Your wild winter

The best of the season’s wildlife and where to enjoy it in Suffolk.

Like all mustelids, weasels have long bodies and short legs. They hunt day and night, and even in the snow!

Covid-19

We are continuing to follow Government guidance and to respond accordingly. Please check our website and social media for the most up-to-date information on our nature reserves, centres and events.

Thank you Your membership gives us a voice – to inspire others and encourage councils, businesses, community groups and landowners to give nature space to thrive.

WINTER SPECTACLE

Marvel at mustelids

From the subterranean badger to the water-loving otter, and elusive animals like the polecat and pine marten, mustelids make up a diverse family of mammals, with several species found in Suffolk. Two species often (w-easily?) confused are the stoat and the weasel. All you might see of either of these charismatic animals is the flash of fur as they streak across the road. Shy and secretive, both are ferocious hunters despite their tiny size and getting a good view is a real treat. Stoats are bigger, but still small at under 30cm long. They have a distinctive, blacktipped tail and a bounding gait. Weasels are daintier still, capable of bringing down prey much larger than themselves. They scurry along on tiny legs. In northern climes, stoats might moult into their white winter ermine coats, but further south, including in Suffolk, they’ll stay a russet-brown.

SEE THEM THIS WINTER

† Lackford Lakes The mosaic of habitats in this wildlife oasis provide the perfect hunting grounds for stoats and weasels.

† Redgrave & Lopham Fen A star nature reserve that shines in any season, look out for the flash of fur on a track in front of you.

† Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale The mixture of habitats supports a range of mustelids, including stoats, weasels and badgers.

Reserve info & maps

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves

Primrose flowers are large and creamy, with deep yellow centres, and often appear clustered together.

Explore a woodland near you to spot a jay this winter

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/ nature-reserves

Primroses

The common name of the primrose comes from the Latin prima rosa, meaning 'first rose' – a fitting title, as this is one of the first wildflowers to bloom in the year. As early as late December, the first primroses poke their head through the leaf litter in damp, shady woodlands, hedgerows, churchyards and gardens. Primrose is a favourite nectaring plant for brimstone and small tortoiseshell butterflies, as well as a vital food source for early pollinators like queen bumblebees. According to legend, no primrose could grow in the Suffolk village of Cockfield – one legend says that this is following a dreadful and bloody Viking battle, whilst another says that the plague affected primroses as well as humans here. In fact, they are thriving in Bull's Wood, in Cockfield!

SEE THEM THIS WINTER

† Reydon Wood is famed for an amazing display of wildflowers, starting with primroses in late winter. † Bull’s Wood comes alive early in the year, with wildflowers like the rare springtime oxlips, primroses and early purple orchids.

FIELDCRAFT

Spend a day with a jay

Jays are famed for their brightly coloured pinkish-buff plumage with a startling blue wing patch and suave black moustache. They are exceptionally intelligent and some studies suggest that they may even be as clever as apes. Despite this, they can be very secretive, so winter is a good time to spot one foraging for buried acorns on lawns or in parks and grasslands, or in the bare canopies of deciduous trees. Jays are renowned for caching acorns in the autumn as a winter snack, but many will lie forgotten underground; some will grow into huge oak trees! How to SPOT A JAY

† Look As they fly, you’ll notice the obvious white rump, black tail and bouncy, flappy flight. † Listen Like all corvids, the jay won’t win awards for its song. Listen for a harsh croaking screech from within the scrub or canopy. † Find a feather Jays are known for their plumage, so finding their moulted wing feathers is a treat. They are smallish, with iridescent blue and black stripes.

SEE THIS

On wetlands, riverbanks and canals, look for the mowed ‘lawns’ of water voles, which are easier to see in winter.

SMELL THIS

You may be able to spot (or smell!) otter spraints by rivers and waterways: scented messages that smell of jasmine.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT Great spotted woodpeckers

Listen for nature’s percussionists.

ALAMY

Sounds of spring

The drumming of the great spotted woodpecker across woodlands, parks and gardens heralds the onset of spring. As well as using that dagger bill to drill for food and create nest cavities, it is most commonly used as a form of communication, setting up and defending breeding territories. You may spot one shimmying up a tree before the canopy develops or bounding across a parkland with their bouncing flight.

Amazing adaptations

Woodpeckers are famed for their adaptations. Their zygodactylic feet, with two toes pointing up and two pointing down allow them to move dextrously up and down tree trunks. Their bills are reinforced yet elastic, and the cells at the end of the bill are constantly replaced so that they never wear down.

A springy hyoid bone wraps around their heads, which acts like a seat-belt to protect against the pounding vibrations shaking their brains. This is connected to their extremely long and sticky tongues: perfect for fishing insects out of tiny holes. In great spotted woodpeckers, this extends four centimetres beyond their bill tip and are so long that they wrap around their skulls. Woodpeckers have a translucent third eyelid, which can be drawn across the eye for protection whilst still allowing them to see. They even have bristly feathers over their nostrils to prevent inhalation of wood particles as they chisel.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS

have dagger-like bills for drumming.

PLUMAGE

is black and white, with red under-tail coverts.

FLIGHT

is bounding, often bouncing between tall trees.

Inspiring technologies

The ability of woodpeckers to repeatedly bang their bills and heads with force against wood PLUMAGE has been long admired by

Males and scientists. Some species can juveniles have red on their necks, too! peck over 20 times a second, or over 12,000 times a day. As well as having specially adapted beaks and eyes, their skulls are softer, spongier and fit tight around the brain, acting as a shock absorber and minimising vibrations.

This has inspired many human-made shock absorbers, including to protect the black boxes on airplanes and bicycle helmets.

LOOK FOR THEM THIS WINTER

† Captain’s Wood Step back hundreds of years into a woodland habitat of ancient trees, perfect for great spotted woodpeckers. † Knettishall Heath The woodland areas of this varied nature reserve support invertebrates, fungi – and woodpeckers! † Newbourne Springs Oak, hazel, ash, alder and hawthorn make up this secret garden, which comes alive with springtime drumming.

Reserve info & maps

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves

Top tips THREE

SPECIES TO SPOT

Treecreeper

Found in woodlands, well-camouflaged treecreepers move up tree trunks like mice.

Nuthatch

This bright woodland passerine has a fluting call and can crawl up and down trees!

Green woodpecker

Favour grasslands, using their long tongues to probe ant hills. Distinctive yaffling call.

HEAR THIS

In winter, numbers of wildfowl build up on our wetlands. Listen for the distinctive whistle of the beautiful wigeon.

SMELL THIS

From February, look for tiny purple sweet violets growing beneath hedgerows. Get close and you can smell the sweet aroma.

NOT JUST FOR KIDS

Seven ways to enjoy nature this winter

Dive into nature this winter and unleash your inner wild child.

1WANDER ON A WINDSWEPT BEACH

A winter beach-combing walk can produce some wonderful seaside treasures. Look for shells, sea-glass, fossils and driftwood washed up by winter storms. Take only photos Leave natural objects on the beach, but do remove litter. Be wary of rising winter tides.

2UPSKILL YOUR WILD SIDE

Get accredited in Forest School and Wild Beach, perfect for teachers, support staff, educators and youth group leaders. Levels 1-3 available, check website for dates and locations.

Book or find out more

suffolkwildlifetrust. org/wildlearning

3SHIVER IN THE GELID AIR

On those truly icy days where you’re shivering in your thick coat and woolly hat, remember this wonderful wild word, “gelid”, which means extremely cold.

4GIVE A WILD GIFT

Discover family activities, adult wild learning courses, children’s activities, special events, badger watch, wildlife walks and more with our wildlife experience gift vouchers.

Choose from a selection of events available on our website. Please book by calling 01473 890089 VOUCHER Choose from a selection of events available on our website. Please book by calling

01473 890089

Go Wild suffolkwildlifetrust.org Registered charity no 262777 Valid for admission on a Suffolk Wildlife Trust bookable event. ALAMY Go Wild Valid for admission on a Suffolk Wildlife Trust bookable event. suffolkwildlifetrust.org Registered charity no 262777VOUCHER Valid for admission to Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Badger Hide.VOUCHERThe hide is open April to September. Please book by calling 01473 890089 suffolkwildlifetrust.org BADGER WATCH

Registered charity no 262777

Visit our online shop

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/onlineshop

5LOOK FOR BUDBURST

Budburst is a sure sign of the coming spring. As the weather warms, this triggers physiological changes in trees and the tips of twigs on branches erupt with the buds of new leaves. Use your wildlife experience gift voucher to visit our badger hide.

Cherry tree budburst.

6WATCH A WILD WEBINAR

On winter evenings, join one of our online Wildlife Live Webinars, led by wildlife experts. Learn about everything from waders and garden bugs to rewilding and wildlife in trees, from the comfort of your sofa!

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/ wildlife-live-webinars

7GROW A MINI MEADOW

February is a great time to plant a meadow, ready for the summer ahead. wildlifewatch.org.uk/activities

YOU WILL NEED

Nature craft

l A patch of garden l Native wildflower seeds, grass seed and sand l Rake and secateurs l Twigs l Handful of sand

1 Prepare the area

Rake over your patch of garden, removing any grass, plants and top soil.

2 Sow your seeds

Sprinkle the area with a mix of one part wildflower seeds, four parts grass seed and some sand (to help you see where you’ve sowed).

10 winter & spring events

Check out some of our top events happening this winter and spring, or see more online.

1 Connect 10 January 10.30-12 noon Lackford Lakes

Join our new group for adults with learning disabilities.

2 Photography mentorship 16 January 10am-12 noon Ipswich parks

A four-week course in wildlife photography for 11-16-year-olds, with expert Kevin Sawford.

3 Young Naturalists 12 February 1.30-3.30pm Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Meet new wild friends at our monthly group for 11-16-year-olds.

4 Love nest 14 February 5pm-7pm Lackford Lakes

Build a nest box, explore our Valentine’s trail and enjoy hot chocolate round the fire.

5 Monthly social stroll 28 February 10am-12 noon Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Join a monthy walk round the lakes.

6 Eco fair 20 March 10am-3pm Foxburrow Farm

Discover inspiring approaches to sustainability.

7 Lino-printing workshop 26 March 10am-4pm Carlton Marshes

Lino-cutting and printing and decorate your own bag with artist Charlotte Johnston.

8 Plant sale 10 April 10am-3pm Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Join us for our annual plant sale (now exclusively peat free) and a cup of tea and cake.

9 Holiday club 12 April 9.30am-3.30pm Lackford Lakes

Fun activities for 6-11-yearolds, including lunch cooked over the fire. Visit our website for details of holiday clubs across the county.

10 Bird identification 24 April 10am-4pm Lackford Lakes

Brush up your bird ID skills with local expert, Paul Holness.

Browse our events page for the latest news

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events

3 Finish your prep

Walk over the area, lightly water and cover with twigs to protect the seeds from animals.

Take action for insects

suffolkwildlifetrust. org/action-insects-0