Martlesham Heath

Phil Smith, chairman of Martlesham Conservation Group, notes some of this year’s developments on the heath.

The colder weather with everything seeming later this year has meant that many of our spring butterflies such as the Common Blue and Green Hairstreak have been less evident as a result. However in the first half of June these butterflies have been present on the Martlesham Heath SSSI along with others such as the Small Heath and Brown Argus, albeit in small numbers. The Silver-studded Blue, that specialist heathland butterfly, might be expected to emerge towards the middle of June but no adults have been seen as of the 12th June. We will aim to conduct one of our regular monitoring sessions on the heath at our next work party. This beautiful little butterfly requires pioneer heathland where bell heather is dominant. This prime habitat is short-lived without continual management. The management of our heath is currently carried out by a small band of dedicated volunteers from Martlesham Conservation Group. We are aiming to expand on this effort by applying for funding from Natural England through Martlesham Heath Householders Ltd and formulating a ten year plan.

As temperatures increase many more butterfly species should appear from the diminutive almost moth-like skippers to the larger grassland species such as the Meadow Brown, Ringlet and hopefully Grayling, another butterfly that is seriously declining.

The exciting news has been the return of the Nightjar to the heath. The Nightjar is a nocturnal bird that feeds in flight often eating moths and is a particular heathland specialist so it great to have it back on our heath after a gap of many years. It is very difficult to see being nocturnal in habit but can be heard more easily at dusk when it emits a strange mechanical song often referred to as " churring " . It nests on the ground relying on its great camouflage plumage to keep hidden. Local dogwalkers can help enormously to promote the presence of Nightjars and other ground nesting birds by keeping their dogs on a lead during the breeding season from March to August. Something we hope to build into our management plans going forward.

Three recent fires on the heath have caused concern as they have swept through vegetation quickly, destroying indiscriminately whatever wildlife was caught in the path. It is hoped we have seen the last of them for some time to come.

At our next work party on Sunday 11th July we will be counting the Silver-studded Blue butterflies present on the heath SSSI. Please join us to help with the count. No particular skill or previous knowledge is required, all training will be provided on the day. We will meet outside the Douglas Bader pub at 10am before moving on to the heath.

Phil Smith may be contacted on 01473 625630 or at phil.j.smith@btinternet.com