Welcome to the Ipswich Local Group's Website
The group’s aim is to support the work of the RSPB in the local community and to involve RSPB members and the wider public in the society’s conservation, public affairs, education, fundraising and other activities.
We hold monthly indoor meetings from September through to April with speakers giving illustrated talks on birds, wildlife and conservation.
We also have guided Field Trips throughout the year which include walks along many of the counties’ beautiful rivers and especially the important estuarine habitats of the Orwell, Stour, Deben, Alde and Blyth which offer the opportunity to see birds feeding on the invertebrate rich mud.
Suffolk estuaries hold such high numbers of certain species such as black-tailed godwit, teal, avocet and redshank that they are considered to be of international importance.
We are fortunate that our constantly changing coastline is also an internationally important wildlife habitat, consisting of shingle, vegetated shingle, sand dunes and soft cliffs, behind which can be found saltmarsh, reedbeds and coastal grazing.
Ipswich is close to many local heaths, known collectively as the Sandlings and our annual programme includes a walk in search of woodlark and to listen for the haunting sound of churring nightjars on their arrival from Africa in the spring.
The group produces The Orwell Observer, which is our members’ magazine. This is usually published three times a year and back copies can be read on our Blogs page.
So, if you would like to meet like-minded people, contact us and make a difference for birds and wildlife.
For more details of the group’s activities or to contact us, please go to the About us page.
For details of all upcoming events, please go to the Events section of our News page.
If you would like to find out more about joining the group, please visit the Get involved page.
Indoor Meeting Thursday 14 December
Christmas Social Evening with ‘bring & share’ finger buffet, plus ‘Eastern Europe’. An illustrated talk by Bill Baston, Wildlife Photographer.
Latest news
Field Meeting Sunday 10 December
A guided walk from Iken along the River Alde for winter wildfowl and waders. Meet at 10:00 at Iken Cliffs car park IP12 2EN. TM398562….
Indoor Meeting Thursday 14 December
Christmas Social Evening with ‘bring & share’ finger buffet, plus ‘Eastern Europe’. An illustrated talk by Bill Baston, Wildlife Photographer. Our indoor meetings are held…
Suffolk Bird News for October 2023
A first winter male Pied Wheatear spent the morning at Lowestoft North Denes 22nd and a Dusky Warbler was there 24th-28th. Nearby a presumed Siberian…
Suffolk Bird News for September 2023
An Isabelline Wheatear was at Southwold 26th. An Icterine Warbler was at Landguard NR 2nd and a Red-backed Shrike was at Lowestoft 9th and Landguard…
From the blog
Trip Report: Abberton Reservoir 11 November
A sunny morning with a chilly northwest wind greeted those who came to the group’s field meeting at Abberton Reservoir south of Colchester in Essex….
Orwell Observer Magazine Autumn 2023
The Autumn edition of the Orwell Observer, packed with articles, photographs, reports and group information is now available to read online. If you would like to…
Trip Report: Hollesley Marshes RSPB Reserve 2 September
Rarely on an RSPB field trip do we get to bag a mega tick. This was the day though and the bird was the juvenile…
Trip Report: Christchurch Park Ipswich 22 August
Having a meeting at Christchurch Park during the middle of the school holidays was probably not the best idea to see birds in the park…