Borneo. the Rose Pergola, the Lilac Garden, Bamboo Grove, Kew is, however, involved in conservation projects all the Grass Garden and the Japanese Gate, close to over the world and holds the world’s largest seed bank. the beautiful lily-covered lake. One could spend many hours just wandering along the walks, enjoying the Near the Palm House is a dramatic display of the huge fabulous tree collection especially the “old lions” such two metre Amazonian water lilies buoyant enough as the enormous gingko, Oriental plane and false acacia to take weight of a small child: a major attraction in planted at the time of Princess Augusta. Victorian times. Rice, lemon grass and papyrus also grow in this classic 1853 Kew building, also built by A major London landmark is the Pagoda, the most Turner. authentic Chinese replica structure of its time, built in 1762, designed by William Chambers, who had lived in Kew’s magnificent plant collection is impressively China. Ten stories high, it was doubted whether it would represented in a sequence of ecosystems and stand up, though it survived a near miss from bombing geographical regions in the 1987 Princess of Wales in the Second World War and was used by British Conservatory and in the massive Temperate House, designers to test the dropping of models of bombs.

Many of our group visited Kew Palace, the Dutch House which predates the Gardens. George III, an enthusiastic supporter of Kew, lived there for many years during his © John Ireland illness. There are interesting memorabilia of his stay including a shirt and stockings, political cartoons and details of dining etiquette. The adjoining Kitchens with their vegetable gardens, storerooms and spit-roast mechanism were very evocative of the 18th century, especially the staff in period costumes.

I understand that our group had a most interesting and fruitful day, but one really needed a week to do it justice. I’m afraid for our part the several museums, art galleries, herbarium, tree-top walk and tree roots exhibit (and the compost heap) which all look fascinating, will have to await another visit, which we can’t wait to enjoy. Cycad from Palm House

6 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Dates for your Diary - September 2012 to January 2013

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

Wed 19th September at 7.30pm Sizewell Belts by Carl Powell When Sizewell A was built in the 1970’s a large area of land was bought by the nuclear authorities and this has been managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve - Sizewell Belts. It is a beautiful area of grazing marshes, woods and heath. It has an abundance of wild flowers, and is home to the otter, water vole and a large number of birds, and 17 species of dragon fly. Carl was warden there for many years and can give a good insight into its flora and fauna.

Wed 17th October at 7.30pm The Voyages of Charles Darwin by Dr Geoff Hales It is the year 1858 and it is more than 20 years since Darwin returned from his trip to the Galapagos. During this time he has been gradually formulating and writing his ideas on evolution. Suddenly he hears that Arthur Wallace, a biologist working in Indonesia, has reached the same conclusions. Darwin thinks back to his voyages on the Beagle, realising that now he must publish his ideas. Dr Hales, an actor, will relive these momentous times.

Wed 21st November at 7.30pm Mystery of DNA by Gerald Jenkins Gerald will give a wide-ranging illustrated talk about DNA, the amazing double helix which determines all the characteristics of life. He includes the work of the Human Genome Project completed in 2003. This complete coding of human DNA will have enormous implications for health, enabling new treatments for cancer and other diseases and possible miracle cures. DNA fingerprinting has enabled many past and present crimes to be solved. Genetic engineering enables many new crops to be grown. Are GM crops dangerous or can they solve the world’s hunger problems?

Wed 12th December at 7.30pm Wildlife of the Cevennes by Arthur Rivett The Cevennes is a range of mountains in Southern France, part of the Massif Central. The area is a National Park and is a maze of deep valleys and winding rivers, with a few high mountain peaks (Mont Lazère 1699m and Mont Aigoual 1565m). The hilly slopes are covered in sweet chestnut forest. With its dwindling human population it is a great place for wildlife, and has an abundance of wild flowers, including 48 endemic species and another 100 rare species.

Wed 16th January at 7.30pm Traditional Orchard Habitats in Suffolk by Paul Read Paul is the chairman of the Suffolk Traditional Orchard Group who are surveying orchards which remain from the early 1900’s. Many of these are small and fragmentary, no longer used, have not been sprayed and are a haven for wildlife. The project aims to capture both scientific and cultural knowledge, taking oral histories and inspiring us to find out more about our past and put this knowledge to good use today.

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 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. New Meadows for Ipswich

You may have noticed numerous areas of long grass and wildflowers in an open space or park near you. © Jen Jousiffe This is NOT because of cost-cutting by the Borough Council, but the result of a deliberate and informed strategy designed to significantly improve biodiversity in the town. This policy is supported by IWG and other local conservation groups.

Most of us think the new areas look great; there are far more wild flowers apparent, and of course this will encourage butterflies, bees and other insects. The biodiversity of these areas in Chantry Park were commented on admiringly by various experts during the Long grassland area on Valley Road, Ipswich recent Bioblitz event. So the council are now putting up signs to explain So this is a very positive action by the council, and adds the policy to the general public. We need to let the considerably to the town’s green credentials. council know that we appreciate their efforts, to ensure continuation of the policy, so please let your councillor or However, there have been some complaints from the parks department know that you approve of what is members of the public, for example: “I get my shoes being done. You can email [email protected] wet walking through the long grass” - Stick to the mown and [email protected] . paths or wear wellies I’d say. Ray Sidaway Successful events getting bigger

Spring Wood Day held on Spring Bank Holiday Monday 7 May continues to grow. This year’s event saw many

more crafts and demonstrations, children’s activities and © Colin Hullis the wonderful ‘Suzanne the Storyweaver’ along with the very popular Horse Logging with Jason and Mooney plus a variety of colourful stalls. We are grateful for the terrific public support and for all the volunteers and demonstrators who make the event such a success.

For the second year Ipswich Beanpole Day was held at Spring Wood and proved a huge success. Many thanks to our regular volunteers who venture out over the winter months, in all weathers, to ensure a supply of locally produced Beanpoles and Pea sticks for allotment holders and gardeners. Thanks also to the allotment holders for their support. Beanpole Day 2013 will again be on the last Sunday of April at the same venue. Gerry Donlon Willow weaving at Spring Wood Day

8 Friends of Belstead Brook Park

Temporary Contact: Greenways Project on 01473 433995 or [email protected] The 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.

