Martlesham Common Nature Reserve

Information board for Martlesham Common giving route map and site informationSandlings waymarker on the CommonWooden entrance gate on to the CommonHeather on the Common in autumnal colours

Martlesham Common is the area between the A12, Tesco, Martlesham Community Hall, Mill Heath and Main Road. The Common is now unrecognisable from the burnt-out wasteland left after the summer heatwave fires of 1995. The Common is managed by the Parish Council, and with help from volunteers, and under the guidance of the Greenways and Countryside Project, we look after the survival of the flora and fauna associated with the Sandlings landscape. Through a painstaking process of habitat management, the Common now gives homes to a huge array of animals, insects and birds, including the eye-catching silver studded blue butterfly. The recreational benefits for us all are appreciable. Such has been the success of our efforts that we have been able to meet the strict criteria required to designate the area as a “Local Nature Reserve”

Martlesham Common Survey: Martlesham in Bloom continues to compile records of the flora and fauna found on the Common. This information feeds into Martlesham Parish Council’s management plan for the site, which aims to promote the diversity of wildlife. Being an area of lowland heath and acid grassland, part of The Sandlings, means that some flora and fauna is very distinct to the area. There is also woodland and scrub, both also important to wildlife. If you spot any interesting flora or fauna as you walk across The Common, for example birds, butterflies or flowers, please let us know, via the contact details below, and we will add your sightings to the records.For further information please contact: martleshaminbloom@gmail.com or J Maureen Burrows (Secretary) on 01473 625196

If you are one of the many regular visitors who enjoy the Nature Reserve please help us maintain its high standards by respecting any signs asking you to protect the wildlife and reporting any problems to the Parish Council. You may also like to come along to any litter picks, work days or open events as you see them advertised throughout the year. Please do contact us for a preliminary chat about getting involved, tools and time.

Photo of wheel barrows and people standing in the backgroundPhoto of two adult volunteers tipping gravel on to an earth footpath in the woodsPhoto of a man transporting a load of gravel on a flat bed trailer away from a gravel moundPhoto of a footpath through green fern glade3 adult volunteers in the woods collectivising timber windfall Photo of a man and a woman in front of a tent taking a breakView across the green ferns of the Common with trees and roof tops in the far distancePhoto of adult volunteers in the woods laying a hedge from windfallPhoto of a man and a woman in the woods taking photos of the conservation work Photo of a group standing by cars in the woods at a briefing session before the work commenced Photo of gate with sign saying local nature reservePhoto of the silver studded blue butterfly