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Local Wildlife News
August - December 2010

Local Wildlife NewsA news and events diary from wildlife and conservation groups in the Ipswich area, produced by the Greenways Countryside Project.

Details of events such as wildlife walks, talks and work parties organised by these and many other groups can be found on the Green Living Centre "What's On" guide.

A downloadable version of this newsletter (PDF format, 1.5MB) is available.

If you would like to receive a hardcopy of the newsletter and events diary, or are not already on our mailing list but would like to be, please contact us at greenways.project@ipswich.gov.uk.

Contents

Details of events such as wildlife walks, talks and work parties organised by these and many other groups can be found on the Green Living Centre "What's On" guide.

Welcome

Welcome to this edition of Local Wildlife News. This newsletter and programme of events and activities has been brought together by the Greenways Project along with key conservation partners in the area. The magazine allows existing groups, and hopefully more in the future, to produce their own ‘group pages’ - thus passing relevant information to a far wider, but targeted, audience.

We are still very keen to receive any feedback about the publication – good or bad – and look forward to receiving any suggestions for improvements etc.

We are also always happy to receive articles, photographs and local wildlife “snippets” – so please do send in anything which may be of interest.

Mailing lists – Please note

We are aware that some who are members of several conservation organisations may well receive more than one copy of the newsletter. We are very sorry if this is the case, and would be very grateful if you could pass on the spare copy to someone who will appreciate it and contact the Greenways Project on 01473 433995 or greenways.project@ipswich.gov.uk, stating which organisations you are a member of, so that we can ensure that you receive just one in the future (hopefully!).

Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project

by Oka Last

Our barn owl nest box Monitors are out and about climbing ladders and checking barn owl nest boxes this summer/autumn - we anticipate an excellent breeding season this year.

Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project has won the Landscape and Biodiversity category in the Suffolk’s Creating the Greenest County Awards 2010. The awards are an annual event highlighting how Suffolk’s communities, businesses and schools are leading the way on a wide range of environmental areas, from cutting carbon to buying local products to protecting local wildlife.

Through the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project 700 nesting boxes have been installed and over 1,100 monitored, resulting in a rise of the barn owl population from 100 breeding pairs in 2007 to an estimated 300 pairs in 2009. Over 170 local volunteers are involved in dealing with enquiries, visiting landowners, assisting landowners to install their own barn owl nest boxes, monitoring nest boxes, recording, management and administration. The project is actively involved with local businesses, communities, schools and individuals.

Steve Piotrowski, Project Manager says: “Currently the barn owl population is concentrated in north east Suffolk. Over the next five years we aim to consolidate and increase barn owl densities in east Suffolk and extend its range into the west of the county.

“We have already committed to piloting the construction of barn owl boxes at Hollesley Bay prison as part of a resettlement programme. We will also be pressing for the creation of more rough grassland – ideal habitat for voles on which barn owl feed – through representation on the National Farmers Union’s new Campaign for the Farmed Environment.”

The project is leading the way in barn owl recovery, showing other organisations throughout the UK that, for species conservation, huge strides forward can be made by focussing on certain limiting factors (ie few remaining natural nest sites) and acting upon the findings. Through encouraging the development of interconnecting wildlife habitats, as part of the Trust’s Living Landscapes campaign, we are also helping barn owl and other wildlife to adapt to climate change

To find out how you can help Suffolk’s barn owl please contact SWT’s Oka Last on 01473 890089 or visit www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Suffolk Wildlife Trust

Suffolk Wildlife Trust - Ipswich Group Newsletter

Website

We are the Ipswich Local Group of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and we offer an interesting range of monthly meetings with guest speakers which usually take place on the third Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm in the hall of St Margaret’s Primary School, Bolton Lane, Ipswich. Trust members and non-members are equally welcome. During the summer months we offer a variety of trips, some local, others by coach. Details of these and our monthly meetings can be found in our “Diary” section which follows.

New members are always welcome.

Chairman's Letter

by Dave Munday

New Season

I hope that you, like me, having enjoyed the summer, are looking forward to our new season of monthly meetings which look as interesting as ever ranging from, locally, the Dunwich Forest Project to, worldwide, the Wildlife of Madagascar!

Martin’s Meadow

As usual I have had a busy summer volunteering for the Greenways Project, the Ipswich Wildlife Group, and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. For the Trust I help to warden Martin’s Meadow at Monewden near Otley. Martin’s Meadow, a SSSI, is one of the few remaining flower rich meadows in Suffolk and consists of three meadows and two orchards. First Church Meadow, the most floristically diverse, has not been fertilised, sprayed or drained for the last 400 years as far as we know! It is home to Early Purple, Green Winged, and Pyramidal Orchids, Twayblade and Yellow Rattle to name a few of the delights to be found. This year in May we counted 3152 Green Winged Orchids in the meadow, quite a sight!

There is a map in the Records Office dated 1656 showing the field layouts in the area with their names and also showing the position of the hedges. Some of these hedges are still on the same line in 2010!

The orchards which we have been gradually restoring, consist mainly of apples, pears and plums. We have grafted cuttings of the old trees on to new root stock with some success and we have added to these by planting with local varieties.

If you are passing at the beginning of September, call in and you will find First Church Meadow awash with Colchicum Autumnale - the Meadow Saffron. They are usually at their best about the 10th, but ring me nearer the time if you want an update.

SWT Website

The website has been re-designed and much improved, is easier to use and is updated regularly. As an example, the “News” section at the time of writing had, a few days before, posted an item intriguingly entitled “Swift Felled by Stray Balloon…..” So if you have a moment, do have a browse at www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org.

Harlequin Ladybird

In the 2007 Newsletter I wrote a piece about the Harlequins and what a pest they were becoming. As they are reportedly increasing in our area, I would be interested to here of any problems you have this summer. For more information, or to record your findings visit www.ladybird-survey.org.

Articles

I am sure our Editor, John Ireland, would be pleased to receive short pieces or snippets, photos or sketches, for our next Newsletter. These can be lighthearted, informative, witty, questioning, can be about wildlife, holidays, or any topic that would make an interesting article to share with our members.

