Local Wildlife News

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

Small Tortoiseshell butterfly on lavender

Produced by the PLEASE CAN YOU HELP Request for records of stag beetles and their larvae

Stag beetles will begin to emerge in warm weather from mid-May onwards. The males, easily recognised by their large, reddish mandibles (‘antlers’), can be seen flying on warm evenings at dusk. Females, which do not possess the imposing antlers of the male, are reluctant to fly and can generally be found crawling on the ground at the same time as males are flying. By the end of July most of the beetles have mated, the females have laid their eggs, and the life of the adults is over.

The larvae that hatch from the eggs can take up to six years to grow to full size, feeding on a poor diet of subterranean, decaying broad-leaved wood of shrubs and trees. Pupation takes place in the soil inside an earthen cocoon and lasts about six weeks. The resulting beetles stay underground in their cocoons until approximately mid-May when a threshold temperature has been reached that triggers their emergence above ground. Larvae are sometimes accidentally dug up when gardening or removing old wooden fence posts.

Records of the beetles and their larvae are required for research into the distribution of this scarce species, which is being undertaken by Colin Hawes.

Please look out for these beetles and send your records to Colin Hawes E-mail: [email protected] or Tel: 01473 310678 or by post to: 3 Silver Leys, Bentley, Ipswich IP9 2BS.

Colin Hawes has been researching the distribution and behaviour of the stag beetle in Suffolk for over 20 years. He is a member of the national team lead by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, which is responsible for implementing the UK Stag Beetle Biodiversity Action Plan. For the past five years his research has been carried out under the guidance of Professor Alan Gange in the School of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London. Colin is also the lead for the conservation of the stag beetle in Suffolk. © Matt Berry Welcome Local Wildlife News Welcome to yet another packed edition of LWN, produced primarily by the Greenways Project on behalf of over a dozen local wildlife, conservation and other ‘green’ groups. The big news in this issue is the decision by Ipswich Borough Council to declare Kiln Meadow a Local Nature Reserve. This is mentioned on the Ipswich Wildlife Group page and by other groups involved in the campaign. One of the most valuable features of Local Wildlife News is the Events Diary at the back. In this issue you will see that we have included more events than ever before which now take up four pages. We are still very keen to receive any feedback about the publication – good or bad – and look forward to receiving any suggestions for improvements etc. Contributions We are always happy to receive articles of anything up to 800 words, photographs of local wildlife or conservation work and local sightings or wildlife ‘snippets’ – so please do © Parrish Coleman send in anything which may be of interest to: Greenways Project, Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich, IP3 0PG 01473 433995 [email protected] Mailing lists – Please note We are aware that some who are members of several conservation organisations may well receive more than one copy of the newsletter. If this is the case we would be very grateful if you could pass on the spare copy to someone who will appreciate it and © Colin Hullis contact the Greenways Project on 01473 433995 or [email protected], stating which organisations you are a member of, so that we can ensure that you receive just one in the future. If, on the other hand, you don’t currently receive LWN regularly, but would like to, simply contact us (details above) and we’ll add you to the list. © John Humble

Contents Page Suffolk Wildlife Trust 4

Ipswich Wildlife Group 8

Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group 8

Friends of Holywells Park 9

Greenways Countryside Project 10 © CMatt Berry

Local Wildlife News is published by Access to Nature 12 Greenways Countryside Project. Editor: James Baker Friends of Christchurch Park 13 [email protected] Tel 01473 433995 IBC Wildlife Rangers 14 Production Editor: Colin Hullis [email protected] Tel 01473 728674 Friends of Belstead Brook Park 15 Artwork production: Chris Saunders [email protected] Butterfly Conservation 16 Tel 01473 721550 Printed by PJ Print RSPB Ipswich Local Group 18 [email protected] Tel 01473 276010 Portal Woodlands Conservation Group 19 Printed on recycled paper

The opinions expressed in Local Local Wildlife News Snippets 20 Wildlife News are not necessarily those of the Greenways Project. Events Diary 21

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

Kiln Meadow other organisations are faced with increasing costs, in our case mainly from higher speaker fees – they Fantastic news! the Executive Committee of Ipswich have higher fuel costs, and the hire charge of the hall. Borough Council has voted to make Kiln Meadow Then why don’t you move you might ask, well we have a Local Nature Reserve. So a big thank you to all looked diligently for alternatives but our existing hall of you who helped the campaign with letter writing, has so many advantages including:- lobbying, leafleting et al. It was a long and hard fought It’s central campaign but well worth it! An especial thank you is Nearby buses due to Ipswich Wildlife Group’s Save Kiln Meadow Free ample carpark on site sub committee who worked tirelessly with much blood A very helpful caretaker sweat and tears and without whose efforts there would It’s in walking distance for many, including me! now be houses being built on the meadow. I would also like to thank SWT Headquarters who gave their All good reasons not to change, I hope you will agree, unquestioning support, time and assistance throughout as we want to continue to bring high class speakers to the campaign. a cosy venue.

Derek Jarman Visitors

It is very sad to report the passing in late February of For several years I have had a pair of Blackbirds nesting Derek Jarman who many of you may remember as near my house and at this time of year have enjoyed an excellent chairman of our group. He was involved ruining my immaculate? lawn by digging up the moss, in many fundraising events, perhaps being most well enjoying the worms in the usual Blackbird fashion, and known for pioneering the Orwell Walk in the 1970s at the same time allowing me to weed a few metres which is still going strong today, and I believe it has away without concern, but this year - oh boy! -what a raised well over £1 million pounds over the years. difference, they bully me and have me creeping about Derek was awarded an MBE in 1999 in recognition for in my slippers so as not to disturb them and if I get too his exceptional charity work. Our thoughts are with his close tell me off in a most alarming fashion. Whose family. garden is it anyway?

Sprayed out? I think they must be some of those foreign winter imports who have decided to stay. I bought a shiny new hose for my allotment last year, I guess it will now stay hung up in my shed all summer. Summer Outings Which reminds me to buy a new watering can as the old one sprung a leak, my trousers getting more of a Do browse our “Dates for your Diary” and join us in our watering than my plants! summer activities which include “by popular demand” a return visit to Kew Gardens. Our Venue Dave Munday Regretfully from September we have to put up our (Chairman) entry fee from £2 to £2.50 which I hope you will see as a modest increase but well worth it! We, like many

4 Ipswich Group Newsletter

The River Gipping by John Ireland

Some may think the River Gipping is not the loveliest of waterways. Certainly it was not done any aesthetic favours in the 1960’s when it was rather brutally canalised and harnessed between unforgiving flood defence walls of sheet steel piling. But we shouldn’t turn © Greenways Project our backs on it. After all, without it Ipswich would have had no reason to come into existence in the first place. It (or the Orwell, which it becomes) has offered safe anchor for at least a thousand and a half years. Vessels could be brought up here to the tidal limit for loading and unloading. And here was where you could ford the river, for to the east the estuary made it too wide to cross and to the west it was too marshy. But near where Stoke Bridge now stands was an ideal crossing point and it was from here that Ipswich took root and grew.

This is also the starting point for the riverside path along The Old Cattle Yard and ‘Navigator’ sculpture the Gipping, which follows the old tow-path used by the horses that drew the barges plying up and down the At the Ipswich Borough boundary the main Norwich river from Ipswich docks as far as Stowmarket. Here railway line crosses the river. The flood defences here the sculpture “Against the The Tide”, the little oarsman are served by a lifting barrier across the river housed in winning his way against the waves, reminds us how man a massive concrete structure. There are hopes that the depends on and makes use of his aquatic environment. riverside path will soon be able to negotiate this more The river corridor with its path picks up this theme and easily to continue for the next mile or so to Sproughton turns it around. The whole route between Ipswich and and beyond. From here on the riverside is much more Sproughton has been strongly influenced by people. Yet rural. At Chantry Cut the course of the Gipping was the natural world exploits the man-made one and makes straightened to accommodate barge traffic and the itself at home here. So grey mullett swim under Stoke resultant island to the south with its marshland and Bridge and upstream as far as Constantine weir, to the scrub is now a reserve, accessible only to wildlife. satisfaction of the grey herons waiting for them. Two or three hundred yards on from Princes Street Bridge, For some of the route it is hard to avoid our industrial near the brooding “Navigator” sculpture, blackcap and heritage, even if that is what we want to do. For even nightingale have been heard in the shrubbery. example, the fact that Anglian Water extracts water from Near Riverside Road, where houses front the river, mute the Gipping to transfer to Alton reservoir means that at swans regularly nest in the reeds, while a few yards some periods the river becomes static, encouraging the further on a small triangular spinney, mercifully still not growth of blanket weed which inhibits other river life. “improved,” is home to the great green bush cricket, Indeed, John Atkin’s “Navigator” at the Old Cattle Yard the largest insect in England. Next to West End Road seeks to remind us of the connection between man and a wildflower meadow along the bank harbours a range his industrial environment. So man exacts a price for his of plants, some of them, like dittander, nationally rare. own convenience and wellbeing. But wildlife stakes its Nicholas Culpeper, that great seventeenth century claim, as it always will, and our riverside has a great deal herbalist, casts some interesting light on this plant. to offer the observer of the natural world. Those who “It is an herb of Venus,” he writes. think the Gipping is not a lovely river may care to look “The leaves of Dittander bruised and mixed with again. hogs-lard, and applied as a cataplasm to the hip, help the sciatica; chewed in the mouth, they cause a A free leaflet about the riverside walk is obtainable from great flux of rheum to run out of it, and by that means the Tourist Information Centre in Ipswich are said to help scrofulous tumours in the throat; the women of Suffolk give them boiled in ale to hasten the birth.” Anyone like to give it a try?

