We were thrilled to have been awarded First Prize as the best stand representing environment and/or countryside at the Suffolk Show! 

Over the two days of the Suffolk Show we welcomed over 4,500 visitors to our wildlife area, where show-goers could enjoy pond dipping, bug hunting, hedgehog house building, bug hotel building. Within the area we also had Greenways, Save Our Swifts, and the Ipswich Wildlife group joining us.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers who helped us deliver two days of wonderful nature activities, even with heavy rain showers!

Stunning photographs were captured by Butterfly Transect volunteer Jonathan Houseago on a survey at our Black Bourn Valley nature reserve. His photos show spindle ermine moths (Yponomeuta cagnagella) in large numbers suspended from spindle trees. The large amount of individuals present provides them a 'safety in numbers' and results in a ghostly-looking tree.

There are three species of ermine moths that create thick webs in shrubs and trees, making it look as if Halloween has come early. These webs can appear between May and June, disappearing later in the summer. Adult ermine moths are very similar in appearance being white or grey-ish with black dots. 

Whilst the defoliated spindle trees may look like they're on their last legs, the damage to the tree is minimal and leaves will return once the caterpillars pupate. 

Every month, our Reserve teams up and down the county are undergoing vital landscape management works to help maintain and restore precious habitats for wildlife.

At Carlton Marshes, the team have been maintaining gates and fences to manage grazing cattle. The marshes rely on good control of grazing livestock to keep the vegetation just right for ground nesting birds, invertebrates and for  the grassland flora itself. The Carlton team also established a new foot drain which are excellent habitat for breeding and overwintering waders.

The volunteer team at Carlton have also been undergoing grassland maintenance and surveying this month, which is essential to keep the vast grass and scrub habitats diverse for invertebrates.

An Open Gardens event in Martlesham this month raised an amazing £4,300, which the organisers kindly donated to our Martlesham Wilds nature reserve! Organised by the 1st Martlesham Scout Group, 12 gardens were opened for the public to enjoy and included a mixture of formal planting and wildlife spaces. 

Thank you very much to all those involved with planning and running the event and those who opened their gardens for everyone to enjoy and learn about wildlife-friendly gardening!

Also this month, Waldringfield Wildlife Group, who have generously been raising funds for Martlesham Wilds over the last two years, hosted an event for local families with Charlie- our Wilder Communities Officer. Despite the rain, the event was fully booked and families from the village had a great time learning about insects, bees, flowers, and wildlife gardening.

Charlie says: "I am really grateful to Waldringfield Wildlife Group for this opportunity. We hope these events will inspire families to get active for nature in their gardens – adding to local wildlife corridors to Martlesham Wilds."

Funds raised for Martlesham Wilds help us start early conservation works on the reserve, such as restoring ponds and the beginning stages of a wetland habitat creation. Thank you to all who have been involved in raising funds for Martlesham Wilds. 

Graham - our Conservation Advisor - has begun the formation of a new owners network to help connect and support owners of County Wildlife Sites (CWS) across Suffolk, through the sharing of experiences, knowledge and best practice. 

County Wildlife Sites play a key role in protecting an restoring bioiversity in Suffolk’s - providing vital habitats for species and creating vital wildlife corridors for species to traverse. Members of our newly-formed CWS group will have regular meetings and events throughout the year to help achieve the best results for wildlife.

If you are an owner or custodian of a County Wildlife Site, and would like to join our CWS group, please get in contact with Graham by emailing: teamwilder@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

The Membership team spent a day at Lackford Lakes with Will (West Suffolk Sites Manager) helping to install fencing and a gate for a grazing enclosure on the reserve.

Meanwhile at Worlingham Marshes, the Communications team joined Vicky (Wilder Communities Officer) for guided walk around the reserve. Thanks to the donations we've received so for for our Worlingham Marshes fundraising appeal, the Wardens have begun early works including dyke restoration and species surveying.

Orchid season is in full bloom and an array of species are emerging in beautiful displays at some of our reserves, and our Conservation team have been surveying the orchids to monitor their numbers and health.

Highlights have inlcude pyramidal orchids and bee orchids - the photos below were taken at Martin's Meadow and Trimley Marshes.

Our teams all across Suffolk have been taking part in #30DaysWild, a month long challenge which encourages people to reconnect with nature by doing something wild every day in June. 

We've splashed in muddy puddles, swung in hammocks, been on boat trips, created nature inspired art, and so much more! 

If you're looking for some wild activities to help you connect with nature, take a look at our Instagram posts for some inspiration! 

For inspiration for activities to do with the family, visit The Wildlife Trust's Wildlife Watch.