Suffolk's Biological Data Centre
We collect, curate and share ecological data to inform better decisions and actions to benefit Suffolk’s wildlife.
Latest news
The Linder Foundation GrantsThe Linder Foundation support specific projects that focus on land-based projects relating to biodiversity (such as sustainable farming practices) and/or species preservation/re-introduction. The project can be in an urban or rural environment, can be farm-based or within connected farms, and could contain a research element that seeks to provide the evidence base for change. Our average grant is £15,000 and their grant should cover at least 50% of the total project cost. Priorities
Visit Linder Foundation website |
Are you interested in taking part in a Suffolk bat survey?The surveys involve installing static/remote detectors at a fixed location in your garden or local space for up to a week. Bats passing in the vicinity of the microphone will be recorded from sunset to sunrise for the duration of the survey. Recorded bat calls are analysed using the BTO acoustic pipeline, followed by manual verification of the species. Vocalisations of any other small mammal species detected (shrews, mice, voles) will also be identified. The results will be sent to you and SBIS. The surveys aim to gather bat data from locations that might otherwise be under-recorded to increase the distribution data for bats in the county. For more information, contact Huma Pearce, [email protected] |
Spot a hog!Spot a Hog is a citizen science study that aims to test the potential of using data obtained from privately owned camera traps for monitoring hedgehogs and estimating their density. It will be using a novel method that requires a calibration step, for the study team to be able to extract the metrics necessary for the population size modeling. The West European Hedgehog is a species of conservation concern in the UK, as its population has been undergoing a historic decline. To identify the reasons for, and the extent of, this decline data from across the country is needed. Camera traps, or trail cameras, are widely applied in wildlife monitoring. Some amazing initiatives, such as the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, uses camera traps to estimate the density of various species. However, camera traps are also increasingly used by private users to observe wildlife in their gardens. This data holds great potential for monitoring urban species, as it can provide information on multiple species in a habitat often not represented in scientific studies. This is also an especially important habitat for hedgehogs, as currently they are more frequently observed in urban than in rural areas. The novel method used in this study requires some additional steps to work out how animals move in front of the camera, and that’s where you come in! The study welcomes anyone who already has a camera trap (or will get one before the start of the survey) in May 2025. You will need to set up your camera according to a protocol available on the website, calibrate the camera following the instructions, and leave it on for a maximum of 1 month. After this, you will need to upload the images to a designated project on MammalWeb. The images will then be available to the public for spotting (i.e. classifying images by species) and the results will be analysed by the project team. Further information can be found on the Spot a Hog website as well as how to sign up. You can also download an information sheet. |
Forthcoming events
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Biological Recording Company: Endemic Plants of the UK and Ireland Tuesday 5 May 2026 |
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Royal Entomological Society: Fantastic Fungi Festival – External
Saturday 9 May 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Workshop: Spring wildlife photography
Saturday 9 May 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Curlew Conversations: Conservation Monday 11 May 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Pan-Species Listing: How to Become a Super-Naturalist Wednesday 13 May 2026 |
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Royal Entomological Society: Insect Hour: Pesticides, dogs & insect declines
Wednesday 13 May 2026 |
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Mammal Society: Planning Effective Public Engagement Thursday 14 May 2026 |
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London Natural History Society: Saving the Stone Curlew by Keith Betton Thursday 14 May 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Tree Protection
Wednesday 20 May 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: The King's Forest Meet at the King's Forest car park at 8.00 am. Leader: David Walsh. Tel. 07947 051223. |
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Biological Recording Company: Plant-Pollinator Interactions and the UN Sustainable Development Goals Tuesday 26 May 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Hedge Aftercare
Wednesday 27 May 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Orbweb Spiders Wednesday 27 May 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Underexplored Freshwater Habitats in Ireland: Case Studies Using Riverflies Thursday 28 May 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Friend, Foe, or Freeloader? The Flower Crab Spider Tuesday 2 June 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Summer Visit
Wednesday 3 June 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Helmingham Hall Estate Limited to 20 spaces. Entry through main gates on B1079, follow main drive to car park on right. For further details and to reserve your place, contact Steve Fryett. Tel. 07593 382082. |
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Royal Entomological Society: Insect Hour: The Mosquito Diaries
Wednesday 10 June 2026 |
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London Natural History Society: Bringing Beavers Back to London: The Ealing Beaver Project by Şeniz Mustafa Thursday 11 June 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Upper Hollesley Common Meet at the upper car park at 7.00 pm for an evening walk on the heath. Leader: Dave Pearsons. Tel. 07913 620665. |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Stag Beetle Stumpery Building
Friday 12 June 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Evening Nightjars and Glow-worms Walk
Friday 19 June 2026 |
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Mammal Society: Introduction to Foxes: Ecology and Monitoring Saturday 20 June 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Wander
Saturday 20 June 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: The Big Suffolk Birdwatch Walks across the county – look out for further details on the website! |
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Biological Recording Company: Fly Research and Conservation Virtual Symposium Tuesday 23 June 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Path /Ditch Clearance
Wednesday 24 June 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Wander
Wednesday 24 June 2026 |
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Mammal Society: Dormouse Ecology & Conservation - Online Friday 26 June 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Formica Ants Tuesday 30 June 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Photography Workshop: Macro masterclass in summer
Saturday 4 July 2026 |
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Royal Entomological Society: Insect Hour: Land management for beneficial insects and smallholder livelihoods
Wednesday 8 July 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Meadow Cut & Rake/ Himalayan Balsam Pulling
Wednesday 15 July 2026 |
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Mammal Society: Introduction to American Mink: Ecology, Monitoring and Impacts Saturday 18 July 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Can Infiltrators be Indicators? Understanding Cuckoo Bumblebees Tuesday 21 July 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Bracken Removal
Wednesday 22 July 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Froghoppers Thursday 23 July 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Minsmere Meet at the reserve centre car park at 8.00 am. Leader: David Walsh. Tel. 07947 051223. |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Moth Trap at Fen Meadow, Woodbridge.