5 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Coach Outing to Kew Gardens Saturday July 14th 2012

There is so much to see at Kew Gardens, from glass houses, including the iconic Palm House and the Princess of Wales Conservatory, all bursting with plants and tropical colour, to peaceful strolls along the Thames, through 326 acres of historic gardens.

Kew Palace, the favourite family home of George III, where he stayed during his periods of madness, has been restored. This summer the kitchens will be open to the public for the first time, giving an insight into life below stairs in a Georgian Royal household.

For art lovers there is the Marianne North Gallery, with its stunning collection of botanical art, and for this year only an extensive exhibition of David Nash sculptures

reflecting mans’ dependence on nature, some of the | Dreamstime.com © Urosh Vukicevic pieces done on site from Kew’s fallen trees. The recently restored Kew Palace You can take a tour on the Explorer bus, which makes a There are four cafés and plenty of room for a picnic. complete circuit of the gardens, visiting all the places of You can purchase your Kew Palace ticket in advance interest and offering a commentary along the way. One on the form below, at a discount, or buy your own when ticket (£4, children £1, own expense) can be used for the you arrive. Please book early, in order that we can get a whole day and allows you to hop on and off as you wish. discount on the tickets. For the more energetic there is a treetop walk with stunning views of the gardens, or a climb to the top of For further information about Kew Gardens visit the pagoda. www.kew.org

Booking Form SWT (Ipswich) outing to Kew Gardens Saturday July 14th 2012

Please reserve

………… Tickets for Visit to the Gardens @ £30 total £………

………… Tickets for Visit including Kew Palace @ £32.50 total £………….

………… Tickets for children @ £15 total £………….

Total Number of tickets……………… Total sum enclosed £……………

Name …………………………………………………………………...... ……………

Address …………………………………...... ……………………………………………

Postcode ………...... …………… Telephone ……...... ………………………

Please return this form together with a SAE and cheque made out to SWT to Dave Munday, 28 Nottidge Road, Ipswich IP4 2RJ Tel. 01473 217310

6 Ipswich Group Newsletter

Dates for your Diary - May to September 2012

Sat. 5th May 10.30am Bradfield Woods and Visitors Centre Meet at car park, Felsham Rd. Bradfield St George IP30 0AQ Grid Reference TL 93357532. £2 donation to SWT. No need to book. Contact Leigh Williamson 01473 785600

Sat 9th June 10.30am Walberswick National Nature Reserve Meet at Westwood Lodge Car Park, Lodge Road just outside Walberswick. Grid Reference TM 467737. £2 donation to SWT. No need to book. Contact Leigh Williamson 01473 785600

Sat. 14th July 8.30am Coach Outing to Kew Gardens Meet at Crown St Lay by. £30, accompanied children under 16 £15. Booking essential. Contact Dave Munday 01473 217310

Sat. 25th August 10.30am Holywells Park, Ipswich Meet at the car park at Cliff Lane entrance (opposite Dereham Avenue). Grid reference TM 175435 £2 donations to SWT. No need to book. Contact Leigh Williamson 01473 785600

Wed. 19th Sept 7.30pm The Natural History of Sizewell Belts by Carl Powell. Carl had been reserve warden of this 2000 acre mixed habitat, behind the Sizewell Power stations for many years. It’s a wonderful example of industry and conservation working hand in hand. It is an SSSI and a haven for many rare plants and insects as well as birds and mammals. Carl will describe the management needed to maintain it and its wildlife. St Margaret’s School, Bolton Lane Ipswich. £2.50 Disabled Access

The new Visitor Centre, Bradfield Woods

A full listing of all Groups’ events can be found from page 21

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. Kiln Meadow Update

On 13th March the Executive of Ipswich Borough and those local councillors from both Ipswich and Council voted to make Kiln Meadow a Local Nature Babergh who have been very encouraging even when Reserve, to benefit wildlife and people. This followed a things looked difficult. The local media allowed us to air public consultation about the future of the meadow. The our views and encouraged a debate about the issue. overwhelming majority of respondents voted for Option 1 SWT provided technical support on conservation issues, – to make the area a Local Nature Reserve. So subject to and a very helpful trustee, who is a lawyer by profession, discussions with the planning authority which is Babergh who advised us. The local RSPB group, SARG and other District Council, and perhaps Natural England, this wildlife organisations have also helped enormously. should go ahead in due course. You’ve all been brilliant and together we’ve shown what local groups and people can do to preserve our precious This means that our four year campaign, has, against all natural environment and wildlife. odds, achieved its aim! When the LNR is officially opened, we will have a Many individuals and groups have contributed in celebratory picnic on Kiln Meadow – so look out for various ways. So we’d like to thank all those who details on our website and on the Ipswich Wildlife Group signed petitions, wrote to councillors, took part in Facebook site. the consultation or simply spread the word about the campaign. We should also thank the Executive of IBC Ray Sidaway

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

SOG is the Group for people interested in the birds followed on Twitter (suffolkbirds1). of Suffolk, and provides a network and a voice for birdwatchers in the county. The Group is administered by Membership of SOG is open to anyone with an interest Suffolk birdwatchers for Suffolk birdwatchers, keeping in the birds of Suffolk. Membership is £15 for singles them in touch with what is going on and with each other. and £17 for families. A joint membership with Suffolk Through the Group’s Council, SOG has good links with Naturalists Society is available for £28 for singles and other naturalist and conservation organisations in the £32 for families representing a saving of £2 on combined region including the BTO RSPB and SWT. membership rates and entitling members to a copy of the annual ‘Suffolk Bird Report’ as well as to the SNS SOG organises an extensive programme of field bulletin ‘White Admiral’, published three times a year. meetings and indoor meetings - see Events Diary. The Group’s bulletin, ‘The Harrier’ keeps members in touch Recent surveys we have been involved with include a with what’s going on - stories about birds, conservation, 2011/12 winter survey of Merlins and Hen Harriers in reserves and people. The group manage an active Suffolk and a Nightingale survey this Spring based upon website www. sogonline.org.uk and can now also be target sites.

8 Friends of Holywells Park

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

The big news is that Holywells Park has progressed to lived reaching an age of about 200-250 years (compare the next stage of the Lottery Bid process by the granting this to oak which can live to 800+ years). of £190,000 to develop the existing Bid. A Project Manager will be appointed to put the flesh on the bones In its latter years this particular beech was being of the existing bid. This will involve commissioning fed upon by a fungus, the Giant Polypore Meripilus specialists and designers, surveying, gaining more giganteus which produces large rosettes of fleshy fan- accurate quotes, costings and estimates, developing like brackets with a common stem from the base of the a timetable of works, seeking out partners and tree and buried roots. considering all the impacts. If successful the bid could result in total funding of about £3m. Beech trees were often planted in gardens in the 17th and 18th centuries, following the fashions set by For some weeks either side of Christmas a Harris Hawk landscape gardeners such as Humphry Repton and was present in the Park and it is assumed that it was Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. The downed Beech will be this bird that gave rise to reports of a Sea Eagle in the used in the following ways: Park! Harris Hawks are native to the desert/scrub areas of central America but very popular with falconers and • The patterned trunk (patterned by fungi) in a process the Holywells bird was indeed an escaped falconer’s known as spalting will be sold for woodturning and bird. Although possessing a white tail like a Sea furniture for which it is highly valued. A condition Eagle, the Harris Hawk is about half the size (although of sale is that the Friends Group will be given some nonetheless a big bird) with a length of 53cm and finished products to sell or give as prizes. wingspan of 117cm. • Some will be sold as firewood • Some will be used to create wildlife habitat piles in Shortly before Christmas one of the very few mature the woodland edge Beech trees in the Park met its end, toppling over in heavy winds during the night. The tree, a Common The Friends Group has continued to run work parties Beech was known to be in decline and was being in Holywells Park, supporting IBC and enabling more regularly inspected by the IBC Arboricultural team. work to be done than could otherwise be done. The Indeed, it was earmarked for crown reduction work Group traditionally concentrates its effort mostly on the over the winter to try to prolong its life, reduce the risk Orchard and wildlife areas. Under the lottery Scheme of limb drop and ensure that if it did topple it would fall all work done by the Friends Group counts as matched away from the path. The Friends Group are pleased funding, enabling more funds to be gained for the Park. that everything was being done to The Friends Group continued to run its events prolong the life of programme with a change this year, hosting a Winter the tree both as a ‘Cold Fair’ event instead of the Easter Event. Despite landscape feature, a bad weather forecast the event went ahead and © Parrish Coleman piece of history everyone attending seemed to enjoy themselves with our and for its wildlife bonfire, hot potatoes and other activities. Sadly we were value. Its eventual unable to find or see the Holywells Park ‘Sea Eagle’. toppling over does however show the Our summer/autumn events are listed in the Events difficult balancing Diary section and include an Orchard Blossom and act borne by IBC in Scarecrow’s Tea Party (come along and make a juggling these aims scarecrow), Summer Music Event (supporting IBC), with the safety of Summer Bug Hunt (land and water!), Bat Walk and park users. Beech Apple Day. trees grow naturally on well-drained Please come along and join us. All our events are free, soils, typically but we do ask for donations for refreshments etc. either on chalk or Direction signs are always provided from the Stable limestone or sands Block. and gravels. They The Holywells Harris Hawk are relatively short-

