News
Postcode Lottery / Groundwork UK: Grassroots GrantsUnrestricted grants of between £500-£2,000 for Small Environment Improvement Grants for Small Groups (whose annual income is under £25,000). Preference is to support groups / organisations operating in areas of deprivation and working with communities. Apply by 12pm, Tuesday 14 October 2025. https://groundwork.org.uk/grassroots-grants/ |
Alice McCosh Trust GrantsThe Alice McCosh Trust was set up in memory of Alice McCosh (nee Alice Carswell) (1966-2001) with a purpose to advance education by providing or assisting with grants (up to £1,000) for work or study related to natural history and/or the environment.
Applications are invited from individuals attached to institutions and those following a programme of study or qualification, as well as people engaged in private/personal study related to natural history and/or the environment.
Applicants can be any age and any nationality, but preference will be given to individuals from (or work relating to) Scotland, England, Turkey or Uganda.
Eligible Expenditure: A school field trip or project; an expedition as part of a research project; the development of new teaching materials for schools or institutes of higher education or
Applications are accepted between 1 October and 30 November each year.
Application forms are available to download from the Trust's website and must be submitted by email.
Visit The Alice McCosh Trust website |
Are you interested in taking part in a Suffolk bat survey?The surveys involve installing static/remote detectors at a fixed location in your garden or local space for up to a week. Bats passing in the vicinity of the microphone will be recorded from sunset to sunrise for the duration of the survey. Recorded bat calls are analysed using the BTO acoustic pipeline, followed by manual verification of the species. Vocalisations of any other small mammal species detected (shrews, mice, voles) will also be identified. The results will be sent to you and SBIS. The surveys aim to gather bat data from locations that might otherwise be under-recorded to increase the distribution data for bats in the county. For more information, contact Huma Pearce, [email protected] |
Spot a hog!Spot a Hog is a citizen science study that aims to test the potential of using data obtained from privately owned camera traps for monitoring hedgehogs and estimating their density. It will be using a novel method that requires a calibration step, for the study team to be able to extract the metrics necessary for the population size modeling. The West European Hedgehog is a species of conservation concern in the UK, as its population has been undergoing a historic decline. To identify the reasons for, and the extent of, this decline data from across the country is needed. Camera traps, or trail cameras, are widely applied in wildlife monitoring. Some amazing initiatives, such as the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, uses camera traps to estimate the density of various species. However, camera traps are also increasingly used by private users to observe wildlife in their gardens. This data holds great potential for monitoring urban species, as it can provide information on multiple species in a habitat often not represented in scientific studies. This is also an especially important habitat for hedgehogs, as currently they are more frequently observed in urban than in rural areas. The novel method used in this study requires some additional steps to work out how animals move in front of the camera, and that’s where you come in! The study welcomes anyone who already has a camera trap (or will get one before the start of the survey) in May 2025. You will need to set up your camera according to a protocol available on the website, calibrate the camera following the instructions, and leave it on for a maximum of 1 month. After this, you will need to upload the images to a designated project on MammalWeb. The images will then be available to the public for spotting (i.e. classifying images by species) and the results will be analysed by the project team. Further information can be found on the Spot a Hog website as well as how to sign up. You can also download an information sheet. |
£30,000 Synthesis Grants open nowThe British Ecological Society (BES) has announced its Synthesis Grants programme, offering up to £30,000 over two years for groups of 8-15 participants. This grant aims to support interdisciplinary teams in analysing existing data and generating new insights into ecological research. The programme encourages collaboration across universities, research institutes, NGOs, industry, and government departments, with a focus on fostering diverse groups that include international participation and at least 30% of members from the Global South. The grants are designed to support travel, subsistence, facility hire, and computing costs associated with synthesis group activities. Applicants can apply for the Synthesis Grants through the BES online grants system. The grant is open to BES members as the main applicant, although not all group members need to be BES members. The purpose of the grant is to promote synthesis as a growing scientific research method, where scientists generate new knowledge from existing data using a hypothesis and question-led approach. The grant operates on a biannual cycle, with two funding rounds each year. For 2025, the first-round closes on the 10th March 2025, while the second round opens on the 12th June and closes on the 8th September 2025. https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/synthesis-grants/ |
Time to Celebrate!This week we are celebrating the work of our fantastic search team, who have already delivered over half a million records to ecological consultants this financial year 🎉 |
