A Preliminary List of the Fauna of Staverton Park, Suffolk, Part 3 by Suffolk Naturalists' Society

A PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE FAUNA OF STA VERTON PARK, SUFFOLK Part 3 PAUL T .

HARDING

W I T H the publication of this final part of the list a total of 9 0 0 species of animals are recorded from Staverton Park. As was stated in Part 1 ( S u f f o l k Natural History Vol. 16 pp. 232-238), only five of the 20 groups of animals can be considered to have been comprehensive'y covered in this survey of the fauna. Of the groups dealt with in Part 1 the Hemiptera certainly would repay study and in Part 3 almost all the records of Hymenoptera and Diptera date from several decades ago. Although the lists of Lepidoptera and Araneae contain 156 and 73 species respectively, both groups could be expected to be represented at Staverton by many more species, and would repay further study.

The faunal interest of Staverton Park has probably declined with the ploughing of the heaths after 1946. However, it is for the oak parkland and the holly/oak woodland of the Thicks that Staverton is famous. There is little doubt that certain aspects of the faunal interest have declined in recent years, but mainly in common with national declines of certain species of butterflies and birds. The absence of natural regeneration or replacement of the oaks has already been pointed out by G. F. Peterken (see Part 1). This is the greatest single threat to the wildlife interest of the site. Although most of the oaks can be expected to live for a further Century or more, the whole site is likely to degenerate gradually into an area of decaying tree shells. This would be a regrettable fate for this unique site, but unless a new generation of oaks is fostered soon, there seems to be no alternative. The problem of the lack of succession in age classes of trees is common to almost all medieval parkland and royal forest sites where the mature timber habitat is considered to be of great importance in maintaining a high wildlife interest. I must record my gratitude to Alan Hubbard for the benefit of his knowledge of the Lepidoptera and Birds at Staverton during the 1970s. Section 1 INSECTA:

LEPIDOPTERA, HYMENOPTERA, SIPHONAPTERA

DIPTERA,

LEPIDOPTERA (Compiled by A. Hubbard, H. E. Chipperfield and P. T. Harding)

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Of thc 23 species of butterflies and 133 species of moths listed below, most (except the micro-lepidoptera) have been recorded during the 1970s, b u t some species are known only f r o m old records. Both species of Argynnis are probably extinct, t h e last records f r o m Suffolk being in 1959, similarly Nymphalis polychloros was last recorded in the county in 1955 (Beaufoy, 1970). Some species are of special interest: Quercusia quercus continues to be f o u n d in good n u m b e r s ; Mythimna albipuncta which used to be widespread in Suffolk in the 1950s has since become very scarce; Stilbia anomala used to be known only in Suffolk f r o m the Staverton area, but has recently been f o u n d elsewhere; Agrotis vestigialis is usually associated with coastal sand-dunes, b u t does occur in Breckland and may have formerly occurred widely on the Suffolk Sandlings. A few species (e.g. Eupithecia goossensiata, E. nanata and Xestia agathina) are heather feeders and were recorded some years ago when the food plant was perhaps more c o m m o n in the area a n d in Staverton Park itself. Several species are conifer feeders and obviously casuals to Staverton Park f r o m the adjacent plantations. T h e following list is compiled f r o m four sources, each species being marked with a letter to indicate the source, or a reference. A.

Records ( H . E . C . ) m a d e between 1952 and 1962.

Records f r o m 1972-1974 (A.H., P . T . H . and M . P. W i s e ) ; m a n y refer to species collected at a mercury-vapour light on the southern edge of Little Staverton so that several of these species m a y not actually occur within Staverton Park.

U n d a t e d records by A. Aston and S. Beaufoy.

Published records. N o m e n c l a t u r e follows Kloet and Hincks (1972) for scientific names, and South (1907) and Heslop (1964) for English names. HEPIALIDAE Hepialus (Triodia) sylvina (L.)—Wood Swift.

INCURVARIIDAE Adela reamurella (L.)—Green Long-horn. B. COSSIDAE Cossus cossus (L.)—Goat.

TINEIDAE Tinea (Acedes) trinoteila Thunb.—Triple-spotted Clothes. GRACILLARIIDAE Phyllonorycter roboris (Zell.)—Dotted Knot Horn.

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YPONOMEUTIDAE Argyresthia brockeella (Hubn.)—Golden Riband Argent. Plutella xylostella (L.)—Grey Diamond-backed Smudge.

A. A.

OECOPHORIDAE ulicctella (Stn.)—Large Streaked Flat-body.

