Newbourne Springs, A Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserve

We had been wondering how long it would be until we saw our first bee of 2023. We didn't have to wait long for on 5 February we found this one drawing pollen from a bunch of catkins at SWT Newbourne Springs, and it wasn't the queen bumble I had been expecting. Look at those bulging pollen sacs. However, it seems that Hazel catkins do not rely on insects for pollination. 

We visit this reserve a few times each year. The photos below show some of the seasonal signs we noticed on our most recent visit. It isn't always the signs that take centre stage; there is little to beat the sound of the trickling stream!

The boardwalk is pretty narrow as it runs along the stream, which is fed by Newbourne Springs.

Signs of new life ...

... and ghostly reeds.

A land of sunshine and shadows.

At this point we veered away from the stream ...

... to an open grassy swathe, before heading back down ...

... to the stream again. This old reed reminded me of a sentinel Heron.

The Jay was at some distance, not far from a corrugated reptile shelter.

My thanks to David for his photo of the delicate female catkin in among ...

... larger male ones. The blue arrow points to the red females.

We may not have seen an actual Grey heron, but there was a Little Egret in the marsh.

Signs of Wild Arum in among the Snowdrops ...

... and our first Primrose of 2923!

More drifts of Snowdrops ...

... and more.

This bird was too high up for my zoom lens, but I think it is a Redwing.

Back to the starting point ...

Newbourne Springs used to supply water to Felixstowe.

Lambs at NT Sutton Hoo, a Late Arrival to Our Feeders ... and Seasonal Signs at SWT Martlesham Wilds

Muntjac at Sutton Hoo (two of three spotted) ...

Lambs! In January! Sheer joy. And lapwings

The wobbly stage ...

Back in the garden ... this semi-regular turned up 24 hours after my count ...

Isn't he handsome?

Time for a bit of argy-bargy. Just look at the barring on the underwing.

Back at Martlesham Wilds ... the Barn Owl's view,

and the view looking in the opposite direction towards the River Deben.

Curlew, but all at quite a distance. Over 15 counted.

The humble, beautiful Daisy.

More snowdrops in Martlesham Churchyard

My first Aconite of 2023 ...

... and my first Crocus.

 

Martlesham Wilds

 

We returned to Martlesham Wilds (near Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK) yesterday afternoon, hoping to catch another glimpse of the Barn Owl. However, there was no owl to be seen. 

Instead, we were greeted with a wonderful site (and arguably an even more evocative sound), in the form of a field of about 15 Curlew. You can probably make out five in the photo above. These birds were Red-listed back in 2015, so to find so many together was a cheering start to our stroll. 

As we got a further down the path that leads eventually to the River Deben (with the Sutton Hoo burial ground not far away on the opposite bank), the sound of birdsong up in the bare branches was unmissable; we stopped in our tracks for a minute or so just to listen. 

 

 

The photo above shows the path below the churchyard, with patches of ice on the water. 

Tree silhouettes, very much a part of the winter landscape in Suffolk

NT Sutton Hoo is on the far side and off the photo to the left

We were surprised to find quite a few (uneaten) rosehips

I love to be by the reeds, which always make me think of 'home'

One of four Moorhen we spotted, skating along the frozen stream

Winter by the stream

We returned via the churchyard ... and its Snowdrops

Suffolk Wildlife Trust are taking on much of this area as a new reserve, under the name of Martlesham Wilds. Funds are needed for the project, and so far about 25% of the target has been reached. 'Wilds' apparently is an old Suffolk term, and it will be fascinating to see the area live more and more up to its name as nature begins to take over from farmland as the project progresses.

(Rather Late) New Year Observations

How wonderful to have my first Barn Owl encounter of the year before we have even (quite) reached the mid-point of January! It took place in what is to become an official Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve, not far from Woodbridge and Ipswich, known as Martlesham Wilds. 

We spent quite a while watching the owl as it quartered a large expanse of meadow. Every so often it was joined by a Kestrel, and at one point they had a bit of a ding-dong. 

We reached the lower levels via a footpath from St Mary's church, which we were visiting, as we always do at this time of year, to enjoy the snowdrops. We passed about eight fully open daffodils on our way home. It may still be winter (and with a broken boiler, it certainly feels icy), but there are already signs of warmer days ahead.

 

 

David checked the film on our Trailcam yesterday. There was no evidence of any further 'foxy' activity, just lots of feline visitors ... and this delightful mouse from way back in October. 

 

We had watched the Wren in the final photo some days ago, and wondered if it would show up as it only landed momentarily. We usually have a resident Wren, so we look forward to seeing it again. We also had an unrecorded visit from the local Sparrowhawk, who zoomed at a very low altitude over the garden one day last week. 

I wish you a wonderful wildlife year ... 

 

I must go now, and order some more bird food. And don't forget; BBC Winterwatch begins tomorrow (17th January).