Reserves and species

Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:19

Combs Wood

Situated in rolling farmland just above Combs Ford near Stowmarket, this small but botanically rich reserve has roots stretching back to the Doomsday book, where it was recorded as “a wood for 16 swine”.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
17.00
Short Description: 
There is a sense that walking through Combs Wood is more about being led by curiosity rather than a path.
Smartphone Description: 
An ancient woodland with a history stretching as far back as the Doomsday Book, Combs Wood is considerably botanically rich for such a small wood. It has an abundance of spring flowers in April and May. Many woodland butterflies occur, including orange tip, speckled brown and small copper, to name a few. Dragonflies and damselflies are a common sight and moths recorded include moth shipton, straw dot and swallow tailed moth
Location
Address: 
Combs Ford, near Stowmarket
Town: 
Stowmarket
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
IP14 2EH
Grid ref: 
TM052568 <p>GPS Info<br>Parking along Church road in cemetery. Take footpath through Church or at the top of lane through Holyoak farm.
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
No
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park on Church Road, Combs Ford
Walking information: 
Muddy in winter and spring
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
William Cranstoun
Reserve phone number: 
01284 728541
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/combs-wood
Photos
Photo: 
Combs Wood
Species: 
Hornbeam
Bird's-nest Orchid
Treecreeper
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Blackcap
Ragged-Robin
Ramsons
Broad-bodied Chaser
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:19

Castle Marshes

Birds of prey like marsh harrier and hobby can often be seen

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
71.00
Short Description: 
Castle Marshes is a broadland site with grazing marsh, fen and freshwater dykes. In winter the marshes are flooded to create expanses of open water for wintering wildfowl.
Smartphone Description: 
Castle Marshes is a broadland site with grazing marsh, fen and freshwater dykes. In winter the marshes are flooded to create expanses of open water for wintering wildfowl. Water levels are kept high in spring to to accommodate breeding lapwing and redshank. Norfolk hawker dragonfly, a national rarity that breeds here, can be seen hunting between June and September.
Location
Address: 
Wadehall Lane, Barnby
Town: 
Beccles
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
NR34 7QG
Grid ref: 
TM470911
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
No public access but can be viewed from the Angles Way footpath along the river wall.
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Use North Cove car park
Walking information: 
Good views anytime from river wall, river wall footpath can be muddy
Grazing animals: 
Cattle graze areas
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Matt Gooch
Reserve phone number: 
01502 564250
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/castle-marshes
Photos
Photo: 
Castle Marshes
Species: 
Wigeon
Teal
Shoveler
Blue-tailed damselfly
Norfolk hawker
Redshank
Lapwing
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
September
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:19

Carlton & Oulton Marshes

An astounding 15 kinds of dragonfly have been spotted here

 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
151.00
Short Description: 
Carlton & Oulton Marshes is a lowland reserve in the Waveney Valley. It consists of meadows, wet grassland, reedbeds, marsh and woodland.
Smartphone Description: 
Carlton & Oulton Marshes is a lowland reserve in the Waveney Valley. It consists of meadows, wet grassland, reedbeds, marsh and woodland. It also has spring-fed dykes and pools teeming with aquatic life. An interesting species found here is the insectivorous bladderwort, an unusual plant living off waterfleas that are trapped and digested in bladder-like savs underwater. It has a purpose-built centre, providing first hand experience of Suffolk's wild places
Location
Address: 
Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville
Town: 
Lowestoft
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
NR33 8HU
Grid ref: 
TM508920
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
Picnic area
Opening hours: 
Daily dawn to dusk
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Wheelchairs and pushchairs can use a firm path around part of the marsh including easy access gates. Parts of this reserve are accessible by mobility scooter.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Free car park at end of Burnt Hill Lane in front of education centre. The car park is open 7 days a week from dawn until dusk
Walking information: 
Wheelchairs and pushchairs can use a firm path around part of the marsh including easy access gates. The education centre is open for events and education groups and is accessible to all and has a disabled toilet.
Grazing animals: 
Cattle graze areas
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Matt Gooch
Reserve phone number: 
01502 564250
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/carlton-marshes
Photos
Photo: 
Carlton Marshes
Species: 
Marsh Harrier
Hobby
Marsh-marigold
Ragged-Robin
Cetti's Warbler
Bearded Tit
Teal
Snipe
Best time to visit
Start: 
January
End: 
December
Admission
Admission fee?: 
Yes
Admission amount: 
Charges apply for school visits to the education centre
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:18

