Nature enhancement is a key part of our ongoing work to conserve and enhance the Dedham Vale National Landscape & Stour Valley. 

Here is a round-up from all of our nature enhancement projects and volunteer work parties for November 2024.

For more information about any of our nature enhancement work, you can email alex.mooredaluz@suffolkandessex-NL.org.uk.

1 East Bergholt – Hedgerow

Before the rhododendron control work party I was able to monitor some hedges with our Nature Network Assistant, Greg Chester-Parsons, that the National Landscape team had planted out a few years ago and it was very pleasing to see how well the hedges are doing.

It was very noticeable to see that one of the hedges was very bushy at the base because the new shoots of lateral growth were not restricted by spirals which will eliminate the lolly pop effect, which you see on all hedges planted with spirals.

Another hedge that was planted out on farmland nearby has a fantastic range of berry and fruit bearing species including crab apple which will be loved by species such as the bullfinch. 

2 East Bergholt – Rhododendron and laurel control

Our volunteers were back for more rhododendron and laurel control work in East Bergholt’s largest remaining woodland. This work party is part of an ongoing project to restore the woodland and help it to return to a state where it can support a higher level of biodiversity.

Removing non-native invasive plants is an integral part of the woodland management programme as it will allow additional light to hit the forest floor enabling the growth of wildflowers and the regeneration of a shrub layer which is so vital for wildlife.

Reducing deer grazing pressure will need to be carried out alongside this to ensure the benefits are reaped . 

3 Arger Fen, Assington

Many thanks to the volunteers that helped to coppice hazel woodland at Arger Fen Nature Reserve. Some branches that are suitable for layering were left on the stools.

The layering will be done in May which is now believed to be the best time of year to carry out this activity due to the extra warmth at that time of year which increases the chances of the hazel rooting successfully.

This coppicing work is part of a woodland management programme to boost hazel dormouse numbers and other species too such as Nightingale.

4 Long Melford Floodplain Enhancement Project

We are mid-way through a floodplain enhancement project which we are delivering in partnership with the Environment Agency and a farmer in Long Melford. The project is funded through the Water Environment Improvement Fund and it aims to make better use of floodwater and rainwater by capturing it to help create wet features on grazed pasture.

These features will be particularly beneficial for birds such as snipe, herons, egrets, teal, wagtails and green sandpipers. They will also provide much needed additional habitat for amphibians, reptiles, semi-aquatic flora and many insect species including dragonflies.

In addition to multiple new scrapes and foot drains, the project also involved digging out a side channel which had completely vegetated over with reeds. A central meandering channel through the middle has been dug out to help create feeding habitats for wildlife.

In order to hold up water in the new channel a series of bunds were left undug. This will help to create a diverse range of channel stretches with differing levels of water contained within each of them. 

5 Upcoming Tasks

06.12.24	Tiger Hill – Assington	Scrub and grassland management
13.12.24	Sizewell	Fencing and dead hedging to protect tree saplings from deer
20.12.24	Tiger Hill – Assington	Tree planting
10.01.25	Gallows Field – Dunwich	Hedge planting
17.01.25	Tiger Hill – Assington	Hedge planting
24.01.25	Gallows Field – Dunwich	Hedge planting
31.01.25	Tiger Hill – Assington	Hedge planting