Call for articles*************************** Newsletter time is coming around again! We welcome articles that showcase local biodiversity projects, or share environment, ecology and wildlife news, training and funding opportunities (with photos where possible). Previous articles have included the work of community groups, charities, statutory bodies, AONB partnerships, businesses, local authorities, and more. To see previous issues, please click here. The newsletter is seen by over 450 people from the private, corporate, statutory, and charitable sectors, as well as individual subscribers, and is widely shared online. *************************** To send us your story use the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page, the deadline for the next issue is 25 October *************************** Emma Aldous, Communications Officer, |
Norfolk & Suffolk Community Online WebinarMon 14 Oct, 19:00 – 20:00 • Wed 16 Oct, 14:00 – 15:00 As we create the Local Nature Recovery Strategy, we aim to enhance the positive effects of nature on community wellbeing, contributing to improved mental and physical health through direct and indirect benefits. Our spatial strategy has the potential to unlock opportunities for communities to deliver key measures and embed nature recovery locally. Therefore, the Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership invite you to attend an online webinar, where we aim to update you on the current progress of the strategy, share our shortlisted priorities and demonstrate the mapping tools developed to identify where action for nature will have the most impact. This will enable you to signpost and highlight potential for your local area to deliver key measures and embed nature recovery in your community. Please follow this link to register your interest. |
Suffolk Naturalists' autumn meeting21 September 2024 Programme – timings are approximate! Directions: What Three Words ///snips.hatter.airbrush. |
Events
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Biological Recording Company: Getting to Know Weevils |
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Biological Recording Company: Ferns of the UK: Spleenworts |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - On the Verge
Tuesday 14 October 2025 |
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Biological Recording Company: Terrestrial Harvestmen |
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Mammal Society: Using camera traps to monitor pine martens, polecats, stoat and weasels. |
Suffolk Bird Group: ‘Ospreys in Suffolk’ Tim Mackrill, Roy Dennis Foundation Please note venue: Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4AU |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Wader Fencing Removal
Shotley Gate |
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Royal Entomological Society: External – XII International Symposium on Aphids
XII International Symposium on Aphids 13-17 October 2025, Yongpyong, Korea Organized by Prof. Seunghwan LEE, Laboratory of Insect Biosystematics, Division of Entomology, Seoul National University (SNU), Korea. For more information and details of how to… |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Youth Action for Nature
Saturday 18 October 2025 |
Suffolk Bird Group: Titchwell Meet at the reserve car park at 9.00 am. Leaders: Adam Faiers Tel. 07708 521852 and Anne Wright. Tel. 07767 755965. |
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Brecks events: Sapiston 5K Trail Run
Join Run Breckland for a family-friendly 5K trail run following footpaths and byways in a loop around the picturesque Black Bourn Valley. Honington & Sapiston Village Hall, Suffolk, IP31 1RU |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Wednesday 22 October 2025 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Introduction to fungi ID
Thursday 23 October 2025 |
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Brecks events: Biofluorescent Night Walk
Discover the amazing hidden colours of our natural world on a special guided evening walk using UV light to uncover natural biofluorescence. Brandon Country Park |
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Biological Recording Company: Drones in Ecology Virtual Symposium |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Symbiosis
Online webinar |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Rewilding Project
Old Waldringfield Golf Course |
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Biological Recording Company: More Moths Please! Breeding and Reintroducing the Dark Bordered Beauty |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Coppicing & Dead Hedging
Walberswick |
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Biological Recording Company: 20-Odd Years with LNHS |
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London Natural History Society: Twenty Odd Years with the LNHS by Mick Massie & Ecology and Entomology AGM |
Suffolk Bird Group: Orfordness (National Trust) Reserve 8 & 9 November. Some places available to stay overnight on Saturday in self-catering dormitories. Current entrance fees will apply. Limited to 12 spaces in total. For further details and to reserve your place, contact Gi Grieco. Tel. 07951 482547. Leaders: Gi Grieco and Eddie Bathgate. |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Brocks and Foulmarts - the weasel family
Tuesday 11 November 2025 |
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Biological Recording Company: Crayfish 3: Conservation and Management |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Walk
Wednesday 12 November 2025 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Lichens
Thursday 13 November 2025 |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Rewilding Project (Gorse Management)
Old Waldringfield Golf Course |
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Mammal Society: Grey Long-eared Bats: Ecology, roosts and survey techniques |
Suffolk Bird Group: River Ore Boat Trip For further details and to reserve your place, contact Gi Grieco. Tel. 07951 482547. Leader: Gi Grieco. |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Winter Guided Walk at Carlton Marshes
Monday 17 November 2025 |
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Volunteering with Dedham Vale National Landscape: Dead Hedging
