suffolk wildlife may 2016
DESCRIPTION
Suffolk Wildlife Trust magazine for members.TRANSCRIPT
News from Suffolk Wildlife Trust May 2016
SuffolkWildlife
Living Landscapes Living Gardens Living Seas
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Suffolk Wildlife is published bySuffolk Wildlife Trust, Brooke House,Ashbocking IP6 9JY01473 890089 [email protected] cENTRES Bradfield Woods 01449 737996carlton Marshes 01502 564250Foxburrow Farm 01394 380113Knettishall Heath 07717 156601Lackford Lakes 01284 728706Redgrave & Lopham Fen 01379 688333EDITOR Matt GawDESIGN & ARTWORK clare SheehanADVERTISING Today Magazines,framlingham 01728 622030PRINTING five castles Press, ipswich
PATRON lord TollemachePRESIDENT lord blakenham VIcE PRESIDENTS david barker Mbe, Sir kennethcarlisle, lord deben, bernard Tickner, Peter WilsonTRUSTEES ian brown (chairman), Nigel farthing(vice chairman), robin drayton (Treasurer), James robinson (hon Secretary), david alborough,John cousins, denise Goldsmith, Pip Goodwin,Peter holborn, Simon roberts
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is one of a national networkof Wildlife Trusts dedicated to safeguarding thefuture of wildlife for the benefit of all
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is a registered charity no262777 and a company limited by guarantee no695346
YOUR MAGAZINE SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST
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On thecoverHazel dormousecarrying youngJuniors BlidarchivGmtH/Alamy
News from Suffolk Wildlife Trust May 2016SuffolkWildlife
Living Landscapes Living Gardens Living Seas
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The Lynx UK Trust hasshort-listed ThetfordForest as a potentialreintroduction site forthe lynx
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Returning a lost species to SuffolkThe return of a lost species is evidence of nature’sability to recover and so offers hope for the future.in Suffolk our priority is to safeguard species stillpresent but it should not blind us to the fact thatour fauna remains impoverished after centuries ofhabitat loss and persecution.
Our victorian ancestors would be amazed towitness the abundance of deer in Suffolk today.red and roe deer were wiped out in the wild bymedieval times so the prospect of deer beingcommon once again would have seemedimpossible. deer have been given a helping hand
by man – red and roe were reintroduced while escapes from exotic collectionsenabled muntjac and chinese water deer to become established. along withfallow deer they have all proved surprisingly adaptable and successful inmodern farmed landscapes.
The otter recovery was initiated in the 1980s with reintroductions butanother ‘lost’ species, the polecat, is quietly returning on its own accord afteran absence of over 100 years. The chance of seeing these nocturnal huntersremains remote but it is thrilling to hear of polecats near our nature reserves atarger fen, lackford lakes and redgrave & lopham fen. and given theabundance of their preferred prey – rabbits and rats – these early colonisersshould thrive and spread.
beyond Suffolk, species are returning that would have been unimaginablewhen i was a child. after a 700 year absence, wild boar now rummage inancient woods in Sussex, kent and beyond. beavers breed in the wild in devonand Scotland, albeit under controlled conditions at present.
Wild boar and beaver have not been universally welcomed by landownersbut that is as nothing to the controversy over large predators. at present itseems unlikely that wolves will ever have sufficient space in our crowded islandbut the return of the lynx is a realistic possibility. as a solitary and forestdwelling animal lynx are much less likely to come into conflict with farmers andgrazing livestock whilst their preferred prey, deer and rabbit, is abundant.
The lynx uk Trust has short-listed five potential reintroduction sites forengland including, surprisingly, Thetford forest. Thetford forest might seemlarge but lynx require huge areas as male territories range from 200 to 2,800square km. at 190 sq km Thetford forest offers space for one male and, atbest, two females. and beyond Thetford the farmed landscape of east anglia issurely amongst the most unsuitable for lynx in europe.
reintroductions are a crucial tool for conservation but they should returnspecies to landscapes where they can thrive not create a living zoo with ahandful of animals hanging on in genetic isolation. There is a better candidatefor reintroduction to Thetford forest – the pine marten. Trapped out of Suffolkin the 19th century less than a hundred animals are thought to survive inengland. Perhaps it is time to consider whether they need a helping hand?
Julian Roughtonchief executive
YOUR MEMBERSHIP
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The Trust benefits from the mostincredible support, with manymembers’ commitmentstretching over decades. Pleasekeep in touch so we can ensureyou get the most out of yourmembership.
We can tailor your membershipto suit your family. if yourchildren are aged betwen 6-14they’d enjoy our Wildlife Watchmagazine. likewise do let usknow if your children have growntoo old for the magazine.
Samantha GrangeOur MembershipManager would loveto hear from you.Please call on 01473 890089
Welcome
Eurasionlynx
fter two years ofrunning our on-linesurvey to log all yourhedgehog sightings,we now have a muchbetter understanding
about the situation in Suffolk. Whilehedgehogs have been recordedacross the whole county, by far thegreatest numbers of records areassociated with our towns. Ipswichin particular is remarkable for itsnumbers of sightings, spreadthroughout all areas where thereare houses and gardens. We can
CONSERVATION NEWS
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still hope that despite the dramaticdecline recorded nationally, Ipswichstill has reasonable numbers ofhedgehogs.
The Ipswich Wildlife Audit,commissioned by Ipswich BoroughCouncil in 2012 and 2013, engagedthe Trust to undertake surveys of allthe greenspaces across the town.As a result, there is already usefulinformation about the habitatquality of these areas and theRangers and Greenways Projecthave been working to improvemany of these sites for wildlife, as
well as strengthening the ecologicalnetwork.
So what is needed now is forlots more gardens to become morehedgehog friendly, by allowingaccess to hedgehogs through fencesor under gates and providing smallwild corners for them to shelter in allyear round. This is not a new concept
Ipswich isremarkable forits numbers ofsightingsA
Hedgehogfriendly town
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– the British Hedgehog PreservationSociety (BHPS) and the People’sTrust for Endangered Species havebeen promoting this through their‘Hedgehog Street’ initiative.
Now, thanks to a generousdonation by BHPS, we will bedelivering the message of HedgehogStreet in key locations across Ipswich.We are also delighted to be workingwith BBC Radio Suffolk’s ‘Going theWhole Hog’ initiative, which ishelping to highlight the plight ofour hedgehogs and how we can allcontribute to securing their future.
Suffolk Wildlife Trust has launched a newcampaign called Growing Up Wild to createan inspiring memory bank of people’schildhood experiences of nature in Suffolk.
by collecting and collating at least 100people’s stories, whether they are aboutcatching tiddlers in streams, climbing treesor roaming free in fields and woods, weaim to create a unique historical archive toshare with future generations for manyyears to come.
We believe these tales and images ofwild times in wild places will clearlydemonstrate how children in our countyhave always grown up with a largelyoutdoor life. They will also paint a vividpicture of the lost Suffolk that the Trust isstriving to restore; a living landscape offlower-rich meadows, furzy commons andexpansive wetlands.
The timing of this project, which is
What’s your memory?have you got a memory of growing up inSuffolk’s countryside? Whether it’s a story ora photograph, we’d love to hear from you.email [email protected] phone 01473 890089See cover sheet in your magazine envelope
Did you grow up wild?
supported by the heritage lottery fund,has perhaps never been so important.according to a national youGov poll carriedout in 2015, children have becomeincreasingly separated from nature over thelast 40 years. We know contact with natureis good for children; it makes them happier,healthier and more creative and we believeGrowing Up Wild will help us present a wildchildhood in a new way to increase youngpeople's contact with the natural world.
We’re taking part in Suffolk’s biggestmass participation art event this summer, so look out for our sculpted pig around Ipswich.
