Wild news from our reserves - 21 July 2023

Wild news from our reserves - 21 July 2023

Ella Southgate

Catch up on the latest news from our reserves. This week’s highlights were glow-worms, a southern hawker dragonfly, butterflies, and a spectacular sunrise over Trimley Marshes...

Summer highlights at Reydon Wood

Visitors of Reydon Wood were treated to a fantastic array of butterflies this week. Many species were spotted feeding on bramble in the sunny sheltered spots, including: white admiral, silver washed fritillary, painted lady, comma, meadow brown, ringlet, gatekeeper and large white. The Reydon team also spotted a southern hawker dragonfly amongst the wild hedgerow.

A southern hawker dragonfly in a hedgerow at Reydon Wood, Suffolk

Jamie Smith

New gates at Lound Lakes

The volunteers cleared the vegetation around the top of Hoblands path at Lound Lakes this week. The wardens removed the old broken fence chicane and replaced it with double gates to allow for better access for maintenance work in the landscape.

The hedgerows and grassland of Lound Lakes have also been full of butterflies, including a small copper which was beautifully photographed by visitor Amy Boon.

Stunning Suffolk runrise

On Thursday morning, the team at Trimley Marshes arrived at the reserve and were welcomed by a spectacular sunrise. A great way to start the day!

New trees settling-in well

Volunteers at Trimley Marshes have been weeding and watering the new trees planted in the reserve. The supporting stakes were funded by local Councillor Stuart Birds' Locality Budget, and the team used taller guards from the woodland on the wider estate with permission. The trees are doing very well and will enrich the environment for a range of wildlife on the marshes.

Glow-warms getting groovy!

Ben Calvesbert, our Meadows & Heath Warden, was lucky enough to capture the moment a pair of glow-worms were mating at Foxburrow. Did you know glow-worms are not actually worms? Read more about them.