Join the early birds and vole detectives on the Green
There are more Explore in ’24 events coming your way in the next weeks. On Sunday 21st April starting at 10.30 we’ll be walking the Green’s waterways with ecologist Penny Hemphill, for many years Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Water for Wildlife Officer. We’ll learn how to look for signs of water voles and otters along any waterway. Both these species use the Green’s rivers, dykes and ponds (see photo, thank you Tony Dunn). And afterwards … 12 noon there’ll be a short film show of various riverside mammals who live in or visit the Green, in The Stables behind The Angel. Meet at Blyth Mews footbridge in the Town Park for the Walk at 10.30.
Our first May event is on Sunday 5th May starting just a little earlier – at 4.30am !! because this is a Dawn Chorus Walk. No need to trek off to ancient woodlands or reedbed reserves – the Green has got a whole host of songbirds who’ll be waking up and shouting right here in Halesworth. In the company of experts, you can learn to tell a song thrush from a mistle thrush, and a Cetti’s warbler from a whitethroat. How are the songbirds faring? Will we hear more than 20 species? Come and find out. And to cheer you on there will be hot drinks and cakes at the end. Meet at the entrance to Arthur’s Wood, that’s down the track right next to the railway bridge in Quay Street.
All the Explore in ’24 events planned so far – and there will be more throughout the year – are on our website under “Our Activities / What’s On”.
It’s 25 years since the Green was set up in 1999 with the help of money from government, Europe, local businesses, local groups and individuals. The town is so lucky to have this extraordinary, huge, open space, with free public access to every part, and bursting with wildlife – some of it rare and all of it special. The Green has an active and cheerful volunteer body helping with work-parties, planning events, keeping on top of the finance, running the special projects that crop up. Come and be part of it all. Have a browse on www.millenniumgreen.halesworth.net and contact the Green at thegreen@halesworth.net
Photo: Water vole nibbling, Tony Dunn