Bury will be hosting a Bioblitz on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st May 2022 as part of a series of events celebrating 1,000 years since the founding of St. Edmunds Abbey by King Canute.
With the help of school children, members of the public, skilled naturalists and partner organisations, the Bury Water Meadows Group are looking to build on our existing knowledge of the species that visit or reside within the bounds of the Abbey Precinct. The focus areas within the Abbey Precinct include the Abbey Gardens, the Great Churchyard, and the water meadow areas known as the Crankles and No Man’s Meadows (see map).
Kingfishers, Hedgehogs and Bee Orchids are among familiar favourite species which may be spotted within the Bioblitz zone by regular and observant visitors. As management efforts are increasingly focused on improving habitats within the Abbey Precinct for the benefit of wildlife, we are also keen to discover more about which members of lesser-known groups are contributing to the intricate web of life in this historic site.
Are you able to add to the list of 361 species recorded by Bury Water Meadows Group volunteers in recent years, or perhaps help us to refresh the list of over 60 lichen species found in the Abbey Gardens and Great Churchyard 30 years on from the last concerted recording effort?
We welcome input from both expert and amateur naturalists from across Suffolk to gather observations and share your records with us and would encourage you to stop by at the Bioblitz hub zone in the Abbey Gardens to meet with other naturalists and help members of the public with identifying their own observations. If you have a special expertise that you would be willing to share to help in our effort, we would be delighted to hear from you in advance of the Bioblitz. Please contact info@burywatermeadowsgroup.org.uk to discuss details and opportunities.
There will be a series of walks and demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday 21st May which will include some drop-in events and others with limited space available to book in advance. Please keep an eye on the event website for further details.
Anna Saltmarsh, BioBlitz working group