Pigs Gone Wild is an interactivesculpture trail featuring more than 40pigs across the county town and beyond.The pigs, which will be decorated byartists and sponsored by local businesses,will then be auctioned after 10 weeks toraise funds for St Elizabeth Hospice.
The Trust’s pig has been donated by a member and will bedecorated in the coming weeks.
On the trail of a hedge-pig
CONSERVATION NEWS
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yin december 2015, an edibledormouse (Glis glis) was trapped in ahouse near Saxmundham. This non-native species is renowned for being afavoured food of the romans,although they were not living in thewild in britain until 1902, when lordrothschild released an unknownnumber of animals into Tring Park inthe chiltern hills. This introducedpopulation has been slowly expandingand a series of satellite populationshave also be found further afield,
A new mammal for Suffolk
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It is two and a half years since theDecember 2013 surge tide blew a200m hole in the river wall at HenReedbeds and inundated more than athird of the reserve with salt water.
While the repairs to the walls wereundertaken within two months thedamage to the freshwater life hastaken much longer to recover.
An aquatic invertebrate surveycarried out by county recorder AdrianChalkley in 2014 revealed a dramaticreduction in the populations ofmolluscs and water bugs since a
Recovery at a snail’s pace
Edible or fatdormouse
Edible dormousewas a favoured foodof the Romans
Studded withwildflowers andhumming withinsects, Suffolk’smeadows are aperfect snapshotof summer
although none of these are close toSuffolk.
it is unknown how this animal cameto be found in Suffolk but they can betransported when large pieces of felledtimber are moved from areas wherethey are present. unfortunately, theycan be a pest for forestry and orchardsas well as readily entering houses. anypossible sightings in Suffolk should bereported to us, so we can assesswhether there are any other locationswhere they may now exist.
previous survey in 2012. This was mirrored by the much
lower numbers of breeding birds inthis section. In 2015, following fundingfrom Viridor, a new sluice was installedto allow the site to be more effectivelyflushed and monitoring is showing thesalinity levels are now returning to presurge levels. A grant from Touching theTide also enabled Adrian to return fora follow up survey, which revealed some80% of the species including watersnails, originally found have returned.The recovery is now definitely underway.
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Saving ourmagnificentmeadows
tudded with wildflowers andhumming with insects, Suffolk’smeadows are a perfect snapshotof summer. But with 97% oflowland meadows disappearingover the last 50 years they are
also a visual reminder of a lost landscape.Now, as part of a national campaign
called Save our Magnificent Meadows andfunded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Suffolk
S If you are interested in visitingany of our meadows please goto our websitesuffolkwildlifetrust.org whereyou will find information on themeadows and their flora.
If you are a teacher pleasecontact:[email protected]
Wildlife Trust is working as a partner withPlantlife to halt the decline of wildlife richgrassland.
This summer the Trust’s education teamswill be offering free sessions for the county’sprimary schools at sites including Martins’Meadows, Mellis Common, and DarshamMarshes, to help children learn about theirfolk lore and history and why they are soimportant for wildlife and people.
Plan a visit
Save our Suffolk Swifts (SOSswifts) is apartnership initiative between SuffolkWildlife Trust and Suffolk Ornithologists’Group – its aim is to raise awareness ofthe threats faced by swifts during theirtime on our shores.
Their aerial displays and screamingcalls are a highlight of the summermonths, but for several years now theirnumbers have been in an alarmingdecline. a key reason for this is loss ofsuitable nesting habitat – due in part toholes in roofs being filled and newbuilding methods. Much can be done,relatively easily, to encourage swifts tonest in new locations. Given suitableconditions swifts respond well to nestboxes; particularly when placed alongsidetheir calls played over a loudspeaker.
This has been the case with greatsuccess seen at all Saints church inWorlington, which now has 40 nest boxesinstalled.
If you’d like to find out more about thisfascinating bird and discover what isbeing done in Suffolk, and further afield,to halt their decline please join us at oneof several swift events taking place overthe summer, visit our website for details
Are you 2016 winner?
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CONSERVATION NEWS
Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s annualphotography competition isunder-way and accepting entries.
Whether you are aphotographic opportunist, akeen amateur or consummateprofessional, we’d love yourhelp to make our competitiongrow into the biggest and bestcelebration of wildlife inSuffolk and beyond.
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entry is free and you cansubmit up to three of yourfavourites in to one of ninecategories online: l Young photographer British
wildlife under 12 yrsl Young photographer British
wildlife 12-18 yrsl Pin up l Simply Suffolk l Strictly come wildlife l On the doorstep l Out-of-sight Suffolk l Unearthedl Eastern angles
How to enterdetails on how toenter, categories,judges, prizes andterms & conditions canbe found on thecompetitionsdedicated websitesuffolkphotography.org
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Thank youWe are grateful to the families of thefollowing friends of the Trust who haverecently remembered us in their Willor through an In Memoriam donation
Myrna NewsonRoger PerryHelen RaeJanet Surridge
Frank BaconBetty crookRose HoltMary HowardDerek Mortimer
Swifts
The knettishall heath restoration projecttook a significant step forward in Marchwhen four cattle grids were installed on thetwo roads that bisect the heath. These pavedthe way for the removal of several kilometresof roadside fencing, which has significantlyenhanced the heathland landscape.
The Trust’s exmoor ponies can now roamacross 250 acres of heath as can visitors whowill no longer have to negotiate multiplegates and fences. for dog walkers there arenow new routes through the woodland areassurrounding the heath and it is hoped thatby reducing pressure on the heath duringthe bird nesting season, nightjar might nestthis year for the first time in over 20 years.While there is still more heathland restoration
Hopes for nightjar
to complete, the project is now moving intothe final phase. The contribution made bythe volunteers over the last four years hasbeen extraordinary and one of the mainreasons the project has been such a greatsuccess.
PhotographyCOMPETiTiON
I spy 2 Shortlisted entry from the 2015 people &wildlife category bySavannah Moorhen-Young
One of four newcattle grids atKnettishall Heath
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A boring problemit wasn’t difficult to make the linkbetween the water abstraction boreholeadjacent to the fen and its rapid decline.Water level monitoring showed a strongassociation between abstraction fromthe borehole and falling water levels inthe fen, even making it possible to trackperiods of high and low abstraction.understanding the cause of the problemhowever was the easy bit, doingsomething about it would prove to befar more challenging. The restoration ofa delicate fen habitat on this scale had
n the late 1980s it was increasinglyapparent that the once pristine valleyfen complex at redgrave was indesperate trouble. The list of speciesdisappearing from the fen wasgrowing year on year and springs that
used to feed the fen with a continuoussupply of pure water had completelydried up. Trees and scrub were rapidlyspreading and the highly distinctivevalley fen landscape had all butvanished. urgent action was needed orthere was a very real likelihood the fenwould be lost forever.
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The battlefor avalleyfen
REDGRAVE &LOPHAM FEN
never previously been attempted andturning off a public water supply wassimply not an option.
finding a solution required apartnership approach, which wouldinvolve the environment agency whoare responsible for water resourcemanagement, essex & Suffolk Waterwho owned the borehole and Naturalengland who were ultimately responsiblefor overseeing internationally importantprotected habitats. What was alsoneeded was money, and a lot of moneyat that.
