Wildlife Wise

03/09/2026

26/08/2026

👀Wildlife Wise ranger Danny managed to spot some amazing wildlife during just one day while patrolling Upper Hollesley Common last week - he spotted a wasp spider, an adder and a fallow deer hiding in the heathland!

Although introduced by humans, the fallow deer has been here so long that it is considered naturalised. The fallow deer is an elegant, medium-sized deer, variable in colour, but is mostly pale gingery-brown, with white spots on the back, a characteristic black and white tail and a white rump patch outlined in black. Some animals are darker brown without any spots, and others are very pale, almost white. Fallow deer prefer deciduous or mixed woodland with large clearings, typically living in small herds. They eat grasses and herbs, and will browse young, broadleaf trees.

Males have broad, palmate antlers and will be shedding their velvet coatings right now. They lose their velvet because their antlers finish growing and hardening into bone. This process cuts off the blood supply to the outer skin, causing it to die, dry up, and peel away so the bucks are ready for the autumn mating season.

What have you spotted on the Suffolk coast recently? We’d love to find out – let us know in the comments below 👇

24/08/2026

We're working with the Suffolk Constabulary, Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime Team this summer to patrol Suffolk's waterways in a bid to safeguard the county’s most protected species and their habitats.

🛥 On the 29 July the team visited the River Deben from Woodbridge to Old Felixstowe to speak to river users to offer advice on river safety and how they can help protect sensitive wildlife habitats.

To read our story, visit: https://wildlifewise.co.uk/working-together-to-keep-river-wildlife-and-users-safe-this-summer/

20/08/2026

🔥 Can you help prevent further wildfires in Suffolk this summer?

We're encouraging landowners to support our campaign with Fire and Rescue Service by displaying signs in high-risk areas.

🪧 The signs raise awareness of wildfire risks and remind everyone to act responsibly when visiting the countryside. Together, we can help reduce the risk of wildfires and protect our beautiful landscapes.

To request to display a sign, complete the online form at https://wildlifewise.co.uk/wildfire-free-suffolk

Babergh District Council
Mid Suffolk District Council
Ipswich Borough Council
West Suffolk Council

13/08/2026

🌠 Thank you to everyone who joined us for our nightjar and heathland guided walks this summer!

It was brilliant to see so many people of all ages out enjoying nature with us on our fully booked walks at Upper Hollesley Common, led by wildlife ranger Danny.

These special evenings gave us the chance to explore the importance of our heathland habitats and the incredible wildlife they support. We were lucky enough to see and hear ground-nesting birds such as nightjars on some of the walks.

🦎 Over the course of the walks we were treated to sightings and sounds from some of the heathland's most remarkable wildlife including yellowhammer, hobby, dartford warbler, redstart, goldcrest, stonechat, tawny owl, stone curlew, silver-studded blue, roe deer, muntjac, wasp sider and a very friendly common lizard!

Our next events will be taking place this winter, when we'll be heading to our beautiful estuaries to look for wintering wading birds. We hope you'll be able to join us!

✉️ To stay posted on all of our events, sign up to our newsletter at https://wildlifewise.co.uk/get-involved

13/08/2026

❌ We're pleased to see East Suffolk Council banning BBQs and open fires on their land.

On heaths, commons and protected sites across Suffolk, please do not bring anything that burns, and take every piece of litter home with you.

Thank you for supporting our this summer.

Due to the ongoing dry conditions, barbecues and open campfires are temporarily banned from all East Suffolk Council-owned land. This includes Southwold Campsite, areas around council-owned beach huts and event spaces.

You can find more information on reducing fire risk using the link in the comments below.

10/08/2026

🔥 It’s devastating to see the impact of the fire at Dunwich Heath and to think about the huge numbers of wildlife that have been affected.

When a habitat is destroyed, animals lose their homes, nesting sites and food sources. That's why we must all do our part to help prevent fires.

🦉 Help protect wildlife like the barn own from wildfires by:
🍃 Never lighting barbecues or campfires near vegetation, dry grass or other flammable materials.
🚮 Leave no trace - take all litter home or dispose of it in bins provided
💦 Douse disposable barbecues with water, let them cool and bin them at home - never in public bins
🚭 Fully extinguish ci******es and recycle vapes responsibly

If you see a fire in the open, please:
📞 Get to a safe distance and call 999
📍 Use the free what3words app on your phone to provide an accurate location to emergency services

Help us share this important message to prevent wildfires in Suffolk.

For more information, visit https://wildlifewise.co.uk/wildfire-free-suffolk



Babergh District Council
Mid Suffolk District Council
East Suffolk Council
Ipswich Borough Council
West Suffolk Council

07/08/2026

📢 We're inviting landowners to support our campaign with Suffolk Fire and Rescue this summer by displaying signage in high fire-risk areas.

These signs help raise awareness of the dangers of wildfires and encourage people to take extra care in the countryside.

Together, we can raise awareness of the dangers of wildfires and reduce the risk of devastating fires across our countryside.

If you can display our signs, please complete our online form by following the link below.

Babergh District Council
Mid Suffolk District Council
Ipswich Borough Council
West Suffolk Council

03/08/2026

⚠️🌡 With an Amber Heat-Health Alert in place for Suffolk this week we're asking the public to share advice from Suffolk Fire and Rescue to ensure everyone can enjoy the countryside safely.

As part of our campaign, help us to raise awareness of how fires start in the open and how they can be prevented by liking and sharing this post:
🔥 Not bring sources of fire such as barbeques and campfires near vegetation in areas of grass, heathland or woodland
🚮 Leave no trace - take all litter home or dispose of it in bins provided
💦 Douse disposable barbecues with water, let them cool and bin them at home - never in public bins
🚭 Fully extinguish ci******es and recycle vapes responsibly

In East Suffolk the use of portable BBQs and open fires on council-owned land is prohibited unless specific permission has been granted.

This policy covers the use of:
- BBQs
- Sky lanterns
- Open fires / beacons
- Fireworks
- Candles
- Any other naked flame

For more information see www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/parks-grounds-facilities-and-waterfronts/parks-and-open-spaces/barbecues-and-open-fires

Open fires are also prohibited in designated areas of East Suffolk under Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs). Find out more at www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/environmental-services/animals/dog-control-public-spaces-protection-orders

Babergh District Council
Mid Suffolk District Council
Ipswich Borough Council
West Suffolk Council

30/07/2026

We're asking everyone to act responsibly to help prevent further wildfires, as Suffolk Fire and Rescue continues to respond to the major incident at Dunwich Heath.

As part of our joint campaign we're raising awareness of how fires start in the open and how they can be prevented.

🔥 Not bring sources of fire such as barbeques and campfires near vegetation in areas of grass, heathland or woodland

🚮 Leave no trace - take all litter home or dispose of it in bins provided

💦 Douse disposable barbecues with water, let them cool and bin them at home - never in public bins

🚭 Fully extinguish ci******es and recycle vapes responsibly

If you see a fire outdoors:

• Get to a safe place

• Note the exact location - use what3words if possible (https://what3words.com)

📞 Call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service

• Provide as much information as possible

• If requested, meet fire crews at the nearest access point.

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