I love North Warren in May. The hedgerows are in full bloom, as hawthorn blossom gradually replaces blackthorn, interspersed with pink crab apple and yellow gorse. Across the marshes, delicate pink cuckoo flowers dance, hoping to attract passing orange tip butterflies. Tree lupins along the old railway line may harbour jewel-like green hairstreak butterflies. Along the beach, huge clumps of sea kale sit like overgrown cabbages and tiny small copper butterflies flit.
There's a great chance to discover North Warren's flowers and insects with the help of Stephen Massey on Friday 21 May. Starting in Aldeburgh at 10 am, Steve will explore North Warren's network of paths on this all day walk. Bring a picnic and share in Steve's enthusiasm. Places are limited, so please call the Minsmere visitor centre on 01728 648281 to make your booking.
North Warren in May is a great place for birdwatching too. I've just had an update from Rob Macklin, the Suffolk Coast Area Manager, who lives close by and regularly visits North Warren's marshes, woods and heaths. Despite the cold northerly winds which have delayed migrants, there's been loads to see at North Warren recently.
Rob was pleased to finally hear his first cuckoo of the year yesterday, when 100 sand martins darted over the reedbed in pursuit of insects. Upto 20 hobbies have been counted over the reedbed recently, which must have been a truly awesome sight - unless you're one of the hapless sand martins that make a meal. They were probably attracted aminly by early damselflies and swarms of St Mark's flies.
A turtle dove was on Aldringham walks on Monday, swifts first returned on 3 May, at least two firecrests have been heard in the last few days, and there has been a good passage of wheatears and white wagtails this spring. Other passage migrants have included whimbrels, greenshank, black-tailed godwits, and a whinchat on Thorpe Common on 1 May
A few reminders of winter remain too, with six wigeons still on North Marsh yesterday, including two pairs. The last fieldfare was on the heath on 6 May. Early May has also seen counts of 12 little egrets, four grey herons, 46 shelducks and 60 woodpigeons.
Finally, one of the best reasons to visit North Warren in May is to enjoy birdsong at its best. Reed, sedge and Cetti's warblers sing from the marshes, whitethroats, lesser whitethroats, blackcaps and garden warblers sing in the scrub and wrens are everywhere.
Come and visit for yourself.