50 Years

Just a reminder that in 2011 the Trust is 50 years young and we are looking for suggestions on how the Ipswich Group can celebrate the occasion.

Walk in Broaks Wood

by Leigh Williamson

A small enthusiastic group met at Broaks Wood near Halstead one sunny Saturday in May. Simon Leatherdale from the Forestry Commission was our guide on a fascinating walk through this ancient woodland.

Just a few steps into the wood, we saw early purple orchids amongst a patch of bluebells – easy to spot when pointed out, but easy to miss for the untrained eye. A little further down the track we stopped at an area that had been recently cleared of conifers. Then, right on cue, a pair of buzzards put on an acrobatic display just above our heads, making a sound more like a cat in distress, than a bird.

When the ‘show’ was over Simon explained to us something about the management of the wood over the last 20 years. The area we were standing in was the last 5-acre section to be cleared of conifers, planted in the 1950’s. Amazingly, the cleared areas regenerate naturally and quickly into broad-leafed woodland, as we were to see throughout the rest of the morning. This happens by germination from the seed bank left in the soil and from seed blown in on the wind.

As we walked, we passed rare grey poplars and small leafed limes, these being an indicator of ancient woodland. Then quite suddenly we came to the edge of the wood and our elevated position gave us a lovely view down the Colne Valley. Simon knew the spot well as he used to live in the isolated cottage we could see over to our right.

On returning to the woods, we stopped at a pretty bridge over water where golden saxifrage was growing. Here Simon headed off into the undergrowth and soon reappeared with a long straight stick. After carefully straddling the water, he pushed the stick down and down into the mud to a depth of 4 or 5 feet. Simon had first hand knowledge of why this spot is now called Boots’ Wallow. A horse called Boots and his rider rode into the mud and got well and truly stuck. The rider made her way to Simon’s cottage (aforementioned), to get help to extract the horse which was now deep in the mire. The story had a happy ending though, and that is how the spot got its name.

Simon had lots of interesting anecdotes – another involved the rare Wild Service Tree. We were shown a fine and ancient example. The tree is also called Chequers, this being the name of the berries it produces, which were used in the beer making process in days gone by. This is the origin of the common pub name ‘Chequers’. And yes, ‘Chequers’, the Prime Minister’s country retreat used to have several of these trees in its grounds.

This is just a flavour of what we saw on the walk. Above all it was a really enjoyable walk ending with a picnic lunch on thoughtfully placed logs at the edge of the woodland.

Guided walk at Sizewell Belts

by Tony Wilson

Perfect weather and the only cloud in the sky for me was being asked by Pam to write a short account of the day.

Tumbling out of our cars at Kenton car park some 20 members of SWT met up with our pleasant and knowledgeable guide for the walk. Carl Powell is the enthusiastic and hard working warden who made sure that we saw and heard about everything at this wonderful reserve.

We learnt that the site is owned by British Energy, who give financial support to help the SWT who in collaboration with the RSPB look after the reserve. And what a site it is including about 2000 acres of which 500 are farmed with arable crops; the rest comprises commercial forestry, natural woodland and grazing pastures and marshland.

We learnt that even the conifer plantations, though still farmed commercially, are now being inter-planted with broad leaved trees. Some of Sizewell Belts is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is rich in rare plants; for this reason further developments at the power Station are not believed to be a threat to the site. We walked through and beside lovely wooded areas with the air full of the song of birds.

The thick new leaf cover of the trees made identification difficult for all but those with a good knowledge of bird song. Nevertheless the birders’ tally crept up – of the more obvious birds we watched a single heron beat an escape across the marches, a greater spotted woodpecker dipped its way across the sky and swallows swooped. We emerged on to the more open areas of “the Belts” - the name is thought to have derived from the way the drainage channels leave broad, drier strips or belts of land. The marshy ground was surprisingly dry underfoot and soon the botanists were busy finding, admiring and photographing some choice and rare plants and flowers.

Our search was constantly distracted by the colourful, brilliant red and blue damselflies and the dragonflies. In particular, we were attracted to spectacular Broad Bodied Chasers, Four-spotted Chasers (actually they have 8 spots), and the large Norfolk Hawker. The botanists enthusiastically spotted and photographed Southern Marsh Orchids, Bogbean, Flowering Sedge, Common Lousewort and others.

A sharp eyed member of the party interrupted proceedings at one time by spotting a distant fox which was anxiously quizzing us before moving on. The more timid of us kept our eye on the herd of cattle and large Charolais bull grazing at the edge of the Belts and were relieved to learn that Carl does not let them across the ditch to graze the marshes until August.

In discussion and answering questions Carl informed us that he often saw otters, water voles, and several species of deer which of course cause considerable damage to young trees. He showed us an otter run out of one of the drainage ditches and he told us a lot about the work of managing the site.

Altogether this was a truly memorable tour in superb weather and in good and knowledgeable company. Thank you Carl and Pam.

Ipswich Wildlife Group

Ipswich Wildlife Group

www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/iwg

Ipswich Wildlife Group is a registered charity, relying entirely on volunteers, that promotes interest in, and conservation of, wildlife and habitats in and around Ipswich. We seek to inform and educate the local communities of Ipswich about the wildlife and habitats that can be found in the area, and the issues affecting them, as well as involve local people in practical wildlife conservation. We carry out practical conservation tasks, bid for grants to improve wildlife and green areas around Ipswich and work closely with the Greenways Project, Friends of Belstead Brook Park and other local groups with similar aims.

Now the Beanpole Festival is over!

The 13th beanpole festival was held successfully at Northgate Allotments on the 25th April. Despite the best efforts of the Spring Wood Volunteers to give us a tough challenge we sold 50% more beanpoles and peasticks than last year making over £500 for IWG.

The Beanpole Festival is held on Northgate Allotments as we have a demonstration area there where gardeners can see how to grow their own beanpoles by creating small coppice woodlands. Most Saturday mornings a small group of volunteers meets up to look after what has now become a beautiful pocket nature reserve on previous waste ground. Tasks include coppicing the woodland areas and looking after the small meadow, hedges and orchard. We are also establishing a rustic garden woodcraft demonstration area. This winter we hope to create a stumpery along with fellow allotment holders.