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. Kiln Meadow

Following Ipswich Borough Council’s decision last Friends of Belstead Brook Park. November, to not sell Kiln Meadow for housing development, they decided at a meeting in March to The meadow is extremely important for a wide range of declare the site as a new Local Nature Reserve. local wildlife including most notably, dormice, reptiles and a very large population of common toads. The site The meadow will be managed by the Greenways Project will be managed to benefit these species amongst others with the help and advice of Ipswich Wildlife Group, as well as local people, who will be able to enjoy this Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the RSPB local group and the fabulous area. Ipswich River Management Plan

The Greenways Project has prepared a draft management eventually adopted as a guide to future management. and maintenance plan for the river through Ipswich. Funding will be required from a variety of sources and the agreement of a wide range of land owners and agencies Having had the benefit of 18 months of funding for a River will be sought. The plan covers routine work as well as Ranger from the Haven Gateway Partnership, we have listing larger capital or aspirational projects. been able to establish the resources required to manage the river corridor to a high standard for wildlife and If you are interested in the future management of the river people. corridor, please contact the Project so that we can consult you at the appropriate stages. The plan will be published as a draft for consultation and New Signage Along the River path

As the last bit of work associated with the Haven Gateway grant for the river, our regular volunteers have been busily installing the new directional signs that promote the path to visitors and local people. The signage covers the stretch from Stoke Bridge upstream to Sproughton, and includes destination and distance information.

Four new information boards have also been installed between Stoke Bridge and West End Road. How to get involved If you would like to be involved in any way with the work of the Greenways Project, or would like any further information about the Project, its aims and its work, please contact the Project on 01473 433995, or email [email protected] Some further information can be found on our web pages at: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways Volunteers at work - a good sign

10 Winter ‘Megabashes’

Our annual meagbash events on Purdis Heath and Martlesham Heath in January and February respectively,

© Colin Hullis attracted very good numbers of volunteers (54 and 48) allowing huge amounts of scrub clearance to be carried out. We would like to thank all of those volunteers who gave up the day(s) to join us and get stuck in!

Hopefully the counts of Silver-studded blue butterflies will be better this year on both sites, following many years of habitat improvement work. Work will doubtless continue next winter – so we look forward to seeing you all there!

Christchurch Park and Christchurch Park Other News the Fonnereau Connection the Holy Trinity thatgets was its founded name from there the Augustinia From Lower Road, Westerfield, the Home to about 20 monks, the Priory con north is very extensive and offers a n Priory of Links to the North USING THE TRAIN farmland and stood until its seiz in the 12th century. to explore further. In particular, there Rights i of Way network to the Priory was destroyed and replaced a sisted of 643 acres of opposite where the route reaches Low wide range of possible routes The surprisingly frequent and very ure by Henry VIII in 1536. The Ipswich and Westerfield is ideal to c by the present Tudor Mansion built by towards Witnesham. This route is thoughs a bridleway almost few years later in the 1540s, reasonable train service between probably on the site of the old Prio important drove road in Anglo-Saxon tier Road, which heads north Walk. In order to avoid trying to get to a statio Edmund Withypoll, is easier to get the train out and wa omplete the “circle” with the Look out for the few veteran Ipswich, perhaps roughly along the t to have been an Fonnereaury. Way – open again date information about train times and f It was therefore fantastic news that the Planning may be as old as the Mansion. n by a certain time, it mes, leading straight into lk back at your leisure. For up to oak and sweet chestnut trees that line of the Fonnereau Way. Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 (www.natio Claude Fonnereau acquired the estate ares, call National Rail stayed in the Fonnereau fami USING THE BUS nalrail.co.uk). opened parts of the estate includin in 1735 and the estate This lovelyly until 1892. The Fonnereausroute, from ChristchurchFor bus times telephone TravelinePark o Inspector’s final report (9th January 2012) accepted the Arboreta to the public and by 1848 the estate CHURCHMAN WAY known as Fonnereau Park. g the Lower and Upper (www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/transport) A Othersimilar walk, passingWalks from the town centre, n 0870 608 2 608 In 1895 Felix Thornley Cobbold boug had became through parks and open countryside to to the Corporation of Ipswich (now Bo OTHER CONTACTS northwards to Lowervillage of Sproughton. The route Road takes t Westerfield, path in its entirety and thus ‘saved’ the Fonnereau Way. condition that the Corporation pu ht the Mansion and gave it The Greenways Countryside Project walker through Gippeswyk Park a the estate. By this time the Park had rough Council) on Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Counc Park before crossing meadows and he today with its 80 acres of undulatingrchased landsc the remainder of the is a partnership between quiet roads up to the village churchnd an Chantry Council, Suffolk Coastal Distri and trees. taken much the form visible groups and local councils. The Project looks a The return journey can be made by bus following o ct Council and severalil, Babergh community District is one of the few that allow walkersreserves and green spaces in to To celebrate, a group led by Roger Wolfe (who named the For en route refreshment you may li ape, avenues, ponds the Gipping V d mill. Café at the Mansion or the ki alley Path along the river right back to t local community involvement in their man fter around 40 nature There is an information board abo r on foot using part of and around Ipswich, and encourages summer. The Mansion also contains ake to stop at the Fonnereau Walks such as the Fonnereau Way are osk opposite the Play area in entrance to Gippeswyk Park and a colour Gallery he start. agement. the Greenways Project (contact detaiut the route at the main quiet routes between town and countryside for reach openmuseum collection and countrysideArt from the centreimportant in providing relatively route) followed the paths on the 14th January. leaflet is available from The Greenways Project ls overleaf). the information boards and way mark all to enjoy promotes the Fonnereau W . GIPPING VALLEY P contacted on 01473 433995 email greenwa ATH er posts. The Projectay and canmaintains be This path extends from the historic The Ipswich Borough Council P of town, avoidingIpswich, upstream asalmost far as Stowmarket all roads.manages Christchurch P [email protected] attractive and varied landscapes. waterfront in the centre of arks and Landscape Service Ipswich and visitors. For arkfurther for theinfor enjoyment of the people of achieved using the train from either , some 17 miles of history Return transport can again be , please contact the Christchurch Stowmarket, or the Super-rou 433500. mation about the Park and its overleaf). Needham Market or te 88 bus route (contact details The Ramblers’ Association Park Manager on 0 The leaflet for the walk has recently gone out of print 1473 of Way, campaigns for accessis toa national open charity that protec benefits of walking. There are local grou dealing with local issues. The Ips countryside and promotests Rights the A local member of the Ramblers’kindly contributed to the production ps all over the country (and has not been updated and reprinted because of wich and District Group have very Christchurch P ark. of the information board in The Ipswich Society people who care aboutwas the founded appearance, in 1960 c and is a community Association came up with thethe town, its ideapast and its future. The Soc of a A virtually traffic-free this uncertainty), but can now be revised and reprinted. Trust. The Society have been very supportiveharacter o and well-beingof of and have very kindly contributed to the iety is affiliated to the Civic route and producing this leaflet. f the Fonnereau Way route from Town to promoted walk along the routeSupported by: aroundcosts of way-marking the The Greenways Project hopes to re-launch the route and Then logos: IBC,SCC, Ipswich Society Country passing through 10 years ago and the Greenways , Ramblers’ Association leaflet during this year. Christchurch Park Project produced a leaflet and way- marker posts to guide people along the way. The Rambler’s Association (locally and nationally) should be congratulated for their efforts and thanked by us all A year or so ago, Suffolk County Council decided to add for saving a valuable walking route from the town to the the route to the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way countryside for future generations. for Ipswich (this is the document that is used to record all

