Spring - the boom of the bittern...
The heralds of spring are there if you know where to look for them; the brilliant display of early flowering blackthorn, woodlarks singing over the heaths, hares running in the still-bare fields, with verges brightened by primroses, cowslips and celandines.
By April, spring is literally exploding across the county as trees are clothed once more in a million shades of green. On river estuaries, such as the Deben, Alde and Blyth, avocets can be watched whilst the coastal marshes resound to one of the most extraordinary sounds in nature, the booming of the bittern, a shy relative of the heron. RSPB Minsmere is as good a place as anywhere to hear this sound. Overhead the marshes along the coast, marsh harriers act out their tumbling aerobatic courtship – one of the natural world’s most spectacular sights.
Inland, in ancient meadows, snake’s head fritillary are coming in to flower and in ancient woodlands, with nightingales in song, yellow archangels begin to bloom. Wolves Wood, just off the A1071 east of Hadleigh, is an excellent place to explore at this time of year.
In Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve, located just south of Bury St Edmunds, shimmering newly-minted leaves contrast with the delicate nodding flowers of the woodland floor – bluebells, oxlips and early purple orchids. Amid this profusion the sounds of spring are everywhere, as freshly arrived migrants add their voices to familiar resident birds; blackbirds and blue tits, swallows and song thrushes, warblers and wrens – a symphony of sound!
A perfect day out "… bluebells, smokehouses and music!"
Spring is the perfect time to visit some of Suffolk’s ancient woodlands where primroses, celandines and wood anemone bring colour to the woodland floor.
One of my favourite places to visit in spring is Captain’s Wood, located in Sudbourne, between Snape and Orford, and managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
In early May, amongst veteran oaks and smooth barked beech trees, carpets of bluebells blanket the woodland floor. Deep purples contrast against forest greens, the odd white bluebell seemingly out of place, pollarded trunks rising from a sea of blue. The sight and scent is truly breathtaking!
After your visit, there are two great choices; Orford or Snape.
In Orford enjoy strolling along the river Ore, there are great views across to Orford Ness and Havergate Island, where avocets scurry around like nervous waiters. Lunch in one of Orford’s great pubs, or at the Orford Oysterage, and make sure you visit Richardson’s Smokehouse, where they have been smoking produce for 2 generations.
In Snape you can shop and lunch at Snape Maltings, home of the world famous Aldeburgh music festival. There is a lovely walk from Snape to Iken following the River Alde along the Suffolk Coast and Heaths long distance path. Or do as I do, spend the afternoon relaxing on Snape Malting’s sculpture lawn, sipping wine and gazing lazily across the marshes – it’s the perfect end to a perfect day!
David Falk, Countryside Access Development Manager, Suffolk County Council.
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