As well as practical workers and rustic woodworkers we are also looking for people who can do the filming and editing to help us put together YouTube videos on rustic work projects.

If you want to get involved with the rustic heart of Ipswich contact Geoff Sinclair on 01473 327720 for details.

Beanpoles?

Have you wondered what these beanpoles and pea sticks are and where they come from? Well wonder no more! They are hazel and they come from Spring Wood and are the product of the intrepid group of volunteers who do the coppicing come rain or shine (or snow!) during the winter months.

Coppicing is carried out in Spring Wood for two main reasons, firstly to maintain a traditional woodland practice that has been carried out here for centuries, and secondly to prevent the growth reaching the electricity wires that unfortunately cross the wood.

Coppicing lets the light into the area and this allows the dormant seeds of for examples Bluebell, Wood Anenome, and Primroses to flourish and give a delightful display in Spring.

If you fancy a visit, Spring Wood is in the Pinewood area with a car park in Bobbits Lane. Map reference TM 145 414, or visit this map online: http://www.multimap.com/s/yzEJH3wq

Spring Wood Celebration 2010

by Gerry Donlon

The Spring Wood 2010 celebration was a huge success for all involved.

A dry morning gave way to a heavy shower in the afternoon, but that did not deter any of the crowd from enjoying the splendid occasion. It was estimated that over one hundred people attended. It was great to see so many children enjoying themselves at various activities, the toad trail, the bug hunts, and the brilliant mud face making. What a sight it was to see Jason leading his beautiful horse Mooney dragging logs from the wood. The two guided walks were very educational and so well attended. The woodland crafts displays grabbed the attention of many of the onlookers, young and old alike.

The RSPB and Ipswich Wildlife Group information stands did a good ‘trade’. We also had the terrific and renowned Lagabag Morris performing seasonal dances throughout the day, inviting the audience to take part in the final dance. To see so many of the public joining in at an Ancient Wood was, for me, a fitting end to the day.

With all the positive feedback we received, and enquiries as to whether it would be an annual event, I have no doubt that the day was a big success.

So I wish to thank everyone who helped organise the celebration and took part; the Ipswich Wildlife Group, the Greenways Project and so many more.

Thanks to Tetley for lending us his walkie-talkies to help with the car parking, and to Mike and Sean for using them expertly preventing any traffic jams!

Thanks to IPC for the loan of the gazebo of which the RSPB volunteers were grateful when the shower came, also the many members of the public who stayed behind and helped to tidy up - a true reflection of the community spirit we have here in Ipswich. And finally, Hooray for the Ipswich Wildlife Group as they have decided to hold another celebration next year!

I hope by then IBC will have come to their senses and saved Kiln Meadow (Belstead Brook Park) from development. I hope to see you all there again in 2011.

Save Kiln Meadow

by Jen Jousiffe

In case you haven’t heard, the IBC executive decided to sell Kiln Meadow, Belstead Brook Park, on 13th July, for the development of 170 houses.

In the run-up to the Executive Meeting on 13th July we gathered support from all sections of the community.

All local wildlife groups are now actively supporting the campaign, including the local RSPB, Suffolk Naturalist’s Society, Suffolk Amphibian and Reptile Group and of course SWT. Ipswich Community Radio gave Ray the space to talk about the issue, and from this the FaceBook site really took off and now has 358 members. From the emails pouring in to my laptop, it’s clear that all local conservationists were furious at Ipswich Borough Council’s decision to sell Kiln Meadow.

The executive meeting itself was described by one observer as ‘a disgrace and an insult to the people of Ipswich’. We had some speakers on our behalf - notably Dr Simone Bullion of SWT, but our speakers were given limited time and not allowed to speak afterwards to refute some of the misleading, not to say incorrect, statements being put about by councilors and officers. Their questions were not addressed. The interim ecological report was not available until the day before. This is possibly illegal. This interim report stated that it had barely started toad surveys, and that surveys wouldn’t be complete until Autumn. Russell Williams was unable to clearly and consistently differentiate counts by volunteers from surveys by experts, and Bobbitts Lane from Kiln Meadow. Of the executive, only Cllr Lockington spoke against the proposal – her bravery, honesty and commitment to principle in overwhelming contrast to the misleading, confused, and ill-informed attitudes shown by the rest. But she wasn’t even given the opportunity to vote against the proposal. It seemed about as democratic as North Korea .

As regards the main legal principle which we have argued, NERC Act 2006, IBC’s legal officer’s opinion is that ‘a duty to preserve and enhance biodiversity’ is ‘weak’, and therefore IBC can ignore it and take the £6M.. She is also the person who investigates complaints against them. Democratic? Independent?

So where are we? Just to re-cap:-

IBC have sold Kiln Meadow, without proper surveys, with no advice from any competent wildlife authority (normally SWT). They say the developer is aware of the issues – but they have been given incorrect information by officers, without any expert advice. As reported on Radio Suffolk, John Carnall stated their belief that the toads only use Kiln meadow for migration but without surveys, they have no idea where they live, sleep, feed and hibernate. So how can the developer possibly take account of them?

Clearly, environmental law is weak and does not offer adequate protection for our wildlife. Natural England are supposed to stop this destruction, but they will do nothing. Please ask Natural England what happens when, as in this case, a public body apparently flagrantly defies the NERC Act, refuses to discuss wildlife with anybody, and allows the likely destruction of a toad population of national significance - 6,889, at the last count, on Bobbitts Lane? The answer seems to be that a small local wildlife group (IWG) with about tuppence ha’penny (1p in new money- ed) in the bank, made from selling hazel coppiced beanpoles, is expected to make a legal challenge to a local authority with pound signs for eyes and a developer at it’s elbow with very deep pockets.

BUT WE FIGHT ON

We are angry, we are committed, we have some strong allies: we fight for our wildlife on all fronts – and we need you to help:-

So do something, don’t do nothing, don’t leave it to everyone else – otherwise there will be no wildlife left in Ipswich for future generations to enjoy as we have. Gulliver was overwhelmed by the Lilliputians, We, all together, can beat IBC over this issue and protect the toads.