such rights of way). During consultation with land owners, New Leaflet for Belstead Brookhow the Park is managedPark and how you can help: the Greenways Project manages the Belstead Brook Park on behalf of Ipswich Borough Council, suffolk County Council Network Rail (whose railway line the route crosses) Following the publication of theand Babergh dnewistrict Council. the Project works very closely with the Friends of BBP (see below), Pinewood Parish Counc and local people. Much of the management work in the Park is carried out by volunteers who assist with a very wide range of tasks including mowing meadows, building bridges, cutting Belstead decided to try to stop up the route and objected to the ‘River For All’ Wildlifeleaflet, the Project has il What is BeLstead Brook Park? paths, coppicing woodland, picking litter, planting hedges and the different habitats within the Park support a very wide range surveying wildlife. Belstead Brook Park was set up in 1992 as a partnership of wildlife, much of which can be seen and enjoyed as you walk between Ipswich Borough Council, suffolk County Council If you would like to get involved in helping to look after the around. Much more can be appreciated by stopping to watch Brook and Babergh district Council. a BBP Masterplan was adopted Park, please contact the Greenways Project on 01473 footpath creation. now producedfrom our aviewing towerleaflet and hide, or resting on a seat by theto promote that agreed the layout of the Park and guided work for the 433995 or email [email protected] Brook to see a kingfisher flash past, for example. t first ten years or so. the Park is effectively an informal country more about the Park’s wildlife, there are a range of events from More information about our work can be found on our Park park, extending to about 250 acres – offering opportunities for guided walks and educational activities to surveys and practical website: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways/ people to explore well managed countryside right on the edge o understand the Belstead sessionsBrook to allow local people to becomePark. more involved and This new of town. the Park includes areas of ancient woodland, wet appreciate the natural environment on our doorsteps. the Friends of Belstead Brook Park Local countryside woodland, ponds, meadows, reedbeds, hedges, farmed land the Friends group was established in 2002 to help with and the Brook itself. looking after the Park. the group’s volunteers help with for local people the Park is perfect for leisurely strolls enjoying beautiful practical management work, events, fundraising, and act as The route had been walked regularly by local people for leaflet has also been produced scenery and fresh air; walking the dog; running; cycling; ‘eyes and ears’ to report any issues back to the Greenways watching wildlife; photography; and includes areas for formal Project. sport, childrens’ play and other activities. Membership of the group is free – members receive mailings Why is it important? many years; had been on Wilfred George’s map for about thanks to funding from the aboutHaven the Park and the Group’s activities, and can help as little or as much as they like. the Park is a vitally important area for wildlife and for local people to enjoy. In a relatively small area there are a vast range to become a member of the Friends group, please contact: of habitats and rare and protected species including dormice, 30 years and had been promoted as the Fonnereau Way Gateway Partnership and marksxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx the otters, bats, water voles and bluebells. ipswich Wildlife Group Local IWG are a very well established local group that seeks to the Park is very easily reached on foot by thousands of local promote interest in, and conservation of, wildlife and habitats residents without the need to travel great distances, and for several years, but still there was a very real chance of end of two years of considerablein and around Ipswich. the Group has been involved in the provides very high quality countryside. the Park acts as a management of spring Wood, at the heart of BBP for at least ‘gateway to the wider countryside’ – encouraging local people 20 years. to explore further afield via public footpaths and bridleways. the Group’s volunteers have regular work parties to coppice health the rail crossing (and thus the route) being lost. improvements in the Park.the woodland, The producing a ‘crop’ of beanpoles and peasticks the Park offers space for people to get away from their busy for local gardeners. More information about IWG can be found lives and to enjoy beautiful surroundings, fresh air, exercise at: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/iwg/iwg.htm and tranquillity – with all the benefits to physical and mental new paths and wildlife watching health that can come from this. Fortunately, the local branch of the Ramblers’ Association facilities at Bobbits Lane (RA) actively challenged the Network Rail objection and Meadows are being well used fought hard to gather evidence of historic use of the path and the new directional signs are (evidence was required of use prior to 1949!). In all, 24 being installed by regular volunteers to help visitors people gave evidence and several took photographs, or find their way around. examined ancient maps and documents – as far back as the Westerfield Enclosure Awards of 1809. The local Copies of the leaflet are available from the Ipswich group of the RA was backed by specialist staff at the Tourist Information Centre or direct from the Greenways head office, all of whom worked extremely hard to save Project. the route.

11 Access to Nature

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

We’ve been busy doing lots of winter conservation tasks them, such as child-friendly activities, family games and over the last three months at Alderman Canal and the creative activities, guided walks or wildlife identification River Gipping, Belstead Brook Park and Stoke Park and more. Details are in the Events Diary, ‘Regular Events’ Woods. We have also been cracking on with our work section. on the Triangle estate where residents have been helping us plant up the wildlife garden with native hedges and Our regular conservation work parties shrubs, and the spring bulbs are coming up now and looking beautiful. Conservation work tasks are decided quite late on, as they depend on many changeable factors. For more We have also been continuing our work with Gusford information about a particular work party, to confirm School, recently we have been having a fine time with the meeting points/times, or for detailed directions to a classes of Year 4 and Year 2. This year we hope to work site, check our website or contact Steve Pritchard on with other schools as well. [email protected] or 07834 750970. If you join our email mailing list, we can keep you up to date with alerts In February half-term we combined a day of conservation about all our events and activities. work with some fun activities that showed us some of the things that can be done with coppiced wood. We learned • Belstead Brook Park/Stoke Park Woods work how to make charcoal – a long process. We also had a parties: In association with the Friends of Belstead go at friction firelighting and cooked drop scones on the Brook Park, conservation work takes place to open fire – lovely! manage the woods, meadows and wetlands of these valuable Nature Reserves. The meeting points are Bobbits Lane car park for Belstead Brook Park and the Stoke Park Drive entrance for Stoke Park Woods.

• Alderman Canal/River Gipping In association with the Friends of Alderman Canal, conservation work manages the waterways, banks and pathways of the River Gipping, Alderman Canal itself and the surrounding Nature Reserve. The meeting point, wherever the work is taking place, will usually be on Bibb Way (the road bounding the west side of the recreation ground).

• The Wildlife Garden on the Triangle Estate is a small piece of land on Kelly Road with a small parking Drop scones - lovely area in front of it which is the meeting point.

This year is our second birthday! Over a hundred old friends and new joined us for our ‘birthday party’ last year at Alderman Canal, and we’d love to invite you all to join us again for our second anniversary. The party will be on Saturday 23rd June and will have all the usual fun and games, from bug hunts to photo workshops, as well as conservation work and plenty of food and drink to enjoy. Details are in the Events Diary at the back.

We have now scheduled a regular programme of conservation work sessions at our main sites – some are a continuation of the regular Thursday and Friday sessions already run by Greenways and others will take place on Saturdays to allow more people to get involved. Some of these sessions will have additional activities attached to Making charcoal

12 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.

As I see it, very few people venture into Christchurch Park railings and those, luckily only a few, who throw objects just to admire the scenery and, seemingly, are not really into the Wilderness Pond for their dogs to retrieve. There interested in its wildlife. Thousands of visitors arrive for are also the mindless minorities who pull branches off the entertainment provided by Ipswich Borough Council trees or pull up young saplings. Unfortunately, some dog ranging from sporting events such as cycling’s Tour of owners abuse the privilege of being allowed to walk their Britain to various musical occasions culminating in the dogs off the lead in the Park by letting their animals run Music Day which last year attracted over 40,000 people. amok through the arboreta and Wildlife Reserve. How There is always a steady flow of people passing through can a dog be under control when it is some distance the Park, criss-crossing the greenery mostly too and away from its owner? Whilst there will always be vandals, from work or school. Some are athletes jogging around graffiti artists and others who do not much care about the Park’s circumference, others are budding footballers the Park and its wildlife, I like to think that the majority or cricketers and at weekends, especially when the of people who enjoy our Park will treat it with respect. weather is warm, large numbers of people use the Park In this regard more and more people are reporting their for picnics and family get-togethers. I was reminded of sightings of wildlife to the Reg Driver Visitor Centre and the importance of Christchurch Park to the people of also expressing their concerns mainly about dog mess, Ipswich when we had a very heavy snowfall on the first the inability of cyclists to keep to the cycle ways and the Saturday of February. The Park was beautiful, serene and abundance of litter.

silent. The next day, however, the Park’s slopes were © John Humble transformed into one of L S Lowry’s paintings with long lines of warmly clad visitors heading to Snow Hill to enjoy the exhilarating thrill of descending that steep slope on their backsides. A diverse selection of sledges was to be seen ranging from expensive and ornate ‘vehicles’ to the much more basic plastic tea tray. A large party came down together on a tarpaulin whilst one enterprising youngster slid down on a bright, yellow plastic sign which said “wet floor – please be careful”.

Many more events are held in the Park which cater for all tastes; film shows, pop concerts, opera classics or ballet and of course the grand firework display all laid on for the people of Ipswich to enjoy. Christchurch Park is so convenient situated in the town centre where it is so easily accessible. Luckily there is free parking on many of the adjacent roads. On a more serious note, another well-attended occasion in November is the Remembrance A resplendant male Nuthatch Service held at the Park’s Cenotaph. This is where the dignitaries of Ipswich gather together with the general On a happier note, the Group’s spring bird walk, under public and service representatives to pay their respects the guidance of Phillip Murphy, took place on 17 March to the fallen. Therefore, you can see that the Park is and, despite the rain, the walk was very well attended. there for everyone, a place for people to come and enjoy Christchurch Park’s speciality birds, nuthatch and themselves. Despite the noise, sometimes very loud, treecreeper, gave us delightful views with treecreeper and despite thousands of people trudging over the Park, pairs easily outnumbering our two pairs of nuthatch. Of wildlife still manages to exist relatively undisturbed. Nature course everyone was taken aback by the sheer beauty seems capable of coping alongside all of the activities of the mandarin ducks which now seem to prefer the created for the public. The vast majority of people, many recently renovated Mediaeval Pond. Sadly, we did not of whom have little idea of the Park’s wildlife, do not hear or see a song thrush. How times have changed since cause harm to the Park’s flora and fauna. There are a I was a boy. few exceptions such as the moronic youths who tried to break the ice on the Round Pond by hurling seats over its REG SNOOK

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. BioBlitz

Although the title of this national initiative might sound To elaborate on that rather a destructive concept (invoking visions of waging second point, these war on wildlife!) it is actually quite the opposite. A well are exciting times planned and managed Bioblitz event can result in valuable for Chantry Park. As biological records for a site and can promote biodiversity part of a town wide as an overall theme to the general public at the same time. project some large areas of currently The idea is fairly simple. Gather as many knowledgeable short mown grass are scientists and naturalists as possible and, along with being converted into a members of the public, survey a single site over a 24 hour mosaic of semi-natural Saturday 16 June period for as many kinds of flora and fauna as possible. habitats – tall grass Chantry Park Ipswich meadow, scrub and We have chosen Chantry Park as the venue for such an woodland. Naturally, event this year. At 120 acres it is actually the towns largest this will increase the opportunities to wildlife and we want single site Park, yet it is far less visited and the wildlife to start the process of recording changes as they happen, far less known than either Holywells or Christchurch to measure how these changes affect the wildlife in the Park. The Council is now starting on the preparation of Park. For instance, will we see an increase in reptiles a 10 year management plan for the Park. An important and amphibian species and numbers? And how about element of that is the consideration of existing habitats butterflies and moths? and species and potential for further enhancements or additions of habitat in the future. The more we know about Chantry Park already has a good amount and variety the wildlife, the better informed we will be to help make of habitat to survey. There are meadows, woodland, the right management choices. scrub and ponds, which together form a County Wildlife Site (CWS). These will be the areas where the Bioblitz recording efforts will focus on this year, but other areas of the Park will also be visited, as wildlife knows no boundaries – designated ones, like the CWS, or physical ones such as a change of land management into more formal areas.