Sale of part of Belstead Meadows

As you may be aware, Suffolk County Council (SCC) has any development on this part of the meadow, however put Belstead House on the market. This sale includes a purchaser could apply to Babergh District Council for three lots: permission to develop it (which would be subject to the Lot 1 - Belstead House itself standard planning process). Babergh has told the Parish Lot 2 - Cottages Council that it is not in favour of residential development Lot 3 - Part of Belstead Meadows (6.4 acres) on the meadows.

If this part of Belstead Meadows is sold, it is likely that The Friends of Belstead Brook Park greatly value the public will no longer have any access to the area the existing meadows with their wild flowers, birds, marked in green and that the existing path through it mammals and insects. In the summer months this lovely will be closed. It will still be possible to walk through green space is grazed by cattle and this adds to the to the ‘oak avenue’ using the path at the bottom of the attractiveness of the landscape. meadows, however a big part of the meadow that you currently see from the bottom of Cottingham Road will If you are concerned about the potential loss of this large be lost. part of Belstead Meadows, and its value to local people, please send your views by email to: david.busby@ At the present time, there is no planning permission for babergh.gov.uk.

9 Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich IP3 0PG Office: 01473 433995 [email protected] www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways The Greenways Countryside Project exists to protect and enhance the countryside, landscape and open space across an area of about 100 square kilometres in and around the town of Ipswich, and home to around one quarter of the population of Suffolk, for the benefit of wildlife and local people. The project relies on volunteers to complete much of its practical conservation work. The Greenways Project is a very successful and well-established partnership between Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Babergh District Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and the local community. Annual Report – April 2011 to March 2012

Greenways has worked on a large number of sites most sites includes path cutting, litter picking, repairing throughout the area in the twelve month period. The map fences, boardwalks, bridges etc, hedge trimming, below shows the sites where management work has coppicing, meadow management, cleaning information been carried out. boards and more.

Management work is to maintain and enhance the If you would like further information about any of the wildlife value of the sites as well as helping people to sites listed below, please contact the Greenways office - enjoy and understand them. Routine maintenance of details in panel above. Greenways Project Area Map

10 Key Achievements

Volunteers 1778 days of volunteer input from regular volunteers, local groups, staff team groups and others – worth at least £90,000!! This is a huge effort and represents eight full-time staff working for Greenways. We are, as ever, extremely grateful to all of those who give their time to help look after the sites.

Funding In addition to the ‘core’ funding from the Local Authority partners, Greenways also attracted £92,000 of external funds from a wide range of sources, but with the most significant part being from the Haven Gateway Partnership who funded substantial improvements to the River corridor through the town and to the Belstead Brook Park. Volunteers at work on the Bobbits Lane Bird Screen Access To Nature, Ipswich Greenways and CSV Media (Ipswich) were awarded Ecoroutes Lottery funding in 2010 to establish a partnership to seek Another partnership project with CSV and Family Action wider engagement in wildlife and countryside issues with that enabled people with mental health issues to be parts of the local community who have not traditionally actively involved in site management, was extremely been involved in our work. The Access to Nature project successful but sadly the funding (Lottery) ceased part has run dozens of events this year aimed at engaging way through the year. We have continued to involve different people in some of the town’s best wildlife areas, some of the previous participants but haven’t had the and connected with even more people through a radio staff resource to continue to promote new opportunities. show and other media. The project is currently funded until June 2013 but is seeking extension funding. New infrastructure Largely funded by the Haven Gateway partnership, List of sites Greenways has been able to install new directional signage along the river path and throughout Belstead Belstead Brook Park 32 Lyttleton’s Meadow, Grundisburgh Brook Park (see case study). 1 Spring Wood (LNR) 33 Kiln Farm Meadow (CWS), Gt 2 Kiln Meadow Bealings 3 Millennium Wood (LNR) 34 Former St Mary’s Convent site, 4 Bobbits Lane Meadows (LNR) Woodbridge Rd. 5 Ashground Plantation (LNR) 35 Fonnereau Way 6 Bobbits Lane – upper area 7 Butterfly Ride Western Fringe and the River 8 Stoke Park Wood (LNR) 36 Alderman Canal (LNR) 9 Ellenbrook open space and 37 River Path – Stoke Bridge Playing Field 38 River Path – Princes St to West 10 Burnet Meadow End Rd 11 Belstead Meadows 39 River Path – West End Road 12 Belstead Lower Meadows (CWS) 40 River Path – West End Rd to 13 Thorington Hall Farm area Handford Rd 14 Belstead Heath 41 River Path – Handford Rd- Yarmouth Rd Southern fringe 42 River Path – Yarmouth Rd to 15 Netley Close open space Riverside Road 16 Belmont Road Wood 43 River Path – Boss Hall 17 Braky Wood 44 River Path – ex-Sugar Factory 45 River Path – A14 to Sproughton Eastern Fringe 46 Churchman Way 18 Purdis Heath (SSSI), Purdis Farm 19 Pond Hall Carr Meadow, Orwell Wider Area Country Park 47 Priestley Wood (SSSI), Barking 20 Martlesham Heath (SSSI) 21 Martlesham Common (CWS) 22 Mill Stream (LNR), Rushmere St Andrew 23 Sandlings, (LNR), Rushmere St Andrew 24 Warren Heath (CWS) 25 Farthing Wood, Kesgrave New sign post for Bobbits Lane Meadow 26 Long Strops Pond, Kesgrave 27 Cedarwood Green, Kesgrave 28 Legion Green, Kesgrave How to get involved If you would like to be involved in any way with the work of the Northern Fringe 29 Chestnut Pond, Rushmere St Greenways Project, or would like any further information about the Andrew Project, its aims and its work, please contact the Project on 01473 30 Whitton Footpath Link 433995, or email [email protected] 31 Grundisburgh Millennium Meadow Some further information can be found on our web pages at: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways

11 2011/12 Annual Report continued Case Studies

Belstead Brook Park Signage Spring Wood Day event

Throughout Belstead Brook Park – from the Copdock Interchange to Bourne Park, we have installed around 80 new wooden finger post signs displaying destinations and distance information. The very attractive routed wooden signs have been well received and for the first time help to connect the different parts of the Park and encourage local people to explore more. The signs have been funded by the Haven Gateway Partnership and installed by the Friends of Belstead Brook Park and regular Greenways volunteers.