IWG, a small local wildlife group, will be starting the judicial review process.

Greenways Countryside Project

Greenways Countryside Project

www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways

Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich IP3 0PG
Office: 01473 433995 greenways.project@ipswich.gov.uk

The Greenways Countryside Project exists to protect and enhance the countryside, landscape and open space across an area of about 100 square kilometres in and around the town of Ipswich, and home to around one quarter of the population of Suffolk, for the benefit of wildlife and local people. The Project relies on volunteers to complete much of its practical conservation work.

The Greenways Project is a very successful and well-established partnership between Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Babergh District Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council and the local community.

2009/10 Annual Report

The map shows the sites where the Project and its volunteers have carried out practical management work between April 2009 and March 2010. Much of the work is routine maintenance of both wildlife habitats and facilities to increase the enjoyment by local people. Wildlife habitats cared for include woodlands, heathlands, meadows, ponds, reedbeds, scrub, and hedges. Management work for visitors has included maintaining and improving paths, removing litter and dumped rubbish, installing rustic seats, new information boards and cleaning existing ones, and building new paths, boardwalks and bridges.

There are a few case studies which give more details of work on a handful of our sites – if you would like further details about other sites or any aspect of the Project’s work, please contact the Project office.

Greenways Project Area Map

List of sites

Belstead Brook Park

1 Spring Wood (LNR)

2 Millennium Wood (LNR)

3 Bobbits Lane Meadows (LNR)

4 Ashground Plantation (LNR)

5 Bobbits Lane – upper area

6 Butterfly Ride

7 Stoke Park Wood (LNR)

8 Ellenbrook open space and Playing Field

9 Thorington Park open spaces

10 Belstead Meadows

11 Belstead Lower Meadows (CWS)

12 Thorington Hall Farm area

13 Belstead Heath

14 Bobbits Lane Allotments

Southern fringe

15 Netley Close open space

16 Belmont Road Wood

17 Belmont Road open space

18 Pinewood Community Centre

19 Maidenhall Allotments (Community Garden)

Eastern Fringe

20 Purdis Heath (SSSI), Purdis Farm

21 Martlesham Heath (SSSI)

22 Sinks Valley (SSSI), Kesgrave High School.

23 Martlesham Common (CWS)

24 Mill Stream (LNR), Rushmere St Andrew

25 Sandlings, (LNR), Rushmere St Andrew

26 Warren Heath (CWS)

27 Farthing Wood, Kesgrave

28 Long Strops Pond, Kesgrave

29 Cedarwood Green, Kesgrave

30 Legion Green, Kesgrave

31 Chestnut Pond, Rushmere St Andrew

Northern Fringe

32 Rushmere Cemetery

33 Grundisburgh Millennium Meadow

34 Lyttleton’s Meadow, Grundisburgh

35 Kiln Farm Meadow (CWS), Gt Bealings

36 Former St Mary’s Convent site, Woodbridge Rd.

37 Fonnereau Way

Western Fringe and the River

38 Alderman Canal (LNR)

39 River Path – Stoke Bridge

40 River Path– Princes St to West End Rd

41 River Path– West End Road

42 River Path– West End Rd to Handford Rd

43 River Path – Handford Rd-Yarmouth Rd

44 River Path– Yarmouth Rd to Riverside Road

45 River Path – Boss Hall

46 River Path – ex-Sugar Factory

47 River Path – A14 to Sproughton

48 Churchman Way

Wider Area

49 Priestley Wood (SSSI), Barking

50 Valley Farm Meadow (CWS), Lt Blakenham

 

Key Achievements

My work experience

by James Sinclair

Hello, my name is James I am fourteen years old and for my year ten work experience I chose to go and work with the Greenways conservation group. The reason I chose Greenways was because I have been involved in some of their workdays before and I really enjoyed them, also in my opinion being outside and working near stunning rivers and woods is over a million times better than what my friends are doing for their work experience, in supermarkets and offices. Normally each day was spent clearing the paths of the River Gipping. Even though that doesn’t sound very exciting, I enjoyed it immensely.

The Greenways project is a vital part of restoring and maintaining walkways and paths of the English countryside encouraging people to go outside and much more. Over the two weeks that I have been there I have learned lots of new things like new plants and insects and I have seen a lot of sites that I didn’t even know existed. I have also learned how important projects like Greenways are to help people access the countryside and learn more about the outdoors. I also found out how important the little jobs are like litter picking and hedge trimming, before I worked at Greenways I didn’t realise how big a problem litter was, and that if we didn’t have people like the volunteers that help at Greenways how much of the landscape it would ruin.

I really enjoyed my time at Greenways the people there where nice and I would like to say thank you to all of them and if I ever had the chance to do it again I most definitely would.

CASE STUDIES

Chestnut Pond, Rushmere St Andrew

The Project worked with Rushmere St Andrew Parish Council to improve the pond for wildlife and local amenity. Following some tree surgery works to allow access for a large digger, and to reduce the amount of leaves falling into the pond, the water was pumped out to facilitate de-silting. A vast tonnage of silt was removed and spread on a neighbouring field, with rubbish, rubble and branches being removed first. It was hoped that the dredging would help alleviate flooding problems in the area, but the pond is at the lowest point in the area and thus water collects there with no real escape! As the water settles down, it is hoped that a wider range of wildlife will be able to thrive on the site and that the very high population of ducks and geese can be reduced by discouraging artificial feeding.

Bobbits Lane Meadows wetland works

With grant funding from the Haven Gateway, the very important wet meadow site was improved in the autumn. A large tracked digger spent several weeks on the site, deepening ponds and ditches to increase the habitat quality for amphibians, birds, otters and water voles amongst others. Volunteers helped to install new water control structures to maintain water levels in dry conditions. The spring toad migration to the breeding ponds this year saw nearly 7000 toads moved across Bobbits Lane by the toad patrol volunteers.

Belstead Brook Park access improvements

Volunteers helped to construct over 100m of raised timber boardwalk (once again with funding from the Haven Gateway) through Ashground Plantation. The surrounding woodland floods regularly in the winter, but walkers can now (except in high flood!) pass through the area without getting wet. 650 metres of path in Bobbits Lane Meadows have been widened and resurfaced with local aggregate; and a further 1500m of path has been laid in Belstead meadows along stretches that previously became very wet and muddy in the winter.