In 2002multi-millionpound workto restore thehydrologyand habitats
of Redgrave & Lopham FenNational Nature Reserve wascompleted. Fourteen yearson Steve Aylward looks atjust what has been achieved
The rare insectivorousround-leaved sundewhas reappeared atRedgrave & Lopham Fen
REDGRAVE &LOPHAM FEN
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The breakthroughrestoring the hydrology of the fen wouldrequire two key measures, moving theborehole and controlling the rate at whichwater was lost from the fen down theriver. restoring the fen itself howeverwould prove to be far more complex. Thebreakthrough came in 1993 when theTrust secured a £3.4million fundingpackage with 50% coming from europe.This money drove the project forward,funding the work required to find a newlocation for a public water supply thatwould not damage protected habitatsand paying for complex hydrological andecological studies that would inform andfund the fen restoration plan.
between 1993 and 2002 a vastamount of work was done to start to putright the damage done to the fen. Theredgrave borehole was shut down and areplacement borehole was drilled severalmiles away from any sensitive wetlandhabitats. a sluice was installed on theriver Waveney to hold back water on thefen and a huge programme of habitatrestoration was undertaken. across theentire fen, trees and scrub were removedrevealing wonderful panoramic views ofthe valley once again. Meanwhile,degraded peat was stripped from the fensurface creating expanses of open waterto re-start the process of peat formationwhich is key to any fen system. fourteenyears on, we can now reflect on what wasachieved and whether it was really worthall the effort and expense.
Exceeding expectationsvalley fens are enormously complex anddiverse habitats that support very richcommunities of plants and animals andtherefore any assessment of the successof the restoration project must beconsidered in that context, not least, haveany of the species that were lostreturned? it is now clear that in mostrespects, what has happened in the yearsfollowing the main phase of restorationhas in fact exceeded everyone’sexpectations. Water levels were expectedto recover but no one predicted theabundant re-appearance of rarestoneworts in the scrapes. These strangeaquatic algae are so named because oftheir calcium carbonate exoskeletons,which give them a gritty feel and theyonly thrive in very pure calcium rich water.The spores can remain dormant fordecades in waterlogged peat waiting forthe right conditions to develop, which isexactly what has happened at the fen.
One of the more unusual characteristicsof redgrave & lopham fen is the
particularly complex water chemistry ofthe springs. While the springs that emergedfrom the chalk were calcium rich, those thatemerged from the river terrace sands andgravels were much more acidic creatingconditions for a very different group ofplants more akin to a wet heathland bog.
Flora and faunaacross the fen, plant species have beenmaking a remarkable comeback. amongthe most important and distinctive fenspecies have been marsh fragrant orchid,which returned and saw sedge, which hasspread considerably. rare insectivorousspecies like sundew and butterwort havereappeared while cross-leaved heath isrecovering in the wet mire areas of littlefen at the western end of the reserve.These are the species that define a valleyfen and give it an identity, beautiful rarespecies that are often only found in thistype of unique environment.
it is not just plants that have made a
Restoring the hydrology of the fenrequired moving the borehole andcontrolling the rate at which waterwas lost from the fen down the river
David Bellamy did his PHDresearch at Redgrave &Lopham Fen
BELOW:Marshfragrantorchid
Konik poniesgrazing theFen
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Marsh harriers are attempting to breedon the reserve
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welcome appearance. Scarce emeralddamselfly have colonised the reserve nowthat conditions are favourable and marshharriers have attempted to breed on thefen. even the more common wetlandspecies such as water vole, snipe, beardedtit and water shrew now occur in muchgreater numbers, simply because there isso much more high quality fen habitat.
The most notable resident, the fen raftspider is the one species that has notresponded in quite the same way asmany others. The distribution andabundance of spiders has only increaseda little in contrast to the spiders that havebeen introduced to grazing marsh ditchesat the Trust’s castle Marshes and carltonMarshes reserves, which continue to gofrom strength to strength. amongst otherfactors, this most likely reflects the factthat the fen is a sub-optimal habitat forthe spiders and is only capable ofsupporting a lower density populationthan that found in marsh ditches.
Looking to the futureSo, has it been worth all this effort andinvestment? While what we have today isnot quite the same as that which existedin the 1950s, it is of both national and
international importance and it willcontinue to improve. Over the comingyears there is every likelihood that morespecies will return such as marshhelleborine, Grass-of Parnassus and therare sub-species of early marsh orchid. itis quite possible that staff and machinerymoving between the various valley fenswill inadvertently help this process bytransferring the seed of different fenspecies on clothing and wheels in thesame way that wild animals have spreadplant seed over thousands of years.
When the abstraction borehole startedpumping in 1959, nobody understood thescale of the damage it would do and howclose we would come to losing one of themost significant valley fen sites in england.bringing the fen back from such aprecarious state has been a huge challengedriven by the passion of all those involvedwho were determined not to lose thisvery special place and its unique wildlife.That we still have redgrave & lophamfen today is a testament to those people;the professionals and specialists in theirfields whose expertise shaped therestoration; through to the dedicatedvolunteers who continue to be pivotal tothe long term future of the fen. n
The most notable resident atRedgrave is the fen raft spider
The rare insectivorous butterwort hasreappeared
Bearded tit now occur in much greaternumbers due to more extensive reedbeds
Scarce emerald dragonfly hascolonised Redgrave & Lopham
Finding a solutionrequired a partnershipapproach which involvedthe Environment Agency,Essex & Suffolk Waterand Natural England
What hashappened in theyears followingthe initialrestorationexceededeveryone’sexpectations
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relatively isolated from each other.dormice are extremely vulnerable to theeffects of fragmentation because they area poor coloniser and avoid moving acrossopen ground. They also naturally live atvery low densities, so habitat loss orbreaks in connectivity may send apopulation towards the path of extinction.There are also other factors to take intoconsideration.
The removal of hedgerows or creationof new road schemes, as far back as the1970s, has resulted in the isolation ofmany of our dormouse populations. at amolecular level, this could cause reducedgenetic mixing and potentially areduction in genetic diversity in eachseparate population, depending on howsmall and isolated it has become.
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Work by Suffolk WildlifeTrust and ManchesterMetropolitan Universityhas led to fascinatinginsights into the ancestryof hazel dormice. SimoneBullion and Fraser combeexplain how genetic toolscan aid the long-termconservation of thisendangered species
SUFFOLK’S DORMICE
azel dormice are described asa flagship species. This meansthat where they thrive, manyother species are likely to bepresent too, with nightingaleand white admiral butterfly
often recorded in these biodiversehabitats. in other words, what is good forthe tiny dormouse is often good for manyother things as well.
An isolated speciesThe Trust has been investigating thedistribution of hazel dormice in thewoodlands, scrub and hedgerows ofSuffolk for more than fifteen years. Thisarboreal small mammal has never beencommon in the county and the existingrecords occur as a series of clusters,
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The secret ofSuffolk’sdormice
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Understanding gene flowas conservationists, we’re particularlyinterested in using genetic tools tomeasure how genes are spread across alandscape – sometimes called gene flow.Studies of gene flow can help identify thephysical landscape barriers, such as roadsor built up areas, which are most likely tocause reproductive isolation. Thisknowledge can help us target conservationactivities, such as restoring hedges orcreating animal bridges across roads, inthose areas where they will be mosteffective in reconnecting vulnerablepopulations.
understanding genetic diversity isalso important because it allows us torecognise how a particular species orpopulation can be affected by
environmental change and avoidproblems associated with inbreeding.This is especially relevant in the context ofclimate change, now considered to beone of the greatest threats to modern day
species. Species are more likely to be ableto adapt to these changing environmentswhere they occur in populations that havea diverse genetic make-up.
Getting the DNATo help understand a dormousepopulation’s genetic make-up, dNa canbe obtained from just a small amount oftissue. This is a non-invasive process,carried out by plucking a small sample ofhair from a dormouse’s rump during ourroutine nest box monitoring activities. asdormice are a highly protected species,this is undertaken under a special ‘Projectlicence’ over and above our normalsurvey licences. The samples are thensent to fraser at Manchester Metropolitanuniversity for detailed laboratory analysis.
Dormice distribution in Suffolk
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the uk. it appears that our dormice mayhave been genetically isolated for a longperiod of time by landscape-scalefeatures, such as large river systems orthe fens in the west.
