SuffolkWildlife News from Suffolk Wildlife Trust
September 2015
Living Landscapes Living Gardens Living Seas
P18 SuffolkWildlife September 2015
News from Suffolk Wildlife
Trust
On the cover Red kite Water Frame Alamy
Living Landscapes
2 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
Seas Living Gardens Living
ALAMY
P16
STEVE AYLWARD
STEVE AYLWARD
P12
NICK ILLOTT
P9
/ ALAMY AMANA INC
SEPTEMBER 2015
In Suffolk we know that economic development and environmental protection can go together
YOUR MAGAZINE
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST
Suffolk Wildlife is published by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Brooke House, Ashbocking IP6 9JY 01473 890089 info@suffolkwildlifetrust.org www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org SWT cENTRES Bradfield Woods 01449 737996 carlton Marshes 01502 564250 Foxburrow Farm 01394 380113 Knettishall Heath 07717 156601 Lackford Lakes 01284 728706 Redgrave & Lopham Fen 01379 688333 EDITOR Matt Gaw DESIGN & ARTWORK Clare Sheehan ADVERTISING Today Magazines, Framlingham 01728 622030 PRINTING Five Castles Press, Ipswich
PATRON Lord Tollemache PRESIDENT Lord Blakenham VIcE PRESIDENTS David Barker MBE, Lord Deben, Bernard Tickner, Peter Wilson TRUSTEES Ian Brown (Chairman), Nigel Farthing (Vice Chairman), Robin Drayton (Treasurer), James Robinson (Hon Secretary), John Cousins, Denise Goldsmith, Pip Goodwin, Fred Goymour, Peter Holborn, Simon Roberts Suffolk Wildlife Trust is one of a national network of Wildlife Trusts dedicated to safeguarding the future of wildlife for the benefit of all Suffolk Wildlife Trust is a registered charity no 262777 and a company limited by guarantee no 695346
Welcome DAISY HAWKINS
Economic growth must take nature into account
Felixstowe Port
YOUR MEMBERSHIP The Trust benefits from the most incredible support, with many members’ commitment stretching over decades. Please keep in touch so we can ensure you get the most out of your membership.
Samantha Grange Our Membership Manager would love to hear from you. Please call on 01473 890089
The 2015 UK elections already feel like a long time ago but what was memorable was the absence of debate about the natural environment – the threats to it and the role of Government to make our country a better place. There remains much more to do before most politicians are convinced that nature plays an important role in our lives. Our national campaign for a Nature and Wellbeing Act was driven by Julian Roughton evidence that people lead happier and healthier Chief executive lives when they have access to nature. Designing new developments with accessible greenspace not only makes for a richer environment for people but creates opportunities for wildlife to thrive as well. We are hard-wired to engage with the natural world and contact with nature helps keep us mentally and physically well. So what do the next five years offer for nature? Further cuts to Natural England, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission seem inevitable. Will Natural England have sufficient resources to manage National Nature Reserves like Cavenham Heath and Westleton Heath? Will plans be brought forward to set up the Forestry Commission’s forests – places like Thetford, Rendlesham and Tunstall – into a new organisation independent from government? How will the Planning Minister deal with controversial new developments that damage nature? Alongside this there is additional uncertainty over the outcome of a referendum on the UK’s future within Europe. The EU’s record on the environment is mixed – agricultural and fisheries policies have been damaging to natural resources and driven the decline of many species. But recent changes have led to a more sustainable fishing policy and there are huge opportunities for the Common Agricultural Policy to support farming in ways that sustain the environment. The EU’s Habitats Directive has given better protection to Europe’s most important wildlife sites including in Suffolk our estuaries, Sandlings heaths Broads, Brecks and fens of the Little Ouse and Waveney valleys. Yet some governments want to put this at risk by promoting economic growth at all costs. In Suffolk we know that economic development and environmental protection can go together. Felixstowe Port has grown despite being surrounded by the Stour and Orwell Special Protection Area – one of the highest standards of protection. Impacts on the natural environment have been identified and compensated for through the creation of intertidal mudflats within the wider estuary. Economic growth must take into account the needs of nature. If not it is not just wildlife that loses out.
We can tailor your membership to suit your family. If your children are aged betwen 6-14 they’d enjoy our Wildlife Watch magazine. Likewise do let us know if your children have grown too old for the magazine.
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 3
A soaring success CONSERVATION NEWS
The confirmed breeding of red kites in west Suffolk over the last two years has rekindled hopes of an eventual recolonisation of Suffolk as the buzzard has done in the last decade. Red kites and buzzards share a similar history. Both were common in Suffolk up until the early 19th century but, as the fashion for formal driven game shooting took hold, both species were severely persecuted along with ground predators such as polecat and pine martin. By the mid 19th century breeding red kites had gone and by the end of the century all these species had been wiped out,
not just from Suffolk, but across lowland England. In 1996 the successful breeding of red kites near Lowestoft took everyone by surprise. These were thought to be continental birds but despite their success in raising five chicks over two years their early attempt at recolonisation petered out. Since then the red kite population has flourished in England following reintroductions in the Chilterns and the Midlands. Lackford Lakes is one of the best places to see them in Suffolk but you still need to be lucky to catch a glimpse of these stunning raptors!
A project to help reconnect children with the coast and raise awareness of some of the problems faced by our marine environments. Coastal Champions, which is led by the Trust and funded by the Touching the Tide Landscape partnership scheme, brought together six schools from Felixstowe, encouraging children to make positive and meaningful change. This year the Trust hosted assemblies and special interactive 4 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
workshops, where children were able to learn about and discuss marine issues such as multi use of the coast, climate change, fishing and pollution. In April the students came together at Languard Fort for a beach conference working with Essex Wildlife Trust, CEFAS, IFCA and Languard Rangers, the Trust provided a carousel of activities including litter picking, a tour of the nature reserve, beach combing and handling and measuring live crabs
and lobsters. In July Felixstowe Academy hosted the Coastal Champions to give presentations on their journey of learning. The programme has given children who are already interested in environmental issues the opportunity to gain a better understanding of their local habitat, to develop their key skills of communication, team work and enquiry and above all to make a difference.
KATE OSBOURNE
Our coastal champions
Closer to nature The Trust has launched a new three year initiative, Closer to Nature, aimed at inspiring young people to get more involved in natural history. The initiative is a response to the need to inspire a new generation of wildlife experts in Suffolk, as the current generation of naturalists gets older.
The initiative is a response to the need to inspire a new generation of wildlife experts in Suffolk
Upcoming courses Upcoming courses include Fungi in Holywells Park 28 October and Small mammals at Bradfield Woods on 29 October. See website for further details suffolkwildlifetrust.org
PAUL HOBSON
TOM MARSHALL
IMAGE BROKER / ALAMY
Closer to Nature is working in two areas: Ipswich, and the woodland reserves of West and South Suffolk – Bradfield Woods, Combs Wood, Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale. The trust’s focus on Ipswich reflects the gap in opportunities for young people to experience outdoor learning here compared to elsewhere in Suffolk. Ipswich’s most accessible high quality wildlife habitats are the historic parks and green spaces within the town, and the Education Ranger is using this network of parks as a base to inspire young people to get involved and learn
about wildlife. Throughout the spring and summer local schools have taken part in a programme of wildlife skills courses learning about plants, invertebrates, mammals and birds. Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Closer to Nature offers opportunities for young people aged 8-16 to have hands-on encounters with wildlife, discover more about species identification and recording, gain natural history training and take part in practical conservation activities. In the woods and town the Education Rangers are leading a broad range of activities for schools, youth groups and individuals in order to develop young people’s skills in observing, identifying and recording wildlife near their home. An exciting programme of teenage wildlife courses has also been developed, allowing young people aged 11-16 to develop areas of ecological expertise with the help of local experts.
