7 Ways to Celebrate Suffolk Day with Nature

7 Ways to Celebrate Suffolk Day with Nature

©Philip Precey

Suffolk is a county full of vast landscapes, stunning coastlines, and special habitats like ancient woodlands. Being nature lovers it’s very easy to celebrate our county.
Explore our guide to discover different activities and ways to celebrate Suffolk as part of Suffolk Day.

1. Visit a local nature reserve 

We are custodians for over 50 nature reserves across Suffolk. With a variety of habitats including coastal, reedbed, wet woodland, heaths and marshland the variety of truly special Suffolk places to discover is so exiting. 

Explore our nature reserves and plan your visit here 

Sunrise over Trimley Marshes, Suffolk

Ella Southgate

2. Join us at an event and learn more about your local wildlife 

Across our reserves we have a team of wonderful Engagement Officers and tutors ready to welcome you to our events. Not only are these events a great way to learn more about local wildlife, you can also delve into traditional crafts like willow weaving and green wood carving. 

We have a range of events throughout the year for all knowledge and skill levels. 

Find out more and book your next activity with us

A group of people gathered around a bird ringing demonstration

Birdringing at Trimley Marshes Nature Reserve - Jesse Walker

3. Donate to support Mission 2030 – our campaign to bring back nature to Suffolk 

Suffolk is a spectacular county, but it is also one of the most nature depleted. Everyone should have access to nature and greenspaces and nature should have the room to thrive. 

We’ve launched a new campaign, Mission 2030, to bring back nature in Suffolk. The year 2030 is the global deadline to halt biodiversity decline and turn the tide. It’s important to not only protect what nature we have but to bring back what we’ve lost. 

Help us make Suffolk a county full of nature. Your support could make all the difference. 

Find out more and get involved here

A heathland in bloom at sunrise with text saying 'Nature needs your help'

4. Spot iconic Suffolk species 

Our county is home to an array of special species. From the comeback kings, avocets who rebuilt their populations on our shoreline during World War II, to the fascinating fen raft spiders  discovered in the 1950’s at out Redgrave and Lopham Fen Nature Reserve, there are so many iconic species to celebrate in Suffolk. 

Why not head out and see if you can spot: 

Marsh harriers, avocet, fen raft spiders, swifts, and stag beetles (Ipswich is known as a hot spot for these!)

Explore our Suffolk flagship species here

Flock of avocets flying on Brownsea Island

Bertie Gregory/2020VISION

5. Take a walk along the iconic Suffolk Coastline 

As a coastal county our shorelines play an important role in nature. Acting as a stopping off point for migrating birds, reedbeds, marshes and scrapes along the coast provide a good foraging spot to fuel up before long flights. They also act as the perfecting nesting area for many species including ringed plover who nest on the ground amongst the shale. 

Thorpeness beach

Thorpeness Beach-Adobe Stock

6. Visit an ancient woodland 

Visiting an ancient woodland in Suffolk can be a magical experience. Stepping into a shaded space away from the exposed landscape, listen to the breeze through the trees, birds flitting through the canopy and the small mammals shuffling through the undergrowth. 

We are custodians for a range of beautiful ancient woodlands including Arger Fen and Spouses Vale Nature Reserve and Bradfield Woods. Two unique and spectacular woodlands which make a great walk filled with nature. 

Explore our woodland reserves

Grassy path at Bradfield Woods at sunrise

Sunrise at Bradfield Woods by Sophie Checketts

7. Do a mini biodiversity survey 

Discover the wildlife on your doorstep with your own biodiversity survey. Download apps which can act as handy guides and make a record of the species you spot. 

From common garden birds to rare invertebrates and celebrated foliage recording and submitting data on species found in our county is extremely valuable to our scientific records and conservation efforts. 

Submit your sightings to the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service and help nature thrive! 

A common sexton beetle, black with orange bands across its back, climbs a plant stem

Nicrophorus vespilloides © Frank Porch