Such findings mean that the relevanceof conserving dormice in Suffolk as aseparate group should be considered.
however, in previous years there havebeen two captive-bred reintroductionsinto the county, before the techniques toextract this genetic information wereavailable. despite this, it is unlikely thatthis new influx of genetic diversity ishaving a negative effect and given thesuccess of the re-introduced populations,it may have reversed the effects of in-breeding and created greater resistanceto environmental change. it is recommended,however, that genetic diversity should
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fraser’s Phd research, funded by thePeoples Trust for endangered Species,aims to use genetic tools to aid the long-term conservation of the dormice in theuk in two ways. firstly, he is comparingthe genetic variability of dormousepopulations across the uk with that ofpopulations in continental europe. This iscritical in recognising potentially uniqueregional genetic variants so that they canbe incorporated into a conservation plan.he is also interested in finding outwhether dormice in the uk are distinctfrom their continental cousins and, if so,by how much. This sort of informationmight help generate specific conservationpriorities for uk dormice within the eu. Toachieve all this, he has collecteddormouse dNa samples from across thespecies’ uk range, from cornwall toSuffolk and from the isle of Wight tocumbria.
Exciting discoveryfraser uses dNa sequencing to measuregenetic differences, making statisticalcomparisons with the diversity we find insamples between the different areas. Thefindings are very exciting as not only areuk dormice genetically distinct fromdormice found in continental europe, itappears there are also six distinct geneticvariants of dormice within the uk itself.
using this data, fraser has estimatedthat dormice first reached the ukbetween 8,000 and 10,000 years ago,sometime after the last ice age. This wasa period when a land bridge was presentbetween the Netherlands and mainlanduk, including a now-flooded area in theNorth Sea referred to as doggerland.interestingly, of the six uk geneticvariants, Suffolk dormice are recognisedas being their own separate variant,apparently distinct from anywhere else in
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Dormouse are a flagshipspecies which means thatwhere they thrive, manyother species are likely tobe present too
Planting gaps in hedgerowshas enabled connectivity
and movement of dormice
Distribution of genetic variants
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to be expected that established habitatcorridors such as along hedgerowsshould demonstrate genetic mixing.
Since 2008, the Trust has beenworking towards improving connectivityfor dormice at a landscape scale, thanksto funding from Natural england, The SitaTrust and the dedham vale aONb andStour valley Project. dNa samples frompopulations now linked by newly-established hedgerows should ultimatelyhelp us directly observe the effectivenessof these features to aid dormousedispersal. for example, through geneticanalysis we have already established thatthere has been movement of dormicebetween two woodlands that werereconnected about ten years ago byplanting up several gaps in the hedgerowrunning between them – including a
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now be an important consideration wherefurther reintroductions of captive-breddormice are to be undertaken where theywould reinforce existing populations.
Further investigationsThis partnership project between the Trustand Manchester Metropolitan university isalso seeking to investigate at a much finerscale whether there has been furthersubdivision in genetic diversity of Suffolk’sdormice after they colonised the uk. Thiswill be very useful because it will allow usto evaluate how dormice move throughtheir habitat and between populations.Specifically, it will test how particularlandscape features help or inhibit thesemovements. for example, it seems likelythat roads prevent gene flow, but wedon’t really know how much. Similarly, it is
Suffolk dormice are recognised asbeing their own separate variant,distinct from anywhere else in the UK
Dr Simone Bullion is senior conservationmanager at Suffolk Wildlife Trust andFraser Combe is a PhD student atManchester Metropolitan University
Fraser mapping hedgerows with adifferential GPS
Inspecting nest boxes requires alicence from Natural England
Fraser uses DNA sequencing toestimate genetic differences
section that was 30m in length. Of course,we can only prove that this was as adirect result of the planting if we can takegenetic samples ‘before and after’, so thisis what we are aiming towards next.
Such work will also help us identifyvulnerable populations which mayalready be exhibiting small populationsizes and/or genetic inbreeding. usingthis genetic information alongside ourregular monitoring of populations mayprovide a powerful tool to assist with theprotection and conservation of dormicelong into the future. n
DNA can be obtained from a hairsample plucked from the rump
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After six years ofintensive fieldwork, anew Atlas of Suffolk’sdragonflies willprovide unparalleledinformation aboutthis iridescent insect.
Adrian Parr explains how the bookhe helped compile also provides apicture of dramatic change
Red-eyeddamselfly
anyone interested in reserving acopy can contact the Suffolkdragonfly recorder adrian Parr [email protected]
Dragonflies and damselflies belongto the insect order known as Odonata,(meaning "toothed jaw"). Although they areoften collectively called "dragonflies", thereare two different sub-orders.
l Damselflies are insects in the sub-orderZygoptera, (meaning "yoke-winged"). Allfour wings are near enough equal in sizeand shape. They are usually smaller and stayclose to the water margins and surface. Mostspecies hold their wings along the length oftheir abdomen while at rest. The eyes arealways separated, never touching.
l Dragonflies are insects in the sub-orderAnisoptera (meaning"unequal-winged")and their hind wings are usually shorter andbroader than fore wings. Usually they arelarger insects that can often be found flyingwell away from water. When at rest theyhold their wings out from the body, often atright angles to it. The eyes are very largeand usually touch.
Dragonflies and damselflies
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 17
ome two and a half decades ago,howard Mendel published the bookSuffolk Dragonflies. One of the firstcounty dragonfly atlases to bepublished, it provided a summary ofthe state of Suffolk’s dragonflies
along with valuable historical background.furthermore, it also proved to be a publicationthat helped cement the county’s burgeoningreputation in the dragonfly world.
however, since that book was written in1992 a great deal has happened to britain’sdragonflies. Pressures on the environment havegrown, while at the same time conservationistshave come to have a better understanding ofhow to manage particular species. This,combined with the growing impact of climatechange, the effects of which have become moredramatic and more obvious in recent years,meant the time was right for a new assessmentof the county’s dragonflies to be made.
A labour of loveThe atlas, provisionally titled at the time ofwriting Suffolk Dragonflies, was put togetherafter six years of intensive fieldwork between2008 and 2014. in all, some 20,000 recordswere received, perhaps reflecting the currenthigh levels of interest in dragonflies amongstthe county’s wildlife community. Put togetherby a small group of Suffolk’s dragonflyenthusiasts and led by Nick Mason and myself,the book includes sections on the county’sdragonfly habitats, a comprehensive Suffolkdragonfly list and details about past and futuretrends. The main bulk of the atlas, however, ismade up of individual species accounts, whichcontain a brief background, current flight periodsand distributions mapped in 2km squaresbefore being analysed in depth. The atlas isalso extensively illustrated, using photos fromsome of Suffolk’s top photographers.
The highsalthough some change is to be expected sincethe time of Mendel’s book, some of the populationshifts highlighted in the new atlas are relativelydramatic. Several species, including migrants
such as the vagrant and lesseremperors and the southern migranthawker were recorded in Suffolk forthe very first time. Perhaps moresignificantly, several new species
1
2
3
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5
were also found to be breeding in the county,including scarce emerald damselfly, willowemerald damselfly and small red-eyeddamselfly. The last two were found to bewidespread in Suffolk, despite not having evenbeen recorded in britain when howard Mendelwrote his book in 1992.
a number of species that were quite rareor local at the time of Mendel have also goneon to become significantly more widespread inthe county. These include species such as red-eyed damselfly, white-legged damselfly,Norfolk hawker, hairy dragonfly, scarce chaserand four-spotted chaser.