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CONSERVATION NEWS
Save our Suffolk swifts
Hedgehog
By the time you read this, they’ll be gone. The swifts that is. Synonymous with long summer evenings, their screaming calls fill the sky in our towns and villages from May to late August. Last year, along with the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group the Trust launched a campaign to raise awareness of the plight of this fast declining species. Titled, for obvious reasons, Save our Suffolk Swifts, the campaign spread the word far and wide about what could be done to help swifts in the county. Actions range from putting up nest boxes to playing their calls over loudspeakers to attract new nesting pairs. To illustrate how successful these actions can be we held events across Suffolk where people came to hear from experts and see the swifts in action. We also teamed up with Suffolk Biological Records Centre to create an online survey to record both screaming parties and known nest sites. This information will be crucial as we learn more about the species in Suffolk in the coming years. The final event of this year is to be held in Ipswich on November 5, where Dick Newell of Action for Swifts will be speaking about the latest developments in swift conservation.
he Trust’s 2014 campaign to record hedgehog sightings was one of the largest localised hedgehog surveys in the country – with more than 8,000 records submitted. Although we were delighted by the response, there is no room for complacency as there is still every indication that hedgehogs are in real trouble. So once again, we are asking people to record sightings of hedgehogs across the county, both living and dead. Of particular importance is information gathered about the numbers of hedgehogs recorded dead on roads.
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There is no room for complacency as there is still every indication that hedgehogs are in real trouble JELGER HERDER FLPA
Details of this and more information about how you can help swifts can be found at suffolkwildifetrust.org/swifts
Experience Lackford Lakes this autumn
Lackford Lakes is an award winning nature reserve situated a few miles from Bury St Edmunds and one of Suffolk’s major wildlife destinations. Our team at Lackford continue to develop ideas to make visitors welcome at this wildlife oasis, home to a landscape of lakes, reeds, meadow and woodland and where wildlife can be seen close-up all year round from murmurations to gliding goosanders. Our friendly local experts are always on hand to help you plan an autumn or winter visit to suit your specific needs so please ask!
6 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE DAVID KJAER
Starling murmuration
To pre plan your visit, take a look at our new web page, downloadable trail guide and leaflet suffolkwildlifetrust.org
IAN GOODALL
The new octagon bird hide
TOM MARSHALL
JOHN LORD
Sizewell B
ANDREW EXCELL
campaign reloaded can begin to see if there are hot spots for road deaths, both in terms of the time of year and location. We are also hoping to start looking at whether high road kill numbers represent higher populations in these locations. We also want to find out about live sightings of hedgehogs. If you have a hedgehog regularly visiting your garden then you do not need to record every sighting. Let us know when you first saw it along with a summary of its activity. We are also still very keen to hear from people who used to see hedgehogs in their gardens, but no longer do so, or have never seen a hedgehog ever at that location.
Vi webs sit our 0147 ite or cal to log3 890089l your hog!
Log your hog You can log your sightings on our website as before, but we have made some small changes. Now you can record finding droppings as an alternative to a seeing a hedgehog and guidance is provided on how to be sure of what you are looking at. If you are unable to log your sighting online please call us on 01473 890089 where we will be happy to take the details for you. For advice on how to help hedgehogs visit suffolkwildlifetrust.co.uk
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JUSTIN SMITH
Last year we recorded more than 1,300 road kills in Suffolk, which seems a very high number. Without knowing the size of the hedgehog population, it is impossible to know what impact this is having, but as there is a relationship between the number of road-kills and the size of the population, this could mean that there are still good numbers of hedgehogs in our county. All the locations and dates of these road deaths have been sent to a PhD student at the University of Reading for more detailed analysis. But by continuing to collect more information on road deaths in 2015 we
CONSERVATION NEWS
Ent win aer free to sh £250are of of pri 0 zes!
The Trust’s new look photography competition designed to celebrate the best of Suffolk’s and Britain’s wildlife is already proving popular with people across the county and beyond. In response to a need to engage more people with wildlife we have developed a unique and easy to use competition website where entrants can upload a maximum of three entries for free with the chance of winning a share of £2,500 of prizes. There are nine categories in the competition, which is open to everyone. For 2015 the Trust has a new expert panel of judges who will select one winner and commend photographers from each category, with each category winner receiving a prize. All of these images will be displayed in an online gallery where voting will determine the public’s favourite, with the winner receiving a mini break to Center Parcs. Additionally the judges’ competition winner will be awarded £500. A big thank you to our main sponsor Ipswich Building Society and our two premium sponsors East of England Coop and Essex & Suffolk Water for supporting this year’s competition.
NICK ILOTT
Are you ready to snap to it? Derek Moore, director of Suffolk Wildlife Trust 1985-1999
A new generation
Tucked in for winter Winner from the 2014 invertebrates category by Josephine Sweetman
Three boxes of equipment and resources for use by Wildlife Watch groups around the county have been provided in memory of Derek Moore OBE, former director of Suffolk Wildlife Trust, by his friends. Boxes on the themes of birds, owl pellets and bats are currently available for Wildlife Watch groups to borrow for their meetings with additional themed boxes planned to help young people engage with and learn about nature through meaningful first-hand experiences. In this way, the generosity of Derek’s friends and family will inspire a new generation of young naturalists in Suffolk. The borrow boxes have already been tried and tested by Redgrave & Lopham Fen and Hadleigh Wildlife Watch groups. In addition, Lackford Lakes, Ipswich, Foxburrow Farm, Redgrave & Lopham Fen and Hadleigh Wildlife Watch groups have booked the boxes for meetings in the coming months. Wildlife Watch groups can book the borrow boxes by contacting Sara Holman on 01473 890089 or sara.holman@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Thank you We are grateful to the families of the following friends of the Trust who have recently remembered us in their Will or through an In Memoriam donation
How to enter Submit your entry at suffolkphotography.org. Closing date 8 November 2015
Photography COMPETiTiON 8 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
Pauline Baker Sharon carter David cole Terence coombes Dave Fitzpatrick Roseanne Fotherby christopher Gooch christine Harry Dave Hunting CHRIS MAGUIRE
Betty Moore Dave Newby Angela Radford Olive Reeder Valerie Stamper William Strong James Stevens John Williams Jamie Woods
CETACEANS OF OUR SEAS
The cetaceans of our seas
IMAGE SOURCE ALAMY
The magical sight of a humpback whale feeding in the waters off Minsmere late last year captured the public’s imagination. Emma Webb, a trustee with MARINElife and area coordinator for British Divers Marine Life Rescue, explains that cetaceans are far more common in Suffolk’s seas than you might expect Humpback whale
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he coastal waters of East Anglia, and in particular Suffolk, are not well known for their cetacean spotting potential. However, it is not only home to the UK’s smallest cetacean, the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), which is resident all year round, the area does occasionally attract larger cousins of the porpoise.
Harbour porpoise A small, round-headed relative of the dolphins, harbour porpoise are a rotund animal growing up to about 1.9 metres in length with females growing larger than males. They are a medium to dark grey colour on their back with a white belly. Many show a paler grey flank towards the head. They are most common closer to shore in relatively shallow water, in the
cooler temperature waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Much less acrobatic than dolphins, the most that you are likely to see of a harbour porpoise is the small dark dorsal fin and rolling back, just noticeable above the water. They very rarely interact with boats (although bow-riding behaviour has been recorded rarely) and often actively avoid vessels. There are only a handful of sightings reported of harbour porpoise off the Suffolk coast every year, however it is likely that this diminutive species is highly under-reported due to its shy and elusive nature. It is thought that the increasing number of offshore windfarms off our coastline is actually benefitting porpoise as they use the farms as feeding areas and this is something which has been seen in Germany and Denmark where offshore SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 9
CETACEANS OF OUR SEAS windfarms are more established. Sadly, often the only time people see harbour porpoise is when they wash up dead on the beach, however it is possible to spot this species from land with patience and a little bit of luck. Harbour porpoise often come closer to land at high tide to feed so if you can find yourself a high vantage point on a calm day, it is worth sitting and whiling away a few hours with a pair of binoculars and scanning the waves for the characteristic dark triangular dorsal fin gently breaking the surface as the porpoise rolls to breathe. Harbour porpoise have a very circular rolling motion at the surface, giving them the appearance of being on a wheel or doing a ‘forward roll’ – in fact the Danish name for the porpoise is ‘tumbler’!
