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.
Featured Event
Following a gap of several years and back by popular demand the group will once again be returning to this remote and ecologically unique corner of Suffolk.
Latest news
Suffolk Bird News for June 2022
A Serin was at Landguard NR 10th. There were several Bee-eaters seen or heard flying over with two over Aldeburgh golf course 12th, three over…
Midweek Walk at Holywells Park Ipswich Tuesday 30 August
A walk round Holywells Park Ipswich, including the Conservation Area. Lasts approx. two hours. Meet at Stable Block off Cliff Lane at 10.30am. Map ref…
Field Trip to Orfordness National Nature Reserve Sunday 23 October
Departs Orford Quay @ 09.30 – return from Orfordness Quay @ 16.00 Map ref TM 425496 Following a gap of several years and back by…
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…
From the blog
Trip Report Midweek Walk to Freston and River Orwell Tuesday 26 July
When the programme was arranged, I decided to take a punt a do a couple of morning walks away from the parks. Freston was based…
Trip Report Landguard Nature Reserve Saturday 16 July
Landguard, as with all of Suffolk, has been very dry and now looks very bare and parched with most plants and bushes suffering from lack…
Trip Report Midweek Walk round Christchurch Park Tuesday 28 June
The Tuesday walk this month was to Christchurch Park in Ipswich, always a favourite and an excellent spot for wildlife. Birdlife in the park was…
Trip Report Nightjar Evening Wednesday 15 June
Our annual field trip to see the Nightjars took place on 15th June on a glorious evening at Hollesley Heath which is one of the…