A new nature reserve on the banks of the River Deben in Suffolk has been hailed as a significant success for wildlife conservation. Established by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the Martlesham Wilds reserve has witnessed remarkable wildlife recoveries, including spectacular starling murmurations and increasing populations of wildfowl and wading birds.
The 289-acre site, acquired through a £1 million fundraising campaign, was previously used for agriculture but is now being rewilded to support diverse species such as curlews, avocets, and redshanks, alongside various reptiles and mammals.
Christine Luxton, chief executive of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, emphasized the importance of creating spaces for nature to thrive. The reserve aims to cultivate thickets of native plants, which will enhance habitats for birds like linnets and yellowhammers and potentially bring back nightingales.
JJ Ratcliff, the reserve warden, highlighted the estuary's role as a vital site for over-wintering wildfowl. The grazing marsh is maintained using Herdwick sheep and Belted Galloway cattle, promoting floristic diversity and providing essential habitat for wading birds.
The transformation of the former arable land into a thriving ecosystem marks a significant step in conservation efforts, showcasing the potential for nature recovery in the region.