Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale
Arger Fen and Spouse's Vale Nature Reserve is a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and falls within the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beatuy.
This woodland is a fascinating mosaic of ancient coppice woodland, new naturally regenerating woodland alongside wet meadows. The interesting mix of trees includes oak, ash, field maple, holly, crab apple, wild cherry, superb large alder and hazel stools. It’s best to visit in spring when you will be greeted with a fabulous display of bluebells accompanied by the magical song of woodland birds. Listen out for black cap, whitethroat and nightingale.
We would like to thank Misses Edith and Frances Vale whos generosity bequeathed Spouse's Grove and Spouse's Vale Nature Reserve for Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Wildlife
The reserves contrasting habitats of dry wooded hillside and damp valley floor create a rich environment for wildlife and visitors alike. Many rare and declining species find refuge here including the scarce hazel dormouse and barbastelle bat. As you walk around the reserve you may notice many humps and areas of freshly excavated sand. This is evidence of the healthy badger population on the reserve. The woodland is important for its wild cherry trees, which have survived in impressive numbers. It is believed that the wood is one of only two ancient woodlands of wild cherries in the east of England the other being nearby Suffolk Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve Groton Wood.
Common lizard and grass snake bask in woodland glades warming themselves in the summer sun and in winter flocks of siskin can be an unexpected pleasure feeding on Alder seeds. Butterfly to look out for include speckled wood, meadow brown, orange tip, holly blue and comma. Woodland wildflowers fill the rides through spring and summer. Look out for yellow archangel, greater stitchwort and pignut. With wild garlic, Cuckooflower and opposite leaved golden saxifrage highlighting the wetter areas.
A New Woodland for Suffolk
In addition to our core work of managing nature reserves and protecting the wider countryside we are constantly developing new projects that will result in further gains for wildlife.
Hullback's Grove, in 2004 an arable field, is now becoming a woodland. Nestled between Spouse's Vale and Arger Fen it now links these woodlands to create a continuous wooded area with enormous potential for wildlife. We have allowed the new woodland to establish through natural regeneration, this gives a mix of species which mirror the soil type and surrounding ancient woodland giving a native and local provenance.
As the woodland evolves, a succession of wildlife will benefit from it. In the early years the scrub and grassland will support farmland birds such as barn owl, skylark and goldfinch. Just 5 years on the woodland is showing signs of maturity with the first whitethroat territoies. Dormice are present in both Spouse's Vale and Arger Fen so this gives a real opportunity to create valuable new habitat extending their range and linking up these isolated populations. Suffolk Wildlife Trust is also working with local landowners to create hedgerow links to make sure corridors exist so dormice will be less isolated and are able to collonise new areas of woodland.
The purchase of Arger Fen in 2008
The purchase and management of Arger Fen has been supported with a generous grant from Biffaward and since the wood was acquired Suffolk Wildllife Trust has been busy undertaking a variety of improvements.
There are now two way-marked trails around the reserve. A short route takes in Arger Fen while a much longer route takes you through Arger Fen, the new woodland of Hullback's Grove and the ancient woodland of Spouses Grove.
To improve access paths have been repaired, sections of boardwalk installed through wet areas and steps on steep slopes. New interpretation and way-marker posts help guide visitors around the reserve.
Habitat restoration has been key and various work is underway to help key species. Woodland rides have been widened to benefit wildflowers, ponds have been restored and nest boxes have been installed to help dormice.
Surveys have been undertaken for dormice, bats, newts and birds to help build up a better understanding of what species are using the reserve and to ensure that future management work can be tailored to their requirements.
Volunteers
Volunteers continue to play an essential role carrying out a variety of tasks on the reserve. There is a small team of voluntary wardens who look after the reserve on a day to day basis and a larger team who come and help on weekend work paty tasks. If you would like to help please visit the volunteering pages.
Other Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserves nearby: Cornard Mere, Groton Wood.
Special dates for your diaries
Ground nesting birds
1st March - 30th August
Ground nesting birds on Hulback's Grove. Please keep dogs on a lead.
Bluebells and cherry blossom
April/May
Listen for the nightingale
April/May
Foxgloves in flower
June-August
Events & Courses at Arger Fen & Spouse's Vale
Site Manager:
- Address
Near Assington, CO8 5BN.
Map › - Grid reference
TL 936363 - Map
OS Landranger 156 - Parking
Arger Fen - Size
48 Hectares - Local Facilities
Assington and Bures, Sudbury 7 miles - Walking conditions
Paths can be wet and muddy during winter - Access
Good parking facilities. Please contact Suffolk Wildlife Trust for wheel chair and mobility buggy access to the reserve. - Dogs
Under close control, on leads March-August due to ground-nesting birds - STAR SPECIES
Bluebells, Badger, Nightingale - Status
SSSI - Site of Special Scientific InterestA site of national importance identified by Natural England for its ecological or geological value.
LNR - Local Nature ReserveSites of local importance for wildlife where there are opportunities for the public to learn about and enjoy wildlife. Established by local authorities and Natural England.