The lowsNot all developments have, however, beenpositive. Some sites for the local variabledamselfly have been lost over the last 25 years,though gains have been made in thelakenheath area as a result of the rSPb’shabitat creation work there. The emeralddamselfly has declined significantly in the lastfew decades, probably due to drainage andthe loss of many ‘damp corners’ where thespecies likes to breed. even the common blue-tailed damselfly, while still widespread, isshowing signs of a population downturn.
it is hoped the new atlas, which is publishedby the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society and shouldbe available by the time this magazine is landingon doormats (or just a few weeks later), willappeal to those with a passion for dragonfliesand those with an interest in finding out just howbritain’s wildlife is responding to currentenvironmental shifts and pressures. n
Several species wererecorded in Suffolkfor the very first time
What’s the difference?
S
anyone interested in reserving a copycan contact the Suffolk dragonflyrecorder adrian Parr on
anyone interested in reserving acopy can contact the Suffolkdragonfly recorder adrian Parr [email protected]
SuffolkDragonflies
Edited by
Nicholas Mason and Adrian Parr
1. Willow emerald damselfly
2. Norfolk hawker 3. Hairy dragonfly 4. Four-spotted chaser5. Migrant hawker
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18 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
Farming forfood andfarming forwildlifeneed notbe mutuallyexclusive.
Matt Gaw meets apioneering organic farmerwho is deliveringbiodiversity while alsoturning a profit
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he pauses and looks out the windowof the victorian farm house. “i justthought the balance was wrong and i feltout of control. rather than being acreative farmer making my own decisions,all the decisions were being made for me.”
A new directionif the hare was an epiphany, it’s timing alsoproved to be critical. With conventionallygrown wheat prices at rock bottom, manyfarmers were searching for ways to diversifyin an attempt to at least cover their costs.for John things were certainly no different.but having previously invited SuffolkWildlife Trust to carry out a full farmconservation plan for the site’s wildlife,the way forward seemed relatively clear.
“We were obviously looking at waysto add value to what we were doing on
SHIMPLINGPARK FARM
ohn Pawsey can clearlyremember the moment herealised something had tochange on his Shimpling farm.after spraying a field with acocktail of chemicals, whose
long-term impacts on the soil and wildlifehe knew little about, he watched as a harebroke cover and bolted through theherbicide mist.
“it ran through the sprayed part of thecrop, sat on a headland and started lickingitself,” John said. “i was already thinkingabout what to change to make moneyand i felt really uneasy about spraying.“but seeing this relatively large mammalbeing affected made me realise that therewere loads of other animals i couldn’t seethat were also being impacted; lots ofbeneficial insects i was just killing.”
J
Wildabout the farm
the farm and organic farming, because ofits wildlife benefits or perceived benefitsat that time, seemed to be an obviousroute for me.”
John drew inspiration from a friendwhose father had begun the process ofconverting a farm during the 1970s. butneighbouring farmers and even seminars onorganic methods were less encouraging,suggesting an organic approach was notcompatible with modern farming.
he grins. “They were saying it couldn’tbe done as they thought it meant farmingin the same way but without chemicalsand artificial fertilisers. but what theydidn’t understand is that this is a holisticapproach. it’s a rotational approach todeal with all these problems and bring inas much diversity as possible to getaround what Mother Nature does best.
“if you present her with a monoculture,she will find something to completelyswamp that.”
but the lingering idea that organicfarming is somehow “not modern” clearlystill rankles John. “Some would say it’s abackward step. i definitely looked at mygrandfather’s books to see how it used tobe done (John is the fourth generation ofhis family to have farmed in east anglia),but we farm in a way that makes the mostof modern technology. We are far fromluddites, i think we are actually pioneersin some respects.”
First changesin 2006 the first organic rotation on a300 acre site at Shimpling Park farm wascompleted and its financial performancecompared to those areas still beingmanaged using conventional methods.The organic system came out on top.
“it seemed obvious to me that i wanted to go down this route,” John explains. “i was enjoying it more, i was in control, i was learning more, so i thought we would putit across the whole 1,500 acres of the farm.”
Other sites being contract farmed by John followed suit and soon he was managing around 3,500 acres
I just thoughtthe balance waswrong and I feltout of control
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 19
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Male hares chasingeach other
I looked at my grandfather’s books to seehow it used to be done but we farm in a waythat makes the most of modern technology
20 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
SHIMPLINGPARK FARM
Grey partridgehas respondedwell to rotation
according to organic principles. but afterthat first rotation it wasn’t just the financesthat were beginning to look healthier.
“i think the first thing we noticed wasthat our soil just came alive. i had twopeople working on the farm at that stage– tractor drivers who didn’t know, or reallycare, about organic farming. after thatfirst rotation they said to me on separateoccasions ‘That soil is working differentlyto the rest of the soil on the farm’.
“They were right. it was easier towork, it held water better and it had muchmore of a friable nature to it.”
Benefits for wildlifeShimpling Park farm also seemed to bebucking the trend when it came to birdlife. Just a few years before the State ofNature report – an unprecedentedstocktake of uk wildlife – would point thefinger at intensive agriculture for a 50%drop in farmland birds since 1970, Johnwas beginning to see populations in hisfields slowly increase.
“We definitely started noticing birdnumbers coming up. People were sayingto us that there are no skylarks aroundand we were just building up these hugepopulations of skylarks. andyellowhammers! People were sayingthere’s none of them around and we werehaving them in massive flocks likebudgies in the hedgerows.”
John admits even he didn’t believefarming methods could have such a bigimpact. “i was thinking, perhaps we’regetting these birds because of ourlocation. Then we started noticing thatgrey partridge numbers were building upand i thought, no this isn’t because ofwhere we are it’s because of our rotation.”
he adds: “We have loads of overwinter stubble, which farmers used tohave years ago because they couldn’tplough everything up before christmaswith horses and small tractors. There areears of wheat lying on the floor and seedcoming out from behind the combine, whichis all winter food for the birds. Then in thespring all this clover gets going again andthere will be bees and a completelydifferent set of invertebrates for birds tofeed on. it’s just humming with life.”
Wildlife vision for the futurerecently John has invited the Trust backon to his farm to carry out a series of birdcounts to try and quantify the changesthat have taken place. further surveys areplanned on invertebrates, possiblyconcentrating on bees and butterflies andthen arable plants.
“What i want to do over the time while
i am here, before the next person takes iton, is record the changes that havehappened. To say ‘look these are thechanges we have made and these are thechanges we have seen in flora and faunaon the farm’.”
alongside the removal of chemicalsand the introduction of clover and “greenmanures” into the rotation cycle, John hasalso worked with the Trust to dig out oldfarm ponds and has set aside land forturtle doves, a species whose populationis halving every six years.
although it has been three years sinceturtle dove have been spotted on thefarm, barn owl are already benefittingfrom the growing numbers of shrew andvoles making their homes in the tussock-filled clearings.
later, walking towards this patch ofrewildling farmland, John can barelycontain his excitement.
“Just this morning i saw a barn owlhunting. you can see a barn owl out herealmost every day, something i wouldn’thave dreamt of as a boy.”
Good news for Suffolk Priority Species
1 42 3
Shimpling Park Farm supportsa number of Suffolk PrioritySpecies including greypartridge, barn owl, skylark,song thrush, linnet andyellowhammer.
A breeding bird surveycarried out by the Trust in2015 recorded at least 47
skylark breeding territories.When adjusted for farm sizeand survey time, this figure isat least three times higherthan skylark numbers foundon other farms assessed ataround the same time. Thereis also a significantoverwintering population on
the farm. A winter birdssurvey at the end ofDecember 2015 recordedaround 200 skylark alongthe same transect route,suggesting that the farmlandoffers good foragingopportunities throughoutthe year.
TONy flaShMaN
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 21
“We realised if we sprayedanything we would wipe outthe force that we needed todeal with the problem. Withinthe week all the black fly hadgone. There was this balancingeffect that if you have anoutbreak of something it willtrigger the population ofsomething that will want to eatit. For me there has never beena clearer explanation of how anorganic system works.”