Assington |
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Mammal Society: Wildlife Gardening Mini Symposium |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Heathland Restoration
Bixley Heath or Pipers Vale |
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London Natural History Society: Birds and Other Animals of Egypt by Richard Hoath + London Bird Club AGM |
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Royal Entomological Society: Outreach, Culture & Education SIG 2025
Outreach, Culture & Education Special Interest Group (SIG) 2025 We are excited to invite you to the next RES Outreach SIG meeting at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh on 22 November. Come and join… |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Small mammal ID
Tuesday 25 November 2025 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: The Rural Crime team
Wednesday 26 November 2025 |
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Volunteering with Dedham Vale National Landscape: Dead Hedging/ Tree Planting
Alphamstone |
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London Natural History Society: Planning a User-Friendly Wild Flower Guide by Simon Harrap + Botany AGM |
Suffolk Bird Group: ‘Birding Colombia – The World’s Most Diverse Bird Country’ Andrew Raine Hintlesham Community Centre,Timperleys, Hintlesham IP8 3PS |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Plantation Thinning and Dead Hedging
Trimley Marshes |
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Mammal Society: Tracks and Signs (Online) |
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Royal Entomological Society: Irish Entomologists’ Meeting 2025
Irish Entomologists\\' Meeting The Royal Entomological Society and the Student Entomological Society of Ireland are delighted to host an Irish Entomologist\\'s Meeting on 1st December 2025. This full day meeting will be hosted at University… |
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London Natural History Society: Fascinating Flies by Rory Dimond following Hampstead Heath Survey AGM |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Hedge Planting
Sutton |
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Mammal Society: Introduction to bat ecology and bat surveys |
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Mammal Society: Hidden Depths of the Harvest Mouse |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Webcam wonders
Online webinar |
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London Natural History Society: Recording the Sounds of Nature by Cheryl Tipp following LNHS AGM |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Hedge Planting
Holbrook |
Suffolk Bird Group: Felixstowe Ferry Meet in the public parking area in front of the church at 9.00 am. A short riverside walk, then a festive lunchtime snack if desired! Leader: Anne Wright. Tel. 07767 755965. |
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Volunteering with Suffolk Coast and Heaths National Landscape: Hedge Planting
Sutton |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Insects of Suffolk– by Dr Ross Piper
Thursday 18 December 2025 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: New Years Day Guided Walk
Thursday 1 January 2026 |
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London Natural History Society: Diet and Behaviour of White Storks at Knepp by Şeniz Mustafa |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Tuesday 13 January 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: A Local Regenerative Farm, by Humphrey Mills.
Wednesday 14 January 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Talk: Wildlife in East Anglia Talk: An illustrated talk by wildlife photographer Barbara Meyer
Thursday 15 January 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Workshop: Winter bird photography
Saturday 24 January 2026 |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Bird Pellets
Online webinar |
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Royal Entomological Society: Entographica: The Invertebrate-Inspired Art Exhibition – External Event
Entographica, an exhibition of invertebrate inspired art from the Entographic Collective. Bath Royal Literature and Science Institute, Queens Square, Bath, UK. A diverse range of invertebrate portraits from 15 artists, ranging from glass carbide beetles to delicate… |
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London Natural History Society: Awakening to Birds at 'The Wakes': Gilbert White by John Rumm |
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Royal Entomological Society: Aquatic Insects SIG 2026
Aquatic Ecosystems in the Data Age Date: Thursday 26 February 2026 (9.30am - 3.30pm) and Friday 27 February 2026 (9.30am - 12.30pm) Venue: Online Our Aquatic Insects Special Interest Group event brings together researchers, conservation practitioners and… |
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Royal Entomological Society: Verrall Lecture 2026
The Verrall Lecture is an annual public event organised by the Royal Entomological Society. It is open to all, free to attend and hosted in central London. |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Biofluorescence
Online webinar |
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Suffolk Wildlife Trust: Wildlife Live Webinar - Wilder Landscapes in action
Online webinar |
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Royal Entomological Society: Insect Week 2026
Get involved Find an event Visit the Insect Week Events page to find an event near you during Insect Week. We will be listing some of these nearer the time. Planning an event during Insect… |
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Royal Entomological Society: XIII European Congress of Entomology – External
Welcome to ECE 2026 Join us in Tours, France, in the heart of the Loire Valley, from June 29 to July 3, 2026 for the XIII European Congress of Entomology. Building on a rich tradition… |
