Welcome to the Ipswich Local Group's New 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.
Latest news
Field Trip to Landguard NR Saturday 16 July
A walk round Landguard Nature Reserve & SSSI Felixstowe for birds & flora. Meet at 9.45am at Landguard Fort car park. TM285320. 2hrs. 2-3miles. Walking…
Midweek Walk at Freston for River Orwell Tuesday 26 July
A walk along the River Orwell at Freston for waders and other water birds. Meet at 10.30am at Freston Hill upper car park on B1056….
Suffolk Bird News for May 2022
A Lesser Yellowlegs was at Southwold, Buss Creek Marsh 3rd-8th. Continuing the American theme at RSPB Minsmere were a Ring-necked Duck 2nd, and reports of…
Suffolk Bird News for April 2022
Two Black-winged Stilts were at Botany Marshes RSPB 13th. The Pacific Golden Plover remained at Carlton Marshes SWT until 26th. Other highlights from there were…
From the blog
Trip Report Midweek Walk to Rushmere Common Tuesday 31 May
Five young Blackcaps being fed by their parents along the main track across the common was typical of this visit with many young bird such…
Trip Report RSPB Boyton Marshes Saturday 14 May
A good cluster of members gathered for our trip to RSPB Boyton reserve which has long been a group favourite. Situated out on the Butley…
Trip Reports March and April Midweek Walks
CHANTRY PARK 29th MarchMembers met up at Chantry Park, for a wander round the park looking at the wildlife. Chantry Park is the largest in…
Trip Report Melton and River Deben Saturday 19 March
It was great to see some new faces amongst the members gathered for our trip to the River Deben, walking south along the riverbank from…