Over 600 people came along to the event this year and enjoyed guided walks on different subjects; horse logging demonstrations; children’s activities; storytelling; music; stalls; picnics; bonfire with baked potatoes and much more. The event was run in partnership with Access To Nature and Ipswich Wildlife Group, and the organisational help of volunteers was fantastic.

‘Megabash’ events

Bobbits Lane Meadows bird hide/screen Following extensive wetland habitat improvements and the installation of a metal wildlife viewing tower last year, we have completed the construction of a simple timber bird screen on an earth mound to allow another view of the open water areas. The wetland is the breeding site for one of the In the busier winter months, we run large volunteer country’s largest colonies of common toads. Each work parties known as ‘megabashes’. The events spring, the annual migration of toads to the breeding bring together up to 60 volunteers on one site to make pools takes the animals across Bobbits Lane, where a real difference. Individual volunteers and volunteers volunteers operate a ‘Toad Patrol’ to keep them safe from local conservation groups contribute to the from passing vehicles and count the numbers. The success of the events. Each year we have one event wetland is also valuable for a wide range of other in the Belstead Brook Park; one at Purdis Heath; and species from plants and insects to birds and mammals one at Martlesham Heath in addition to the River (including otters and water voles). Clean Up event.

12 Access to Nature

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

Great weather for our birthday party celebration

The a2nipswich project has had a busy spring and Kemsley, a project volunteer herself, became our new summer with regular conservation sessions and lots of part-time Volunteer Coordinator, getting on top of looking other activities from butterfly hunting to a dawn chorus after our large and diverse group of volunteers! Jon Tyler walk. Our stall was busy all day at Spring Wood Day, is already a familiar face to many of our participants, where people made all sorts of natural arts and crafts, having led activities such as night walks and bushcraft went off on I-sense walks and made nature postcards. days last year. We are very happy to now have him as an You can find out more about Spring Wood Day on the official part of the team, being our part-time Education Greenways pages. and Activities Officer! It’s great to have Flo and Jon on the team - a very warm welcome. Our big event of the season was our birthday party on 23rd June. We were very lucky with the weather and In the coming months, a2nipswich will be continuing over 100 people came along to celebrate with us. Lots the regular conservation sessions on Thursdays and of old friends that we’ve met over the project lifetime Saturdays – details can be seen on the events calendar came along and also lots of local residents for the first at the back, or you can check our website. time, which was brilliant. We had guided wildlife walks, photography workshops, mini-beast safaris, wild food We will also be launching a new competition for and cooking, conservation activities including building everyone to join in with. Many of you will be veterans stag beetle habitats, and arts and crafts for kids. We of the Ipswich Rivers Cleanup, which started with the finished off with a free barbecue lunch for everyone, and Big Cleanup Day in 2006 and have been going annually a great time was had by all! Thanks to everyone who ever since. This is now turning into an exciting new came along to celebrate with us, and a massive thank campaign, to get people involved in a more long-term you to all the volunteers who made it possible. and sustainable way. If the incentive of keeping your local environment clean and pleasant isn’t enough, we’ve In May we welcomed two new staff to the project. Flo added an element of competition. An awards ceremony in December will see prizes handed out for most hours spent litterpicking, most unusual item collected, and more. Taking part will be simple, just register with us and receive your pack, and get started straight away, then submit your results at the beginning of December. People can do it as individuals, families or as groups. Check our website, facebook page, or twitter feed for more information, to register, or for updates.

Also coming up between now and Christmas – our annual bonfire party, natural festive crafts, hedgerow food, night walks and much more – keep an eye on our Building a stag beetle habitat website, facebook and twitter for dates and locations.

13 Wildlife Rangers

Office : 01473 433993 [email protected] Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich IP3 0PG The Wildlife & Education Rangers are responsible for the management of wildlife areas within the town’s parks and other green spaces. As well as carrying out practical management, the team runs an events programme and works with many local schools to engage and inspire the public about the wildlife Ipswich has to offer. Glorious grasslands!

This year in Ipswich a lot of the Parks and open spaces insect populations will have been going wild! New areas of tall grass meadow build up, providing have been introduced as part of an Ipswich Borough food for reptiles such Council project to increase biodiversity and help reverse as Viviparous Lizard, the trend reflected in the tragic loss of 97% of meadows many bird species in England since the 1930’s. and bats. In fact a whole ecosystem will The management of cutting these areas has been be created, with the dramatically changed to allow the grasses and other habitat and the animals wildflowers to grow. As a result an area of 30 hectares, within it connected equivalent in size to Christchurch Park, has been to one another to transformed from a somewhat green desert of mown survive and thrive! grass into a mosaic of marvellous meadow, complete Nature works and it’s with mown paths for the public to be able to wander a beautiful thing to through them. watch and enjoy when you understand what’s In order to monitor the success of the project volunteers going on. Wasp spider have been assisting the IBC wildlife team to survey sites and the great news is that a number of wildflower So a brilliant biodiversity boost for wildlife, but what species are already appearing. These include Oxeye about people? Well the benefits are almost as diverse as Daisy, Common Knapweed, Selfheal, Clovers, Birds-foot the habitats themselves. We all know that to spend time Trefoil and even Bee Orchids! It is amazing how quickly outside in the countryside is relaxing. We can’t all access nature can express her beauty if given the chance, as the wider countryside but everyone can go to their local one Ipswich resident summed up in a recent letter to the park and enjoy these places for some fresh air, wildlife Council, “Every time we venture in these areas we are and a healthy walk. amazed, not only at the different species that are seen, but the areas seem to change constantly either by colour There is also a huge resource for education. There or growth which makes the area look different each time will soon be permanent signs installed in most of the it is visited.” meadows, with information about the wildlife that can be seen. Plus, the IBC wildlife team undertake The massive increase in environmental education in such areas, leading school nectar rich plants is providing groups to discover the wonders of wildlife and how a real boost to our suffering nature works. The new meadows provide schools with bee populations and a a resource that is likely to be nearer to them, as the whole host of other wildlife. meadows are spread across the whole town. The grasses themselves are equally important and In addition colleges and other education establishments they provide a lifeline to now have more opportunities to study nature in Ipswich wildlife. For example, some and this has already begun! Jonny Stone, senior ecologist butterflies, such as Meadow at OHES Environmental Consultancy and tutor for The Browns and Skippers Field Studies Council, has been bringing people to some depend on them for food of the new areas to study. A recent course, run by the for their caterpillars and for Flatford Mill Study Centre, provided training in identifying winter shelter – without the different kinds of grassland for nature conservation tall grass they simply can’t professionals in East Anglia. In his report after the course survive! An injection of such Mr Stone said, “The ‘long grass’ areas at Landseer Park a large area of wildlife habitat are particularly valuable for teaching grasses” and that will take time to mature to these areas “…provide a biodiversity resource that the Bee Orchid its full potential. In time the Borough Council has every right to be proud of!”