Captain's Wood

Fallow deer roam through one of the greatest expanses of bluebells in the county.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
62.00
Short Description: 
Captain's Wood has passed through the hands of various bishops, noblemen and moneyed families over the past 1000 years
Smartphone Description: 
Captain's Wood has passed through the hands of various bishops, noblemen and moneyed families over the past 1000 years. Until the 20th century, the wood was a small part of a much larger estate but the estate was broken up. That which remains is little more than a fragment. In May, one of the most astonishing displays of bluebells in Suffolk can be seen, prior to which primroses flower. The woodland is home to a large herd of fallow deer and its not unusual to see over 50!
Location
Address: 
School Road, Sudbourne
Town: 
Woodbridge
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
IP12 2BE
Grid ref: 
TM421531 <p>GPS Info<br> From Sudbourne village take School road heading east. Pedestrian entrance on left, parking 400m beyond entrance on right hand side.
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Guide Dogs only
Access: 
No
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Out of consideration for our neighbours, please do not park on School Lane within the village, but park considerately at the designated car park 400m from the reserve entrance.
Walking information: 
Circular pedestrian trail (3km) round reserve, damp and rough in places, though otherwise good. Three rustic benches around trail. Car park 400m from reserve entrance, with road walk necessary. Generally dry level trail around wood
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
01473 890089
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/captains-wood
Photos
Photo: 
Species: 
Bluebell
Fallow Deer
English Oak
Barn Owl
Buzzard
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
May
Best time to visit
Start: 
September
End: 
November
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:18

Bull's Wood

Parking at Palmers Farm, the wood – the last ancient fragment of the many woods referred to in the Hundred Rolls of 1279 – is a short walk down a farm track boarded by hedgerows filled with sloes, blackberries and clouds of gold finch.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
12.00
Short Description: 
There’s a silence in Bull’s Wood that is only broken by the clap and whirring of pigeon’s wings and the soft sneezing call of the black bibbed marsh tit.
Smartphone Description: 
Bull's Wood, an ancient woodland, is famed for its oxslips. The woodland floor is carpeted with this delicate yellow flowered plant in the spring. Early-purple orchid is also abundant here and spurge-laurel, wood anemone and herb-paris can all be seen. Birds include chiffchaff, treecreeper, tawny owl and long-tailed tit. Sunny, grassy glades are enjoyed by butterflies such as speckled wood, gatekeeper and orange tip.
Location
Address: 
Between Cockfield and Great Green
Town: 
Bury St Edmund's
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
IP30 0HD
Grid ref: 
TL918549 <p>GPS Info<br> Park at Palmers Farm on concrete next to Bulls wood sign.Turn south-east in to farm drive at small triangular green.
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
At Palmers Farm on concrete next to Bulls Wood
Walking information: 
Wet and muddy in winter
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
William Cranstoun
Reserve phone number: 
01284 728541
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/bulls-wood
Photos
Photo: 
Bull's Wood
Species: 
Early Purple Orchid
Treecreeper
Tawny Owl
Orange-tip
Wood Anemone
Dryad's Saddle
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:18

Bromeswell Green

"Small but charming with a bit of everything from river habitat to woodland and wet meadow."

