Captains Wood update

Today at Captains Wood two bench seats were erected in memory of George Ford, a botanist and lifelong supporter of the Trust. Pam Ford was there to help and to select the location. The seats were made by Crispin Chalker of Big Wood woodland products and services (Tel: 01502 478615). The seats are unique, artistic and superbly well made out of chunks of Oak and Chestnut.


From the seat overlooking Black Walks we saw four Hares running riot and 124 Fallow Deer while Skylarks sang overhead. Pam and I hope that visitors to the wood will appreciate the opportunity to be able to sit and rest in these tranquil surroundings.

Murry, Pam and Crispin



Thanks Pam



Trimley update

Birding is very good at the moment; plenty of breeding activity, displaying birds includes Great Crested Grebe, Buzzard, Redshank and Lapwing. We have a pair of Garganey on the flood behind the reservoir hide, so at the moment 12 species of duck can be seen on the reserve.  Other birds of note today include Common Scoter (river), Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Ruff, Mediterranean Gull, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Marsh Harriers and 6 Chiffchaff.

Trimley update

A pair of Garganey on the flood behind the reservoir hide (Ernie Lucking and Dave Langloise).

Snape update

The Snape volunteers under the guidance of Derek (warden) have completed another session of enhancing the heathland area.  Scrub and bracken have been removed and a small pond has been dug.

During this past week Comma and Brimstone butterflies have been noted and the first Chiffchaffs have arrived from their wintering quarters in West Africa.

Snape volunteers digging out a pond. photo by Derek Walduck

Trimley update

I had two new volunteers (Dave and Charlie) helping me on the reserve today.  Six pair of hands accomplished a variety of jobs from stock fencing to barn door repairs.

Noteworthy birds included Peregrine, Marsh Harrier 2, Buzzard 2, Greenshank 2 and a Chiffchaff.  The sunny weather brought a few butterflies out in search of nectar; Comma 4 and Small Tortoieshell1.

Yesterday there were two Sand Martins over the reserve (Paul Oldfield).

Trimley update

Two volunteers were with me today working in and around the barn area catching up on some overdue maintenance and clean up work.
Hares were very active on the back marshes; both Redshank and Lapwing were displaying as were two pairs of Great Crested Grebes on the reservoir.  Other birds of note included a Chiffchaff, Black-tailed Godwit 120, Avocet 26 and a Spotted Redshank.


Spotted Redshanks are seen on the reserve mainly during spring and autumn migration;

occasionally over-winters (photo Mick Wright).



Bird updates

Trimley: Scaup 5, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Chiffchaff.

Levington: Long-tailed Duck, Common Scoter, Black Redstart and White Wagtail.

Loompit Lake: Goosander.

Snape Marshes: a Barn owl chick that I ringed on July 6th 2010 was found dead at Benhall Green on February 17th - road casualty.

In the garden over the weekend I had Brimstone and Comma butterflies.