A worrying decline As with all cetaceans, the species suffers throughout its range from anthropogenic pressures such as fisheries bycatch, manmade noise and pollution from marine litter and chemicals. Harbour porpoises are susceptible to being disturbed or killed by many human activities. Because of their feeding habits, they are at a high risk of entanglement in fishing gear. It is believed that several thousand may be entangled and drowned each year in UK waters, primarily in gill nets. Harbour porpoise distribution overlaps with areas of the coast that are most heavily used by people, which means they are exposed to high levels of shipping traffic, coastal development and other human sources of disturbance. Despite the fact that the harbour porpoise is probably the commonest small cetacean in UK waters, it is thought to have undergone substantial declines in numbers over the last fifty years, with population sizes decreasing in the southernmost North Sea and Channel. Although reasons for this status change are not known for certain, the above pressures have all been implicated. Harbour porpoise are protected under UK and EU law.
Are humpback whales returning to the North Sea?
Harbour porpoise
returning to historic feeding grounds. In October 2013, at least one humpback whale was seen off Minsmere, Suffolk before spending some time off the Norfolk coast during October/ November. The occurrence in October 2014 of another humpback off Minsmere gave hope that the whale had returned and would again stay in the Norfolk/ Suffolk area for some time. The animal in question was eventually sighted again off Mundesley and a photograph of the tail fluke obtained. Humpback whale tails are like fingerprints and can be used to identify individuals as the shape and pattern are unique. It was proven beyond doubt that It was proven the whale in 2014 was the same animal that the whale that visited the which visited the Norfolk/ Suffolk coast in Suffolk/Norfolk coast 2013. Only time will tell if it will return in 2013 had returned later this year.
Humpback whale tails are like fingerprints and can be used to identify individuals as the shape and pattern are unique
But the harbour porpoise is not the only cetacean spotted in our coastal waters. In recent years, it has become apparent that humpback whales have been making a return to the North Sea, a habitat they historically would have frequented before populations were decimated. Sightings of this enigmatic species have increased year on year off the east coast of the UK perhaps indicating that animals are 10 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
AMANA IMAGES ALAMY
Emma looking for cetaceans off the coast of East Anglia
Rarer visitors to Suffolk
BLICKWINKEL HECKER ALAMY
Harbour porpoise have a very circular rolling motion at the surface, giving them the appearance of doing a ‘forward roll’
Whilst the harbour porpoise is certainly the most frequently encountered cetacean off Suffolk, there are some notable records of rarer cetaceans that have visited the coast. Often deeper water species, it is difficult to know what they are doing off the east coast and usually find themselves in trouble either swimming up rivers or stranding on beaches. It seems ‘lost’ whales travelling down from the Arctic or northern waters have an instinct to move west into where they think the open water of the Atlantic should be. Of course if they are on our East coast this can have dire consequences. The lure of the Wash, the Orwell and The Thames are often their downfall. In recent years, there have been some high profile strandings in Suffolk of some of these open water specialists. On 27 July 2007, a
It is thought that the increasing number of offshore windfarms off our coastline is actually benefitting porpoise as they use the farms as feeding areas young northern bottlenose whale (of Thames Whale fame) was sighted swimming under the Orwell Bridge heading towards Ipswich. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) launched a rescue operation, but despite efforts the whale beached herself below the bridge overnight and was humanely euthanized due to her compromised state.
AMY LEWIS
Lost or sick More recently, a large pod of long-finned pilot whale visited the East Anglian coast over a long period and culminated in one of the biggest rescue attempts in recent
EMMA WEBB
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) have a team of trained volunteer marine mammal medics on call 24/7, 365 days of the year. If you find a live stranded marine mammal, please note the place, the state of the tide and any injuries you can see without getting close and call 01825 765546 during office hours. After 5pm on working days, or at weekends or bank holidays, please call our out of hours number on 07787 433412.
ARCHANT
EMMA WEBB
What to do if you find a live stranded cetacean
Northern bottlenose whale near the Orwell Bridge in 2007
history. The pod were initially seen off Dunwich, Suffolk in October before reappearing off Cley, Norfolk on 10 November. They were then sighted off the Belgium coast before appearing well up the River Medway, Kent on 16 November. The animals then reappeared in the River Blackwater near Maldon, Essex on 18 November and had to again be herded out of the river to safety. They then remained offshore for 36 hours before reappearing back in the Blackwater at Goldhanger. Again the pod were successfully herded to safety and this time following the discovery of a dead juvenile on the mud flats at Goldhanger, the pod disappeared offshore and were not sighted again. It is thought that the pod strayed close to land to protect the sick juvenile and when she died, they headed back offshore. A post mortem showed that the animal was severely malnourished and showing signs of an underlying infection. n SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 11
NICK ILOTT
NETWORKING NATURE
Small changes can make a big difference 12 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
O
n a cold and wet Saturday in February 2011, armed with an oversized map of Stowmarket and a flask of warm coffee, a new team from Suffolk Wildlife Trust spoke to residents of the town at the weekend market. This team, the Networking Nature advisers, wanted to find out what made Stowmarket special for wildlife. They asked passers-by to mark areas on the map that they believed were good for wildlife. This led, unsurprisingly, to local parks, allotments and churchyards being flagged up. They were also interested to hear about wildlife ‘blackspots’ – areas that maybe had potential, but could do with a little care and attention. From this the team created a basic wildlife audit of the town and began to think about where action for wildlife could have the biggest impact. In the coming months and years the team worked alongside local residents with links to the Acorn Children’s Centre, Scouts and Beavers, primary schools, Transition Stowmarket and churchyard groups – who all helped bring about a quiet wildlife revolution across the town. Along the way the Networking Nature team found local knowledge, natural history skills and a vision for the town that inspired them. They found this a lot.
The Networking Nature approach The approach of Networking Nature in Stowmarket is typical of what would be achieved many times over the next four years. Not always on the scale of an entire town, often it would simply begin
NICK ILOTT
For the last four years there has been a quiet wildlife revolution taking place across Suffolk. Kerry Stranix examines the impact of Networking Nature – one of the Trust’s biggest ever projects with a phone call from an individual who had an idea. This would lead to a visit from a Networking Nature conservation adviser; they would take a look at the village green, amenity woodland, churchyard, school etc – talk with local people and make recommendations about what could be done to enhance the space for wildlife. Hundreds of sometimes small actions made right across the county in the last four years have led to big changes for wildlife: many more hectares of land being managed with wildlife in mind, woodlands and meadows in community ownership, wildlife gardens springing up in unlikely places and school grounds and churchyards relishing in their long grass and wild flowers.
Hundreds of sometimes small actions made right across the county have led in the past four years, to big changes for wildlife conservation outside of the reserve With Networking Nature the Trust has been able to take conservation out of nature reserves and into Suffolk’s towns and villages. In instances such as Stowmarket, the entire town is a network of wild pockets, each being cared for by people who know their patch and love their wildlife. The original aim of Networking Nature was action for wildlife in every parish in the county. That’s 477 parishes – and that’s exactly what the project has achieved. Not one parish in Suffolk has been untouched, and it’s a legacy that makes Suffolk’s landscape not only richer in wildlife – it makes it more wild.