Agonopterix

COCHYLIDAE Eupoecilia angustana (Hubn.)—Barred Marbled Conch. A. Cochylis (s.str.) dubitana ( H u b n . ) — D o u b t f u l Dwarf Conch. A. TORTRICIDAE Tortrix viridana (L.)—Pea-green Oak Curl. B. PYRALIDAE Crambus hamella (Thun.)—Pearl-streak Grass-veneer. A. Agriphila inquinatella (Den. & Schiff.)—Barred Grass-veneer. (Aston 1958.) A. latistria (Haw.)—Broad-streak Grass-veneer. A. Catoptria pinella (L.)—Pearl Grass-veneer. A. Scoparia cembrella (L.)—Large Grey. A. Hypsopygia costalis (Fab.)—Gold-fringed T a b b y . B. Endotricha flammealis (Den. & Schiff.)—Rosy-flowered T a b b y . A. Pyla fusca (Haw.)—Brown Knot-horn. A. Dioryctria abietella (Den. & Schiff.)—Pine Knot-horn. A.

Pterophorus pentadactyla

PTEROPHORIDAE (L.)—Large White Plume.

HESPERIIDAE Thymelicus sylvestris (Poda)—Small Skipper. B. Ochlodcs venata ( T u r . ) — L a r g e Skipper. B. PIERIDAE Pieris brassicae (L.)—Large White. B. P. rapae (L.)—Small White. B. P. napi (L.)—Green veined White. B. Anthocharis cardamines (L.)—Orange-tip. B. LYCAENIDAE Callophrys rubi (L.)—Green Hairstreak. B. Quercusia quercus (L.)—Purple Hairstreak. B. Lycaena phlaeas (L.)—Small Copper. B. Polyommatus icarus (Rott.)—Common Blue. B. NYMPHALIDAE Vanessa atalanta (L.)—Red Admiral. B. Cynthia cardui (L.)—Painted Lady. B. Aglais urticae (L).—Small Tortoiseshell. B. Nymphalis polychloros (L.)—Large Tortoiseshell. C. Inachis io (L.)—Peacock. B. Argynnis adippe (L.)—High Brown Fritillary. (Beaufoy 1970.) A. paphia (L.)—Silver washed Fritillary. (Farmar 1949.)

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Lasiommata megera (L.)—Wall Brown. B. Hipparchia semele (L.)—Grayling. B. Pyronia lithonus (L.)—Gatekeeper. B. Maniola jurtina (L.)—Meadow Brown. B. Coenonympha pamphilus (L.)—Small Heath. Aphantopus hyperantus (L.)—Ringlet. B.

LASIOCAMPIDAE Philudoria potatoria (L.)—Drinker. B. Gastropacha quercifolia (L.)—Läppet. B. DREPANIDAE Drepana binaria (Hufn.)—Oak Hook-tip. B. D. falcataria (L.)—Pebble Hook-tip. B. Cilix glaucata (Scop.)—Chinese Character. B. THYATIRIDAE Tliyatira batis (L.)—Peach Blossom. B. Habrosyne pyritoides (Hufn.)—Buff Arches. B. Polyploca ridens (Fab.)—Frosted Green. B. GEOMETRIDAE Alsophila aescularia (Den. & Schiff.)—March Moth. B. Geometra papilionaria (L.)—Large Emerald. 13. Cyclophora punctaria (L.)—Maiden's Blush. C. Timandrn griseata (Peter.)—Blood-vein. B. Idaea dimidiata (Hufn.)—Single-dotted Wave. B. Xanthorhoe spadicearia (Den. & Schiff.)—Red T w i n - s p o t Carpet. X. montanata (Den. & Schiff.)—Silver-ground Carpet. B. Epirrhoe alternata (Mull.)—Common Carpet. B. Camptogramma bilineata (L.)—Yellow Shell. B. Cosmorhoe ocellata (L.)—Purple Bar. B. Eulithis testata (L.)—Chevron. A. Ecliptopera silaceata (Den. & Schiff.)—Small Phoenix. B. Chloroclysta citrata (L.)—Dark Marbled Carpet. B. C. truncata ( H u f n . ) — C o m m o n Marbled Carpet. B. Thera firmata (Hubn.)—Pine Carpet. A. T. obeliscata ( H u b n . ) — G r e y Pine Carpet. A. Electrophaes corylata (Thun.)—Broken-barred Carpet. B. Eupithecia goossensiata (Mab.)—Ling Pug. A. E. nanata (Hubn.)—Narrow-winged Pug. A. Asthena albulata (Hufn.)—Small White Wave. B. Semiothisa liturata (Clrk.)—Tawny-barred Angle. A. B. Petrophora chlorosata (Scop.)—Brown Silver-line. B. Plagodis dolabraria (L.)—Scorched Wing. B. Opisthograptis luteolata (L.)—Brimstone. B. Ennomos alniaria (L.)—Canary-shouldered T h o r n . A. B. E. erosaria (Den. & Schiff.)—September T h o r n . A. B. Odontopera bidentata (Clerck)—Scalloped Hazel. B. Crocallis elinguaria (L.)—Scalloped Oak. B. Biston betularia (L.)—Peppered Moth. B. Agriopis leucophaearia (Den. & Schiff.)—Spring Usher. B. Alcis repandata (L.)—Mottled Beauty. B. Ectopis bistortata (Goeze)—The Engrailed. B. E. extersaria (Hubn.)—Brindled White-spot. B. Cabera pusaria (L.)—Common White Wave. B. Campaea margaritata (L.)—Light Emerald. B. Hylaea fasciaria (L.)—Barred Red. A. B.