14 Landguard Partnership

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

Hello my name is Kate Osborne and I am the new ranger and get a hold. The installation of the boardwalk has at the Landguard Nature Reserve. You will be reading allowed some parts of the vegetated shingle to recover. this in the autumn but as I write this in mid-July the grassland is a carpet of yellow and pink. The yellow of the Two pairs of Ringed Birdsfoot Trefoil and St John’s Wort, and the pink of the Plovers have Restharrow. The Birdsfoot trefoil is reckoned to have the successfully nested in most common names of any British plant including ‘Eggs the shingle at Landguard and Bacon’ (as the flowers eventually turn red) and the this year. The first evocative ‘Granny’s toenails’ referring to the pointy seeds. hatched four chicks, one of whom became a mascot on temporary posters at Landguard asking people to take care on the shingle and keep their dogs on a short lead. This chick has managed to make it to adolescence and is now able to fly away when disturbed. The second pair hatched three or four chicks and one chick has survived and is still scurrying about on the beach so I hope by the time you read this the Ringed Plovers will have managed to rear two chicks.

Sadly I have learnt that Landguard used to have more ‘Eggs and Bacon’ or ‘Granny’s toenails’! than a dozen pairs of Ringed Plovers which would mean a lot more chicks surviving to adulthood and ensuring I have been told that this time last year the grassland the future of these birds. Oystercatchers and Little Terns was so dry it crunched and crisped under your feet. The also used to nest at Landguard but no longer do.All of wettest April and June on record have been poor for us these birds nest on the ground and ‘nest’ is an over- humans and absolutely shocking for butterflies but the statement considering the eggs are usually laid in bare grassland flowers have benefited tremendously. shingle. Ringed Plovers are very vulnerable to disturbance (by pretty much anything!) and if disturbed the adults The rare Stinking Goosefoot has also re-appeared in a will leave the nest or chicks leaving them vulnerable to number of places at Landguard. It has been recorded at snacking by passing gulls or crows. only eight other places in the UK. And I can confirm that it does indeed stink. The smell of rotting fish attracts flies We are trying hard at Landguard Nature Reserve to find which pollinate the plant (I don’t know what it has against the balance between protecting the wildlife that needs the perfume) but the job gets done and the flowers get rare vegetated shingle habitat and the people that come pollinated and that’s all that matters. and enjoy all the attractions it offers including walking, beachcombing, bird and ship-watching and (if it ever Landguard is designated as a SSSI (or Site of Special comes out!) sun-bathing. Scientific Interest) because of its rare vegetated shingle habitat. The plants found in the shingle are specially You can follow the Ranger on Twitter: @landguardranger adapted to an environment that is not only dry, salty and Ranger’s Blog: www.landguardpartnership.org.uk/nature_ windy but also has virtually no soil. Deep tap roots up to reserve/rangers_blog/ two metres long allow the Sea Kale to seek out freshwater Events: www.landguardpartnership.org.uk/what_s_on and the nationally scarce Sea Pea grows low and close to the ground. Shingle is so fragile that even walking on it is We are always keen to hear from people who would like a threat as it breaks up the very fine level of soil that exists to volunteer at the Nature Reserve. Please contact us by in the top layers, just enough to allow seeds to germinate telephone or e-mail (details in box above).

15 Butterfly Conservation Saving butterflies, moths and our environment

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

decline was insufficient management, leading to scrub succession and loss of optimum breeding habitat for the Silver-studded Blue and other heathland species of conservation concern. Volunteers have since stepped in to help manage the site and reverse the decline,

All photos © Matt Berry undertaking operations such as tree removal, creation of bare ground habitat and heather cutting. This year the count has risen, too early to declare the population as recovering, but an encouraging sign nonetheless.

The Ipswich Heaths Project, delivered by Sharon Hearle (Project Officer), will now enable the scale of restoration to be dramatically accelerated, extending the work to include all 14 sites. Funding will also pay for contractors to carry out some of the larger scale works needed. However, community groups and volunteers will continue to be integral in making the project a success, supporting the project officer with practical conservation work and site monitoring.

Male Silver-studded Blues in all their glory

We are delighted that a landscape-level project, aimed at restoring lowland heathland habitat of 300 hectares on 14 sites in Ipswich, has been awarded a Wren Biodiversity Action Fund grant of over £100,000.

The project was born from a desire to conserve and enhance the remaining patches of heathland in and around Ipswich, part of what was once a continuous band of mainly coastal lowland heathland called the Sandlings, which stretched between Felixstowe and Lowestoft.

In 2009 the Suffolk Branch commissioned a condition study of several significant county heathlands that held Silver-studded Blue colonies. From that, the Branch instigated a series of practical emergency measures to rescue an ailing colony from probable extinction at one of the sites, Purdis Heath, where in less than 20 years the count had dropped from 2,000 to less than 10. The biggest factor contributing to their

16 Friends of Christchurch Park

Secretary: Ann Snook 01473 251037 Membership Secretary: Robert Fairchild 01473 254255 Events/Meetings: David Routh 01473 255680 The sole purpose of the Friends Group is to help look after the Park for the public good, and to promote its welfare. Anyone who shares this aim is welcome to join. For a small annual fee of £5 you can join in Friends activities all year round, including Illustrated talks and discussions, Guided Park walks and Practical conservation work. You will also receive an informal seasonal newsletter. Serenading the Owls All photos © Paul Sherman The summer festivities in Christchurch Park began as early as the 17 May when a huge screen was positioned by large cranes near to the Westerfield Road entrance. This was the setting for BP’s Summer Big Screen showing of Puccini’s magnificent opera La Bohème live from the Royal Opera House London. It was an extremely cold evening and, as the night advanced, so the cold became more intense. At least it did not rain and, despite the cold, many opera lovers enjoyed a wonderful performance. There were, needless to say, far less of the usual relaxed picnics; it was far too cold for that.