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NETWORKING NATURE What next? The Heritage Lottery Funds may come to an end in October – but this certainly doesn’t mark the end of support for local action for wildlife in Suffolk. Now, thanks to everything Networking Nature has achieved, we can offer more support and advice than ever before. If you want to take the first step to improve where you live for wildlife, pick up the phone or visit suffolkwildilfetrust.org The support we can offer includes an online advice directory to get you started, scrapbook websites to share resources and news, equipment boxes to help run events and most importantly people; both staff and highly skilled volunteers, who can advise on the best way to create a haven for wildlife where you live.
Thank you
JOHN FERGUSON
There are many people to thank for making Networking Nature such a success. We could not have done it without funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, who continue to help Suffolk Wildlife Trust innovate and grow. Heartfelt thanks also to all the volunteers that have supported the project team in many ways, from tea-making to training courses. Thanks to all those involved in the network of partnerships that have grown throughout the project. These include, but are not limited to; Suffolk Biological Records Centre, Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group, Essex University research department, East Anglian Daily Times, BBC Suffolk, The People’s Trust for Endangered Species – and all the specialist tutors that have passed on their natural history skills. But, more than anyone else, thank you to all the wildlife champions we have had the pleasure of working with over the past four years. The drive, knowledge and vision with which they have approached their wildlife projects continue to inspire.
NICK ILOTT
n
14 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
With Networking Nature the Trust has been able to take conservation out of nature reserves and into Suffolk’s towns and villages
Networking Nature at a glance Project funder: Heritage Lottery Fund Project cost: £400,000 Time scale: Four years, November 2011 to October 2015 Aim: Action for wildlife in every parish in Suffolk (there are 477 parishes in Suffolk)
Networking Nature highlights
Tracey Housley Community conservation adviser
Tracey brought extensive local knowledge to Networking Nature, having worked and volunteered for Suffolk Wildlife Trust for many years. Her experience of churchyard management, supporting the Trust’s network of local wildlife groups and her love for Suffolk’s precious grassland habitat helped many communities across the county develop and sustain their own refuges for wildlife.
Leonie Washington Community conservation adviser
Experiences like this fuel my passion for nature
Sara returned to Suffolk Wildlife Trust after a teaching career to join the Networking Nature team. Sara’s specific mix of skills helped communities broaden the reach of their work for wildlife and encourage, particularly young people and families to get involved. With her ‘Discovery Days’, Sara has brought nature trails, treasure hunts, pond dipping and barn owl pellet dissection to villages, towns and schools across the west of the county.
Joining the project at the midway stage, Leonie brought what could possibly be the friendliest face in nature conservation in Suffolk today! She also brought a fantastic knowledge of natural history, in particular her approach to wildlife gardening, using her own allotment as a shining example. Leonie has gone on to blog and regularly appear with BBC Suffolk’s Lesley Dolphin, where she gives wildlife gardening advice over the airways.
Angela came to the team after managing projects for conservation organisations including the RSPB, so she was able to hit the ground running. Her fresh ideas helped communities across the east of the county, from Lowestoft to Shotley, begin projects, give new impetus to existing initiatives and look for funding opportunities – very often successfully so! This has left a thriving legacy of scattered orchards, wildflower meadows and community woodlands.
Conservation need not be complicated and I’ve enjoyed creating refuges for wildlife at allotments all over Suffolk
LEONIE WASHINGTON
NICK ILOTT
It was an emotional moment
Sara Holman Community adviser
Angela Jones Community conservation adviser
Tracey’s highlight “A group with St Peter and St Mary’s church in Stowmarket secured funding to install swift nesting boxes and play their calls over a loudspeaker to attract new nesting pairs. Within minutes of pressing play, swifts were circling the boxes – it had worked! It was quite an emotional moment for all involved and was a great success story to share at the swift discovery evening we held later in the summer.”
Angela’s highlight “I worked with every single pupil in the primary schools in Henley and Wilby – and I was bowled over by the children’s inquisitiveness. No two days are ever the same when you’re working with young people – and this is a good thing! Their questions and ideas are fantastic and they are so proud when their actions encourage more wildlife into their school grounds. Experiences like this fuel my passion for nature.”
Sara’s highlight “Red Lodge near Newmarket is a site we started working on late in to Networking Nature, it’s a beautiful spot and as a SSSI, extremely valuable for Breckland wildlife. New housing has popped up all around it – and we’ve been working with local residents who want to find out more about its flora and invertebrates. This is a special site, valuable for wildlife and increasingly valued by those whose doorsteps it sits on.”
Leonie’s highlight “I love my allotment and through Networking Nature I’ve met many others who feel the same. Conservation need not be complicated and I’ve enjoyed creating refuges for wildlife at allotments all over Suffolk. The county certainly has a pretty impressive collection of bug hotels now!”
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 15
BRADFIELD WOODS
Life after dieback?
Bradfield Woods is facing possibly the greatest period of change it has ever experienced in its 1,000 years of recorded history. Steve Aylward looks at this National Nature Reserve and the expected impact of ash dieback over the next 25 years
Blackcap will benefit from a more varied woodland structure
A
STEVE AYLWARD
The impact of ash dieback will lead to fundamental change in both the structure and species composition of the wood
sh dieback is going to have a profound impact on the wood and 25 years from now it may well be a very different place. In many parts of the wood, ash is the dominant species of tree making up 50-70% of the coppice. The great size of many ash coppice stools indicates that this has been the case for many hundreds of years and some of the largest coppice stools are estimated to be well over 500 years old – making them amongst the oldest living trees in the country. The abundance of ash coppice was probably one the main reasons why Bradfield was such a valued wood and why it continued to be actively managed for such a long period, right up to its time as the main source of ash for rake making. Even today, the wood remains important as a source of fuel and the Trust sells over 150 tonnes of firewood a year with ash making up a large proportion of that total.
ROGER WILMSHURST FLPA
16 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
The last significant and widespread tree disease was Dutch Elm disease, which ravaged the Suffolk countryside in the 1970s, although its impact was largely restricted to hedgerow trees as elm is only occasionally a major component of woodland. While this had a devasting and sudden impact on the wider landscape, the impact on woodlands was comparatively limited, typically affecting elm growing on the hedgebanks
STEVE AYLWARD
The impact of disease
The opening up of the woodland canopy may benefit wildflowers such as oxlip
ROB FULLER
STEVE AYLWAR D
Bradfield Woo ds supports man y species of fung i
The impact of ash dieback will be quite different from Dutch Elm disease, potentially altering the very fabric of many woodlands
apparent in Bradfield Woods with very few trees showing any indication of infection. Three years on, the situation is quite different with countless ash coppice stools and trees showing all the signs of severe Chalara infection and very active dieback.
Ash dieback in Bradfield The potential loss of much of the ash in Bradfield Woods raises a number of questions. Will ash completely disappear, and if so, how rapidly? What will take its place and what will the impact be on other species? Evidence from the continent, where Chalara has been present for more than 20 years, suggests that some trees can become infected and
be no shortage of tree species able to take advantage of the opportunity to fill a gap left by another tree. The loss of more mature ash trees and coppice may well create much more structural diversity in the woodland, which in turn may be quite beneficial for some species. There appear to be very few invertebrates or fungi that are entirely dependent on ash and therefore in the worst case scenario where ash is completely lost from the wood, it is unlikely to result in extinctions. The opening up of the woodland canopy however, may benefit wildflowers and other plants that would normally be shaded out by the coppice regrowth which in turn might mean more oxlips
The opening up of the woodland canopy may benefit wildflowers and other plants that would normally be shaded out by the coppice regrowth
and margins. The impact of ash dieback will likely be quite different, potentially altering the very fabric of many woodlands. Ash dieback is the consequence of a fungal infection by the microscopic fungus Chalara fraxinea. While there remains a great deal of uncertainty as to exactly when and how Chalara arrived in the UK, there is no doubt that it is now very widespread and well established. When ash dieback was first recognised in Britain, the disease wasn’t immediately
suffer a certain amount of dieback but not die outright. Others appear to go through cycles of dieback and temporary recovery. Therefore ash might not be lost entirely, it might simply continue to exist in a weakened, less productive state. However, what is now apparent in Bradfield is the high level of infection suffered by the young coppice regrowth. Young growth appears to be far more susceptible to infection and rapidly succumbs, suggesting that much of the more recently coppiced ash could be lost.