Saturday 25 July 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Sedge Cutting
Wednesday 29 July 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Wildflower Patch Cut and Rake
Wednesday 5 August 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: River Alde Boat Trip Limited to 12 spaces in total. For further details and to reserve your place, contact Gi Grieco. Tel. 07951 482547. Leader: Gi Grieco. |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Wednesday 19th August Wet Meadow Management
Wednesday 19 August 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Sedge Management
Friday 21 August 2026 |
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Mammal Society: Pine Marten: Monitoring and Ecology Saturday 22 August 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Summer Tree Identification for Surveyors Online Thursday 3 September 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Grassland Management
Friday 4 September 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Walton-on-the-Naze Meet in the visitor centre car park, Old Hall Road at 9.00 am. Leader: Ashley Gooding. Tel. 07808 044611. |
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Species Recovery Trust: Botany for surveyors - Part 1 Monday 7 September 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Discovering lichens
Tuesday 8 September 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Green Lane Management
Wednesday 9 September 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Around Britain in 25 Grasses Online Thursday 10 September 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Pond Restoration
Friday 11 September 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Shingle Street and Hollesley Marshes Meet at Coastguard Cottages car park at 8.30 am. Leader: Steve Fryett. Tel. 07593 382082. |
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Mammal Society: Introduction to Stoats and Weasels: Ecology and Behaviour Saturday 12 September 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Botany for surveyors - Part 2 Monday 14 September 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Urban Pond Conservation Tuesday 15 September 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: The Willow Tit in Suffolk
Tuesday 15 September 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Cut and Rake
Wednesday 16 September 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: The Search for German Hairy Snails Thursday 17 September 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Garden Bird Watch
Thursday 17 September 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Aquatic Plant ID Online Thursday 17 September 2026 |
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London Natural History Society: Wild Pavements by Amanda Tuke Thursday 17 September 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Heathland Restoration
Friday 18 September 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Evening bat walk at Foxburrow Nature Reserve
Friday 18 September 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Botany for surveyors - Part 3 Monday 21 September 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Lasius Ants Tuesday 22 September 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Return to Morocco Gi Grieco. Indoor talk commencing at 7.30 pm. Admission £3. Hintlesham Community Centre, Timperleys, Hintlesham IP8 3PS |
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Biological Recording Company: Discoveries After Dark: How Insects Connect Us to Nature Thursday 24 September 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Around Britain in 30 Bryophytes Online Thursday 24 September 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory 26–27 September. Limited to 12 spaces in total, including to stay overnight in self-catering shared rooms. For further details and to reserve your place contact Adam or Anne Wright. Tel. 07767 755965. Leader: Adam Faiers. Tel. 07708 521852. |
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Species Recovery Trust: Around Britain in 20 Rushes Online Monday 28 September 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Identifying Whitebeams Tuesday 29 September 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: The history of Havergate Island
Wednesday 30 September 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Meadow Management
Wednesday 30 September 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: How to Survey and Assess Hedgerows using the Hedgerow Regulations Online Thursday 1 October 2026 |
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Mammal Society: Introduction to Large Mustelids: Monitoring and Project Coordination Saturday 3 October 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Lowestoft North Denes Meet at Whapload Road car park, opposite Sparrow's Nest Gardens at 8.30 am. Leader: Gi Grieco. Tel. 07951 482547. |
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Species Recovery Trust: Grasses Part Two Online Monday 5 October 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Soil ecoacoustics
Tuesday 6 October 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Unwelcome Guests: How Insect Pests are Impacting Britain’s Forests Tuesday 6 October 2026 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Grassland Management
Wednesday 7 October 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Great Crested Newts - Ecology, Conservation and Survey Online Thursday 8 October 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Robberflies Thursday 8 October 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Badger Ecology, Survey and Mitigation Online Monday 12 October 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Endemic Whitebeams of the UK and Ireland Tuesday 13 October 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wilder Communities - Land Purchase webinar
Online webinar |
Suffolk Bird Group: The Nature of Seeing The Nature of Seeing. Mark Cocker. Joint talk with SWT Woodbridge Group. Indoor talk commencing at 7.30 pm. Admission £4. Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge IP12 4AU |