So we would like to invite everyone to put the Bioblitz event in his or her diary. If you have never visited Chantry Park before, make it this day to do so and join us to discover more about this important green space. You don’t have to be an expert, just an interest in wildlife. In fact, it is also a great chance to meet some very knowledgeable wildlife people, pick their brains and learn more about all kinds of different plants, animals, or fungi.

We look forward to seeing you in June. The event starts at 04:30 with a dawn chorus walk and will end with moth trapping and bat walks and a lot more in between! Naturally, you don’t have to stay the whole day, but you’d be more than welcome to!

For more information please telephone the wildlife team on 01473 433993

Chantry Park - meadows, woodland, scrub and ponds

14 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. Help our Hedgehogs Make a Hedgehog Heaven out of your garden © Colin Hullis Hedgehogs have been around for a very long time - in fact hedgehog–like creatures have been around for 15 million years!

Sadly however, due to a decline in their natural habitats and hazards such as roads, their numbers are dropping in the UK. So our little friends can really do with our help and the best way we can do this is to make our gardens more hedgehog- friendly.

They follow their noses, are curious wonderers, and roam quite a distance, covering a corridor of 10 - 12 gardens, so make sure hedgehogs can get in and out of your backyard. Making a few small 4 or 5 inches square holes at the bottom of walls or fences will do the job, so encourage your neighbours to do the same! Creating a corridor between gardens gives hedgehogs this freedom Your garden hedgehog will appreciate tinned meat dog food to naturally roam. their little legs get tangled up. They can also get caught Above all else, hedgehogs need access to fresh, clean up in empty food cans, cups and plastic mugs. One of water, especially in very dry weather. A shallow dish or the biggest problems are the plastic rings that keep cans tray with water that is refreshed daily is ideal. There are together – so make sure that each circle is cut to avoid a number of things that we can put out for hedgehogs little bodies getting caught. Also, if you have a pond be to eat: tinned cat or dog food (do not give them fish sure that there is a brick, stone or platform in the water flavours), ‘Spikes’ hedgehog food or other specially so that hedgehogs and other small animals can climb prepared hedgehog food and any meaty left-overs out. from your dinner! If you are sharing your dinner with hedgehogs, be sure to cut up the meat into small pieces When cutting grass first check it out for hedgehogs and so that tiny teeth can deal with it. Do not feed them other animals, especially before mowing and strimming milk or bread as these are very bad for them and do not and before setting light to bonfires, always check there give them fish flavours or salty foods like nuts, bacon or are no hedgehogs or other living creatures in the pile. corned beef either. If you would like hogs to visit or live in your garden then To keep hedgehog food away from the prying noses make sure there is a lot of natural cover: long grass, and mouths of other animals, keep food hidden under evergreen shrubs, flowers and bushes that provide all a platform or tile. Build or buy a small feeding station to year round cover and protection are greatly appreciated put the food in - one that will only allow hedgehogs to by hedgehogs. get in. There are a number of websites that offer a wealth of Pesticides can be very dangerous to hedgehogs, information on the care of hedgehogs. Take a look at as are slug pellets, unless stated otherwise by the the British Hedgehog Preservation Society web site manufacturers. Eating poisoned slugs and snails causes www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/. The Epping Forest serious internal damage to hedgehogs – so please keep Hedgehog Rescue site is also full of useful information your garden free of all these things. www.thehedgehog.co.uk/index.htm

To help our hogs, make sure that your garden is clear SARAH WATERSON of hazards. All kinds of netting can be bad for them as

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. Progress at Purdis Heath for Silver-studded Blue by Matt Berry

“As a relatively new BC member I have attended winter work parties at Purdis Heath. Following a summer of searching for and enjoying butterflies, I have spent time this winter helping to improve the habitat on the heath. This work will benefit the Silver-Studded Blue butterfly

All photos © Matt Berry in particular but has also created further habitats for the reptiles that populate this site. The work has been enjoyable - I have learned a great deal and we will hopefully be rewarded in the summer with an increased number of butterflies”. - Helen

“I’ve found the work parties good fun, and It’s been really nice to meet some people who are interested in the Female silver studded blue same things as me. I’m looking forward to the surveys in the summer, going over Purdis with some experts as We have been holding monthly volunteer work parties I have still never seen a SSB despite many walks round throughout the winter to improve the core heathland the heath”. – Susanne habitat of the site for the Silver-studded Blue and to benefit a multitude of other wildlife - Grayling, Viviparous I would like to thank all the volunteers Lizard and so on. One of the main issues is the who have been coming to help, most encroachment of scrub (Oak, Silver Birch and Gorse), of whom are Butterfly Conservation which has increasingly smothered the heather by the members. If any of our members feel shading effect and leaf fall. This supresses heathland the urge to join us for a future work vegetation and enriches the soil - both bad news! party you would be more than welcome. During spring and summer we will be spending lots of time observing The volunteer work parties have been and recording the wildlife, not least Silver-studded focused on tackling this problem. In Blues (fingers crossed for a good year!). The recording November and December groups of element is equally as important as the practical habitat up to ten people have been wielding management. Without it we would have less knowledge bow saws and loppers to cut down to call upon for choosing the right type of management, lots of small and not so small trees to open up areas to plus very little measure of success for the habitat encourage heather. The cut material has been moved management undertaken. to the woodland edge to create habitat for a wealth of wildlife - invertebrates, Lizards, small mammals, In addition to these monthly work hedgehogs and birds. We are making excellent progress parties, we were pleased to join towards getting the heathland into better shape. In with Greenways Countryside Project monetary terms the hours spent last winter equates to and Ipswich Wildlife Group on about £2,050 of labour. 21st January 2012, for the annual Megabash event. Around fifty people helped clear a Here is what some of our volunteers have to say about tremendous amount of invasive scrub from the central their experiences…. areas of heather. It was pleasing that some were local residents. Purdis Heath is privately owned and its future “Working at Purdis Heath is great, not only do you get is not certain, therefore it is vital that the people living to help the local environment, but you get to meet like- close, value and care for their local patch of ‘purple minded people too. I get over there whenever I can”. - heather paradise’. Hawk

16 Butterfly Conservation Saving butterflies, moths and our environment

Events programme 2012 by Matt Berry

It is time to herald in the spring and summer programme A highlight of the July events is the opportunity to go on of events and prepare to dust off the cameras, notebooks a walk at Pakenham Wood for Silver-washed Fritillary. and summer walking clothes and get out in the sun (we This beautiful butterfly has made a dramatic return to hope!) to see some butterflies and moths! So here are Suffolk in the past few years and it is so exciting to be some brief notes to highlight what we have planned in able to see them on our own patch. What will happen this 2012. year? Will they strengthen their presence in Suffolk even further? Take part in this event and find out! We start off with a spring walk in one our ‘Black Hole’ areas of Suffolk. These are tetrads where there are We have several events running during the Big Butterfly very few to no records, so if you can make it along to Count period during July and August, including joint Stella’s walk in west Suffolk you will not only be enjoying events between ourselves and Ipswich Borough Council a pleasant spring time excursion, but also helping to survey butterfly species in Orwell Country Park and contribute to recording and understanding butterfly another at Flatford Mill to survey in and around the RSPB populations – think of it as a something of a mystery tour! wildlife garden, at which we’ll also have information and displays about gardening for wildlife, including butterflies As you probably know, we’ve been promoting the and moths of course! Paul Johnson will also be leading ‘Buckthorn for Brimstones’ project recently. In May we’re a weekend event in the Sussex area during the same visiting Holywells Park in Ipswich, where over ten years period, in early August. It should be a fantastic two days ago the first wave of Buckthorn planting began and of butterfly spotting for those that can make it. To whet where there is now a very healthy Brimstone population. your appetite, some of the species that may be seen We hope to be lucky with the weather on the day and include Brown Hairstreak, Silver-washed Fritillary, Wall, witness courtship and egg-laying displays! We will also Silver-spotted Skipper, Adonis Blue and Chalkhill Blue. be on the lookout for other spring butterflies and just enjoying this wonderful, wildlife-rich Park. In late July I will be co-leading a tour in southern Spain with an award winning wildlife photographer. We’ll be The Dingy Skipper is the focus for some dates in May. exploring Andalucia, an area famed for its rich diversity Join Rob Parker and other committee members in the of landscape, habitat and wildlife. Thanks to our expert’s Kings Forest to survey for them and any other butterflies local knowledge we’ll be able to visit some of the best in the area. Tony Prichard will also be hosting a moth places and maximise the potential for seeing many night at Purdis Heath, hoping to add to our records of wildlife highlights, such as Two-tailed Pasha butterflies species at this precious site on the outskirts of Ipswich. If and some 50+ other species, European Chameleon, you have never been to a moth trapping event or wish to Griffon Vulture, Iberian Wolf and Spanish Ibex. Plus learn more about moths, I would recommend attending there will be professional photography advice and this event, or the one Tony will be helping with at Orwell tuition on tap. This trip promises to combine wildlife and Country Park in June. photography with fantastic scenery and climate! See www.greenwings.co to find out more. For people that like to travel further afield for their butterflies we have several opportunities this year. In Finally, please do remember our A.G.M. and members April I’ll be leading a tour of Rhodes in Greece for a week evening in September. Once the short business side of wildlife, warm weather and fantastic Greek culture, of things are over we’ll be enjoying a number of hospitality and cuisine. To keep the Greek theme going presentations of members photos, as well as hearing I am also leading a tour in the northern Peloponnese updates on projects we’ve been working on, such as region of Greece in late June. A wealth of wildlife and Purdis Heath for Silver-studded Blues and the Brimstones an abundance of butterflies are guaranteed (We will see and Buckthorn project. We hope by then to be in a well over 50 different species), during a week in some of position to report some good news about a new project the most picturesque and mountainous areas in Greece. that promises to deliver some real benefit to Silver- Details for both trips can be found at www.greenwings. studded Blue conservation. co. Also in June there will be the annual survey for Silver-studded Blue at the RSPB Minsmere in June too, DetaiIs of the events can be found in the Events Diary of which is well worth taking part in for a chance to see the this magazine or on our website at www.suffolkbutterflies. butterfly and also find out more about them and their org.uk fascinating life cycle from our resident expert Rob.