An opportunity gained Where ash is lost, it will leave a gap, which in any woodland environment will be rapidly filled. Woodland has always been a very competitive environment where different tree species continually fight for dominance. Therefore, there will
and orchids. Some woodland birds and butterflies may also benefit from a more varied woodland structure.
A natural response to a man-made situation It is clear that ash dieback is yet another tragic example of how the global trade in plants can inadvertently spread diseases into ecosystems with no natural resistance. Now that it is here in the UK, there is little option other than to accept that it will create change, especially in our ancient woods. However, we have to remember that ecosystems are not static environments but ever evolving environments where species have to endlessly adapt to change. This might be a manmade situation but the response will be entirely natural. All we have to do is allow nature to repair the damage. n SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 17
Is there a snake in your grass?
KLAAS VAN HAERINGEN ALAMY
GRASS SNAKE
The grass snake is the most northerly egg-laying reptile in Europe'
18 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
The public perception of this harmless and mobile predator is changing. John Baker of Suffolk Amphibian and Reptile Group explains there is still a lot to learn about the grass snake
T
he grass snake is our largest native reptile (excluding the marine turtles). There are historical records of grass snakes over 150cm, but today such snakes are either extremely rare or the products of exaggeration. A shed skin found near Snape measured 120 cm, but grass snakes even of this size are unusual and few exceed 90cm. The grass snake is slimmer, more agile and fast-moving than Suffolk’s only other snake, the adder. Grass snakes do not have the distinctive dorsal zig-zag of adders. Instead they are green – ranging from dull olive to grass-green. They have dark bars along the flanks and some have spots along the back, too. There is usually (but not always) a pale collar just behind the head, given contrast by black markings just behind this.
Life cycle Grass snakes are cold-blooded animals, so they are inactive over the winter, spending this time underground, for example in mammal burrows in south-facing banks. The warmth of spring draws them out and this is followed by mating, which takes place between March and May. On occasions several males compete for the same female, the males mirroring the female’s movement and body position, wrestling with their tails to achieve mating. In June or July the female produces eggs – as many as 40, but usually about half that number. These hatch from the second half of August to the first half of September as perfectly-formed young grass snakes. These may need three or four years to grow to sexual maturity. Most reptiles lay eggs, but since these need a warm environment to complete
their development, most species living in northerly latitudes keep the eggs inside the female, who incubates them by seeking out warm spots. The grass snake is the most northerly egg-laying reptile in Europe. It has adopted an alternative strategy of leaving its eggs where heat generated by decomposing organic material enables embryo development. Research in Sweden has concluded that human-made egg-laying sites, such as manure heaps, are actually better than natural sites, (such as within, or under, decomposing tree-trunks) and these have allowed grass snakes to survive further north than would otherwise be the case. In general, snakes’ relationships with people have not been good, so this is an unusual example of a snake benefiting from human activity. Although, on a less positive footnote, open manure heaps are becoming increasingly scarce – so grass snakes may have had the best from us.
Diet Grass snakes feed mostly on amphibians but there is some flexibility in their diet, which can include fish, small mammals and even young birds. The continued presence of grass snakes in the countryside where amphibian prey has greatly declined may be partly due to this flexibility. Prey is swallowed alive. Snakes are well-known for their ability to swallow large food items but even so, it can be an astonishing feat. A grass snake captured as part of a study regurgitated a frog that weighed about a third of the snake’s weight. It occurred to me that such a capture would be the equivalent of a human overpowering something as big as a medium-sized dog, and swallowing it whole – all without the use of hands.
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 19
GRASS SNAKE Status Grass snakes are not easy to find, which makes it difficult to determine population trends. They probably thrived under traditional farming practices but as habitat quality has declined in the countryside it seems inevitable that grass snake numbers have decreased. Nevertheless, the grass snake is a tough old beast. It can move over large areas (natural ranges may include many hectares) which may help it to survive in landscapes where hibernation sites, egglaying sites and amphibian ponds may be few and far between. Where habitat is more favourable it can be abundant. A study in the Brecks has found that several hundred grass snakes visited a pond-rich site annually – even though very few (three or so) were visible on each survey visit made. In areas still supporting good reptile habitat – such as the Brecks, Broads, Sandlings and areas where farming is low intensity, there are probably many more grass snakes than we imagine.
FLPA ALAMY
ABOVE: Grass snakes feed mostly on live
amphibians. Snakes are well-known for their ability to swallow large food items but even so, it can be an astonishing feat
20 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
Eggs hatch from the second half of August to the first half of September as perfectly formed young grass snakes. These may take three or four years to grow to sexual maturity
As habitat quality has declined in the countryside it seems inevitable that grass snake numbers have decreased Grass snake distribution
SUFFOLKBIOLOGICAL RECORDS OFFICE
Public attitudes towards snakes have changed considerably over the last few decades as environmental awareness has increased. A book called Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden (published as recently as 2004) exemplified the attitude of the past, informing readers that, ‘There is not a lot that you can do to attract this, or indeed, any other snake into your garden… and not many people are likely to want to encourage it’. Happily the writer was wrong on both accounts. Garden ponds can provide grass snakes with amphibian (and sometimes fish) prey and compost heaps are occasionally used as egg-laying sites. Quite how significant gardens are to the current success of grass snakes is difficult to say, but it is quite likely that rural and urban fringe gardens are significant resources, assisting this mobile predator to persist in the modern landscape.
BLICKWINKEL ALAMY CYNDAR
Grass snakes in gardens
Distribution The grass snake is found throughout much of Suffolk – although there are apparent gaps in this distribution. If you have seen a grass snake – especially in one of the ‘gap’ areas – then please record your sighting. n
Please record your sighting though the Record Pool www.recordpool.org.uk or Suffolk Biological Records Centre www.suffolkbrc.org.uk/suffolkbro
Reptile survey
Reptile
For the last year Lound Lakes warden carl Herrington, has been carrying out a reptile survey at the site. He explains how the number of grass snakes recorded defied expectations RSPB
common lizard
BRETT LEWIS
On 1 April, 2012 Suffolk Wildlife Trust entered into partnership with Essex & Suffolk Water to manage Lound Lakes. The site covers 280 acres and is a valuable water source. The surrounding land provides a buffer zone to aid water quality and comprises a mosaic of habitats including woodland compartments, acid grassland, fen meadow, reed fringes and open water. We were keen to include a reptile survey in our species monitoring programme and approached John Baker for advice on how best to improve our understanding of how reptiles were using the site and confirm the presence or absence of the fabled adder. John visited the site on a number of occasions and provided a training session for myself and volunteer recorders. We utilised the expertise of keen volunteer Roy Richardson
Slow worm
who has a wide experience of reptiles in a number of countries and excellent data recording and analysis skills. Beginning in March 2014 we used a combination of refuge and visual surveys, depositing 20 tins in a range of habitats over the entire site and walking the survey routes inbetween to maximise the chances of incidental sightings. We covered both known “hot spots” of sightings and areas not surveyed before to give as true a picture as possible and maximise the chance of finding adder if present.
