area May 2019 Your local wildlife news After a winter of restoration and hide building, spring sees the reedbed burst into life. Alan Miller explains what to look and listen for as the weather warms. Alan Miller North-East Sites During the winter work to create more with upwards of a dozen nests creating a Manager open water and reshape the islands was busy breeding season. 01502 478788 completed. This has improved the site for Hen Reedbeds was created to wildlife and also for visitors, providing safeguard the bittern and this month is better views from the new Suffolk AONB- one of the best to hear them. Listen for the funded hide. The hide is already being well deep booming of the males, best heard Sam Hanks Reserves used and the link to the circular walks early morning or at dusk as they Assistant around Marshes is complete. announce their territories. With patience 07887 422018 May sees the reedbed return to life, the birds can be seen flying low over the changing from winter brown into bright reeds as they move to feed in the various green, with migrant birds joining the pools. Dayne West clamour of resident species. Look out too Marsh harriers, rarer than golden Belts for dragonflies, particularly eagles in UK, yet we see them as an Warden hawkers, as they zip over reed and water. everyday occurrence on the Suffolk coast, 07718 479737 The grey herons have once more taken will be busy nesting with at least three up residence in the reedbed and can be pairs on site and bearded tits appear to be seen busy rearing their broods. This is the recovering from last years Beast from the Jamie Smith only ground nesting colony in the county East which reduced numbers in the spring. Assistant 07969 206535 WILD BEACH Butterflies and migrant birds will soon be arriving in Reydon Wood. Alan Bev Rogers Miller looks back at a winter of and ahead to what promises to be a Learning spectacular year for bluebells. Development Officer The winter coppicing programme was joined by the migrants as they arrive back 01473 890089 completed with the plots now secured from sunnier climes, the commonest from the nibbling of deer by dead hedges being the blackcap and chiffchaffs For more wildlife and builders fence panels. These are left in followed by garden warblers which test news, follow the place for two years so that the coppice the ears of even experienced birders in team on facebook: stools can grow out of reach of the deer separating them from blackcaps. and then moved to the next cut plots. The The widened rides should prove – Coastal Reserves dry winter has meant the paths are in attractive to butterflies and look out for good shape for the large numbers of silver washed fritillaries which are visitors that arrive in May to see the becoming more common locally, usually carpets of bluebells throughout the wood. on the wing from late June. The nuthatches that first bred in the When visiting during the bluebell wood two years ago can be heard as they period please park in the car park move about the wood their loud calls considerately to avoid blocking the announcing their presence. These are entrance to the farmer’s field.

Your most local reserves Carlton Marshes l Church Farm Marshes l Marshes Directions & maps l Forest l Hen Reedbeds l Reydon Wood suffolkwildlifetrust.org SOUTHWOLD WILDLIFE GROUP YOUR LOCAL NEWS WILDLIFE GROUP Southwold Wildlife Group is part of Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s county CONTACTS volunteer network. Led by local Trust members, the group organises Sally Skinner events, talks and wildlife activities and raises money for the Trust, to 01502 724129 help safeguard our wild and beautiful county. [email protected] VOLUNTEER WORK PARTIES Reydon Woods (& sometimes Hen Reedbeds) Peter Boyden 07810 310369 GROUP NEWS WHAT’S ON [email protected] Our talks this winter have been well Saturday 8 June 10.30am supported and have covered a wide range Walk: reserve MAGAZINES Delivering your Suffolk of subjects. We are always very pleased to With George Batchelor. Wildlife magazine by hand have any suggestions of good speakers or Meet in the reserve car park, Wade Hall saves the Trust thousands of subjects that members would like us to Lane, Barnby. pounds each year. We always consider organising. Please contact OS map reference TM 471 905. welcome extra volunteer anyone on the committee with your ideas. deliverers. If you would like Friday 12 July 10am to help, please contact: In November Duncan Sweeting gave a Walk: Carlton Marshes reserve Sam Grange most informative talk on bats which With Katy Runacres. Membership Manager everyone enjoyed. He was able to explain Meet in the reserve car park, Burnt Hill 01473 890089 how to help to conserve these fascinating Lane, . membership@ creatures and he outlined the many ways OS map reference TM 508 920. suffolkwildlifetrust.org the law helps to protect this species. He Saturday 24 August 10.30am also brought a collection of bat boxes to Walk: Birdwatching at show us. With John Nottage. Tony Brown brought a wonderful Meet in the car park opposite the White FINDING US FOR collection of his photographs of the River Hart. OS map reference TM 452 755. EVENTS Waveney, from source to sea, for our Thursday 19 September 7.30pm Talks and the AGM will January talk. Seeing this beautiful river, Talk: Walking the Suffolk coast & rivers be in Southwold Arts through all the seasons, was just what was Centre, Cumberland Rd, from to Cattawade Southwold IP18 6JP. needed for a cold January evening. With Pam Evans. Creating Wildness was the title of Michael Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road, All welcome, no need Strand’s illustrated talk in February. Southwold IP18 6JP. to book. Admission cost for the talks is £3 and Michael described what Suffolk Wildlife All welcome, no need to book. Admission includes refreshments. Trust is aiming to achieve with our vision cost £3 including refreshments. There is no charge for for the future of wildlife in Suffolk. entry to the AGM or for We hope many of you will come and join The walks are open to all and are free of attendance on the walk. us for any of the events we have planned charge, no need to book. If you would like to for the summer. join us on a walk but do not have your own transport, give Sally a call to arrange a lift. As always I want to give a heartfelt thank you to the Committee Members, and their partners, as well as to all the others who Carlton do so much to keep our local group Marshes running. We are always interested to hear from anyone who feels they could help us in anyway. Terry Payne

Volunteer locally l Reserve work parties are a great way to enjoy your local reserves. Call Alan. l How about helping with events or exploring nature with children? Call Bev. l Or join the Southwold Group team. Go along to any of the group events or give Sally a call. Registered charity no 262777