Last year Shimpling Park Farmfaced an outbreak of black flythat threatened to destroy anentire crop of spring beans.With reluctance and indesperation John ordered in anon-selective herbicide thatcould be used on organic farms.
But just days before thecontractor was due to beginspraying he noticed that thecrop was now crawling withsomething else – ladybirds.
Managers of the countrysideas well as recording the changes John, amember of the Nfu’s Organic issuesGroup, is keen to persuade moreconventional farmers that there is notension between producing food andprotecting wildlife.
“My point to them is that we're notthese open-sandaled eco warriors, we’reall farmers and we’re trying to do somethingdifferent. We want them just to hear theconversation. What’s the harm in hearingit and hear what we are achieving?”
in particular John wants to promotethe organic system’s “whole farmapproach”, rather than the targeting offield margins and disused corners.
John explains: “What i want to getacross is that this is a commercialoperation that hopefully can provide thekind of outcomes we want out of uk
agriculture apart from food production.We have to be profitable to keep inbusiness, but it’s also being able toprovide outcomes that are also importantbut which we may have forgotten arepart of our remit as being managers ofthe countryside.”
Perhaps though, the last word shouldgo to the hare, the animal that acted asthe catalyst for the sweeping changes onShimpling Park farm. a recent study onJohn’s farm revealed the animal is in rudehealth with his diverse and organic fieldscontaining more hare than any other farmsite in east anglia. n JO
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The system at work
At the heart of Shimpling ParkFarm’s approach is a system ofrotation. The six year cycleincludes two years of herb andnectar rich grass and clover,followed by winter cereal,spring cereal, spring legumeand spring cereal under-sownwith grass clover.
The diversity is designed toencourage as many differentinvertebrates as possible. Johnexplains that even the wheatvarieties in any field are blendedto bring as much diversity intothe system as possible. “Asfarmers we are harvesters ofsunshine and builders of carbonand if we are thinking about
carbon sequestration then thebest way to do that is by alwayskeeping something green in thefield – nature never leaves bareearth. So as soon as one crop issenescing we are puttinganother crop in to capture andsequester carbon.”
The farm has a specialistseed drill to under-sow clover,which remains in the field twoyears after the initial crop isharvested. “Green manures”containing mustard, phaceliaand buckwheat are put inhalfway through the rotation tocapture carbon before beingploughed back into the soilahead of a spring crop.
Rotation
The first thing wenoticed was that oursoil just came alive
1. Sheep graze thefarm 2. Pondshave beenrestored 3. ‘Greenmanure’ in action4. The farm houseand set aside field
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John Pawsey on his ShimplingPark Farm
A seed drillundersowing clover
Skylark
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22 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
UK NEWS
A new four-part anthology, published in conjunction with The Wildlife Trusts, celebrates the changing seasons. The editor is Melissa Harrison, an award-winning journalist, novelist and nature writer.
In the four books she brings together the classic works of great naturalists and pieces by
The newly-published Spring is a
must for fans of nature
writing
Following years of campaigning to protect marine wildlife we are delighted to report that 23 new Marine Conservation Zones have been created – mostly in English waters.
These latest zones add to the 27 that were created in 2013. Westminster
2016 gets off to a good start with new protected areas at sea
new writers. They describe moments of transition, from changes in urban settings to the shifting patterns of country life. All are threaded together to mirror the unfolding of the season. The full set of four will be published during 2016. You can buy the fi rst, Spring, at wtru.st/seasons-spring
has also committed to setting up a third round of Marine Conservation Zones by 2018. This must be ambitious if we are to achieve the full network of protected areas so absolutely vital to ensuring the recovery of our seas. We’ll be asking for your help to ensure this happens.
Edible crab on a species-rich chalk reef off Cromer, Norfolk.
This is what it has all been about: protecting the diversity
of seabed life around the UK
must for fans
A hugethank you to everybody who responded to the Government consultation on MCZs
Did you know?Marine Conservation Zones help safeguard wildlife such as seahorses, cuttlefi sh and cold water corals.
A greater pipefi sh using the new Swale MCZ, off KentA greater pipefi sh using the
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Learn more and get involved at wildlifetrusts.org/MCZwildlifetrusts.org/MCZ
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Spring is here
23 new Marine Conservation Zones
23SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
Brambly Hedge and The Wildlife Trusts have joined forces to help families explore and feel inspired by the animals that live close to them. Go to wtru.st/Brambly-Hedge for a wild recipe, colouring sheets, puzzles and much more. Plus a detailed look at the characters which are celebrating their 35th anniversary this year.
A new ebook Prophet and Loss by award-winning author Simon Barnes explores the legacy of The Wildlife Trusts’ founder, Charles Rothschild. 100 years ago Rothschild recommended protection of 284 wild places in Britain and Ireland: areas of mountain, woods, bog and coastline ‘worthy of preservation’. Prophet and Loss revisits some of those places and uncovers their stories. Available digitally for £1 from wildlifetrusts.org/prophet
Bass Rock – one of the places
revisited in Prophet and Loss
As a learning experience you can’t beat it: seeing, smelling, hearing and touching the plants, animals and habitats that make up our world. So we’re delighted that our Forest Schools will grow again in 2016 to include Nottinghamshire,
London and the Bristol area. It’s all thanks to funding from many sources, but most of all from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Our schools boost children’s confi dence and increase their knowledge and love of wildlife.
Prophet and Loss
Be inspired by Brambly Hedge
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Tony at Cherry Hinton, an urban
nature reserve owned by the
Beds, Cambs and Northants
Wildlife Trust
A Forest School with a diff erence: Nick Baker and friend
“This organisation
is the very backbone of conservation
in the UK”
Brambly Hedge and The Wildlife Trusts have joined forces to help families explore and feel inspired by the animals that live close to them. Go to sheets, puzzles and much more. Plus a detailed look at the characters which are celebrating their 35th anniversary this year.
Be inspired by Brambly Hedge
23
Brambly Hedge and The Wildlife Trusts have joined forces to help families explore and feel inspired by the animals that live close to
for a wild recipe, colouring
Be inspired by Brambly HedgeWilfred Toadfl ax: trouble on a string
Bass Rock – one
Tony Juniper is our new President
Latest UK-wide news and issues:wildlifetrusts.org/news
The well-known campaigner, writer and environmentalist has been appointed President of The Wildlife Trusts. Tony has been involved with the movement for over 30 years, and was the fi rst recipient of The Wildlife Trusts’ prestigious Charles Rothschild and Miriam Rothschild Medal in 2009.
In his new role he will help drive our mission to support nature’s recovery on land and at sea, and to put nature at the heart of society. “It is a huge honour,” he said. “This organisation is the very backbone of conservation in the UK and the work it does is vital in bringing huge benefi ts for people, nature and our economy. I am very much looking forward to adding what I can to the already huge impact of this amazing network.”
Forest Schools grow – yet again
WILDLIFE FOR PEOPLE
24 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
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Go wild this JuneT
he UK’s leading nature challenge is back for 2016, and we are inviting you to take part.
Last year The Wildlife Trusts launched 30 Days Wild,
when we asked people to do something wild every day throughout June.
Thousands of you did, from the centre of London to the Outer Hebrides. We were inspired by the amazing ideas people came up with for their Random Acts of Wildness. Grown-ups danced in the rain and made cheeky nature cocktails out of natural ingredients, like elderfl owers. Children and families made wild works of
art, went star-gazing and created homes for wildlife in their gardens. Even people at work managed to fi nd some time for wildlife, such as holding meetings outside in the sun. And in the busiest city centres people were fi nding their own little bit of wild and encouraging it to thrive.
