This is exciting news for Knettishall as this is one of the species which Suffolk Wildlife Trust have been managing the habitats for. This recording is evidence that the management of the site has been successful for woodlarks. We have heard woodlarks at the nature reserve for the last couple of years, but it is thrilling they have decided to announce themselves again!

Woodlark were declining drastically and red listed in the 1980’s due to habitat loss and disturbance. Traditionally a bird of farmland and heathland, woodlark numbers are now improving as they find nesting sites in lowland heath and farm edges as well as forestry plantations. In Suffolk, their strongholds are on the coast and in the Brecks, and over the past 8 years the Trust has undertaken a habitat restoration programme at Knettishall Heath to improve habitat here. This involved clearing encroaching trees and other vegetation from the heath, whilst maintaining a mix of woodland habitat, and creating bare ground areas which are a key feature of breckland. We have also introduced a grazing regime with a herd of Exmoor ponies to provide greater diversity to the vegetation. Whilst improving the site for woodlark, the habitat work has also benefited other birds such as skylark and stonechat, reptiles, rare breckland plants, and improved the diversity in insect life. After not having any woodlark at Knettishall heath for over 10 years, we now have 3 singing individuals on the heath and a pair have bred for 2 years running. It is now crucial that we continue to manage the reserve's habitats, with the ponies doing the bulk of the work, as well as working to reduce disturbance by encouraging visitors to stick to the paths and use the dogs-off-lead area during nesting season, so thank you to everyone who has helped with the project.