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
7.20
Short Description: 
Bromeswell Green is noted for its wet meadows, saltmarsh and woodland. Wetland plants such as southern marsh orchid, lesser spearwort and fen bedstraw make a wonderful display in the damper areas, while climbing corydalis is more typical of the drier parts. Common lizard can be seen basking on warm sunny days.
Smartphone Description: 
Bromeswell Green is noted for its wet meadows, saltmarsh and woodland. Wetland plants such as southern marsh orchid, lesser spearwort and fen bedstraw make a wonderful display in the damper areas, while climbing corydalis is more typical of the drier parts. Common lizard can be seen basking on warm sunny days. At low tide, the river attracts hordes of feeding waders including redshank and greenshank. The woodland supports many summer visiting birds like nightingale, whitethroat and blackcap. Plaintive cascading song from the willow warbler can be heard April to June. In winter redpoll and siskin feed on alder seeds in the woods.
Location
Address: 
Common Lane, Bromeswell, near Woodbridge
Town: 
Woodbridge
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
IP12 2PQ
Grid ref: 
TM296505 <p>GPS Info<br>Directions - From Melton - go over the river, turn left at roundabout, then first left off A1152 in to common lane. Parking on left after 200m opposite reserve entrance.
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
No
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Please park at Melton riverside car park and walk or cycle to the nature reserve (Common Lane is for essential motor vehicle access only)
Walking information: 
Circular pedestrian trail round reserve, finifshing with short section of walk on minor road back to car park. Path can be rough in places. Small car park with uneven surface at reserve entrance. Kissing gate access into fenced wildflower meadow areas.
Grazing animals: 
yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
01473 890089
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/bromeswell-green
Photos
Photo: 
Species: 
Nightingale
Best time to visit
Start: 
May
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:18

Bradfield Woods

It is one of Britain’s finest ancient woodlands and is a glorious haven for wildlife.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
72.00
Short Description: 
Bradfield Woods is a working wood that is unique as it has been under continuous traditional coppice management since 1252, fulfilling local needs for firewood and hazel products.
Smartphone Description: 
Bradfield Woods is a working wood that is unique as it has been under continuous traditional coppice management since 1252, fulfilling local needs for firewood and hazel products.
Location
Address: 
Felsham Road,Bradfield St George,
Town: 
Bury St Edmund's
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
IP30 0AQ
Grid ref: 
TL933575 <p>GPS Info<br>Entrance to reserve car park on southern side of Felsham road, Bradfield Woods is also known as Felsham Wood on OS map.
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Café / Refreshments: 
Yes
Picnic Area: 
Picnic area
Opening hours: 
Reserve open all year, education centre open for events. Pop-up cafe open each Sunday and Bank holiday from 10am-4pm (except Sunday 14 June and Sunday 11 October 2015).
Toilets: 
Yes Toilets
Disabled toilet: 
Disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Disabled toilet available. In drier conditions wheelchairs can be pushed from the car park along several rides and paths within the wood. Parts of this reserve are accessible by mobility scooter.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Ample parking on site.
Walking information: 
There are 3 coloured trails of different lengths, just pick up a trail guide under the notice board near to the entrance or at the visitor centre when you arrive.
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Pete Fordham
Reserve phone number: 
01449 737996
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/bradfield-woods
Photos
Photo: 
Bradfield Woods
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
May
Best time to visit
Start: 
July
End: 
August
Best time to visit
Start: 
October
End: 
November
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:18

Bonny Wood

First a walk through the rolling countryside of the Suffolk heartland, a patchwork of fields veined with mature hedgerows, quiet villages and church steeples; before taking a step back in time and into the closeted green rides of an ancient coppice woodland.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
20.00
Short Description: 
To visit Bonny Wood is, on some levels, to experience two different worlds.
Smartphone Description: 
An ancient coppice woodland, Bonny Wood is steeped in history and can be traced as far back as 1251. From April to June, the coppiced areas are brimming with wood anemone, wood ruff and herb-Paris. Birds are plentiful, with summer migrants such as willow warbler and blackcap and woodpeckers frequent here. Evidence of a healthy badger population is reflected by the number of setts
Location
Address: 
Barking Road, near Barking Tye, Near Needham Market
Town: 
Needham Market
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
IP6 8HP
Grid ref: 
TM076524
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
No
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park in Barking Tye Village Hall car park and follow footpaths to reserve
Walking information: 
Often wet and muddy
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
William Cranstoun
Reserve phone number: 
01284 728541
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/bonny-wood
Photos
Photo: 
Bonny Wood by Steve Aylward
Species: 
Herb-Paris
Nightingale
Badger
Greater Butterfly Orchid
Twayblade
Hobby
Willow Warbler
Wood Anemone
Woodcock
Small-leaved Lime
Fly Agaric
Blackcap
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
June
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by suffolk
2011-05-03 14:18