From 11 March to 7 September, 2014, 268 sightings of slow worm and 80 sightings of common lizard were recorded, although there is no way of knowing how many of these were repeat sightings. In contrast we now have 61 individual grass snakes recorded on site out of a total of 74 sightings, so only 13 repeat sightings. This is an exciting development as it was previously assumed that most animals found under any given tin were the same as the previous visit, these results
We agreed it would be valuable not only to record species present but use photographs to identify individual grass snakes We agreed it would be valuable not only to record species present but use photographs to identify individual grass snakes, which have a completely individual pattern on the underside of the first section of the body running down from the head. We also recorded the sex, length and weight of each animal, as well as the location of each capture, the ambient temperature, weather conditions, time and date. We could then build a database of each animal’s movements and changes in condition as the survey progressed.
suggest that most sightings are actually of a different animal and that they are far more mobile than previously thought. This is clearly only a base line but as we continue to gather data over the subsequent years we should be able to build a better picture of these animals and their lifecycles. The only change we’ve made for 2015 is to add another four tins at the northernmost end of the site as this is the closest point to which adder is known to exist on neighbouring land. Sadly, at this stage none have been recorded at Lound Lakes.
JAMIE HALL
Grass snakes have a completely individual pattern on the underside allowing ecologists to identify individual snakes
CARL HERRINGTON
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 21
UK NEWS
Local Wildlife Sites
Giving back to our seas Achieving an ecologically coherent UK network of marine protected areas
Apparently when you hear things three times it sticks. And I’m resorting to repetition because, despite our championing these hidden gems non-stop for decades, few people have ever heard of them. Yet in many places Local Wildlife Sites hold most of our remaining wildlife, covering up to ten times the area of their legally protected SSSI cousins. It’s not that Local Wildlife Sites have been designated on a whim. Scientific experts have surveyed the land field by field. Using rigorous criteria they’ve mapped out 52,000 places across the UK – our most important reserves of wildlife and soil. So what’s the problem? In our centralised culture the word ‘local’ can, wrongly, mean ‘not so important’. So these amazing places get overlooked. And, because they have a variety of names, and data on them is held locally, they are harder to integrate into centralised decisions. But our economic prosperity and social fabric depends on our starting ecological restoration in earnest and Local Wildlife Sites are a massive part of that equation. Thank you for supporting your Wildlife Trust. By doing so you are helping the biggest champion of your Local Wildlife Sites – whether in quiet locations away from the public eye or in the centre of cities.
PAs only All these M ic animals. protect stat one yet for There are n ile sharks highly mob s and dolphin
The new designations will protect habitats such as this reef off Devon
A spiny seahorse in Studland Bay, Dorset which we hope will also be an MPA in the future
Prince Harry visits Northumberland’s reds HRH Prince Harry harboured a desire to see red squirrels in Northumberland ever since trekking to the South Pole with explorer (and Northumberland Wildlife Trust patron) Conrad Dickinson last year to raise money for injured servicemen. This year the Prince, who planted a Trust flag at the Pole, got his chance. He
22 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
working to designate more. Wales is protecting inshore waters from scallop dredging and in England, 23 sites have been designated. However, there are still gaps in our network, both geographically, for example in the Irish Sea, and in terms of species (for example, to protect our whales and dolphins). Better protected seas are good for us all. By creating areas safe from damaging activities, the habitats within them can recover – which benefits both wildlife and people.
Did ? you know
ANDREW PEARSON
A spiny seahorse in Studland Bay, Dorset Stephanie Hilborne OBE which we hope will also be Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts an MPA in the future
As an island nation, we haven’t taken care of our seas; despite our seas taking care of us. After centuries of putting our seas under pressure, the marine environment is degraded and we are losing species at an alarming rate. But all is not lost. We can help our seas recover by establising an ecologically coherent network of marine protected areas (MPAs). We are progressing towards that. In Scotland, 30 national sites were designated last year. Northern Ireland has designated its first site and is
visited the Haydon Red Squirrel Group and Frankham Woods near Fourstones, where new conservation techniques are helping red squirrels return to the wood. “It’s tremendous that the Prince found time to support what he sees as a very worthwhile cause. He loves red squirrels,” said Conrad.
Harry tries out a thermal imaging scope used to study the returning reds in Northumberland
Late news st UK-wide wildlif and issue s: etrus newsts.org/
English beaver makes history
NICK UPTON/NATUREPL.COM
With a slap of its flat tail and a fast paddle to freedom, this beaver was released into The first beaver is returned into the wild the wild this spring on the river Otter. It was an historic moment for the wild colony discovered living in a Devon river and finally given the green light to remain. Now Devon Wildlife Trust will monitor the animals and study what impacts they have on the local area. The beaver was hunted to extinction in the 16th century. Its disappearance from the UK meant the loss of the species’ function as a wetland engineer. Beaver activity can improve water quality, create new wetland habitat and even reduce the effects of flooding. Other Wildlife Trusts are working hard to bring back this keystone species, including The Devon beavers were the Scottish Wildlife Trust who is expecting either an escape or a decision on the beavers at Knapdale later this year.
unsanctioned release. It now has Government approval
n More on wildlifetrusts.org/beavers
More Forest Schools In Suffolk we have been doing Forest schools with children’ s centres, schools, youth groups, and families for over 10 years. This year we hosted our first Forest School Level 3 course at Bradfield Woods training local people to be leaders. This course has been so successful we will be running it again next year as well as our taster Forest school courses. Next taster course is at Lackford lakes on 2 November.
For more local information n Contact Judy Powell on: judy.powell@suffolkwildlifetrust.org www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Brown long-eared and (top) pipistrelle bats are two of the species in the project area
How do bats use the landscape to roost, forage and commute? Tees Valley Wildlife Trust is beginning a two-year study in East Cleveland to find out. The area is heavily wooded, and important for at least eight of the UK’s 16 bat species. The Trust is currently recruiting volunteers to help survey for these fascinating and long-lived mammals. “We want to build up the pattern of bat distributions across the area to create a unique batscape and help with their conservation,” says Bat Officer Sarah Barry. Thanks to funding from HLF and the Branch Out Fund.
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 23
HUGH CLARK
CLARE SHEEHAN
Start of pioneering bat project
LIVING SEAS
HARBOUR PORPOISES These small cetaceans feed here in large numbers
Dogger Bank:
Abundant wildlife has made the UK’s largest sandbank a Special Area of Conservation – but so far BEAM TRAWLING This destructive form of fishing carries on regardless
DAN HILLIARD
F
or most people, the shipping forecast’s lilting rhythm is their only connection with the Dogger Bank, conjuring up images of brave fishermen, battling the elements somewhere far off in the North Sea. The name comes from an old Dutch word for fishing boat, dogge, but there is more to the Dogger Bank than fishing. Formed during the last ice age, it was part of the large ‘Doggerland’ which connected Britain to mainland Europe. Around 8,000 years ago, rising sea levels gradually cut off this connection, leaving just a raised sandbank area in the middle of the North Sea, the Dogger Bank. It is the largest sandbank in UK waters and, despite being 609 miles from the English coast, is only 17
24 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
metres deep in places. Sandbanks may not have the obvious splendour of a rocky reef or kelp forest, but look a little closer and they support a wealth of marine life. Within the sandy and gravelly seabed live many different worms, crustaceans, molluscs and anemones. Hermit crabs and starfish patrol the seafloor searching out food. Sandeels burrow into the sand for protection. In turn, this provides food for more charismatic animals such as porpoises, dolphins and whales. Seabirds, including fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and the spectacular plunge-diving gannets, also feed on the Dogger Bank. In recognition of its ecological importance and its declining state of health, the UK government plan to
designate the Dogger Bank as a Special Area of Conservation, with Germany and the Netherlands doing the same for the parts of the sandbank in their waters. This should give the Dogger Bank strict protection against damaging human activities, but we have concerns that this is not yet happening. The biggest impact comes from fishing. Boats from several European countries exploit the rich variety of commercial fish, including herring, sprat and gurnard, often using methods that damage the sensitive sandbank. Despite efforts to better control these fisheries, there are no management measures in place. Oil and gas extraction and aggregate dredging may also be licensed, and there are plans to build 1,200 wind turbines here, making
PROPOSED WIND FARM building 1200 turbines will create huge underwater noise
safe yet?
