Nature on our doorsteps

There is an abundance of wildlife to see in East Anglia this spring and summer

Magnificent Minsmere

RSPB Minsmere (situated between Dunwich and Sizewell) is one of the best places in Britain to observe wildlife. During summer look for young avocets, common terns and gulls on the Scrape. The first spotted redshanks, ruffs and other wading birds begin to return from the Arctic from late June.

Bitterns have a reputation for hiding in reedbeds, but at Minsmere they break rules and often feed in the open close to Bittern or Island Mere hides. June is the best time to see the females on their feeding flights, bringing fish back to chicks. In May you should hear the booming call of the males. Bearded tits, reed, sedge and Cetti’s warblers plus water rails all breed, but are easier to hear than see. In the springtime wood listen to singing warblers and drumming great spotted woodpeckers and search for iridescent butterflies throughout the summer along with clouds of dragonflies. Tread carefully as you may come across ‘dancing’ adders in the early summer sunshine.

Meet the flockers

At Lackford Lakes Nature Reserve near Bury St Edmunds you can hear the sound of singing birds in spring with the arrival of nightingales and warblers from Africa. Later in summer, the reserve is alive with damselflies and dragonflies. Swallows and martins sweep over the water's surface feeding on small flies. The lakesides are busy with nesting great-crested grebe, kingfisher, tufted duck and water rail. Bright stems of purple-loosestrife, common fleabane and gipsywort create colour at the water’s edge.

Wild wonders at West Stow

There is an abundance of wildlife in the West Stow area near Bury St Edmunds. Among the birds you can spot are woodlark (Lullula arborea) and nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) which nest on open ground and rely on the forestry’s clearfell tree harvesting system to generate suitable nesting habitats. Other, not so common or widespread, birds in and around the forest are buzzard, northern goshawk, sparrowhawk, longeared owl, tawny owl, great-spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, tree pipit, crossbill, siskin and redpoll. On the ground you may see foxes, badgers and rabbits and grass snakes.

All of a-flutter at Devil’s Dyke

The Devil’s Dyke in Newmarket is a favourite area for local dog walkers and all those who appreciate panoramic views and big skies. As an unspoilt natural environment it is also home to an immense variety of fauna and flora as well as some colourful summer visitors.

From mid May through to late September is a good time to spot butterflies. Of the 59 species of butterfly thought to be present in Great Britain, over 20 have been seen on just one short stretch of the Dyke – roughly a mile between Dullingham Road and the July race course. The best time to go in search of these fluttering insects is at the height of the summer - and go early evening, just as the sun is starting to set.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, given that much of Newmarket is chalk heathland, one of the most commonly sighted species on the Dyke is the relatively small Chalk Hill Blue - and that’s despite the fact the population has declined in some areas during recent decades.