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Species Recovery Trust: Heathlands and Acid Grassland - Species and Habitat Survey Online Thursday 15 October 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Autumn Open Morning at Landguard Bird Observatory Meet at main car park, View Point Road, Felixstowe at 8.00 am. Leader: Nigel Odin. For details contact Gi Grieco. Tel. 07951 482547. |
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Mammal Society: Advanced eDNA Survey Design and Data Interpretation for Mammal Monitoring Saturday 17 October 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Around Britain in 20 Ferns and their Allies Online Monday 19 October 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Climate change gardening
Tuesday 20 October 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Tardigrades: The Microscopic Animals with Survival Superpowers Tuesday 20 October 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Woodlands - Botanical Survey Online Thursday 22 October 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Wader Fencing Dismantlement
Friday 23 October 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Black Poplars: How to Save a Tree
Wednesday 28 October 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Endemic Vertebrates of the UK and Ireland Wednesday 28 October 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Habitat Indicator Species Online Monday 2 November 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Sphagnum Mosses Tuesday 3 November 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Is There Such a Thing As "Flying Ant Day"? Wednesday 4 November 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Invasive Species Online Thursday 5 November 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Gorse Management
Friday 6 November 2026 |
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Mammal Society: Introduction to Mammal Camera Trapping Saturday 7 November 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Photography workshop: Macro masterclass in autumn
Saturday 7 November 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Orfordness (National Trust) Reserve 7–8 November. Some places available to stay overnight on Saturday in self-catering dormitories. Current entrance fees will apply. For further details and to reserve your place, contact Gi Grieco. Tel. 07951 482547. Leaders: Gi Grieco & Eddie Bathgate. |
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Species Recovery Trust: Around Britain in 25 Sedges Online Monday 9 November 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Does Woodland Restoration Benefit Moths? Tuesday 10 November 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: UK Wildlife and The Law Online Thursday 12 November 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Dunwich Meet at Dunwich beach car park at 9.00 am. Leader: David Walsh. Tel. 07947 051223. |
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Species Recovery Trust: Dormouse Ecology, Survey and Habitat Management Online Monday 16 November 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Minsmere in Winter
Tuesday 17 November 2026 |
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Species Recovery Trust: Orchid Identification for Surveyors Online Thursday 19 November 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Dead Hedging & Woodland Management
Friday 20 November 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: The wonder of insects
Wednesday 25 November 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: Can Green Roofs Function as True Ecosystems? Wednesday 25 November 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: A Learner Birder Visits Trinidad Anne Wright. Indoor talk commencing at 7.30 pm. Admission £3. Hintlesham Community Centre, Timperleys, Hintlesham IP8 3PS |
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Biological Recording Company: Myrmica Ants Tuesday 1 December 2026 |
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Mammal Society: Tracks and Signs (Online) Friday 4 December 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Tree Planting
Friday 4 December 2026 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Shotley Gate Park in the front of the Bristol Arms or down Bristol Hill, meet at 9.00 am. A short riverside walk, then a festive lunchtime snack if desired! Leader: Anne Wright. Tel. 07767 755965. |
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Species Recovery Trust: Winter Tree ID Online Monday 14 December 2026 |
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Biological Recording Company: In Search of the Elusive Freshwater Jellyfish Tuesday 15 December 2026 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Heathland Management
Friday 15 January 2027 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Sealife in Indonesia & Borneo
Tuesday 19 January 2027 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Bugs, who needs them?
Tuesday 26 January 2027 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Ringed Plover Fencing
Friday 26 February 2027 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Raptors in Suffolk
Tuesday 16 March 2027 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Hedge Aftercare/ Gapping up
Thursday 18 March 2027 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Task tbc
Friday 19 March 2027 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Dead Hedging
Thursday 25 March 2027 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Giant Hogweed Control
Saturday 27 March 2027 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Black Poplar Nursery
Thursday 1 April 2027 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Building Coppice Tree Guards
Thursday 15 April 2027 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Wildflower Meadow Creation
Saturday 17 April 2027 |
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Dedham Vale National Landscape: Tools Maintenance
Thursday 29 April 2027 |
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Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape: Hedge Maintenance
Saturday 1 May 2027 |
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