River Ranger

After many years of trying to attract funding to fund a Ranger post to concentrate on maintaining the river path and associated green spaces, we now have such a Ranger in place (from October 2009 until March 2011 at least). The river corridor has benefited hugely, with a vast improvement in the routine management – path cutting, litter and rubbish removal, maintenance of infrastructure and a greater level of involvement from local people..

How to get involved

If you would like to be involved in any way with the work of the Greenways Project, or would like any further information about the Project, its aims and its work, please contact the Project on 01473 433995, or email greenways.project@ipswich.gov.uk

Some further information can be found on our web pages at: www.greenlivingcentre.org.uk/greenways

CSVGreenways Countryside Project

Access to Nature

by Becky Marley

The Greenways Countryside Project and CSV Media Clubhouse are very happy to announce a new project called Access to Nature. This is a three-year project funded by the Big Lottery, through Natural England, and will work at a number of sites across Ipswich.

The project is about connecting people with their local natural environment and, although the project is open to all, it specifically aims to introduce the benefits of the natural world to people who have not had the opportunity or the interest to experience it before.

We will do this in a number of ways including:

We will be introducing people to the beautiful areas that Greenways and their volunteers already care for, as well as working to improve some of the small, neglected green spaces in other areas.

The ultimate aim is that by the end of the project we will have created a legacy of motivated people across communities who realise the value of their local natural environment and have the tools and training to continue caring for it.

Throughout the project there will be a number of events, large and small, that you may like to be involved in. The annual River Cleanup will be happening again this year, on Sunday 22nd August. Location is to be confirmed but the divers will be working somewhere on the town centre stretch of River Gipping, with other locations for land-based litterpicking and conservation activities. We want another fantastic turnout for this year so please put the date in your diary, tell your friends and families, and let us know if you can be involved! We will be sending out more information when details are confirmed.

We will also be looking for volunteers to help with our community engagement events – helping to set up and manage the events, helping with activities, tasters and workshops, and talking to people about all the benefits of being connected to nature! If you have an interest in helping out in this way, please let us know and we can keep you informed about opportunities.

If you would like to know more about the project, or to get involved, please contact Becky on 01473 418014 or or talk to Steve at Greenways on 01473 433995 or greenways.project@ipswich.gov.uk

Greenways Countryside Project River Ranger

by Peter Scotcher

I have been working in the post since October 2009. The post and improvements projected for the river corridor, from Stoke Bridge, Ipswich to Sproughton Bridge, are funded by the Haven Gateway.

I have greatly enjoyed the work and hope that improvements in the river corridor through increased day-to-day management are evident to all those living near the river and using the numerous river paths and cycleways.

In the next nine months until closure of the Haven Gateway funding (31st March 2011) this will enable us to:

Sadly, this will not address all the needs of the river corridor and the Greenways Project have been seeking further funding and planning agreements as opportunities arise, to further improve the river corridor. Recent examples include seeking to gain path improvements (increased width, improved surfaces and softer green boundaries) at the new Tescos at Grafton Way and the Coopers BMW site at West End Road (behind which the River Path and River Gipping flow).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers and staff who have assisted in all the hard work so far completed. And if you have not already done so, get out and explore the river path!

RSPB

RSPB Ipswich Local Group

www.rspb.org.uk/groups/Ipswich

Belonging to RSPB Ipswich Local Group is a great way to meet friendly, like-minded people in your area, while learning more about birds and other wildlife.

Ipswich RSPB Local Group is open to everybody living in and around Ipswich, who shares an interest in birds and other wildlife.

From September through to April, our monthly indoor talks and occasional film shows are held at Sidegate Primary School, Sidegate Lane, Ipswich. Speakers, ranging from conservation professionals through to writers and photographers, present on a wealth of wildlife themed topics. (Usually 2nd Thursday of month @ 7.30pm).

Throughout the year, our field leaders escort groups to many of the best local spots for birds and other wildlife. Beginners are always welcome, and tips on correct identification are readily on hand if you need them, to help you get the best out of the day!

Our newsletter the ‘Orwell Observer’, is published three times a year and includes a range of articles and photos, news of recent group activities, plus updates from nearby RSPB reserves.

Run by volunteers, the Ipswich Local Group is a great way to have fun, meet new like-minded people, as well as if you choose, the opportunity to get further involved

in the work of the RSPB.

Group membership, (distinct from RSPB membership), is £3 a year, (£1 for under 16s).

Members receive the newsletter, the annual indoor and outdoor events programme, plus reduced admission rates to indoor talks. (£1.80 instead of £3.00 for non concessions). Alternatively, a further discount is available through the purchase of a season ticket, rates for which, inclusive of annual membership and all 8 indoor meetings are :- £14 adults,/£12 over 60s,/£8 under 16s.

In addition we offer a FREE e-membership which provides regular news of the group through receipt of an electronic edition of the ‘Orwell Observer’ three times a year.

For further information or to download a membership form please see our website or write to the Membership Secretary.

Over-wintering Blackcaps in the UK – evolution in action

by Chris Courtney

Did you spot any blackcaps in your garden or local patch during the last winter? Despite the severity of the weather I had at least six reports from Ipswich Local Group members of blackcap sightings in gardens and on feeders over the period, and I personally had a male singing in my garden between the 16th and 18th of February.

In fact, it is only really since the late 1950’s and early 1960’s that Blackcaps have occurred in the UK during winter at all, with most records traditionally coming from the warmer south and southwest. Increasingly however, it has become clear, that the vital link in this phenomenon is the provision of food supplied by us humans, widely available in the UK during winter, at a bird-table or garden feeder near you!

Ringing recoveries and other research has determined that most of these over-wintering birds are from populations breeding in Germany and central Europe and work conducted by Professor Dr. Peter Berthold of the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology has furthermore discovered, that these birds have developed to form a distinct genetic group and may well prove to provide a fascinating insight into evolution in action.

Blackcaps occur in large numbers across much of Germany , and for the past few decades two groups have emerged with distinct migratory strategies. In autumn the first, ‘traditional’ group flies southwest to Spain and Portugal , while a more recent smaller population flies west-northwest to the UK .

These two populations, although breeding side by side in the same habitats do not interbreed due to the fact that the UK wintering birds (having a shorter migration route) arrive back at the breeding sites earlier than their Iberian wintering counterparts. This is giving them an evolutionary advantage in their being able to secure the best breeding territories and may also be assisting them with maintaining synchronization with peak availability of invertebrate food species, which most frequently now occurs several weeks earlier, as a result of climate change.

Resulting from a series of innovative experiments in the early 1990s Professor Berthold proved that chicks originating from these two populations would always fly in the same direction as their parents, (i.e. either southwest or west-northwest), even when raised in identical environments. This suggested that a genetic mechanism may be responsible, which theory was further substantiated when in a subsequent experiment he discovered that the offspring of a mixed Iberian/UK pair migrated in a direction roughly half way between the other two population’s trajectories.

Another biologist Gregor Rolshausen, from the University of Freiburg has shown that individuals from the two populations may be successfully identified by means of mitochondrial DNA sequencing around 85% of the time. In fact Iberian birds are more genetically distinct from the UK birds, breeding in the same area of forest than they are from other blackcaps 800km or more to the east.

Physically, the UK wintering birds tend to have shorter primaries, resulting in rounder wings, (a typical characteristic of sedentary or short distance migratory species). In addition the UK birds have relatively longer and narrower bills, most likely due to the more generalist feeding habits they have developed as a result of utilizing seeds and fat from gardens in winter, whereas Iberian birds show a tendency to longer primaries and have shorter, broader bills, favouring the fruits and olives that constitute a significant proportion of their winter diet.

Differences in colouration are also starting to emerge, with UK birds displaying a warmer browner hue to the mantle and bill colour as against the greyer tones of the Iberian population. It is thought that this may help individuals to recognize and associate with their own population types.

Remarkably these changes have emerged over just 30 generations during some 50 elapsed years. Rolshausen like Berthold attributes these changes to the provision of artificial food sources in the UK during winter. It is the availability of this food supply which has underpinned the survival of these individuals, thereby enabling evolution through favourable natural selection to take place in those individuals possessing the particular genetic mutations that resulted in a west, north west migratory trajectory.

This is one of the few studies to demonstrate how human activities – in this case the provision of food to wintering birds – can be a sufficiently powerful mechanism to result in the creation of reproductive barriers among animals that live in the same place. These blackcaps are also testimony to the extraordinary pace at which the first few steps toward speciation can take place. Although in some ways this is simply a more indirect version of the kinds of animal breeding programmes, such as in pigeons and doves, that Darwin himself observed in detail when fashioning his ideas.

Whether in this case, these agents will eventually result in the creation of a new species, remains an open question. Presently, the conditions would appear to be in place, but a shift in human activities or a change in other environmental factors may yet alter future conditions, thereby setting up an entirely new range of evolutionary challenges for blackcaps.

Friends of Holywells Park

Friends of Holywells Park

www.holywellspark.org.uk

The Group aims to work in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council to improve and promote the Park.

Members of FoHPWith its unique character, woodlands, ponds, streams, slopes, meadows and formal areas The Friends Of Holywells Park believe Holywells Park to be the best park in Ipswich.

The Friends Group have had a busy few months. The picture shows some members with the IBC Park Ranger, Joe out in late winter planting about 70 native shrubs and trees in a section of woodland previously dominated by sycamore before their felling. Trees planted included oak, ash, hawthorn, hazel and birch.

Other practical work done by the Friends Group has concentrated on the Holywells Park Orchard where the Friends have tidied, pruned, controlled horsetail and desilted a pond (again back in late winter).

The Friends Group have held several events; an Easter Event on a very wet day in April which thanks to the spirit of volunteers and our many undaunted visitors went well. Besides many other children’s activities and games and refreshments, children made mud faces on a wall. Some of which still remain.

Other events included a wildflower walk featuring the extensive stands of bluebells at their very best and a Scarecrow’s Tea Party. This combined three events: Orchard Blossom Day, Tea in the Orchard and Scarecrow Day. About 25-30 families made 35 wildly different scarecrows and all had fun.

Cliff Lane Toad Tunnel

by Peter Locke

The Friends of Holywells Park fought long and hard for a toad tunnel to be built under Cliff Lane at the bus stop just below Oulton Road. That was five years ago. This year the Conservation Group within the committee decided that there should be some form of monitoring to ascertain whether the tunnel was being successful in its purpose – i.e. to allow the safe migration of amphibians between their terrestrial habitats in Landseer Park and their breeding grounds in the water bodies of Holywells Park on both legs of their annual migration to spawn. I attended at various times on 11 suitable evenings between March 16th and 28th for periods from 25 minutes to an hour and a quarter for nearly nine hours. Toads will only move in certain weather conditions – damp or raining, overcast and more than 6°C.

In the earlier part of the period, some casualties were found level with the five-bar gate despite chicken wire being fixed to the bottom. These unfortunate animals were obviously finding their way through the pedestrian gap. Others were intercepted and placed either on the other side of the road or at the head of the funnel with the hope that I might observe them using the tunnel. However, it is thought that toads move at maybe 50m per night and therefore many hours of patient observation would be needed to see this happen. Some ran the gauntlet from the Rivers Estate in the vicinity of Oulton Road although the tunnel could never have resolved this. Others seemed to emerge mysteriously through brick walls and close-fitting fences from their old hibernation areas at the northern corner of Drayman’s Way. In the latter part of the period, many were found dead at the bottom of Cliff Lane level with the canal gate and the old cottage. They were returning lower down towards their summer habitat that existed before Drayman’s Way was built, and had missed the safety of the guiding walls up to the tunnel. In all, 22 amphibians were assisted in crossing the road and 27 were found dead including one newt.

Careful “walk/drive-throughs” were undertaken until April 7th without any sightings of amphibians on the road.

Conclusions

(i) the majority of the colony are using the tunnel;

(ii) the colony is now so small that what I observed represents the last vestiges following the construction of Drayman’s Way (certainly very little spawn was seen in Holywells Park this year). In the year before Drayman’s Way was built and before the tunnel, the Holywells Park Toad Patrol assisted over 400 across. The year after, this figure had dropped to about 40.

Friends Of Christchurch Park

Website

The sole purpose of the Friends Group is to help look after the Park for the public good, and to promote its welfare. Anyone who shares this aim is welcome to join. For a small annual fee of £5 you can join in Friends activities all year round, including Illustrated talks and discussions, Guided Park walks & Practical conservation work. You will also receive an informal seasonal newsletter.

When one considers the numerous public activities that take place in Christchurch Park, together with the many people who come to enjoy them, it seems unimaginable that the Park has such a diversity of wildlife. Luckily, Christchurch Park is large enough to be able to absorb all of the events such as the Music Day, the Mela event, the Car Rally, the Proms and the Scouts’ extravagant firework display without the Wildlife Reserve and the Wilderness Pond being affected too much. Our Park, situated as it is in the centre of Ipswich, comes under a great deal of pressure, not only from the organised events, but also from its usage by the general public. On a hot summer’s day one only has to walk through the tree-lined avenues to see the enjoyment that this green oasis gives to the people of Ipswich.

Wildlife certainly does survive. However, for many creatures life in the Park is somewhat restricted and at times extremely hazardous. Take for instance the Wilderness Pond. The good news is that the fish stock has increased tremendously since the pond was drained and renovated. The bad news is that the water birds are finding times difficult. Of a population of two dozen Canada Geese only three goslings survived. The number of adult Mallards is reasonably high but, again, very few ducklings were reared. It is a similar story with the Mandarins and Moorhens. The reason why? The large predatory gulls. Because of the ever-increasing population of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, which nest on the rooftops of the buildings in Ipswich, predation is rife.

The Wildlife Reserve is being updated. The collaboration between the Friends of Christchurch Park and the Park Rangers is a happy coalition. Our thanks go especially to Park Ranger Laura for her contribution and advice with the renovation. New fencing has provided more protection for the wildlife and, with the introduction of new bird and bat boxes, this area is now more accommodating. The response from the public has been encouraging with large numbers of people enjoying our two morning bird walks. The severe and prolonged winter weather was thought to have decimated our smaller songbird population but, somewhat surprisingly, numbers of Wren, Long-tailed, Blue, Great and Coal Tit, Goldcrest, Treecreeper and Nuthatch seem to have held up well. However, the numbers of predators continue to thrive, particularly Carrion Crow, Magpie, Jay and Grey Squirrel. Our star pair of Sparrowhawks raised three young last year. They are nesting again this year.

Christchurch Park therefore remains a wonderful place to visit not only for entertainment and relaxation but also to study and enjoy its wildlife. Let’s hope we can maintain this happy balance of interests.

Reg Snook

Suffolk Ornithologists Group
Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group

www.sogonline.org.uk

SOG is the Group for people interested in the birds of Suffolk, and provides a network and a voice for birdwatchers in the county.

The Group is administered by Suffolk birdwatchers for Suffolk birdwatchers, keeping them in touch with what is going on and with each other. Through the Group’s Council, SOG has good links with other naturalist and conservation organisations in the region.

The Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project (SCBOP) is a joint project between SOG and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. SCBOP has been a great success in providing nest boxes for the barn owl across the county. Several groups, farmers, landowners and local communities have worked together to help this beautiful bird of the Suffolk countryside. SCBOP recently won an award in the Greenest Community section, within the Landscape and Biodiversity category run by Suffolk: Creating the Greenest County, who work with local communities and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and enhance their natural environment. The annual awards celebrate and highlight excellent environmental achievements.

SOG is the Group for people interested in the birds of Suffolk, and provides a network and a voice for birdwatchers in the county. The Group is administered by Suffolk birdwatchers for Suffolk birdwatchers, keeping them in touch with what is going on and with each other. Through the Group’s Council, SOG has good links with other naturalist and conservation groups in the region.

SOG organises an extensive programme of field meetings, an opportunity for members, young or old, novice or expert, to see birds, and to share camaraderie with fellow enthusiasts. Indoor meetings are held at Holiday Inn, London Road, Ipswich with quality speakers entertaining members with slides and stories, both local and from around the world.

The Group’s bulletin, ‘The Harrier’, published quarterly, keeps members in touch with what’s going on - stories about birds, conservation, reserves, and people.SOG organises and promotes surveys and projects on the birds of Suffolk, with an opportunity for members to participate. SOG is also able to support worthwhile projects through bursaries.

Membership of SOG is open to anyone with an interest in the birds of Suffolk. Rates are £13 for singles and £15 for families. A joint membership with SNS is available for £26 for singles and £30 for families representing a saving of £2 on combined membership rates and entitling

Portal Woodlands Conservation Group

Portal Woodlands Conservation Group

www.martlesham.org.uk/portalwoodlandsgroup

Enquiries: Martlesham Parish Council 01473 612632

The Portal Woodlands Conservation Group was formed as a working group of Martlesham Parish Council in November 1999 to conserve the woodlands which lie west of the Suffolk Police HQ and alongside the A1214. Volunteers meet each month to work on a variety of projects. These have included planting trees & hedges, repairing Second World War structures, creating wildlife habitats and involving local schools and organisations in conservation. Anybody is welcome to join this friendly group. Training and tools are provided.

As the ground started to warm up, we saw the first signs of spring and an end to the cold weather and dark evenings. There was a lot of activity in the woods, with our feathered friends busy preparing their nests for their offspring. The trees started to awaken and buds appeared. The flowers looked beautiful, the wood violets, daffodils and primroses gave us a ground canvas of colour, followed shortly after by the vibrant bluebells. While the bright greens of the new leaves complimented the bare bark of the trees. Nature does colours so well!

It was a wonderful time, new life, new growth and new adventures. Why not take an adventure yourself and share in the wonder of this lovely little woodland, or join us on our Volunteer Work Mornings. Where is the wonderful little corner of woodland I hear you ask; our little woodland is situated west of the Suffolk Police HQ and alongside the A1214. See the map at http://tinyurl.com/39at2u9. Parking is at the Martlesham Control Tower.

