New brand launched to help Suffolk Coast get Wildlife Wise

Wildlife Wise, the new brand for the Suffolk Coast Recreational Disturbance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS), was launched during a recent tour of some of the Suffolk Coast’s most important and sensitive habitats and wildlife areas.

This is a collaborative project between Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, East Suffolk Council and Ipswich Borough Council to help reduce the impacts of outdoor activities on these designated sites.

The Suffolk Coast’s special habitats and wildlife make it an incredible place for local residents and visitors and also has several international-level designations which reflect its beauty and importance. These designations include Special Protection Areas (SPA) designated for the area’s rare birds, Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) designated for rare habitats, plants and invertebrates, and also Ramsar Sites which are wetlands of international importance. 

Wildlife Wise is encouraging people to enjoy nature and share these spaces with wildlife by followings some simple steps:

• keep you and your dog on the path. Many birds nest on the ground in the areas around estuaries, beaches, heathlands and grasslands. The birds will often be well camouflaged, and both you and your dog can easily scare adult birds away from their nests or you could step on chicks without realising
• avoid walking on plants on beaches
• do not allow your dog to chase wildlife or farm animals
• always clean up after your dog – dog mess can damage habitats and can cause disease
• follow any signs which are there to protect you, your dog and wildlife, or to allow land management, nature conservation or farming work to be carried out easily and safely

Wildlife Wise aims to prevent additional recreational pressure on these important coast and heathland sites. As part of the project, engagement and educational activities will be developed to work with communities and visitors to the sites. The first two Wildlife Wise rangers will be out visiting these wildlife sites and speaking with people within the next few months. 

Cllr Sallie Davis, cabinet member for heritage, planning and infrastructure at Babergh District Council said:

“This partnership has already proved valuable for our wildlife and habitats in Babergh. It enabled fencing to be put in place to create safe havens at Shotley for ground-nesting birds and, ringed-plover chicks have hatched as a result. This is a great success and just one of the ways this partnership will benefit our area.” 

Jo Wright, Natural England manager for Suffolk, said:

“We are delighted with the success of the protective fencing for ground nesting birds in Shotley. Due to previous disturbance, this is the first time Natural England has recorded breeding ringed plovers in East Suffolk. We’re hopeful that this will be the first of many more ringed plover and oystercatcher chicks in the future.”

One of the first projects initiated through the project has already started to benefit local wildlife. Funded by Wildlife Wise and led by the Suffolk and Essex Coast and Heaths National Landscape and Natural England, two sections of protective fencing were installed on the estuary beach in the Shotley area last spring. This was to protect birds from high numbers of walkers and dogs. 

Earlier this month, councillors from the partnership councils were taken on a tour of the Shotley Peninsula mitigation project, Orwell Country Park, Sutton Heath and Shingle Street.