I have said many times before that the wildlife of Christchurch Park simply has to cope with what the Ip-art festival throws at it and 17 May was a great example of this. However, if wildlife was incapable of coping, then there would be no wildlife there and cope it certainly seems to do. The day before the opera took place was the day that Mabel, the Park’s famous tawny owl, her mate and three youngsters posed for photographs, many of which were taken by Paul Sherman. This year was the first time that Mabel’s mate had been seen and to see them and the owlets together was a wonderful experience.

Unfortunately, the area where the owl family had gathered was so close to the screen there was concern as to what Two of the three owlets effect the noise and flashing lights would have. The owl family had left the oak tree where the young had been The following day there were the owls apparently the raised and were now resident in the trees opposite – even same as ever, dozing in the watery sunlight. They had more vulnerable we thought as the trees were not yet in not moved far, had not fled in a panic away from those full leaf. As the opera reached its climax with Rodolfo, screeching people. In fact, it was possible to photograph Marcello, Mimi and Musetta at the parent owls and their owlets together. This, of course, the height of their singing powers reinforced my view that if the wildlife found the Ip-art and the screen glowing ever activities unbearable, then they would have abandoned more brightly, Christchurch Park. The owls can cope and I am sure that as the darkness other creatures are also quite happy to share their habitat fell my thoughts with noisy machines and people with very loud voices. were for Seeing Mabel, her mate and their owlets all together Mabel and her for the first time has brought this wonderful story to a family. Would conclusion since Mabel has roosted in the same place they survive – and produced young – for the last four years. Luckily this opera some pellets were found beneath the youngster’s roost unharmed or and at last we have discovered what these owls find to would they eat. The remains of two species of mice and of course Mabel and her be calmed young rats appeared to be their main source of diet and, mate by Puccini’s as the youngsters increased in size, they were fed entirely music? on adult rats.

17 Ipswich Local Group

Membership Secretary: c/o 19, Marlborough Road, Ipswich, IP4 5AT Email: [email protected] www.rspb.org.uk/groups/Ipswich Ipswich RSPB Local Group is for everyone interested in finding out more about the birds and other wildlife to be found in the Ipswich area and beyond. Why not come along to one of our indoor talks, held monthly between September to April at Sidegate Primary School, or (throughout the year), get out and experience nature first hand on one of our regular field meetings, visiting some of the best spots for wildlife in the area. Received by members three times a year the ‘Orwell Observer’, keeps readers abreast of the latest developments at the nearby Suffolk RSPB Reserves as well as news of Group activities, along with members’ photographs and accounts of birding exploits from both home and abroad. Annual Membership costs just £3 per year (£1 for Juniors). For more information please see the Events Diary in this magazine, visit our website or write to the Membership Secretary, all as per details above. Not only birds… by Chris Courtney

As for many of us nature lovers, spring sees us itching to As a parasitoid, its larval form searches out the get out in search of the heraldic signs of the new season subterranean grubs of principally, a number of species as it unfolds. Many of these sights and sounds are all too of solitary wasps and mining bees, to which it attaches fleeting and require a keen and observant eye to notice itself before proceeding to suck out all of it’s chosen changes and new arrivals before they move on. victim’s juices, thereby sustaining its own development into an adult by the following spring. The females, that Along with many birders, I have found that my interest can be distinguished from males by virtue of having their in natural history has broadened as the years pass eyes set apart, rather than immediately side by side, flick and every year I seem to become aware of new and their eggs quite randomly down small holes in patches of amazing creatures that I simply hadn’t noticed before. bare earth in the hope that some of these will prove to be Last spring I found an amazing insect hovering around the burrows of their various host species. Upon hatching some bare earth at the base of my garden hedge. It did the grub crawls off through the earth in search of a victim not take me too long to discover that this was the large wasp or bee grub.

bee fly, bombylius major, an amazing looking insect with © RSPB Images huge eyes a ruddy brown furry bee-like body combined with a mean looking proboscis. Fortunately for us, this instrument is solely and exclusively designated to hoovering up pollen and nectar from spring flowers such as primroses and bugle along woodland rides and not for any more nefarious or painful applications. Indeed, it is on account of this lance like structure that these insects also go under the name of ‘beewhals’ in East Anglia. However, despite the benign use of its eccentric proboscis and generally cute if somewhat weird appearance, in its reproductive habits the Large Beefly is certainly rather more macabre. © RSPB Images Green Longhorn moth

This spring I was amazed to find a small swarm of some other exquisitely beautiful insects whose shiny metallic wings reflected shades of metallic green on the forewing and bronze on the hindwing as they danced about in the warm spring sunlight, some settling onto hazel leaves in my Ipswich garden. Moreover, upon closer inspection these insects had preposterously long white antennae, about three times the length of their bodies. After a short bit of research I discovered that these were the males (the females having proportionately shorter antennae), of a species of micro moth know as Green Longhorns, adella reaumurella, from the family Adelidae, the fairy The Large Bee Fly Longhorn moths, whose caterpillars feed on leaf litter.

18 Ipswich Local Group

Meanwhile, I haven’t forsaken my love for birds and and a singing lesser whitethroat. A singing nightingale have still enjoyed as much as ever some wonderful gave one walk in particular, superb views of this usually encounters with summer visitors including ever delightful secretive species, giving several people their first understated spotted flycatchers, the increasingly rare encounter with this the Suffolk ‘barley bird’, as it was purring of turtle doves and even a magical early morning once colloquially known, due to its arrival coinciding with meeting with a male golden oriole. This latter bird was the time for sowing the barley.

one of at least two that I had attempted to track aurally © Roger Wilmshurst (RSPB Images) as they called out with their tropical sounding, fluting and liquid, yodelling whistles, as they moved unseen through a tract of deciduous woodland. Although not infrequently ventriloquial, I had with some luck, correctly anticipated their trajectory, as one bird, a startling apparition, flew out across the ride to perch in a dead tree, from where it continued to call. It stayed a while, as if transfixed, its golden plumage illuminated, under the soft light of a gently breaking dawn, while, the moon yet lingering, washed the glade in silver, as the new day, stealthily but surely vanquished the night. © RSPB Images

Nightingale - ‘Suffolk barley bird’

Other species included kestrel, sparrowhawk, buzzard plus a single hobby, two pairs of bullfinches, swallow, swifts, house martins, little egrets, shelduck and grey herons. Altogether, not a bad day list for this wonderful set of interconnected habitats, right on the edge of Ipswich.

