NORTH WARREN BUTTERFLY SURVEY
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A 2023 Butterfly Survey of part of the RSPB Reserve at North Warren The Route North Warren was one of the early RSPB reserves and is a remnant of the Suffolk Sandlings heathland. The route covered heathland, two separate areas of woodland and two boardwalks, the first adjacent to the large reedbed known as The Fen and the second leading into the second wood. The small RSPB sign along the road from Aldeburgh to Leiston is easily overlooked, being about a mile from the Aldeburgh roundabout. ‘Pinehurst’ is to the left and the short stretch of lane, leading to a small carpark, is on the right, between ‘Danelagh’ and ‘Snape Cottage’. From here the route passes under Buddleia, best viewed from the far side, under a belt of Silver Birches and onto heathland. The path continues to a dragonfly sculpture on the left but during the flowering of heather, mainly Ling and some Bell Heather, a short diversion was made to the right, as no flowering heather clumps were actually on the main path. From the dragonfly statue the path ahead soon becomes a boardwalk skirting The Fen, crossing the river Hundred, passing an elevated Viewpoint and progressing upward through a narrow path. At the top is a produce stall and a notice warning that sheep are ‘gazing’ (sic). Here the route is to the right, past ‘Pantiles’, then a green seat, followed by two installations by Karen Chard illustrating many of the reserve’s species. ‘The Pine Cottage’ is to the right, then a Buddleia bush just outside the garden gate and nearby a footpath sign leading into the first woodland. This is mainly
Heather clumps near the start of the route One of the Silver Birches in the first wood
The edge of the boardwalk, Purple Loosestrife and elevated lookout
Panoramic view across the fen
Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 59 (2023)