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. Step up and save Hintlesham Woods by Mark Nowers

The Hintlesham Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest of ancient woodland – (SSSI) consists of Wolves Wood, Hintlesham Wood irreplaceable habitat that

and Ramsey Wood, and forms one of Suffolk’s largest we simply cannot afford to © Liz Cutting remaining blocks of ancient woodland. The Woods lose. Given the fact that we are nationally important for their size, archaeological have already lost over 50% features, plant communities and birds, supporting of our ancient woodlands several UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) bird in the UK since the end of species and red listed Birds of Conservation Concern. the Second World War, it is The SSSI is also important for a number of rare or imperative that we protect uncommon species including white admiral and silver what we have left. There is washed fritillary butterflies, and dormice. already one high voltage line passing through the However, this important site for wildlife is under threat. woods and fragmenting National Grid wishes to construct transmission lines in the habitat. However, the the area to accommodate new power generation from National Grid plans are offshore wind farms under construction off the Suffolk for a second line to run coast, as well as the proposed Sizewell C nuclear parallel to the existing line, Early purple orchid power station. Despite the RSPB’s efforts since 2009 either through the Ramsey to encourage National Grid to avoid a route through Wood or Hintlesham Wood components of the SSSI. the Hintlesham Woods SSSI, they have retained it as The new pylons would fragment the woods even an option within their preferred route corridor. However, further, forming a greater barrier to the movement of there is an alternative route possible to the south of the plants and animals and consequently reducing the woods, which would avoid the SSSI completely. value of the remaining habitat.

Our concerns are that constructing pylons through the We need your help to strongly encourage National woods would require the destruction of several hectares Grid to choose the southerly route (Option 2A) which

Mark Nowers. Warden, RSPB Wolves Wood and Stour Estuary Reserves RSPB, Unit 1, Brantham Mill Industrial Estate, Bergholt Road, Brantham, Manningtree, Essex. CO11 1QT Tel: 01206 391153 [email protected]

Last Chance to See . . ? A free guided walk is being held on 5 May in Hintlesham Woods. To book a place please contact the Stour Estuary reserve office 01206 391153 or email [email protected] Dormice at home in Hintlesham

18 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.

Regular visitors may have noticed two raised circular areas of land in the woods. These are Bronze Age burial mounds. Following a visit from an English Heritage representative, we were excited to learn that as scheduled ancient monuments they are afforded the same protection as Stonehenge. We have been given guidance on their proper maintenance which includes, subject to receiving permission from SCDC under the aforementioned TPO, we will be clearing the trees to create two new glades.

The adult volunteers have been clearing the paths to make them safe and easy access for the fire brigade if needed. In particular they have cleared many dead or fallen trees that have come down in the recent weather. Ladybirds have been spotted huddled together hibernating in the tree guards in the woods. With the start of the breeding season we ask that you keep to the paths please so as not to disturb ground and low level nesting birds.

At our AGM on 5th March, the committee for the next year were all re-elected with the exception of Andrew Strange who is moving away to attend University. The chairman Stephen Corley thanked him and all the other committee members for their support and contributions during the year. Stephen also thanked all the volunteers Young Nature Explorers enjoying a rest after working on the who regularly work in the woods. Southern revetment

A total of almost 800 volunteer hours have been recorded during the past year, helped by our Nature Explorers. Nature Explorers are young people aged 11 and over who work together on their own projects to develop their own conservation skills but at the same time contributing to the work of the Group. Already this year they have built a new causeway onto the southern revetment in the woods and checked the nesting boxes ready for spring. If you and your children would like to join in Nature Explorers or Nature Watch Club for 5 to 11 year-olds please contact us as above.

PWCG Work Mornings - 10.00am to noon Sat 19th May; Sun 17th Jun; Sat 21st Jul; Sat 15th Sept

PWCG Nature Explorers - 9.00am to 11.00am Sat 19th May; Sat 21st Jul; Sat 15th Sept

PWCG Nature Watch - times to be arranged Sat 12th May; Sat 9th Jun; Sat 7th Jul; Sat 8th Sept

PWCG Glow Worm Survey and Bat Walk - Fri 29th Hibernating ladybirds in Portals Woodland June, 9:15pm start

19 Local Wildlife News Snippets

Toad Patrol in Bobbits Lane Wild about Westgate Sadly the Riverside Road Meadow next to the River Gipping in western Ipswich looks set to become a temporary storage compound for materials and vehicles for the new Ipswich rail project, the Ipswich Chord. Regular readers will recall the hope of the Greenways Project and the Wild About Westgate group to manage this site for wildlife when it has finally been (soon!) transferred to IBC as part of a planning agreement made some ten years ago. Some of the more interesting species found on the site include slow-worm, toad, frog, wasp spider, great green-bush cricket, the nationally scarce dittander, bird’s-foot trefoil and common blue butterfly.

© Matt Berry Among the 30+ volunteer Toad Patrollers this year were Luke (pictured) and Adam Horsley and Dad Arron, all members of the Friends of Belstead Brook Park. This year a total of around 3000 toads were recorded as they migrated from their hibernating grounds in Kiln Meadow and surrounds to the breeding pond in Bobbits Lane meadow. This is smaller than recent years and it is not known exactly why. However, the colony can almost double in numbers from one year to the next, with a single female toad able to produce up to 5000 eggs, so there is every hope that numbers will increase again in a year or two.

Foraging Gulls a common sight in Ipswich

© Colin Hullis See the meadow and some of its wildlife on the Wild About Westgate/Greenways Project Bug Hunt in July (see Events Diary). Wild About Westgate is a group concerned about the local environment in the Westgate ward. If you would like to know more about the group or would like to join and help please contact Carole Jones 01473 210586.

Who’d be a volunteer?

Foraging gulls are now common, even in the centre of Ipswich. One favoured location is the Old Cattle Market bus station. Here a long and continuous roof gives panoramic views and even taller light columns are also used . On 31st June 2011 I watched a lesser black-backed gull fly down from a high point to land on the far end of an empty bus just pulling into a passsenger bay. Then it jumped down to pick up some discarded food, having first walked along the bus roof to get a better view. This done, it then tried to fly off with its catch but banged into the reinforced plastic end of the bus shelter. It was so close that no harm was done. This attempt to fly was repeated a second and then a third time, with the same result, but on the third attempt the food dropped from its bill and went through a gap at the bottom of the plastic panel. It ended up the other side and the gull considered this briefly This apparently happy band of very muddy Greenways before walking round to the far side, picking up the food and volunteers were part of the regular Tuesday work party who flying off. This was another urban adjustment successfully were unsuspecting enough to volunteer to carry out de-silting achieved. work in a pond at Grundisburgh Millennium Meadow. The word Richard Stewart ‘shower’ comes to mind!

