Wildlife Wise is inviting the public to join them on a series of evening guided walks at Sutton and Hollesley Heaths this summer to discover the nightjar and Suffolk’s rarest and most threatened habitat.
Taking place this July and August, the walks led by Wildlife Wise rangers aim to highlight the vital importance of this lowland heathland which support rare ground- nesting birds, as well as give the public the opportunity to learn about what we can do to protect wildlife and their habitats.
As dusk falls, visitors will hopefully get the opportunity to spot or hear the distinctive nightjar and the secretive woodlark while walking through the internationally important Sandlings Special Protection Area. This walk highlights how the protected landscape supports these ground-nesting species and reveals the impact human disturbance has on their breeding success. Disturbance from dogs and people getting too close to their nests, has a significant impact on the breeding success of the individual birds and the species.
To safeguard these vulnerable species, visitors are asked to please keep to the paths and dogs on short leads and when walking in heathland areas from the 1 March to the 31s August. When walking the Sutton and Hollesley Heath area, visitors will notice new educational signage across the heath that provide clear guidance to dog walkers on lead use, and other key information to keep dogs, wildlife and grazing animals safe.
Sam Kench, Wildlife Wise Delivery Manager said:
“Hearing your first nightjar is a breathtaking experience we want to share with people. When I took my partner for the first time, she thought it was an alien, as it flew around us clapping its wings together. But fear quickly turned to elation, and she regularly talks about it being one of her favourite experiences ever.
“We’re excited to be running our nightjar guided walks for the second year at Sutton and Hollesley Heaths. We know that we need people to be excited about nightjar, woodlark and heathland to want to protect them. By coming on our walks with our rangers, it’s an opportunity to get a totally perspective on wildlife, you’ll hear and see more than ever, bringing a new dimension to the beautiful living Suffolk Coast landscape.
“In preparation for bird nesting season which started on 1 March, our rangers have been working hard to install new signage at Sutton Heath to make it easier for the public to do their bit to protect vulnerable species like the nightjar. By following requests on signs, keeping dogs on short leads in heathland areas from the 1 March to 31 August, and everyone sticking to the paths, this greatly increases the chances of nightjar and woodlark raising their chicks successfully, so they return each year.
“And by picking up dog waste and keeping grazing animals safe, everyone can keep the heathland habitat healthy and looking spectacular, for us to enjoy, as well as nightjars and a whole host of birds, reptiles, butterflies and other wildlife.”
Members of the public are invited to attend the free walks from 7.45pm – 10pm on the following dates:
• Tuesday 21 July
• Monday 27 July
• Wednesday 29 July
• Tuesday 4 August
The walks are open to anyone with no knowledge of birds or wildlife needed. Children are welcome as long as they’re accompanied by an adult. Dog owners will be asked to keep their pets on short leads throughout.