403

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SPHINGIDAE Agrius convolvuli (L.)—Convolvulus Hawk-moth. Hyloicus pinastri (L.)—Pine Hawk-moth. B. Mimas tiliae (L.)—Lime Hawk-moth. A.

NOTODONTIDAE Stauropus fagi (L.)—Lobster Moth. B. C. Ptilodon capucina (L.)—Coxcomb Prominent. B. Drymonia dodonaea (Den. & Schiff.)—Marbled Brown.

LYMANTRIIDAE Orgyia antiqua ( L . ) — T h e Vapourer. B. Dasychira pudibunda (L.)—Pale Tussock. B. Euproctis similis (Fues.)—Yellow-tail. B. Lymantria monacha (L.)—Black Arches. B. ARCTIIDAE Miltochrista miniata (Forst.)—Rosy Footman. B. Eilema sororcula (Hufn.)—Orange Footman. C. E. complana (L.)—Scarce Footman. B. E. lurideola (Zinch.)—Common Footman. B. Spilosoma lubricipeda (L.)—White Ermine. B. S. luteum (Hufn.)—Buff Ermine. B. Tyria jacobaeae (L.)—Cinnabar. B. NOCTUIDAE Agrotis vestigialis (Hufn.)—Archer's Dart. B. A. segetum (Den & Schiff.)—Turnip Moth. B. A. exclamationis (L.)—Heart & Dart. B. A. ipsilon (Hufn.)—Dark Sword Dart. A. B. A. puta (Hubn.)—Shuttle Shaped Dart. B. Axylia putris (L.)— 1 The Flame. B. Ochropleura plecta (L.)—Flame Shoulder. B. Noctua pronuba (L.)—Large Yellow Underwing. B. N. comes (Hubn.)—Lesser Yellow Underwing. B. N. fimbriata (Schreb.)—Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing. B. N. janthina (Den. & Schiff.)—Lesser Broad-border. B. Paradiarsia glareosa (Esp.)—Autumnal Rustic. A. B. Lycophotia prophyrea (Den. & Schiff.)—Pearly Underwing. A. Diarsia mendica (Fab.)—Ingrailed Clay. B. D. brunnea (Den. & Schiff.)—Purple Clay. B. Xestia c-nigrum (L.)—Setaceous Hebrew Character. B. X. triangulum ( H u f n . ) — D o u b l e Square-spot. B. X. agathina ( D u p . ) — H e a t h Rustic. A. Lacanobia oleracea (L.)—Bright-line Brown-eye. B. Cerapteryx graminis (L.)—Antler Moth. B. Tholera cespitis (Den. & Schiff.)—Hedge Rustic. A. T. decimalis (Poda)—Feather Gothic. B. Panolis flammea (Den. & Schiff.)—Pine Beauty. B. Orthosia stabilis (Den. & Schiff.)—Common Quaker. B. O. incerta (Hufn.)—Clouded Drab. B. O. gothica (L.)—Hebrew Character. B. Mythimna (Aletiä) albipuncta (Den. & Schiff.)—The White-point. A. M.ferrago ( F a b . ) — T h e Clay. B. M. pallens ( L . ) — C o m m o n Wainscot. B. Aporophyla lutulenta (Den. & Schiff.)—Deep-brown Dart. (Waller 1953.) Xylocampa areola (Esper)—Early Grey. B. Acronicta leporina ( L . ) — T h e Miller. B.