Mid June we also participated in Ipswich’s first ever Bioblitz, in Chantry Park. Unfortunately, this was not very well attended by the public, although nonetheless it was a great day, giving the opportunity to meet with county Male golden oriole - magical early morning meeting. recorders and experts in most of the major taxanomical groups. Of avian interest had been an overflying cuckoo, A very special and enchanted moment to be sure, but I that I had spotted when doing a ‘recce’ a few days should add that unfortunately, this occurred not in Spring prior to the event and a very obliging Little Owl that was Wood Ipswich, but in the Ardennes in Belgium in May. located roosting in a tree a few yards from the stalls and However, I have heard this call in eastern Suffolk this displays of the various groups attending. year and records when published, should show that a pair may well have bred and certainly held territory on Now as the seasons turn once again we head into this side of the county this year. This despite the fact that Autumn and the start of winter we resume our popular all other indicators show this species to be in decline in programme of indoor talks on the second Thursday the UK as well as across western Europe at this time. of the month at Sidegate Primary School. Highlights coming up include a showing, on September 13th, of Over the past season RSPB Ipswich Local Group has the RSPB’s latest feature film ‘Born to Fly’, a spectacular been engaged in a number of public events in addition film all about common cranes including the story of their to our regular field meetings over the spring and summer return as breeding species in the UK. Our field meetings months. These included an excellent, lively and music are a great way to meet folk with similar interests and filled Spring Wood Day, when during our guided walks to get help with improving your ID skills, including though this and the adjacent Millenium Wood, Kiln beginners. At this time of year our field meetings are also Meadow and Belstead Wet Meadows we were able to a great way to keep apace of the autumn migration as show members of the public some really great birds. it happens as both summer visitors and scarcities head Highlights included singing willow warblers, chiff-chaffs, south as our winter visitors start to arrive from the north. blackcaps and a garden warbler as well as both common See the Events Diary or our website for full details.

19 Friends of Holywells Park

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

Work Parties continue with a small nucleus of volunteers. and butterflies including the ringlet and meadow brown. Under the Lottery Scheme all work done by the Friends Pond-dipping yielded sticklebacks, fish lice, freshwater Group and other volunteers counts as matched funding, hoglice and freshwater shrimps. enabling more funds to be gained for the Park. Come along to the Holywells Orchard, activities and Ground conditions were so wet that The Orchard refreshments including freshly made apple juice at our Blossom and Scarecrow’s Tea Party in May was held on Apple Day on 20th October (see Events Listing). the grass maze.

Some 200 people attended the joint IBC/Friends Group Summer Music Event in June. There was music from a string trio and opportunities to enjoy tea and cake and a guided history tour of the park.

The Summer Bug Hunt took place on a very rainy day in July and was split between dry activities under shelter, a bug hunt and pond-dipping. Dry activities included making bug boxes and artwork. The bug hunt yielded slugs, snails, juvenile newts, frogs, a vibrantly- coloured 4cm violet ground beetle, spiders, flies, bees Over 40 scarecrows were made in a variety of guises

Secretary Phil Whittaker, Oak Barn, Pipps Ford, Needham Market Ipswich IP6 8LJ [email protected] Membership Secretary Bill Stone, 27 Draymans Way, Ipswich, IP3 0QU www.sogonline.org.uk Twitter: suffolkbirds1

SOG is the Group for people interested in the birds Recent fieldtrips included a boat trip along the River of Suffolk, and provides a network and a voice for Deben, Shingle Street and Upper Hollesley Common birdwatchers in the county. and Lackford SWT and Lakenheath RSPB visits.

Surveys this year have included a 2011/12 winter As a group we are active in lobbying local and survey of Merlins and Hen Harriers in Suffolk. A national politicians and environmental bodies about

Nightingale survey has been conducted by 40 members conservation issues. Our © P.A.Whittaker of the group in spring and early summer which was be recent involvement has based upon target sites across the county. been in the successful campaign against SOG was very active this year at the Chantry Park Defra’s proposal to Bioblitz event, leading a Dawn Chorus walk and other spend £375,000 of species identification activities. taxpayers’ money on investigating a policy to SOG now offers its services as bird surveyors who can destroy Buzzard nests make biodiversity recommendations to companies, to appease shooting especially those attempting to meet conservation interests. Our work in targets. In our first project we have managed to enable this area is increasing in a national environmental waste company to meet its our aim of ensuring that biodiversity action plan on a number of fronts. Also the local ornithological managing to save several pairs of breeding skylarks community’s voice from the gang mower! continues to be heard. A glorious Common Buzzard

20 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.

Our Nature Watch Club is now in its seventh year and was a good display of several species of bat and a count inevitably children grow up and move on, most of them of 23 female glow worms, better than last year but still to join our Nature Explorers group. We now have a well below average. The group attended Birchwood number of spaces available in our Nature Watch Club. School’s summer Fete where we had a display of live Meetings are on Saturday mornings for two hours and take place in Portal Woods weather permitting. Sessions are free of charge and include a mixture of lessons, games, crafts and trapping, covering a range of UK wildlife. If your children are aged 5 to 11 and would like to be more involved and close-up to the wonders of nature, then please get in touch. As the children have to be accompanied by an adult you will probably also learn something and have a lot of fun yourself.

