YOUR WILD WINTER
Winter bloom Winter is a time of cold, of frost and freeze. But from January signs of growth can be seen across Suffolk’s countryside. Although traditionally believed to cause misfortune if taken indoors, blankets of snowdrops in a woodland (introduced to the UK in the sixteenth century) are a welcome sign of coming thaw. Look out too for the butterbright, star-shaped flowers of lesser celandine and primroses. The latter, often appearing in creamy-yellow clusters in woodland rides are one of the first wild flowers to bloom and can also be found at the edges of hedgerows or grassland. SEE THEM THIS AUTUMN & WINTER Bradfield Woods The open rides and sunny glades at Bradfield are the perfect places to find primroses. Reydon Wood Primroses can be found in among the medieval coppice.
The soft petals of a primrose or the lolling head of a snowdrop are a sure sign that spring is on its way.
FIELDCRAFT
SHUTTERSTOCK
In flight, the woodlark shows a short tail and short broad wings. The tail is tipped with white, but unlike the skylark, the tail sides and the rear edge of the wings are not trimmed with white.
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Wild Suffolk | Winter 201920/20
Following your ears to a woodlark Winter is a great time to track wildlife as the dieback of vegetation, the bare branches of trees, make many species easier to spot. But it’s also important to trust your ears. While most people in Suffolk will know the skylark’s song – an endless fizzing song that trembles over field, marsh and heath – not so many will have heard the woodlark. One of the earliest spring migrants to arrive in the county, its Latin name, Lullula perfectly describes its beautiful, fluting song.
How to
SPOT A WOODLARK Listen The woodlark’s
melodious, warbling song rivals the nightingale and it is easy to identify. Listen out for a lu-lu-lu, toolooeet, toolooeet, toolooeet. Look up The male woodlark has a song-flight similar to the skylark, but he flutters more as he spirals upwards. Both male and female birds also sing from the ground. Wrap up Dress for the cold and head to Blaxhall Common between February and March.