Your wild summer

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

Slow worms are the only species of legless lizard in the UK. Worldwide there are similar species. They evolved this way when burrowing behaviours became more important.

Covid-19

We will continue 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 and support for nature on your doorstep is vital. By allowing nature to thrive in your garden, you can help species like slow worms, too!

SUMMER SPECTACLE

Slow down with slow worms

As the sun warms the ground on a serene May morning, tread quietly around long grass. With luck you could chance upon a slow worm, soaking up the first rays of sunshine. As the day hots up and these cold-blooded legless lizards gather strength, they might start an elaborate, if slightly painful mating ritual, where the male bites the female before entwining their bodies together; it’s a long day, too – copulation can last for up to ten hours! Up to twelve live young are born in the early autumn. Coupled with that, they poo or detach their tails (which keep wriggling) to deter predators. Detachment can only happen once in their lives. They have eyelids, like lizards, burrow underground to hibernate and can live up to 30 years in the wild. Slow worms thrive in wild gardens and allotments, making them the reptile you’re most likely to see this summer.

SEE THEM THIS SUMMER

† Lackford Lakes Tread quietly along the paths through the mosaic of habitats at this diverse nature reserve, and search for slow worms basking in the long grass. † Knettishall Heath 174ha (430 acres) of woodland, riverside meadow and heathland make this the perfect reserve for reptiles. † Church Farm Marshes This traditionally managed marshland with a diverse grassland is a lovely summer spot to spy slow worms.

Reserve info & maps

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves

Hobbies nest in trees in the abandoned nests of other birds, often crows.

GUY EDWARDES

The seawall at Simpson’s Saltings nature reserve is a top spot for wasp spiders

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves

Hobbies

The hobby is one of our migratory falcons, a small and nippy bird of prey with sickle-shaped wings that has adapted to snatch its prey in midair. Sharp talons, acute eyesight and impressive aerial abilities give the hobby an edge over dragonflies and other small birds, including species like house martins and swifts. They hawk along the edges of woodlands, heathlands and wetlands, displaying their acrobatic skills as they transfer their prey to their sharp beaks on the wing. Elegant falcons, their plumage is slate-grey above and pale below, with black streaks on the belly and brick-red 'trousers'. They have a white throat and cheeks, dark moustache and mask. The popular table-top football game known as 'Subbuteo' got its name from the scientific name of the hobby, Falco subbuteo, because it was the designer's favourite bird.

SEE THEM THIS SUMMER

† Lackford Lakes is a top spot to admire hunting hobbies in the summer, as they hawk for dragonflies over the water. † Carlton Marshes supports an array of birds of prey all year round, with hobbies present from May to September.

FIELDCRAFT

Meet the mysterious wasp spider

A master of deception, wasp spiders are a species designed by nature to confuse. Although harmless in themselves, they have evolved to look like the much more fearsome wasp. This large, colourful spider is a recent natural coloniser to the UK from the continent that has slowly spread over the south of England. The web has a wide, white zig-zag strip running down the middle, known as a 'stabilimentum'. Mating is a dangerous game for males; they wait at the edge of the web until the female has moulted, then take advantage of her soft jaws to mate. However, many still get eaten! How to SPOT A WASP SPIDER

† Look Females have yellow, black and white stripes, just like a common wasp. Its legs are also stripy. The male is smaller and pale brown. † Webs are orb-shaped, but when fully matured adults create a single zig-zag pattern of silk through the centre. It reflects UV light and attracts pollinating insects. † Habitats Wasp spiders are found in a variety of habitats and are spreading northwards, becoming more common. Start with long grassland.

SEE THIS

Although kingfishers can be seen all year round, they are more active in the summer when feeding young. Look for the flash of blue over water.

TASTE THIS

The yellow flowers of gorse are edible, with a pleasant buttery taste that works well in salads. Just watch your fingers when picking!

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT Ladybird

Meet the gardener’s greatest ally.

ALAMY

Beetling along

Ladybirds are our best known and most easily recognised type of beetle. With 26 species found in the UK alone, they are spotted in gardens, parks, churchyards, allotments and generally anywhere a bit wild. Quintessentially, when we picture a ladybird, we imagine the 7-spot ladybird – the classic red wing case, the same shade as a London bus, three black spots on each wing and one larger spot at the base of the head. However, ladybirds show a surprising amount of variation and although we might take them for granted, they are a fascinating beetle to admire.

Counting the spots?

The 2-spot ladybird is probably our most common ladybird in the UK. Three UK species are yellow, including the 14-spot and the 22-spot ladybirds. Some species are black, such as the pine ladybird, whilst another is orange (like the aptly-named orange ladybird). This apricotcoloured ladybird has up to 16 cream spots and often turns up in moth traps. The cream-spot ladybird is similar, but darker and a bit smaller. 10-spot ladybirds can be cream, yellow, orange, red, brown, purple or black, with up to 15 spots. Striped ladybirds are brown with both stripes and spots, and to confuse things further, the 10-spot ladybird can, in fact, have up to 16 spots.

BRIGHT COLOUR

warns predators that they taste horrible.

PUNGENT

yellow liquid released when handled.

7-SPOT LADYBIRDS

are 6-8mm, and postbox red with seven black spots.

step to moving away from pesticides and chemicals in gardening. However, not all ladybirds are so welcome. Originally from Asia, the harlequin ladybird first arrived in the UK in 2004 and has rapidly become one of the most common ladybirds in the country, particularly in towns and gardens. It is a larger species and a voracious predator, able to out-compete our native species for aphid-prey. It will also eat other ladybirds' eggs and larvae. It can have multiple broods, which also gives it a competitive edge.

LOOK FOR THEM THIS SUMMER

† Bradfield Woods One of Britain’s finest ancient woodlands, with plenty of deadwood to support various ladybird species. † Knettishall Heath The mixture of habitats here helps support different species of ladybirds: look in woodpiles, heath and grass † Bromeswell Green Perfect for a summer stroll, look for ladybirds whilst you are serenaded by whitethroats, blackcaps and Friends and enemies even nightingales. Ladybirds are a gardener's best friend, as both their adult and larval form feast on aphids. Encouraging these natural predators is a great

7-SPOT

LADYBIRDS

migrate as well as hibernating.

Reserve info & maps

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/nature-reserves

Top tips THREE

SPECIES TO SPOT

14-spot ladybird

Yellow with up to 14 rectangular black spots, which may create a chequered pattern.

Eyed ladybird

Larger and unique in having 'eyed' spots – black spots ringed with yellow. Found near pines.

Harlequin ladybird

Variable, with up to 19 black spots on red-orange, and a melanic form. Head has a white triangle in the centre.

HEAR THIS

Listen for the scratching song of the common whitethroat as it belts out a tune from thorny bushes, occasionally hovering above them.

SMELL THIS

On a warm day, wait for the first splashes of rain to hit the dry ground outside, and inhale the heady, familiar scent, which even has its own name: petrichor

NOT JUST FOR KIDS

Seven ways to enjoy nature this summer

Spring into summer and let your wild side shine through.

WATERBOATMAN: ANDY HARMER ALAMY

1PEER INTO A POND

Ponds come alive in the summer, but you might have to look closely. Search the depths for diving beetles, or watch whirligigs whirling on the surface, or water boatmen skipping along.

3SEARCH FOR SUFFOLK’S COASTAL BEAUTIES

A walk along Suffolk’s shingle beaches can show up a surprising range of specially adapted coastal plants, including yellow-horned poppy, sea pea, sea kale, thrift, sea wormwood and samphire.

4GO WILD IN THE HOLIDAYS

Join our summer holiday clubs at Foxburrow Farm and other locations across the county this July and August, with activities for 6-11-year-olds and 11-16-yearolds. Includes lunch cooked over a fire!

Dates and details

suffolkwildlifetrust. org/events

JOHN FERGUSON Go Wild at the beach in Thorpeness.

5UNLEASH YOUR INNER ARTIST

On 1 August from 9.30am-4.30pm, 13-16-yearolds are invited to take part in an Arts Award (Discover Level) at Carlton Marshes, managed by Trinity College London in association with Arts Council England.

Book or find out more

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events

2ENJOY A WILD TIPPLE

Join us at Holywells Park to discover and sample cocktails made from foraged plants with wild food expert, Jon Tyler, on 13 August, 7-9pm (adults aged 18-35 years).

Book or find out more

suffolkwildlifetrust. org/events

6BASK IN THE MOONGLADE

On summer nights when the moon shines brightly, follow the tracks and patterns it makes on calm water. This is called ‘moonglade’.

7GO ON A BEACH CLEAN

Whilst at the beach this summer, spend a few minutes helping nature. wildlifewatch.org.uk/go-litter-pick-orbeach-clean

YOU WILL NEED

Nature action

l Adult helper (if you’re young!) l Group of friends (optional but useful!) l Thick gardening gloves l Strong bin bags or buckets l Litter picking tool (optional) l Bright clothes and sturdy footwear

1 Prepare for your beach clean, including asking an adult to help if you’re younger, and popping on your gloves. 2 Walk slowly along the beach, looking for plastic bottles, debris, discarded fishing net, tin cans, crisp wrappers and so on. Pop them in your rubbish bags.

3 If possible, separate your rubbish into recycling, and dispose of it correctly.

REMEMBER: Never pick things up with your bare hands and avoid broken glass, sharp objects, dog poo bags, anything dirty or dangerous, large or heavy rubbish, bottles of liquid.

Visit a coastal nature reserve this summer

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/ nature-reserves

10 wild ideas

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

1 Young Wardens Next Gen Dates & times tbc Lackford Lakes

Practical conservation skills at our new group for 16–18-year-olds.

2 Suffolk Show 31 May & 1 June Suffolk Showground

See us in the wildlife area at the Suffolk Show..

3 Wake up with nature 1 June 4.30-7am Lackford Lakes

Dawn chorus walk, followed by a continental breakfast.

4 Forest School in the Early Years 8 June 9.30am-4.30pm Foxburrow Farm

Certificated course for Early Years practitioners.

5 Young Naturalists 11 June 1.30-3.30pm Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Hone your seasonal wildlife ID skills at our monthly group for 11-16-year-olds.

6 Celebrating birch 22 June 10am-3pm Bradfield Woods

Adults only creative course, including making tar glue, dyes and a utensil.

7 Fenland flora 8 July 10am-3pm Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Develop your plant identification skills with expert tutor, Marie Lagerberg.

8 Creative workshop 19 July 10am-4pm Foxburrow Farm

Join local artist, Nicola Coe for a creative workshop. Make a foraged sculpture

9 Bird ID 21 August 10am-4pm Lackford Lakes

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

10 Art exhibition 27, 28 & 29 August Redgrave & Lopham Fen

Browse and buy a selection of artworks at our annual art exhibition.

Browse our events page for the latest listings

suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events