20 Events Diary Wednesday 2nd May 7pm IBC Rangers DUSK CHORUS Pipers Vale Local Nature Reserve is recognised for the birds it supports. Come and listen to the calls of the birds marking territories and settling down for the night, especially the melodic nightingales. Learn why birds sing, the calls they make and how to distinguish between them. Bring your binoculars. Booking essential contact 01473 433994

Saturday 5th May 4.30am IBC Rangers DAWN CHORUS Join the Rangers in Holywells Park for an early morning walk. A wide range of birds will be seen and heard in the mixture of habitats this park has to offer. Ten species of warbler were heard last year but how many will return? Booking essential contact 01473 433994

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

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

Saturday 5th May 11am Butterfly Conservation - BRIMSTONES & BLUEBELLS Holywells Park, Ipswich. A chance to witness courtship and egg laying behaviour of the Brimstone butterfly and other spring species. Meet: Stable block, near car park. Map Ref: TM176434. Leader: Matt Berry Tel: 07599 243026

Sunday 6th May 4.30am Access to Nature/Greenways DAWN CHORUS WALK Spring Wood and Belstead Brook Park. Meet at Bobbits Lane car park. Listen to the wide array of beautiful birdsong in the varied habitats along the brook with local experts, followed by breakfast in the wood! FREE event. Booking essential contact [email protected] or call 07717 507348

Monday 7th May Bank Holiday 11am - 4pm SPRING WOOD CELEBRATION DAY Join the Greenways Project, Access To Nature and Ipswich Wildlife Group for a great day of wildlife walks, children’s activities, woodland crafts, music and much, much more. Light refreshments available, bring a picnic and stay for the day. A FREE event open to all. Parking in Bourne Park (off Stoke Park Drive) with a minibus shuttle or halfMay mile signposted walk through nature reserves to the event. Details from Greenways Project 01473 433995. Saturday 12th May 11am – 2pm FOHP Holywells Park BLOSSOM AND SCARECROW’S TEA PARTY Tea/refreshments in the Orchard at blossom time with scarecrow making/dressing. Scarecrow frames and some scarecrow clothes provided - please bring your own old clothes. Take your scarecrow home with you if you wish. Free event but donations please for refreshments. Details from Peter Scotcher 01473 463860

Sunday 13th May 10am IBC Rangers WOODLAND WALK An opportunity to walk through Bridge Wood with the Rangers at this special time of year. The woodland comes to life in the Spring with bluebells flowering and songbirds singing. Learn how woodlands work, how they grow, why they are important and work that Rangers do. Booking essential contact 01473 433994

Tuesday 15th May 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Pipers Vale. Meet at car park at Vale entrance. TM178419. Leader Kathy Reynolds. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Tuesday 15th May 10.30am Butterfly Conservation - DINGY SKIPPER HUNT Kings Forest. Meet: Access lane to John O’ Groat’s Cottages. Map Ref: TL825739. Please phone in advance to notify your availability, not only for 15th May, but also for Sunday 20th May. Leader: Rob Parker. Tel: 01284 705476

Wednesday 16th May 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING Alton Water for Nightingales and summer birds. Meet at 6.30pm at Lemons Hill north car park, Tattingstone. 3hrs. 3miles. TM137377. Leader Stephen Marginson Tel: 01473 258791.

Saturday 19th May 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 20th May 10.30am - 1pm IWG & FoBBP Spring Wood Work Party Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and the Friends of Belstead Brook Park for for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Saturday 26th May 10am – 1pm Access to Nature and Friends of Alderman Canal CONSERVATION AND FAMILY FUN Family fun activities at the canal – join us for fun and games around the nature reserve, go on a guided walk to discover the wildlife of the canal, have a go at some conservation tasks and enjoy a picnic lunch. For more information contact Becky on [email protected] 01473 418033, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Saturday 26th May 9.30pm Butterfly Conservation MOTH NIGHT Purdis Heath, Ipswich, meet: Bucklesham Road lay-by. Map Ref: TM212423 Leader: Tony Prichard Tel: 01473 270047

Saturday 26th May 2:30 – 4pm Access to Nature WORK PARTY Wildlife Garden, Ipswich Working with local residents to create a wildlife haven in the heart of the estate. Meet at the wildlife garden on Kelly Road, Ipswich. For more information contact Steve Pritchard [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

21 Sunday 27th May 10am Landguard Partnership PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP - FORMAL ELEMENTS The Landguard Peninsula at Felixstowe is a great untapped resource for photographic opportunities - huge container ships, wonderful wildlife, unique objects at the Felixstowe Museum and the historic Landguard Fort. Join us for one of our Photography Workshops, led by the award-winning local professional photographer James Fletcher. £25. You must pre-book in advance for this workshop. Further information and to book a place: 01394 675283. [email protected]

Wednesday 6th June 8.30pm IBC Rangers MOTH NIGHT Moths have always played second fiddle to their diurnal cousins. The study of moths is growing in popularity in the UK. We will be setting up traps and making sugar ropes for the fourth year now to attract these nocturnal flying insects to help build our knowledge of these creatures at Orwell Country Park. Booking essential contact 01473 433994

Saturday 9th June 10.30am SWT WALBERSWICK NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Will Russell, the Reserve Manager will lead a ‘Behind the Scenes’ look at the work he does on the reserve. With its grazing marshes and the largest reed bed in the country there should be a good chance of spotting marsh harriers and bearded tits. Afterwards refreshments are available in Walberwick and Blythburgh. Meet at Westwood Lodge Car Park, Lodge Road just outside Walberswick. Grid Reference 467737. £2 donation to SWT. No need to book. Contact Leigh Williamson 01473 785600

Saturday 16th June IBC Rangers all day event from 4.30am. ‘BIOBLITZ’ Help the Wildlife Team race to discover as many types of wildlife as possible at Chantry Park over a 24 hour period. Joined by scientists, students, naturalists and the public working against the clock to spot and record as many kinds of flora and fauna as possible. Surveys and guided walks run throughout that period. See local press, www.ipswich.gov.uk/parks or email [email protected] for an itinerary of the day.

Sunday 17th June 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

Sunday17th June 10.30am - 1pm IWG & FoBBP Spring Wood Work Party Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and the Friends of Belstead Brook Park for for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Sunday 17th June 3.30pm RSPB Field Meeting A walk round Earl Stonham for summer woodland and farmland birds. Meet at 3.30pm at Earl Stonham Church. 3hrs. 5miles. TM108588. Leader Stephen Marginson Tel: 01473 258791. Jun Tuesday 19th June 10am RSPB MIDWEEK WALK Christchurch Park. Meet at Soane Street entrance. TM165448. Leader Kathy Reynolds. Details from Chris Courtney 01473 423213

Tuesday 19th June 10am Butterfly Conservation SILVER STUDDED BLUE SURVEY Minsmere RSPB reserve. Meet: Warden’s Lodge just before RSPB car park. Map Ref: TM470671. Register in advance. Leader: Rob Parker Tel: 01284 705476. (Backup dates Tuesday 26th June and Monday 2nd July).

Thursday 21st June 7pm IBC Rangers SOLSTICE CRUISE Cruise the Orwell Estuary within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, watching wildlife that lives and visits this internationally important estuary. Local enthusiast and Rangers will be talking about the estuary’s importance in a global, national and local scale, wildlife seen and how the estuary was formed. Bring binoculars. Booking essential contact 01473 433994

Saturday 23rd June 10am – 2.30pm Access to Nature Ipswich’s 2nd BIRTHDAY PARTY Join a2nipswich and our friends and partners as we celebrate two years of the project. Have a go at some conservation work during the morning, discover the nature reserve and its wildlife with guided walks, and enjoy a range of fun nature, craft and media activities for all ages! Conservation work from 10am-1pm. Other activities from 11am onwards. Free event including lunch. Details from Becky [email protected] 01473 418033, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk.

Saturday 23rd June 2pm IBC/FoHP Holywells Park SUMMER MUSIC EVENT Enjoy tea, cake and music from a string quartet in the garden next to the Stable Block. History/wildlife walk. Free event – donations for refreshments. Details from Peter Scotcher 01473 463860

Sunday 24th June10am Landguard Partnership PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP -LANDSCAPES The Landguard Peninsula at Felixstowe is a great untapped resource for photographic opportunities - huge container ships, wonderful wildlife, unique objects at the Felixstowe Museum and the historic Landguard Fort. Join us for one of our Photography Workshops, led by the award-winning local professional photographer James Fletcher. £25. You must pre-book in advance for this workshop. Further information and to book a place: 01394 675283. [email protected]

Friday 29th June 9.15am PWCG GLOW WORM SURVEY AND BAT WALK Please check for updates to events at www.pwcg.onesuffolk.net/ For more information [email protected]

Saturday 30th June 7.30am Landguard Partnership MOTH MORNING Landguard Bird Observatory, Felixstowe. Learn more about these flying mini-beasts. A unique opportunity to visit the Landguard Bird Observatory - and see what has been caught overnight in the moth traps. Admission free, just turn up (donations welcome). Further information: 01394 673782. [email protected]

Sunday 1st July 10am Landguard Partnership PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP - GUIDED WALK AND PICNIC The Landguard Peninsula at Felixstowe is a great untapped resource for photographic opportunities - huge container ships, wonderful wildlife, unique objects at the Felixstowe Museum and the historic Landguard Fort. Join us for one of our Photography Workshops, led by the award-winning local professional photographer James Fletcher. £50. You must pre-book in advance for this workshop. Further information and to book a place: 01394 675283. [email protected] 22 Friday 6th July 10am Butterfly Conservation PAKENHAM WOOD FOR SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY A chance to look for this recently returned fritillary and moving on in the afternoon to survey the closed landfill site at Lackford. Meet Pakenham Church car park Map Ref: TL930670. Leader: Rob Parker Tel: 01284 705476

Saturday 7th July 10am Butterfly Conservation/Access to Nature joint event BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AT PURDIS HEATH A survey/wildlife walk to help record species present on this valuable SSSI heathland site. Meet: Ipswich Golf Club car park Grid Ref: TM205429. Leader: Matt Berry Tel: 07599 243026 or contact Becky on 07717 507348 or [email protected]

Saturday 7th July 10.30am IBC Rangers WILD ABOUT FLOWERS A joint event with Suffolk Wildlife Trust to celebrate wildflowers of the meadow and rough grassland at Landseer Park, Ipswich. Join us for a summer walk to see flowers and any other wildlife we can find. Afterwards stay for a picnic. Please bring your own food and drink if you’d like to join us. Booking essential contact 01473 433994

Wednesday 11th July 10.30am Butterfly Conservation - WHITE ADMIRALS SEARCH Rendlesham and Tangham Forest morning, Upper Hollesley Common afternoon. Meet: Rendlesham Forest Centre (Car Park charge applies). Map Ref: TM353484. Bring packed lunch. Leaders: Peter Maddison and Richard Stewart Tel: 01473 736607.