For more information about PWCG and its activities, please access our website at www.martlesham.org.uk/portalwoodlandsgroup , or if you have any questions please email us at or phone Martlesham Parish Council on 01473 612632

Jocelyn Cook

Ipswich Borough Council

Wildlife and Education Rangers

Website

Office : 01473 433993 park.rangers@ipswich.gov.uk  Stable Block, Holywells Park, Cliff Lane, Ipswich IP3 0PG

The Wildlife & Education Rangers are responsible for the management of wildlife areas within the town’s parks and other green spaces. As well as carrying out practical management, the team runs an events programme and works with many local schools to engage and inspire the public about the wildlife Ipswich has to offer.

Bourne Park Barn Owl Project

by Laura Whitfield, Ipswich Borough Council

Ipswich Borough Council Wildlife and Education Rangers with the sponsorship of Barnes Construction are working on a project to encourage barn owls to breed within the boundaries of Ipswich. We are linking with the Suffolk Community Barn Owl Project’s ongoing work across the county to provide suitable artificial nesting sites and habitats for barn owls.

Bourne Park was chosen as the most appropriate site as barn owls have already been spotted in the area. Bourne Park is relatively low in conservation value and has benefited greatly from the addition of a large area of long grassland and barn owl boxes. Future small mammal surveys and nest box monitoring will measure the success of the project. In addition to this we have improved public access & recreation in the area by replacing a footbridge, put in extra seating areas, installed interpretation boards and maintained wide mown paths.

The Rangers consulted over 2,000 residents who lived nearby. It was a very valuable exercise in identifying any issues or concerns people had about the project. Another positive outcome was that we had many people expressing an interest in volunteering in the Park.

The project was launched on the 22nd September 2009. The day began with falconer, Kathy Bole from the Raptor Trust giving a talk about owls to a group of children from Halifax Primary School. She brought along three owls, including a barn owl for the children to look at. We then walked through the soon-to-be long grass area whilst I explained to the children the importance of rough grassland in providing habitat for the barn owls main prey, the field vole (Microtus agrestis). This led the group to the tree surgeon, Paul Jackson who was in the process of installing two barn owl boxes. As Paul was doing this, Steve Piotrowski of the SCBOP spoke to the children about barn owls and their nesting habits.

The launch was a great success and we plan over the next three years to complete the project and hopefully get barn owls breeding on the site.

Since the project launch, the school children have been doing watercolour paintings, classroom displays and even a presentation in their school assembly. With the funding provided by Barnes Construction the Rangers are able to go on specialised small mammal ID courses. This means that we will be able to do environmental education activities focussing on small mammals and owl pellet dissection. We are also going to develop an activity pack so schools can go to the site independently to learn about barn owls and their habitat requirements. The Rangers also ran an event in early August with a local falconer focussing on barn owls. Members of the public were be able to watch and learn all about barn owls and about the barn owl project.

The next step in the barn owl project is to gain more involvement from members of the public. We have done a number of talks to libraries across the town making people aware of what is happening in the Park. Our poster cases are also proving to be an excellent addition to the Park. People regularly get in touch with us about the information provided in the cases and they give us invaluable information about the species they have seen. We are also in the process of putting the reedbed and grassland into Higher Level Stewardship through Natural England. We will then receive payments for managing the areas in an environmentally sensitive way.

If you would like to get involved with this project or further conservation work being carried out in Bourne Park please get in touch with the Rangers on (01473) 433994.

Local Wildlife News

Local Wildlife News Snippets

A Nightingale sang in the Old Cattle Yard

16th April 2010. Nightingale singing from scrub near Princes Street Bridge (the road bridge over the river to Ipswich Railway Station). Subsequent encounters suggest its territory (assuming it to be just the one bird) extends east and west through the scrub belt either side of Princes Street on the north side of the river and into a small patch of scrub on the south side of the river. On one occasion I even managed to see it - not the easiest of feats, for aside from their song, nightingales are highly secretive. It achieved some fame when the Evening Star ran an article on it. I last heard it singing on the 19th May and wonder whether it attracted a mate and bred. Much of the scrub west of Princes Street Bridge is part of the Old Cattle Yard site, one of the public green spaces along the River Path and nightingales seem to visit year after year.

Peter Scotcher (Greenways River Ranger)

Ipswich Rock Garden

Growing on the brick paving of the Old Cattle Yard (River Path between Sir Bobby Robson Bridge and Princes Street Bridge) is a veritable rock garden of small plants adapted to the harsh sun-baked, well-drained and thin soil habitat. Here I have found field madder, biting stonecrop, common storksbill and common cornsalad. Exposing some of the bricked area as a historic feature I have decided to manage the remainder as an important, although somewhat depauperate, habitat. Close-by on slightly thicker soil, birds-foot trefoil and its predator, the common blue butterfly exist.

Peter Scotcher

Banded demoiselles

1st July. Quite a wildlife spectacle at the Sugar Beet Weir on the River Gipping just outside Ipswich. (TM136446). On a hot summer’s day, a quiet river scene was transformed by the flight of a single male banded demoiselle damselfly. Suddenly the airspace a few centimetres above the water was a mass of flashing blue/black wings as 30-40 male banded demoiselle damselflies all took to the air in a giant flurrying jostle moving across the water. Then quiet again as all took to perches in riverside vegetation before another flurry of flight.This section of the Gipping just outside Ipswich is terrific for all manner of wildlife.

Peter Scotcher

Ipswich and District Natural History Society

Formed in 1924 the Society’s objective was, and still is, to encourage the study of Natural History and Conservation by arranging meetings, lectures, exhibits, excursions and by the keeping of records. The late Francis Simpson, prominent local botanist and author of ‘Simpson’s Flora of Suffolk’, was for many years a very active member of our Society.

In the winter months, from October to April, we meet in the Oddfellows Hall, High Street, Ipswich for monthly lectures and our field meetings are arranged throughout the year. A newsletter is produced twice a year.

For more details please contact Janet Eley, Secretary, on telephone 01473 785557

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