“The fluting song of woodlark; the intensity of purple heath-er;
the spooky churring of nightjar on a summer’s night – heathland heaven!”

These heaths represent one of the largest continuous areas of Sandlings heath left and are at their most colourful in August and September. Mature Scots pine and birch mix with gorse, heather and bracken to produce a fabulous place for wildlife Birds like stonechat, nightjar, woodlark, redstart, tree pipit and winter visitors like hen harrier, crossbill and flocks of finch, provide interest all year round.

This is one of the few sites for the delicate silver-studded butterfly. Species such as green tiger beetle, adder, fallow and pipistrelle, long-eared and noctule bat combine to give this heathland added appeal.

To conserve habitat diversity from open heathland to woodland, these heaths are regularly cut and grazed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s own sheep flock to keep invasive bracken and scrub at bay.

Long-eared bats roost in buildings and trees

This site has good public facilities with car parks, picnic areas and nature trails.

Managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust in partnership with Suffolk Coastal District Council, the Broxtead Estate and registered commoners.

Other Trust reserves nearby: Simpson’s Saltings, Bromeswell Green

Silver-studded blue butterfly

STAR SPECIES
Nightjar
Long-eared owl
Silver-studded blue butterfly