Alde Mudflats

The reserve itself, leased from the Crown estate to secure a vital refuge for birds as our estuaries become increasingly busy, cannot be directly accessed. But viewed with binoculars from the footpath that winds from Iken Cliff car park to Iken Church, it is well worth a visit.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Size: 
128.00
Short Description: 
Extending for almost three shimmering miles at low water, Alde Mudflats is a vast expanse of inter-tidal mud fringed by a rich band of salt marsh.
Smartphone Description: 
Extending for almost three shimmering miles at low water, Alde Mudflats is a vast expanse of inter-tidal mud fringed by a rich band of salt marsh.
Location
Address: 
Church Lane, Iken, near Snape
Town: 
Iken
County: 
Suffolk
Postcode: 
IP12 2EN
Grid ref: 
TM399562 <p>GPS Info<br>Heading east along Tunstall road turn left at brown picnic sign. Reserve can be viewed from public footpath.
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
No
Access info: 
No access possible to provide an undisturbed sanctuary for birds; however, there are good views from Iken Cliffs footpath.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park in Iken Cliff picnic site
Walking information: 
Best views are from the footpath from Iken Cliff car park eastwards towards Iken Church
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
01473 890089
Reserver deep link: 
http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reserves/alde-mudflats
Photos
Photo: 
Species: 
Avocet
Black-tailed Godwit
Oystercatcher
Marsh Harrier
Pintail
Wigeon
Grey Plover
Best time to visit
Start: 
November
End: 
January
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
June
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by northwales
2011-05-03 14:18

Cemlyn

Cemlyn is one of NWWT's star reserves and regarded by the Anglesey County Council as the "jewel in the crown" of its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Reserve details
Trust: 
North Wales Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
25.10
Short Description: 
The "jewel in the crown" of Anglesey's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Smartphone Description: 
Cemlyn is one of NWWT's star reserves and regarded by the Anglesey County Council as the "jewel in the crown" of its Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is valued for both its scenic qualities and its unique range of wildlife and is as popular with general visitors as it is with birdwatchers and naturalists. It includes a large lagoon, separated from the sea by a spectacular, naturally created shingle ridge. During the summer months it is home to one of the most important tern colonies in Wales, including Sandwich terns.
Location
Address: 
3 miles west of Cemaes
Town: 
Cemaes
County: 
Anglesey
Postcode: 
LL67 0EA
Grid ref: 
SH 337 932
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
Yes
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Two car parks adjacent to the reserve at SH 329 936 and SH 336 932
Walking information: 
Walking the full length of the reserve can be strenuous and the steep shingle makes it unsuitable for prams and wheelchairs. Between late April and August visitors are asked to walk on the seaward side of the ridge to decrease disturbance to the tern colony
Grazing animals: 
no
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
North Wales Wildlife Trust- Chris Wynne
Reserve phone number: 
01248 351541
Reserve email address: 
nwwt@wildlifetrustswales.org
Photos
Photo: 
Cemlyn
Species: 
Sandwich Tern
Arctic Tern
Common Tern
Black-headed Gull
Ringed Plover
Oystercatcher
Golden Plover
Redshank
Dunlin
Red-breasted Merganser
Shelduck
Teal
Wigeon
Grey Seal
Harbour Porpoise
Bottle-nosed Dolphin
Sea Beet
Yellow Horned-poppy
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve