We are grateful for the help of the late Peter Lawson in the preparation of the information on local habitats in the popup sections.

People and climate have shaped Southwold’s diverse habitats for birds, butterflies and sealife – for better and worse.

Once, Southwold was home to a great variety of butterflies, birds and sea creatures and the museum houses collections of many specimens. But local wildlife – as well as flowers, plants and trees – have been under threat over the years from lost habitat, climate change and sheer human carelessness.

How are different species coping today? There’s plenty of good news.

The once-common marbled white and large tortoiseshell butterflies have vanished. But the peacock, small tortoiseshell, white admiral and red admiral and Green Hairstreak (illustrated) are thriving locally. Buzzards and sparrowhawks are now increasing as nests are better protected and fewer birds poisoned.

Local reserve Hen Reedbeds is a great success . Suffolk Wildlife Trust has restored the area with interconnected reedbeds, fens, dykes and pools to the delight of bitterns, herons, otters, little egrets, redshank and wildfowl. And in Reydon Wood, you can see bluebells, orchids and other rare wild flowers.

This bittern is stuffed and has been on display in the museum for decades. Until recently it was just about the only bittern left in East Suffolk. But now it has some real-life competition... Just up the road at the Hen Reed Beds. Click the picture to learn more.