Images from the wildfire that has devastated Suffolk’s Dunwich Heath show graphically what a truly seismic event it is. While, fortunately, no human lives were lost and no injuries reported, the impact on the heath’s wildlife and special vegetation can only be described as catastrophic.
Dunwich is one of the remaining coastal heaths that used to stretch from Lowestoft to Ipswich. Before this tragedy, 86% of the Sandlings had been lost, initially to agriculture, then forestry and more recently to development. Its annual spectacle of hectares of heather and unique scenery draw thousands of visitors every year.
Its abundant bird life is similarly a magnet for birdwatchers from East Anglia and beyond. Its location adjacent to the flagship RSPB nature reserve at Minsmere adds to its attraction.
A lifetime of memories
Dartford Warblers skim across the heather before diving into the vegetation, defying all but the quickest observers. At dusk Nightjars churr from the isolated trees or fly overhead, the males clapping their wings in display flight.
I’ve known Dunwich Heath for almost half a century, from when the Dartford Warblers were a badly kept secret, visiting while on family holidays in nearby Southwold or on treks up the A12 from South West Essex on day expeditions.
Unforgettable
There have been so many unforgettable experiences – that first glimpse of the plum tones of a male Dartford Warbler; a dozen Nightjars overhead on a warm July evening as the midges took their revenge; the excitement of finding a rare Red-footed Falcon in hot pursuit of a Meadow Pipit (before discovering it had been present at Minsmere for some days previously).
Then there is the supporting cast of rutting Red Deer; of the bare patch of sandy earth where the bizarre Ant Lion can be found; or the presence of the scarce Grayling butterfly; or the marsh Tits alongside dykes patrolled by Norfolk Hawker dragonflies.
The word from the front line is not encouraging for a repeat of these experiences in my lifetime. It is estimated that recovery of the heath and its interwoven ecosystems may take 25 years. The tragedy is all the greater for the succession of conservationists who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding this precious habitat and its wildlife.
At the time of writing the cause of the fire is unknown and it would be unwise to speculate. However it is difficult to remove human agency from suspicion, accidental or otherwise. Only 24 hours after the blaze made national headlines, I found a discarded cigarette end on tinder dry Southwold common, just a few kilometres from Dunwich.
Unprecedented challenge
The current high temperatures and prolonged lack of rain are posing an unprecedented challenge for our natural environment. It must be evident that the future inevitably holds greater and more testing challenges, whatever the cause of climate change. Future summers will without doubt be hotter and drier.
Perhaps the Dunwich fire will stimulate real action to combat the effects of climate change, whether human-induced or not. We need far greater resilience with an emphasis on prevention rather than disaster recovery, for the sake of the natural world as much as for people.
Net zero is key
Net zero is a key part of building resilience. Yet it is increasingly seen as a threat rather than a necessary part of the solution. One political party already opposes net zero and opposes the notion of climate emergency. One of the main parties has made opposing net zero a condition of running for election.
I’m saddened I won’t spend another evening on Dunwich Heath listening to Nightjars or marvelling at Dartford Warblers or smelling the coconut-charged scent of the gorse.
And I’m angry that the words of Crispin Tickell or David Attenborough have had so limited influence on public policy and private behaviour.
But I’ll be furious if the tragedy of Dunwich fails to mark a real inflection point and we as a nation continue on a path to the impoverishment and ultimate destruction of our natural world. If we decline to recognise the consequences of our inaction the sacrifice made by Dunwich’s wildlife will have been in vain.
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