SHOALING FISH Sprat and herring exploit plankton blooming in the shallows
the protection isn’t happening, reports Eleanor Stone
CRUSTACEANS Several crab species recycle nutrients up the food chain
SANDEELS These swarming, sand-burrowing fish are food to seabirds
one of the world’s biggest offshore wind farms. As well as impacting the seabed, the construction of wind farms creates huge amounts of underwater noise. This will disturb the thousands of harbour porpoise and other marine mammals for whom the Dogger Bank is so important. We want to see better protection of the Dogger Bank. We are pushing for a reduction in human impacts and proper management of this important site, so that it can thrive once again. n If you want to support The Wildlife Trusts in pushing for greater protection for harbour porpoises in protected areas like the Dogger Bank, please sign our e-petition at wildlifetrusts.org/oceangiants
STARFISH They and brittlestars are slow-speed predators of the sea floor
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 25
PURPLELANDSCAPES LIVING EMPEROR SUFFOLK’S ORCHIDS
NEAL TRAFANKOWSKI
LIZ DACK
Hoe Common, Norfolk – one of more than 52,000 Local Wildlife Sites in the UK. This one is in safe hands but many are being lost or damaged
Patrick Barkham is a natural history writer for The Guardian, and author of The Coastlands and Badgerlands
Hidden treasure There are more than 52,000 Local Wildlife Sites in the UK. But they are often overlooked or neglected. Patrick Barkham visited Hoe Common in Norfolk to learn why they’re worth saving
26 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
FIND MOR U LOCA E O BOT L WA U SITEILDLIT FE S
Join our e x on Tupert pane esda l on Twee 11.00am y July 28 Twitter , t you -12.0 0 r #Sec questions.u retS sing
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woodpecker is drumming on an old oak, two green hairstreaks twizzle round an overgrown hawthorn and, somewhere in the bracken, adders are gathering in the growing heat of the day. Entering Hoe Common, near Dereham in Norfolk, is like discovering a secret room in the countryside. Not much bigger than a couple of football pitches, it is unsignposted,
tucked away in the Norfolk countryside. I grew up ten miles away but never knew of its existence. Like many other Local Wildlife Sites, it is unheralded and yet treasured by those who live next to it. There are 42,865 Local Wildlife Sites in England, covering at least 5% of its land mass. There are 1,300 in Norfolk alone, from large commons to an old tennis court boasting more than 200 orchid spikes.
A dome of bracken and heathercovered heath, Hoe Common is a remnant of a much larger common which was parcelled up during the Enclosures. This sandy patch was deemed agriculturally useless and so was left as a ‘fuel enclosure’ for poor people who would collect gorse and firewood, overseen by local landowners who administered it as a charity. A small group of villagers, led by Eilean MacGibbon, and Dick and Sue Malt, took SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 27
LIVING LANDSCAPES on its management in 1994. Determined not to let it return to its overgrown past, they asked Helen Baczkowska of Norfolk Wildlife Trust for help. Most Wildlife Trusts employ someone like Helen, whose job is to work with landowners to better manage unprotected countryside. Despite their designation, Local Wildlife Sites are hugely vulnerable. A survey by the Wildlife Trusts revealed that out of 6,590 Local Wildlife Sites, 717 were lost or damaged in the five years to 2013. Helen finds most farmers and landowners are proud of their Local Wildlife Sites but mistakes do happen: planting ornamental trees on meadows, for instance. “People don’t always know how to manage them or realise how important they are,” she says. The most common problem, however, is neglect. Meadows and heaths quickly become overgrown and their unique plants and animals disappear.
Delights of Hoe Common: green hairstreak butterflies in May
Pink and orange fruits of the spindle tree in early summer
Light grazing to encourage species-rich grassland
And nest boxes to multiply the benefit of the old oaks
The hidden gems where wildlife clings on and can move through the landscape Helen reassures landowners that she will not impose rules on them. “What I say is that the Local Wildlife Site notification opens doors. I can help find funding, graziers and, in some cases, volunteers. It’s about saying, ‘Look what we’ve got, it’s fantastic’”. The first thing Helen did was help the Hoe volunteers enter the Higher Level Stewardship scheme so they could obtain a modest income to manage the land. Then she did a botanical survey and devised a management plan to stop their precious heath scrubbing over. Volunteers received scything lessons from the environmentalist Simon Fairlie because the fascinating presence of First World War training trenches prevents the use of big machinery. Residents also conducted an adder survey while the Wildlife Trust enlisted the Hawk and Owl Trust to help clear bracken and give the common and bell heather a chance to flourish. Now the residents will use their stewardship funds to fence the cleared area for grazing with native ponies. “The Wildlife Trusts’ report, Secret Spaces, really sums up these places,” says Helen. “They are not well-known like nature reserves but you can tell how important they are to local people.” I walk onto the common with local volunteer Danny Danson and Helen. We 28 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
check under the corrugated iron for adders and slow worms but it is still too cool. At our feet are heath speedwell and heath bedstraw. A buzzard soars on a thermal above several ancient apple trees planted by the poor for cider. Danny began volunteering after attending a local parish meeting. “I worked in an office for 40 years but I’m an outside person – rolling up my sleeves really appeals to me.” He’s derived great satisfaction from seeing Hoe Common revived. “There’s a good community spirit engendered from this and you’re enhancing the natural habitat as well.” I’m excited by the honeysuckle hanging from so many of the trees: this looks good for white admiral butterflies. Like many Local Wildlife Sites, however, Hoe Common
These places are not well-known, but you can tell how important they are to local people is relatively under-recorded, though Hoe Bird Walk has recorded 134 bird species. Local residents held a moth night last year but are keen to find out what else is here – bats, insects and other wildlife. This – recording, and enjoying it – is the next, exciting step. “These are the hidden gems where wildlife clings on and can move through the landscape,” says Helen. n If you want to support Wildlife Trusts in Download our Local The Wildlife Sites report on wildlifetrusts.org/secretspaces
Why do Local Wildlife Sites matter? Because of their spread, LWS act as refuges, stepping stones and corridors between other wildlife-rich places. They also provide buffer zones to protect nature reserves and SSSIs from damage. If areas for nature are to become bigger, better and more joined up in future, to recreate resilient ecosystems, then LWS need better protection than they have today – and the right kind of care and management. We also need to identify new ones and get neighbouring landowners involved wherever possible.
n
Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (Wales)
n
Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (Northern Ireland)
n Manx Wildlife Site
Kiln Meadow, Suffolk A link in the landscape
(Isle of Man)
UNDER THREAT DERBYSHIRE WT
Spring and Millennium Woods and associated grassland County Wildlife Site, which is owned by Ipswich Borough Council and managed by Greenways, provides a vital link between breeding and overwintering areas for an important population of common toads. The site also provides important terrestrial habitat for this species and also supports a range of other protected species including hazel dormouse; grass snake; slow worm and common lizard.
Habitat damage by development at Dale Road LWS, Buxton More than 10% of surveyed Local Wildlife Sites in England have been lost or damaged in the five years up to 2013. Worryingly, the status of a further 35,000 sites is unknown. This is due to a lack of resources for regular surveys and advice on management.
REASONS FOR LOSS Percentages add up to more than 100 because the cause is often due to mutiple factors
What you can do Local Wildlife Sites are some of the last fragments of our natural heritage, and a last defence against a landscape devoid of nature. They should be protected as the seed bank that will restore our countryside and ecosystems. Instead, they are being neglected or destroyed at a terrifying rate.