Wednesday 11th July 6.30pm RSPB FIELD MEETING Landguard Reserve, Felixstowe for summer flora and fauna. Meet at 6.30pm at Manor Road car park, Felixstowe. 2hrs. 2miles. TM290325. Leader Stephen Marginson Tel: 01473 258791.

Saturday 14th July 11am – 2pm FoHP Holywells Park THE GREAT SUMMER BUG HUNT Bug Hunt in meadows and woodland, refreshments, followed by pond-dipping. Related things for children to make and do. Directions signed from Stable Block. Free event – donations for refreshments. Details from Peter Scotcher 01473 463860

Saturday 14th July - Sunday 5th August Butterfly Conservation - BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT Website: www.bigbutterflycount.org

Saturday 14th July Butterfly Conservation SURVEY A survey of the under-recorded tetrads in the Cookley and Walpole area. Contact Peter Maddison for details. Tel: 01473 736607 Sunday 15th July 10.30am - 1pm IWG & FoBBP SpringJul Wood Work Party Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and the Friends of Belstead Brook Park for for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Tuesday 17th July 10am Butterfly Conservation FLOWTON FARM SURVEY A walk on John Cousin’s 350 acre farm to survey for butterflies. Meet: Farm visitors car park. Map Ref: TM084457. Contact Peter Maddison to book Tel: 01473 736607

Tuesday 17th July - Tuesday 24th Butterfly Conservation - JULY BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER WILDLIFE OF ANDALUCIA, SPAIN. A tour of southern Spain, led by expert and award winning wildlife photographers/naturalists. 10% profits to BC. Contact Matt Berry Tel: 07599243026 Email: [email protected] www.greenwings.co

Saturday 21st July 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

Wednesday 25th July 11am and 2.30pm IBC Rangers POND DIPPING Join the Rangers for a morning or afternoon of fun in Holywells Park. Search for bugs and creepy crawlies using nets and other devices. Booking essential contact 01473 433994

Thursday 26th July 11am and 2pm Butterfly Conservation BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT Orwell Country Park, Ipswich. Meet: Pipers Vale car park. Map Ref: TM178420. Contact IBC Wildlife Rangers Tel: 01473 433994 (free to BC members).

Saturday 28th July 1.30pm – 4pm Wild About Westgate/Greenways Project BUG HUNT Bug Hunt of meadow and bushes followed by pond-dipping in the River Gipping. Other table-based bug activities: bug word search, quiz, colouring. Meet at River Path Meadow next to Railway Bridge (under bridge from Boss Hall Road or west along River Path from Riverside Road junction with Tanners View). Details from Peter Scotcher 01473 433995 before 4.30pm Friday

Saturday 28th July 2:30 – 4pm Access to Nature WORK PARTY Wildlife Garden, Ipswich Working with local residents to create a wildlife haven in the heart of the estate. Meet at the wildlife garden on Kelly Road, Ipswich. For more information contact Steve Pritchard [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Sunday 29th July 10.30am Butterfly Conservation GARDEN VISIT An invitation from BC member Mrs Trudie Willis to visit her 10 acre garden, including a Buddleia and Honeysuckle collection. Meet: Park car at Prior Oak, Leiston Road, Aldeburgh (B1122 Leiston to Aldeburgh Road). Map Ref: TM452591. Moth trap catches will be examined during the morning and butterfly and moth information will be available.Contact Peter Maddison for details. Tel: 01473 736607

Sunday 29th July 1pm Landguard Partnership THE SECRET SEASHORE II Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. Free family fun day on the Nature Reserve. Organised by the Landguard Partnership and Suffolk Wildlife Trust as part of Marine Conservation Week. Activities planned include a treasure hunt, crafts, touch table and giant board game. Further information: 01394 675283. [email protected]

Wednesday 1st August 10am IBC Rangers SCALES AND TAILS A totally amazing experience to get up close to our native and exotic lizards, snakes and insects. Learn about these elusive creatures, what they like to eat, where do they live? You will be able to hold the reptiles and feel their skin on yours. Not to be missed. Booking essential contact 01473 433994 Saturday 4th August 8.30am RSPB FIELD MEETING Aug Trimley SWT Reserve for migrant waders. Meet at 8.30am at Searsons Farm, Trimley St Martin. 4hrs. 6miles. TM277357. Leader Stephen Marginson Tel: 01473 258791.

23 Sunday 5th August 10.30am Butterfly Conservation WILDLIFE GARDENING AT FLATFORD MILL A joint event with the RSPB. There will be butterfly displays plus information and advice about gardening for butterflies and other wildlife. Meet: RSPB wildlife garden at Flatford Mill. Map Ref: TM077332. Leader: Matt Berry. Tel: 07599 243026

Wednesday 8th August 11am IBC Rangers MUDDY GOOD FUN Discover what lies beneath the black ooze of the Orwell Estuary and why so many birds visit it. Be prepared to get really muddy as we dig looking for the creatures that live within. Don’t forget to bring old clothes and your wellies. Booking essential contact 01473 433994

Saturday 11th August 10.30am Butterfly Conservation RSPB MINSMERE BUTTERFLY WALK A walk with Nigel Cuming (special access to non-public areas). Meet: RSPB visitor’s car park - at the west end of the main car park. Map Ref: TM472672. Tel: Matt Berry for more details 07599 243026

Wednesday 15th August 1pm IBC Rangers MINI BEAST SAFARI Children go on a magical mini beast safari hunt, carefully collecting mini beasts and examining them carefully with magnifying pots. Meet in front of the Mansion (Hadleigh Road entrance) in Chantry Park. BookingAug essential contact 01473 433994 Saturday 18th August 10.30am SWT HOLYWELLS PARK TOUR The tour will be led by Peter Scotcher from Friends of Holywells Park. Peter’s knowledge of both the history and the wildlife of the park will make this a very interesting outing. Meet at the car park at Cliff Lane entrance (opposite Dereham Avenue). £2 donations to SWT. No need to book. Contact Leigh Williamson 01473 785600

Saturday 18th August 1pm – 3pm Wild About Westgate/Greenways Project COMMUNITY RIVER CLEAR-UP Come and help clear-up your local patch along the river and its surrounds. Meet where Riverside Road meets the River and River Path. Details from Carole Jones 01473 210586

Saturday 18th August 8pm FoHP Holywells Park BAT WALK Meet at Stable Block. Learn about bats, see and hear them with the aid of electronic bat detectors. No promises but maybe we’ll hear an owl or two and find other nocturnal animals. Exit from Cliff Lane entrance only! Free event – donations for refreshments. Details from Peter Scotcher 01473 463860

Saturday 25th August 2.30– 4pm Access to Nature WORK PARTY Wildlife Garden, Ipswich Working with local residents to create a wildlife haven in the heart of the estate. Meet at the wildlife garden on Kelly Road, Ipswich. For more information contact Steve Pritchard [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk

Sunday 19th August 10.30am - 1pm IWG & FoBBP Spring Wood Work Party Join Ipswich Wildlife Group and the Friends of Belstead Brook Park for for a morning of work in the wood. Meet at the stepped entrance to the wood. Details from Gerry Donlon 01473 726082

Wednesday 22nd August 11am IBC Rangers TEDDY BEAR BUG HUNT Become detectives of the natural world and discover the micro world of the minibeast. We will be looking under logs and leaves, in the bushes and trees to learn about these fascinating animals. Bring along teddy to share a picnic when all the hard work is finished. Booking essential contact 01473 433994

Wednesday 29th August 8pm IBC Rangers BAT WALK Learn about our native bats, where do they live and how do you identify them? The Rangers will take you on a guided walk around Christchurch Park. Insect repellent and long sleeved clothing are advisable if you are prone to being bitten by midges. Booking essential contact 01473 433994 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.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

SATURDAYS 9.30 - 11am 12 May, 16 June, 14 July, 18 August, Landguard Partnership MONTHLY BEACH LITTER PICK Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe. Help keep the beach at Landguard clean and pristine. We provide bin bags, gloves and litter pickers. Meet at the southern end of the observatory compound between the rifle fencing and the bungalow. Once we’ve finished there is tea/coffee and biscuits back at the Bird Observatory. Further information: 01394 673782 [email protected]

ALTERNATE SATURDAYS 10am – 1pm Access to Nature and Friends of Alderman Canal CONSERVATION WORK PARTY Exact location and details of tasks to be confirmed. For more information contact Steve Pritchard [email protected] or 07834 750970, or check the website: www.a2nipswich.org.uk 24