But don’t take our word for it…
Forest Schools at Rendlesham Forest, Suff olk
It’s not just families and individuals who can pledge to commit 30 Random Acts of Wildness throughout June – we want your school to get involved too!
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 25
Saltmarsh creeks fl ow from
“I’ve always loved getting out into nature, but 30 Days Wild focused my love of wildlife and gave me an opportunity to improve skills like birdwatching. I had a much keener awareness of being part of nature. At the time I worked in Wolverhampton. Even there I made the most of wild places – having breakfast outside before I left for work, or visiting the park near my offi ce. I don’t think I would have ever visited it, or done a spot of birdwatching on my way back from doing the shopping, if it wasn’t for the challenge. It was so fulfi lling and made me realise the richness of wildlife, and how important it is to me.” waybeyondwords.co.uk/blog
Many studies show that spending time regularly in wild green environments improves your health and happiness. So, working with the University of Derby last year, we evaluated the impact of the fi rst 30 Days Wild on our participants.
They took a quiz before June, straight after June and again two months later. The results were startling. People reported feeling signifi cantly healthier and happier not just at the time, but months after the challenge had fi nished. Taking part also led to a sustained increase in connection to nature, and pro-nature behaviours. Great news for wildlife and people.
Join in and fi nd inspiration on the 30DaysWild Facebook group and share your own random acts of wildness on our Facebook page, Twitter feed – or fi nd us on Instagram, we’re @suff olkwildlife
If you would like a free 30 Days Wild activity pack, please visit wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild
Tell us if you’re going wild in June
Record your progress
feed – or fi nd us on feed – or fi nd us on
“At fi rst it was a bit of a struggle having to think of something new to do every day. But then it got really exciting and we started to think of loads of ideas. As it got easier I found that I wanted to spend more time outdoors. When it came to the end of June I didn’t want to stop.
Some of our activities were around the house and garden. Other times my mum, dad and sister, Amelia and I went for a day at the beach, or wild swimming. I took my camera with me, and blogged on appletonwildlifediary.wordpress.com. This year I want to get people from school involved: I found it really fun and inspiring, and I want to share that with people in my class.”
ALEX WHITE, 12, OXFORDSHIREKATHERINE DIXSON, 59, STAFFORDSHIRE
NORTON PRIMARY SCHOOL, SUFFOLK
I had a much keener awareness of being part of nature
When it came to the end of June I didn’t want to stop
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OLK
We wore wellies all day!
Over the coming weeks we will be working with schools across Suff olk to spread the 30 Days Wild message and pass on some fun ideas on how pupils and whole classes can get in the habit of going wild.
It’s not just families and individuals who can pledge to commit 30 Random Acts of Wildness throughout June – we want your school to get involved too!
If you would like to speak to one of our team, email judy.powell @suff olkwildlifetrust.orgjudy.powell @suff olkwildlifetrust.org
We wore wellies all day!
Over the coming weeks we will be working with schools across Suff olk to spread the 30 Days Wildmessage and pass on some fun ideas on how pupilsand whole classes can get in the habit of going wild.
26 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
LIVING LANDSCAPESPURPLE EMPERORLIVING LANDSCAPES
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Something has to changeDecember 27th: Emergency services rescue a family in York
27SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
ebden Bridge, York, Leeds, Tadcaster, Cockermouth, Pooley Bridge, Bradford, Glenridding, Aberdeen. Just some of the villages, towns and cities aff ected by the
December fl oods. More than 16,000 houses fl ooded, and many businesses too. Tens of thousands of people have suff ered the trauma and disruption of having their lives turned upside down. Recovery takes months or years.
Prime Minister David Cameron recently called for an ‘attitudinal change’ on fl ood protection. Whilst we agree on that point, he wants to shift the focus away from protecting nature and towards protecting property. In fact, we must do both. We need to take a new, collective approach to fi nding long-term, eff ective solutions to these predictable and recurring fl oods.
They are the result of a combination of factors:n Our natural defences (habitats, water catchments and river ecosystems) have been dismantled and damaged by intensive land management – often driven by Government subsidies intended to increase food production. n We lack an integrated approach to fl ood and drought alleviation, water quality issues and wildlife decline. The solutions to these challenges need to be woven together, not sat in separate silos.n We have spent decades ignoring Environment Agency advice by building in the wrong places. Floodplains are not suitable for housing and other developments.n Urban areas lack the vegetated wild spaces needed to absorb water safely and release it slowly. Poor planning, too much hard landscaping and paved- over front gardens don’t help.
H
More than 16,000 houses have been fl ooded, and many businesses
Stephen TrotterThe Wildlife Trusts’ Director, England is passionate about wildlife and wild places, and what they can do for people
Something has to change
28 SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
The same peatland after ditch blocking was completed
Welsh peatland dried out by ‘improvements’
Penrith’s fl ood reduction system Centenary Riverside fi lls upOverfl ow slip at Lunt Meadows
How nature reserves protect homesPenrith, CumbriaThacka Beck has been rerouted through a purpose-built reserve, allowing wet grassland to act as a fl oodplain when water levels rise – protecting the nearby town.
Lunt, North MerseysideLunt Meadows nature reserve sits next to the River Alt and acts as an overfl ow when water levels rise. In heavy rain, water enters the wetland area, protecting communities downstream.
Rotherham, YorkshireThe Centenary Riverside urban nature reserve is also a fl ood storage area. Last winter it kept fl oodwaters from the River Don away from surrounding streets and buildings.
Designing more places like these three into local plans can help us deal with future fl ooding – and provide much-needed space for wildlife. A real win-win.
Short-eared owl – often seen in wetlands that can help to fi ght fl oods
After
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Welsh peatland dried out by ‘improvements’
Before
LIVING LANDSCAPES
The most fundamental factor in any catchment is how the land is managed. For example, research by Devon Wildlife Trust and Plymouth University shows that wilder ‘culm’ grassland absorbs 4.5 times more water than sown and fertilised pasture. Trees are better still. So well-wooded catchments and those with wetlands and wildfl ower-rich grasslands are much better at coping with extreme rainfall events.
Ploughing-up of densely-vegetated wild habitats, over-grazing, digging drains and straightening rivers have all had disastrous consequences for our landscapes, which now have a severely reduced capacity to absorb and store water. Once a catchment is saturated, the speed of run off determines whether a fl ood becomes an extreme incident.
Often the land manager’s objective is to get the water away as quickly as
possible. But this simply passes it on downstream – where it can become someone else’s bigger problem.
Then it hits the fl oodplains which we have developed and constrained – the spaces into which they could naturally expand during intense fl ood events. Far too often, society has failed to respect or value the functioning of this natural process.
There has to be a better way and there is: to work with natural processes rather than against them. By carefully locating
and designing more absorbent habitats like woodlands, wetlands and fl oodplains, we can increase the water-holding capacity of landscapes near towns and cities. This can be good for people and good for wildlife – and often far cheaper than the hard concrete solutions we hear so much about.
Natural approaches help avoid the extreme peaks that can be so damaging.
Carefully designing more absorbent habitats can protect towns and cities
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10 ways to help nature help people
SOME EVIDENCE FOR A RETHINK
1 Plan land use at a catchment scaleUse ecological network maps to
create large, new multi-functional areas at strategic locations around vulnerable villages, towns and cities.
2Stop building on fl oodplainsPlanning policy must rigorously
prevail against urban fl oodplain development. Too often, concerns are dismissed with disastrous eff ect.
3Renaturalise riversIntroduce more
meanders, dead wood and rocks to slow the water. Recognise that the fl oodplain is part of the system, even if it is dry most of the time.
4Protect soilsEncourage farming
practices that restore soil and its ability to intercept run-off – especially near streams and rivers.
5Rebuild absorbent uplandsKeep more water in the hills for
longer by restoring wet peatlands, and letting broadleaf trees regenerate naturally in critical places.
