BIODIVERSITY RECOVERY AT MARTLESHAM WILDS

This week I joined volunteers from Suffolk County Council and representatives from the Greenprint Forum for a fascinating site visit to Martlesham Wilds along the River Deben. The site provides an opportunity to observe landscape-scale habitat restoration in action. Much of the land was previously used for the organic cultivation of crops such as beetroot and squash and is now undergoing a process of ecological recovery and rewilding.

Definition has been provided to the carpark in the form of a dead hedge that has ben interplanted with the intention of encouraging live growth and ecological enhancement. One of the most striking observations was the contrast between the recovering habitats within Martlesham Wilds and neighbouring intensively farmed fields (Refer to Photograph 2). The differences in vegetation structure, habitat diversity and visual character highlighted the important role that land management practices can play in shaping ecological outcomes.

The visit included sightings of a variety of bird species, with the highlight being a Barn Owl, an indicator of the value of creating and managing suitable habitats within the landscape. I found this inventory of birds in Martlesham Wilds and Martlesham Creek very insightful as one can click on the species, find data for each species including scientific names, range maps and species statistics.

We also explored the low-lying marshes (Photograph 4), where a series of scrapes have been created to support wading birds. These shallow wetland features have been designed with long, irregular margins and varied edge conditions, increasing habitat diversity and providing opportunities for feeding, nesting and shelter.

The management of grazing animals forms an important part of the site's ecological strategy, with fencing carefully integrated to facilitate habitat management and support the long-term development of species-rich grassland and wetland habitats.

Walking along the King Charles III England Coast Path (Photograph 5), it was encouraging to see how experimental rewilding approaches are being tested and monitored within the Suffolk landscape. While ecological restoration is often a long-term process, sites such as Martlesham Wilds provide valuable insight into how habitat creation, natural processes and adaptive management can work together to support biodiversity recovery. It was an inspiring reminder that landscapes are not static. Given the right conditions, careful stewardship and time, they have a remarkable capacity to recover and evolve.

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