The bluebells and violets have put on a good show this year and blackcaps have been seen around the pond. The volunteers have been busy keeping the paths open animals which attracted a lot of interest from adults by clearing windblown trees and branches, and have and children. We will be pleased to meet you at the been repairing the Northern revetment that has received Martlesham Heath Aviation Society Open Day on Sunday some damage. The Nature Explorers in May surveyed 9th September at the Control Tower. the Hazel area for small mammals and were delighted to record wood mouse, bank vole and for the first time Work Mornings - 10am to noon common shrew. Nature Watch members learned all Sat 15th September; Sun 21st October; Sat 17th about reptiles and amphibians which included a fun November; Sun 16th December pond dipping session. Nature Explorers - 9am to 11am Sat 15th September; Sat 17th November Our Glow Worm Survey and Bat Walk at the end of June Nature Watch - times to be arranged was enjoyed by all, with the weather being kind. There Sat 8th September; Sat 13th October

Local Wildlife News Snippets

First moth for Suffolk I found a micro moth on Holywells Park on Sunday 1st July. It’s one I had not seen before, so I took a couple of photos for a record. It turns out to be a moth that’s never been recorded in Suffolk before.

Its name is Chrysoclista linneella. It’s a very local species in England and has not been recorded in the county before. The larval stage of its life cycle is spent under the bark of Lime (Tilia) trees.

The day before on Saturday 30th June. Kathy Reynolds found an 18-spot ladybird (Myrrha octodecimguttata) when it flew onto her arm, near the Nacton Road entrance of Holywells Park. This is a more unusual ladybird to see because it would usually be found at the top of Scots pine trees, although sometimes found on lower branches. Robert Garrod Tel 01473 725538 [email protected]

Free to good home Volumes 12 – 23 British Wildlife magazine. From February 1999 to October 2011. Free to good home. Tel. Ann Havard 01473 211095

21 Events Diary

Saturday 8th September 10am-1pm a2nipswich/Friends of Belstead Brook Park CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Belstead Brook Park/Stoke Park Wood. Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For more information contactSteve Pritchard on [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Thursday 13th September 7.30pm RSPB INDOOR MEETING RSPB Films including the newly released ‘Born to Fly’. Sponsored by A W Hart Builders and hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich. RSPB group members £2, non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 15th September 9.30 - 11am Landguard Partnership BEACH LITTER PICK Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. All you need to do is turn up, we provide bin bags, gloves and litter pickers. Meet at the southern end of the observatory compound between the rifle fencing and the bungalow. Afterwards refreshments back at the Bird Observatory. Admission free. Further information: 01394 673782 [email protected]

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

Sunday 16th September 7am RSPB FIELD MEETING Southwold for seabirds and migrants. Meet 7am at seafront shelter for seawatching and/or 9am for walk in search of migrants TM512765. Leader Chris Courtney Tel: 01473 423213.

Sunday 16th September 10.30am - 1pm SPRING WOOD WORK PARTY Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and Friends of Belstead Brook Park for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood in Bobbits Lane. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473Sept 726082 Tuesday 18th September 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Holywells Park (including Conservation Area). Meet at Stable Block off Cliff Lane. TM176432 Leader Kathy Reynolds. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Wednesday 19th September 7.30pm SWT TALK: SIZEWELL BELTS Illustrated talk by Carl Powell. Carl was warden there for many years and can give a good insight into its flora and fauna. St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich at 7.30 pm. Entrance £2.50. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310.

Saturday 22nd September 10am-1pm a2nipswich and Friends of Alderman Canal CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For more information contactSteve Pritchard on [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Saturday 6th October 7.30am - 9am Landguard Partnership MIGRATION MORNING Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. Guided walk around the Nature Reserve looking for grounded migrants, plus a visit to the Bird Observatory to see a ringing demonstration (birds and weather permitting). Supervised children (aged under 16) welcome. Please bring binoculars. In conjunction with the Felixstowe Branch of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Admission free (donations welcome). You must pre-book in advance for this event. Further information and to book a place: 01394 673782. [email protected]

Thursday 11th October 7.30pm RSPB INDOOR MEETING ‘Experiences of a Wildlife Sound Recordist’ Malcolm Clark, Group Member and producer of Bird Sounds CD. Sponsored by Birketts Solicitors and hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich. RSPB group members £2, non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

SATURDAYS 13th October, 9.30 - 11am Landguard Partnership BEACH LITTER PICK Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. All you need to do is turn up, we provide bin bags, gloves and litter pickers. Meet at the southern end of the observatory compound between the rifle fencing and the bungalow. Afterwards refreshments back at the Bird Observatory. Admission free. Further information: 01394 673782 [email protected]

Saturday 13th October 10am-1pm a2nipswich/Friends of Belstead Brook Park CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Belstead Brook Park/Stoke Park Wood. Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For more information contactSteve Pritchard on [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Tuesday 16th October 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Pipers Vale. Meet at car park at Vale entrance. TM178419. Leader Kathy Reynolds. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213 Wednesday 17th October 7.30pm SWT TALK: THEOct VOYAGES OF CHARLES DARWIN Dr Geoff Hales, an actor, will relive these momentous times. St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich at 7.30 pm. Entrance £2.50. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310.

Saturday 20th October 9am RSPB FIELD MEETING River Deben, Melton and Bromeswell for waders, wildfowl and winter birds. Meet at 9am at Melton Lake car park TM288503. 3hrs 3miles. Leader Stephen Marginson. Details from 01473 258791.

Saturday 20 October 11am – 2pm Friends of Holywells Park APPLE DAY Celebrate National Apple Day in the Holywells Park Orchard (follow direction signs from the Stable Block). Family fun with traditional games, things to make and do, lunch-time refreshments, pumpkin-carving, apple juice making and sampling, wassailing. Free event but refreshments by donation. Contact [email protected]

22 Sunday 21st October 10.30am - 1pm SPRING WOOD WORK PARTY Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and Friends of Belstead Brook Park for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood in Bobbits Lane. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Thursday 25th October 7.30pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group INDOOR MEETING ‘The Flight of the Pratincole - Four Suffolk Birders go to Extremadura’, Gi Grieco and Bill Stone. Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich. £2 members, £3 non-members. Details from Phil Whittaker, [email protected]

Saturday 27th October 10am – 1pm a2nipswich and Friends of Alderman Canal CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For moreOct information contactSteve Pritchard on [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Saturday 3rd November 8am - 9.30am Landguard Partnership MIGRATION MORNING Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. Guided walk around the Nature Reserve looking for grounded migrants, plus a visit to the Bird Observatory to see a ringing demonstration (birds and weather permitting). Supervised children (aged under 16) welcome. Please bring binoculars. In conjunction with the Suffolk Ornithologists Group. Admission free (donations welcome). You must pre-book for this event. Further information and to book a place: 01394 673782. [email protected]