1 2
JOIN your local Wildlife Trust, which fights to protect LWS
SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN IN ENGLAND for a Nature and Wellbeing Act, and the creation of local ecological networks: wildlifetrusts.org/actfornature
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ASK FOR ADVICE If you own LWS, or a piece of land that could be one, contact your Wildlife Trust. We offer expert advice.
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 29
NATIONALLY RECOGNISED NAMES
n
Local Nature Conservation Site (Scotland)
83% Lack of management 74% Inappropriate management 54% Change of land use 40% Agricultural practices 28% Access/recreation 25% Ploughing 13% Pollution 11% Vandalism 9% Consequence of development 9% Highways, gas works etc 20% Other
TOM MARSHALL
Quite simply, Local Wildlife Sites are where most of our wildlife is. In some counties they contain more biodiversity than National Nature Reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which are protected by law. In Nottinghamshire, for example, Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) cover 10% of the land area, while SSSIs make up just 1.5%. Greater London has 36 SSSIs, compared with 1,500 LWS covering eight times the area. In Wiltshire, LWS contain three quarters of the county’s broadleaf woodland.
Also known as...
Local Wildlife Sites have different names across the UK, but their value, and the threats they face, are the same wherever you are.
GREAT DAYS OUT
Places to see
Reptiles A glimpse of one of Britain’s six reptile species adds a thrill to any walk. Here’s where to find these ancient, mysterious and long-lived animals
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MATT COLE
Snelsmore Common Berks, Bucks & Oxon WT This 100ha mix of heather, wet bog and woodland is home to a host of nationally rare species. There is a good chance of spotting adder, grass snake, common lizard and slow worm in one visit. A pond also hosts breeding palmate newts. Where is it? 2 miles N of Newbury off the B4494, opposite Mary Hare School. Grid SU 468721. 30 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
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Rackenford and Knowstone Moor Devon Wildlife Trust With the adjacent Hares Down, this is the county’s largest remaining block of Culm grassland, and designated an SSSI and SAC. Walk slowly and carefully to see adders and slow worms basking on the tussocks. Where is it? 9 miles west of Tiverton on the A361. The reserve is either side of the road. Grid SS 851211.
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Gilfach Reserve Radnorshire WT A hill farm of open moorland, flower-rich grasslands and oak woods. Follow the river upstream and out along the Monks Trod. This is the walk where you are most likely to spot up to 50 common lizards basking in the sun – an amazing sight. Where is it? Off the A470, 7 miles from Llangurig and 2 miles from Rhayader. Follow brown Nature Reserve signs. Grid SN 964717.
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Potteric Carr Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Level paths wind around the ponds and channels of this exceptional wetland. Newts, frogs and whirligig beetles are easy to find. But come early in the day and you’ll see grass snakes of all sizes in the ponds in Loversall field, or along Loversall delph. Where is it? Just south of Doncaster, postcode DN4 8DB. By bus from city, get off at B&Q. Grid SE 589007.
Snape Maltings Suffolk Wildlife Trust The wetland, heathland and woodland habitat mosaic at Snape is perfect for reptiles supporting all four Suffolk species. Look for adder and grass snake basking on the river wall and slow worm and common lizard on the heathland edge. Where is it? 15 minute walk from Snape Maltings. Grid TM 395576.
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Sandwich & Pegwell Bay Kent Wildlife Trust The only ancient dune pasture in Kent, with inter-tidal mudflats, saltmarsh, shingle beach, sand dunes, chalk cliffs, wave cut platform and coastal scrubland. Look closely in the dunes. You may see the extremely rare sand lizards there. Where is it? Between Sandwich and Ramsgate. Postcode CT12 5JB. Grid TR 341632.
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Stanford Warren Essex Wildlife Trust One of the largest reedbeds in Essex, created by gravel extraction in the 1920s, plus marsh and rough grassland. The grassland is where you’ll find common lizard, grass snake and adder. There are harvest mice nesting among the reeds too. Where is it? 1 mile S of Stanford-le-Hope, and just N of the new Thurrock Thameside reserve. Grid TQ 687812.
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Upton Towans Cornwall Wildlife Trust Internationally important dune grasslands harbour glow worm, pyramidal orchid, skylark and adders. It also has wonderful views across St Ives Bay. A must visit if you’re holidaying in mid Cornwall this summer. Where is it? Between Hayle and Gwithian off A30. Grid SW 579398 (extra parking at SW 581407).
Where to find these places
See our full listing of places to see reptiles and more species information at wildlifetrusts.org/ reptiles
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Higher Hyde Heath Dorset Wildlife Trust One of the best areas in England to see all six native reptiles: an internationally important mix of wet, dry and humid heaths, plus peaty pools, mire and wet woodland. Besides the reptiles there are many dragonflies and damselflies, nightjar, Dartford warbler, woodlark and tree pipit. Grayling and silverstudded blue butterflies can be found on the open heath. Where is it? 2 miles N of Wool on Puddletown Rd, between Bovington and Wareham. Grid SY 856899.
Fulbourn Fen Wildlife Trust BCN These old meadows have never been treated with pesticide or fertiliser, and swarm with plants and animals. Look for grass snake and common lizard in the wettest meadow, East Fen, where hundreds of orchids bloom in early summer. Where is it? 6 miles from Cambridge. Grid TL 526557. each site: wildlifetrusts.org/ wildlife/reserves
Unlike us, reptiles need a warm day before they can be active. So it’s often easiest to see them early in the morning, when they are still soaking up the rays. Snakes in particular can feel the vibrations of your footsteps, so tread softly. Never chase a reptile or try to pick one up.
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COMMON LIZARD
14cm, spider hunter. Heaths and woodland clearings
SAND LIZARD
20cm, very rare. Sandy heaths and dunes
SLOW WORM
54cm, legless lizard. Grassland, woodland and heath
SMOOTH SNAKE
70cm, constrictor. Predator of reptiles. Heathland
GRASS SNAKE
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66cm, bears live young. Bogs, heaths, woodland clearings
n Access/transport details for
Reptile watching
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ADDER
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A ONE-MINUTE GUIDE TO
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Britain’s six native reptiles
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75cm, frog hunter. Frequents lakes and ponds
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Reptiles can be irresistible, but leave handling them to experts
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 31
DAVID CHAPMAN, BRUCE SHORTLAND, STEWART CANHAM, THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS
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ALL PHOTOS: STEVE AYLWARD
Carlton & Oulton Marshes From the northern tip of Oulton Marshes, running southwards into Carlton Marshes, the peaty edge of the Waveney Valley is marked by a slim band of flower-rich fen meadows, separated by rich Broadland dykes, like beads on a necklace. This year we were delighted to have the chance to buy another of these small fen meadows, to add another bead back into the necklace.
Peter Lawson
Although much of it is overgrown with a forest of young willow scrub, we have every reason to be optimistic about our plans to rejuvenate the fen, as our restoration of the neighbouring fen meadows has shown just how resilient these habitats are. Indeed, throughout the 1980s and ‘90s, only two of these botanical jewels remained as open habitat.
So this winter we will cut back the scrub and dig out the siltedup boundary dykes, so they can burst back to life next spring. The return of cattle grazing will encourage plants like bog pimpernel, bogbean and marsh cinquefoil to reappear, whilst in the dykes arrowhead, frog bit and bladderwort will soon return. Being able to seize opportunities to bring precious
sites like this into the Trust’s protective ownership is precisely why Suffolk Wildlife Trust chooses to set legacy gifts aside for land purchase. It is fitting then, that the botanical richness of this Broadland fen will endure for future generations through the generosity of one of Suffolk’s most respected botanists, Peter Lawson, who remembered the Trust in his Will.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Brooke House Ashbocking, Ipswich IP6 9JY 01473 890089 info@suffolkwildlifetrust.org suffolkwildlifetrust.org Registered charity no 262777
suffolkwildlifetrust.org