Suffolk Heath

This wonderful film is a twitcher's delight and unique record of what are now, decades later, rare sightings of many birds including the stone curlew - or "thick knees".

Made in 1950 by talented film maker and natural history enthusiast John Chear, these moving images capture the birdlife nestling in the sandy heathland of Dunwich near Westleton. The close ups and clarity of the birds in their natural habitat is the result, undoubtedly, of the filmmaker's patience, dedication and love of these special birds including sand martins, lapwings and the emergence of stone curlew chicks.

Hertfordshire based, John Chear was a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and the Linnean Society and made a number of films focusing on wildlife. John was assisted in the making of this film by the RSPB. In 1968, Dunwich became owned by the National Trust and continues today as a protected habitat and home to some special species of birds and wildlife.