Anyone with an interest in wildlife in the Felixstowe and Trimley area will probably be very familiar with Ernie Lucking, and his long-serving dedication to bird surveys on the local estuaries. He was an excellent birder and a sector counter for the national Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), and also undertook the weekly Sunday bird count for Trimley Marshes with long-time friend Dave Langlois. This continuous data set has been valuable to the site and its management for years, and it is testament to Ernie and Dave’s commitment and enthusiasm that counts were always submitted come rain or shine, snow, gale or ice. Ernie would also drop me an email from time to time on unusual species seen on the reserve, which was always helpful and timely. 

Members of the public who have joined Suffolk Wildlife Trust for the annual Trimley Marshes ‘Spring Spectacle’ (or ‘Open’ days) will have undoubtedly at some time had help from Ernie with identification of bird, butterfly and dragonfly species on site, or even had a lift to and from the reserve as he gamely volunteered to drive the Trust's minibus. He and Dave also worked together regularly on a number of well-attended local guided walks with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Felixstowe Group.

I recall him coming straight to help with some of the messiest site jobs at Trimley Marshes in the aftermath of the tidal surge of 5th December 2013. This was a time where additional team support was really needed, and Ernie’s cheerful contribution to helping remove over 400 metres of broken boardwalk from a dyke will certainly live in my memory.

Ernie was never shy of having an early start, and would often remark that it was the best part of the day, showing the riches that the local wildlife has to offer at their best. He also loved group excursions to far afield places, seeing the diversity of the wider world’s birdlife in particular. 

The sudden passing of Ernie has shocked all those who knew him. He was a man who certainly seemed to properly enjoy life and will be sorely missed. 

If you would like to remember Ernie, his family have set up a ‘GoFundme’ fundraising page in support of Suffolk Wildlife Trust.