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| Still hot underfoot - the aftermath of the devastating heathland blaze |
GUIDED Nightjar walks have been a feature of recent summers at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, but will they resume in future years?
As well as introducing the public to this enigmatic nocturnal bird, the events were useful fundraisers for the National Trust which manages the precious heathland site.
But whether they will resume in future years looks uncertain following the wildfire that devastated the habitat earlier this month.
It is not known whence the Nightjars - along with Dartford Warblers and Woodlarks - dispersed as the flames and smoke took hold, nor whether they will ever return.
Although the fire has now been extinguished, the National Trust is urging visitors to stay away from the site until a full impact and safety assessment can be carried out.
Coastal winds are stirring up ash and debris, reducing visibility and creating challenging conditions across the site.
Familiar landmarks and paths have also been lost, making it easy to become disoriented, even for those who know the area well.
New firebreaks and tracks created by machinery to tackle the fire have also created uneven ground.
The fire has also left a number of less visible risks.
Some trees remain standing but have suffered severe damage below ground where root systems have been burnt away, leaving them vulnerable to collapse.
In addition, unexploded ordnance dating back the Second World War has been exposed by the fire.
While specialist teams have already made some discoveries safe, further items may be present, which specialists will look to identify as assessments continue.
Rabbit burrows and warrens have retained significant heat, creating hotspots beneath the surface.
The fire also spread across the clifftops, putting the stability of the fragile cliffs at risk, making the beach below unsafe.
A spokesperson said: "Staff and volunteers are still coming to terms with the scale of the damage.
"While significant progress has been made by the fire service on dampening down hotspots, there are parts of the fire ground that we have not yet been able to access, map or record hazards within.
"Work is now underway to assess the full site, record the impact, identify ongoing risks and begin planning for the site’s long-term recovery.
"This is likely to take some weeks.
"The fire has left little of the reserve untouched and large areas of the heath have been transformed, leaving parts of the landscape unrecognisable."
The NT's general manager, Russell Clement, comments: "We are grateful to all 35 of Suffolk’s fire stations, as well as the 18 fire services from around the country, who worked tirelessly to tackle this fire.
"Our thanks also go to our neighbours, partners, local farmers and a further 29 organisations who have supported with the fire-control effort."
He continues: "We have been overwhelmed by the response from people following this devastating fire.
"Dunwich Heath means a great deal to so many, and we have received hundreds of messages sharing memories of this special corner of Suffolk, alongside generous donations and offers to help with its recovery."
An appeal to help restore Dunwich Heath has raised some £600,000-plus.
Dunwich village and nearby RSPB Minsmere remain open.
* Among those to have visited the site is the chairman of Natural England, Tony Juniper, who today (Saturday August 15) called for the creation of more wetlands to make landscapes less vulnerable to wildfire, to provide habitat for wildlife of various species and to provide water for fire-fighting emergencies.
** Pictures above and below: Justin Minns/ National Trust
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| A habitat destroyed |
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| How Dunwich Heath looked at this time last year (photo: Visit East England) |
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| National Trust map of the heath and its environs |
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| Will this most mysterious of birds return? |
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