6Rip up city pavingPermeable surfaces,
green roofs and wild areas in communal outdoor spaces should be part of all new development.
7Create buff er strips Strips of grasses and
fl owers along watercourses in towns or countryside slow the
fl ow of water and reduce levels of pollutants.
8Design and protect buildings better Help vulnerable householders to
adapt their houses so that a fl ood is less of an issue and life can return to normal more quickly.
9Ensure farm payments reward helpful practices
Public payments should be for public benefi ts such as fl ood alleviation and the restoration of wild habitats.
10Commit fully to tacklingclimate change
Properly commit to the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Set up a National Natural Infrastructure Commission to lead and coordinate activity.
If all of the tributaries in a catchment spill their water into main rivers at slightly diff erent times, it has been shown the most severe fl ooding can be avoided – making a huge diff erence to the number of homes and businesses aff ected.
There is a role for hard defences and dredging in some places but they won’t work everywhere. We need an approach that looks at underlying causes – from the headwaters to the coast. Everyone needs to work together to fi nd local solutions that work for people and wildlife across whole catchments.
Wildlife Trusts are doing this across the UK, for example in the ‘Slow the Flow’ projects we’re implementing. We just need more of them in more places. This is why we are calling on the Government to invest in smarter natural solutions for fl ood control (see right). Evidence shows that in most places working with the grain of nature is more eff ective, and more aff ordable.
less fl ow
Leave that dead tree
The magic of trees
times more
Blocking drainage ditches on the Exmoor Mires reduced storm fl ows to 32% of the pre-restoration level
Devon’s culm grasslands hold 4.5 times more water than intensively-managed grasslands
Ditch-blocking 250 ha of peatland in Pumlumon, Wales raised the water table by 5cm. That’s an extra 155 m l held back
Six large woody debris piles in a Northumberland stream doubled the travel time for the fl ood peak 1km downstream
Water soaked into tree plantations in Wales at the rate of 100cm/h. On grazed pasture the rate was negligible
68% 4.5
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SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 29
Read more atwildlifetrusts.org/fl ooding
One branch at a time might not look like much. But over time beavers are nature’s wetland engineers
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1 CS Lewis reserve, Risinghurst
Berks, Bucks and Oxon WTThought to be the inspiration behind the Narnia books, this tranquil woodland belonged to the celebrated Oxford author. Toads spawn in spring and there are dragonflies and damselflies in summer, as well as songbirds. Where is it? Risinghurst, Oxford OX3 8JD. Park end of Lewis Close. Grid SP560067.
2 Ystradfawr, Ystradgynlais
Brecknock Wildlife TrustOnce an industrial landscape with three collieries, the reserve has been left to nature for 60 years. With wet
woodland and marshy grassland it’s one of the best areas in Wales for the rare marsh fritillary. The wild flowers are magnificent, and there are butterflies, grass snakes and common lizards.Where is it? Off Weavers Road, Ystradgynlais SA9 1SE.Grid SN796 108.
3 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh
Scottish Wildlife TrustThe Trust’s smallest reserve demonstrates how a small, neglected urban area can be converted into an invaluable wildlife refuge. Access is through a locked gate by prior arrangement with the Trust’s head office.
Where is it? Off Johnston Terrace, SE of Edinburgh castle. Grid NT254735.
4 Cricklepit Mill, ExeterDevon Wildlife Trust
Once overgrown and disused, it’s now the Trust’s HQ, a working mill and an inspirational wildlife garden. A stream encourages grey wagtails, dippers, kingfishers and otters. There are also more than 150 plant species.Where is it? Commercial Road, Exeter EX2 4AB. 10min on foot from Exeter centre.
5 Winnall Moors, WinchesterHants & IOW WT
A collection of former water meadows and reedbeds surrounding the River Itchen,
Winnal Moors has orchids, dragonflies, kingfishers and water voles. Children’s discovery packs are at the tourist information centre. Where is it? Durngate Place, Winchester SO23 8DX. Grid SU486297.
6 Gunnersbury Triangle, Chiswick
London Wildlife TrustSaved by local people from development 30 years ago, the reserve has birch and willow woodlands, a pond, and marsh and meadows. There are butterflies, amphibians, woodpeckers and sparrowhawks.Where is it? Bollo Lane, Gunnersbury, W4 5LW. Grid TQ 201 786.
n Wild places can improve our mood
and increase our sense of self-worth1
n Playing and learning in wild places can
help children to develop meaningful
relationships with family and friends2
n Children with easy access to nature are more
able to cope with stressful situations2
n Wild places teach children about taking risks and
making rational decisions2
n Children are happier, healthier and more
creative when they’re connected to the
natural world2
1: DCSF, 2010; Bird, 2007. 2: Wells, 2000; Wells
and Evans, 2003, in Bragg, et al., 2014.
MacKerron et al., mappiness.org, 2013
10 places to seeGREAT DAYS OUT
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE
Urban wildlife
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Urban wildlife – it’s good for you!
7 Seller’s Wood, Nottingham
Nottinghamshire WTAn ancient coppiced woodland managed by the Trust and the City Council. It straddles two bedrock types so there are oak, birch, ash and wych elm, with early purple orchid and wood anemone in spring.Where is it? On the NW edge of the city off Seller’s Wood Drive West, NG6 7FW.
8 St Nicholas Park, Newcastle
Northumberland WTA woodland, pond, grassland and wildlife garden. There’s a play area, and the pond has frogs, palmate newts and many damselfl y species. Summer brings butterfl ies and a developing mix of grassland fl owers including yellow rattle, cowslip and tufted vetch.Where is it? St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle NE3 3XT. Grid NZ 235 683.
9Holywells Park, Ipswich, Ipswich Borough Council
Holywells is a beautiful open space, with trees and ponds and is a green hub for the community. The site is on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest and has been designated a Regionally Important Geodiversity Site (RIGS).Where is it? The park has four main entrances: Cliff Lane (IP3 0PG), Nacton Road (IP3 0NG), Bishops Hill (IP3 8EL) and Myrtle Road (IP3 0AL).
10 Bog Meadows, BelfastUlster Wildlife
A mosaic of reedbeds, meadows, ponds, woodland, streams and hedgerows with nearly two miles of smooth paths. The abundant bird life has helped win it the UNESCO award for Urban Wildlife Excellence.Where is it? Off the A501 Falls Road near St. Louise’s School. Grid J312726.
For our full listing of places to see urban
wildlife see wildlifetrusts.org/
urban-wildlife
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45
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Where to fi nd these places
All kinds of wildlife, including foxes, can be
found in urban locations across the country
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10 places to see
SUFFOLK WILDLIFE 31
Registered charity no 262777
suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Brooke HouseAshbocking, Ipswich IP6 9JY01473 890089 [email protected]
n the dark days of late December, uniting Grove Farm with the river to create Black
Bourn Valley nature reserve, was a promise of spring walks to come. Buying the 70 acres of river valley was made possible by the collective commitment of hundreds of members and local people who contributed to the purchase.
Always a Suff olk boy at heart, Desmond Winney relished his countryside ramblings, never more so than when he made it home during his RAF days. So we were delighted to be able to dedicate a generous gift in memory of Des and his family, Claude, Violet and Ivan Winney to help buy such a lovely piece of very
To fi nd out more about how a gift in your Will could help Suff olk’s wildlife, please contact Christine Luxton on 01473 890089
I Suff olk countryside.Like so many of us, Des
enjoyed the time to ponder that walking among nature gives. The sweeping views down the valley, framed by the magnifi cent crack willows that meander with the river, are an invitation to pause. Desmond’s bench, alongside the trail is the perfect place.
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Black Bourn Valleynature reserve
Desmond Winney and his parents, Claude and Violet
A place to linger