We started Day 1 of this year's 30 Days Wild at The Suffolk Show. From pond dipping to chatting about all things #TeamWilder, the team had a fabulous time in the wildlife area of the showground!
Our first week of #30DaysWild 2023!
The Suffolk Wildlife Trust Team at Suffolk Show. Image Credit: Emma Keeble
We have had just over a week of wildness at Suffolk Wildlife Trust for this year's month-long nature challenge: 30 Days Wild! Jamey, our Digital Marketing Officer, reflects on some of the wild highlights from around the Trust...
The Suffolk Wildlife Trust Team at Suffolk Show. Image Credit: Emma Keeble
Image Credit: Sophie Flux
Image Credit: Emma Keeble
Image Credit: Sophie Flux
Image credit: Sophie Flux
Image Credit: Sophie Flux
Image credit: Emma Keeble
Meanwhile, back at the office, the team (myself included!) enjoyed lunch outside, surrounded by spring flowers in our wild garden.
Image Credit: Jamey Douglas
At Carlton Marshes, the team tucked in to a Big Wild Breakfast of nettle and dandelion pancakes, after going on a sensory walk and took part in bug hunting in the woods.
Image credit: Lindsey Moore
Image credit: Lindsey Moore
Then on Day 2, we wanted to encourage you to let your lawns grow. One of the easiest ways to garden for wildlife is by doing nothing! You can find out more about wildlife gardening by heading to our #TeamWilder pages.
Image Credit: Sarah Groves
On Day 3, Mike, our Lackford Lakes Visitor Experience Officer, sent us a stunning photo of a four spotted chaser to celebrate the dragonfly and damselfly trail currently on at Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve where everyone can learn more about these amazing insects.
Image Credit - Mike Andrews
Day 3 also saw the start of 'Caring for God’s Acre’ week. A botanical survey of Marlesford Churchyard took place. Nearly twenty parishioners came along to find and identify the many grassland plants growing in the churchyard. Susan, our Reserves Officer, joined the event to help with plant identification.
Marlesford Churchyard is a good example of a wildflower-rich grassland and the number of species found is testament to the careful conservation management that the parish undertakes. Specialities include meadow saxifrage, orpine, lady’s bedstraw, common and sheep sorrel, ox-eye daisy and the occasional pyramidal orchid.
After the cold week before, the survey morning basked in warm sunshine and was a fitting celebration of the parish churchyard.
Image credit: Susan Stone
For Day 4, I enjoyed the sound of swifts in my garden, as I relaxed with one of our #WildReads – Swifts and Us by Sarah Gibson. In partnership with Suffolk Libraries, Wild Reads gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the very best of nature writing. You can find out more about this title and how to order your copy here.
Image credit: Jamey Douglas
Day 4 of #30dayswild - Lucy watched a hornet gathering material for their nest.
"Hearing it before I saw it, today I spotted a hornet flying, and I couldn’t resist following it to see if it settled. I was lucky enough to see it land on an old stump, and then watched it scrape the wood, and use its front legs to get the shavings into its mouth."
Hornet gathering material for their nest. (https://youtu.be/ouAh98aRSY8)
Hornet gathering material for their nest for Day 4 of 30 Days Wild. Video Credit: Lucy Shepherd
On Day 5, Ellen Shailes, our Planning and Ecology Advisor, took a cup of tea to Hen Reedbeds.
She says “Neil and I went for a morning walk with a cup of tea at Hen Reedbeds, which is really close to us. We took time to listen to the bird song in the reedbed and on the estuary – there were so many different birds singing, but some of them included cetti’s warbler, reed warbler, redshank, skylark, reed bunting and loads more!”
Image Credit: Ellen Shailes
Image Credit: Ellen Shailes
Meanwhile, our Wilder Communities Assistant, Faye, has tried her hand at creating a nature journal.
“I chose to include leaf rubbings, drawings, and parts of the tree that had fallen on the ground. As well as flowers that were abundant, leaving plenty for pollinators. This was a lovely activity to start the weekend and to get to know the trees and flowers in my local area.”
Image Credit: Faye Alexander
Image Credit: Faye Alexander
Image Credit: Faye Alexander
Our Youth Board have also been completing their random acts of wildness! On Day 6 Henry has been helping the bees in his garden by building a bee hotel.
Henry says “I made a bee hotel out of some old shelves, gave it a roof and filled it with bamboo and deadwood sticks which I drilled holes in to make the chambers. You can make a bee hotel out of many different things and in many different shapes and sizes. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have much space, because even a small bee hotel can make a big difference.”
Our Youth Board member, Henry and his bee hotel.
For Day 7, Sarah, our Head of Communications, enjoying the feeling of long grass beneath her feet at Martlesham Wilds,
Sarah going for a lunchtime walk for Day 6 of #30DaysWild (https://youtu.be/ffVHjo1y0pw)
Sarah going for a lunchtime walk for Day 6 of #30DaysWild
For Day 8 of #30DaysWild, our Youth Board member, Megan, has been on an invertebrate hunt!
“I've been for a bug hunt in the woods today, and these two gorgeous insects were the highlight! I found an emperor dragonfly resting by a stream and a male banded demoiselle. 30 Days Wild is a brilliant way to get to know your local area, and to discover the wildlife on your doorstep.”
Emperor dragonfly. Taken by Megan from our Youth Board.
Megan - male banded demoiselle for day 8 of 30 days wild (https://youtu.be/IMk_P81q4ss)
Megan, finding a male banded demoiselle for day 8 of 30 days wild
We have loved taking part in 30 Days Wild so far and we hope you have too! It's not to late to sign up and receive your FREE pack for inspiration about how to take part! We have lots more random acts of wildness planned coming up, so look out for next week’s 30 Days Wild blog to find out what we have been up to.