Thursday 8th November 7.30pm RSPB INDOOR MEETING ‘Birdtrack, Migration Movements and Distribution of Birds throughout Britain and Ireland’ Nick Moran, BTO Bird Track Organiser. Sponsored by Alder Carr Farm Needham Market and hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich. RSPB group members £2, non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 10th November 9.30am - 11am Landguard Partnership BEACH LITTER PICK Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. All you need to do is turn up, we provide bin bags, gloves and litter pickers. Meet at the southern end of the observatory compound between the rifle fencing and the bungalow. Afterwards refreshments back at the Bird Observatory. Admission free. Further information: 01394 673782 [email protected]

Saturday 10th November 10am-1pm a2nipswich/Friends of Belstead Brook Park CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Belstead Brook Park/Stoke Park Wood. Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For more information contactSteve Pritchard on [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

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

Sunday 18th November 9.30am RSPB FIELD MEETING Dunwich for winter birds. Meet at 9.30am at Dunwich beach car park TM479708. 3hrs 4-5miles. Leader Chris Courtney. Details from 01473 423213.

Sunday 18th November 10am - 3.30pm BELSTEAD BROOK PARK MEGABASH Come and help with woodland management in Spring Wood, Millennium Wood and scrub control in Kiln Meadow. A joint event with Greenways, Ipswich Wildlife Group, the Friends of Belstead Brook Park and Access To Nature. Coppicing, dead hedging, scrub removal, bonfire etc. Refreshments including tea, coffee, biscuits and baked potatoes. Meet near Bobbits Lane car park. More details from Greenways 01473 433995 (up to 4pm Friday 16th) or 07736 826076 on the day.

Wednesday 21st November 7.30pm SWT TALK: MYSTERY OF DNA Gerald Jenkins will give a wide-ranging illustrated talk about DNA, the amazing double helix which determines all the characteristics of life. St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich at 7.30 pm. Entrance £2.50. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310.

Saturday 24th November 10am – 1pm a2nipswich and Friends of Alderman Canal CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For more information contactSteve Pritchard on [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Thursday 29th November 7.30pm Suffolk Ornithologists Group INDOOR MEETING ‘The Outer, Outer Hebrides’, an illustrated talk by JeremyNov Mynott. Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich. Admission £2 members, £3 non-members. Details from Phil Whittaker, [email protected]

Sunday 2nd December 10am RSPB FIELD MEETING River Stour at Manningtree and Mistley. Meet at 10am at Manningtree Maltings TM109319. 3hrs 2miles. Leader Stephen Marginson. Details from 01473 258791.

Saturday 8th December 10am-1pm a2nipswich/Friends of Belstead Brook Park CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Belstead Brook Park/Stoke Park Wood. Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For more information contactSteve Pritchard on [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Wednesday 12th December 7.30pm SWT TALK: WILDLIFE OF THE CEVENNES Illustrated talk by Arthur Rivett. The Cevennes is a range of mountains in Southern France, part of the Massif Central. St Margaret’s School Hall, Bolton Lane, Ipswich at 7.30 pm. Entrance £2.50. Details from Dave Munday 01473 217310.

Thursday 13th December 7.30pm RSPB INDOOR MEETING Christmas Social Evening with finger buffet, plus ‘Why birds matter to us’ Jeremy Mynott, Lifelong Birder and Author. Sponsored by Ipswich Microwave Centre and hosted by the RSPB local group at Sidegate Lane Primary School, Ipswich. RSPB group members £2, non-members £3. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213 Dec Saturday 15th December 9.30am - 11am Landguard Partnership BEACH LITTER PICK Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. All you need to do is turn up, we provide bin bags, gloves and litter pickers. Meet at the southern end of the observatory compound between the rifle fencing and the bungalow. Afterwards refreshments back at the Bird Observatory. Admission free. Further information: 01394 673782 [email protected]

23 Sunday 16th December 10.30am - 1pm SPRING WOOD WORK PARTY Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and Friends of Belstead Brook Park for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood in Bobbits Lane. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Tuesday 18th December 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Christchurch Park. Meet at Soane Street entrance TM165448. Leader Kathy Reynolds. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Saturday 22nd December 10am – 1pm a2nipswich and Friends of Alderman Canal CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For more information contactSteve Pritchard on [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Saturday 29th December 9.30am - 11am Landguard Partnership BEACH LITTER PICK Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. All you need to do is turn up, we provide bin bags, gloves and litter pickers. Meet at the southern end of the observatory compound between the rifle fencing and the bungalow. Afterwards refreshments back at the Bird Observatory. Admission free. Further information: 01394 673782 [email protected] Saturday 19th January - 10.00am to 3.30pm - PURDIS HEATH MEGABASH Join Greenways, Butterfly Conservation and other groups to continue the impressive heathland managament work carried out over the last few years, aimed at improving the habitat generally and specifically for Silver-studded blue butterflies. Bring a packed lunch - we will provide drinks and baked potatoes from the bonfire at the end of the session. Meet on site, parking available in the Ipswich Golf Club overflow car park - see signs on the day. More details from Greenways 01473 433995 (up to 4pm Friday 16th)Jan or 07736 826076 on the day. Regular Events

TUESDAYS 9.30am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Meet at the Stable Block Holywells Park to visit one of over 40 sites around Ipswich for a day’s practical task. If you have not been out with the Project before, you must contact us first to arrange an induction.Contact 01473 433995

THURSDAYS 10am – 4pm Greenways/Access to Nature CONSERVATION WORK PARTY If you have not been out with the Project before, you must contact us first to arrange an induction.Contact Greenways on 01473 433995 or Steve Pritchard 07834 750970 [email protected] or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

FRIDAYS 9.30am Greenways CONSERVATION WORK PARTY As well as Tuesdays, the Greenways Project, has a smaller but just as welcoming group of volunteers most Fridays. Meet at the Stable Block, Holywells Park from where we travel to one of our sites around Ipswich for a day’s practical task. If you have not been out with the Project before, you must contact us first to arrange an induction. Please contact us before coming to check that we are holding the work day.Contact 01473 433995.

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

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

WEDNESDAYS 10am HOLYWELLS PARK WORK PARTIES 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 [email protected]

Scenes from typical volunteer work parties where the volunteers are busily waiting for the next tea break!