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Amphipyra pyramidea (L.)—Copper Underwing. B. Dypterygia scabriuscula (L.)—Bird's Wing. B. Thalpophila matura (Hufn.)—Straw Underwing. B. Euplexia lucipara (L.)—Small Angle Shades. Ii. Phlogophora meticulosa (L.)—Angle Shades. B. Cosmia trapezina (L.)—Dun-bar. B. Apamea monoglypha (Hufn.)—Dark Arches. B. A. lithoxylaea (Den. & Schiff.)—Light Arches. B. Oligia fasciuncula (Haw.)—Middle-barred Minor. B. Mesapamea secalis (L.)—Common Rustic. B. Eremobia ochroleuca (Den. & Schiff.)—Dusky Sallow. B. Luperina testacea (Den. & Schiff.)—Flounced Rustic. B. Charanyca trigrammica (Hufn.)—Treble Lines. B. Hoplodrina ambigua (Den. & Schiff.)—Vine's Rustic. A. Caradrina morpheus (Hufn.)—Mottled Rustic. B. Stilbia anomala (Haw.)—The Anomalous. A. Autographa gamma (L.)—The Silver Y. B. Callistege mi (CIrk.)—Mother Shipton. C. Hypena proboscidalis (L.)—The Snout. B.

HYMENOPTERA Hymenoptera were not collected during the survey, other than two common species of ant and the locally distributed sawfly Pamphilius sylvarum. The following list is derived from the published works of Claude Morley in the Victoria County History 1911 (Vol. 1) and the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society for 1935 (Vol. 3) and 1946 (Vol. 6). Morley's records refer to 'Staverton Thicks' and 'Staverton'. It is possible that records from outside the medieval park are included under the latter locality. Nomenclature follows Collingwood (1964) for the Formicidae, and Kloet and Hincks (1945) for all other families, except for Phygadeuon punctipleuris Thomson which was not listed as British in 1945. Synonyms given in brackets are the actual names used by Morley. PAMPHILIIDAE Pamphilius sylvarum (Steph.) v-1973. One $ beaten from hawthorn, larvae feed on oak. TENTHREDINIDAE Stromboceros delicatulus (Fall.). BRACONIDAE Chelonus corvulus Marsh. Agathis brevicaudis (Rein.). Meteorus cespitator (Thun.) { = M. atrator Curtis). ICHNEUMONIDAE Cratichneumon rufifrons (Gr.). Phygadeuon punctipleuris Thomson. Clistopyga incitator (Fab.). Lissonota variabilis Holmg.

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L. deversor Gr. Campop/ex obreptans Foerst. Paniscus brachycerus T h o m s . Adelognathus (Pammicra) dorsalis (Gr.). Plectiscus borealis (Holm.) ( = Megastylus borealis Holm.). SCELIONIDAE Scelio walkeri Keif. ( = S. rugostdus Latr.).

Hedychridium

CHRYSIDIDAE ardens (Latr. in Coq.).

FORMICIDAE Myrmica rubra (L.) 1973. Nests in oak and holly logs. Lasius flavus (Fab.) v-1973. One worker under dead rabbit on track. SPHECIDAE Psenulus atratus (Fab.) ( = P . pallidipes Panz.). Crossocerus varus Lep. & Brul. ( = Crabo varius Lep.). Gorytes mystaceus (L.). APIDAE Halictus nitidus (Panz.) ( = H . sexnotatus Kirby).

DIPTERA Other than the common 'St. Mark's Fly' (Bibio marci), no collection of Diptera was made and all other species are recorded in published papers. T h e earliest records are those from Morley and Atmore (1915). All other records are published in the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society in a series of papers titled 'Diptera of SufTolk' by B. S. Harwood, 1932 (Vol. 2); M. Hocken, 1945 (Vol. 5); Anon. (presumably Claude Morley), 1948, 50, 51 (Vols. 6 and 7); A. Aston, 1953, 54, 57, 58 (Vols. 8, 9, 10, 11); D. Walker and A. Aston, 1956 (Vol. 10) and W. S. George and A. Aston, 1960 (Vol. 11). As with the Hymenoptera, there is some possible doubt whether records from 'Staverton' in the published papers do in fact refer exclusively to the area of the medieval park; however, all are included. It is impossible to test the reliability of the records listed, but for certain species there are taxonomic problems. Ula sylvatica is an aggregate species now considered to contain two distinct species and the records of Rhamphomyia umbripennis and Herina palustris may also be suspect. None of the species having larvae which are obligate feeders on dead wood has been recorded, but several could be expected to occur. In fact only Medeterus micaceus is an adventive on dead wood during the larval stage. The Classification and nomenclature follow the sub-orders and families used by Oldroyd (1970). Where a family has been covered in the series of Handbooks for the Identification of

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British Insects p u b l i s h e d by t h e Royal Entomological Society of L o n d o n , t h e order a n d n o m e n c l a t u r e of species within a n y family follows t h e a p p r o p r i a t e H a n d b o o k . Collin (1961) was similarly u s e d for t h e E m p i d i d a e . F o r all other families t h e n o m e n c l a t u r e follows K l o e t a n d H i n c k s (1945). S y n o n y m s given in brackets are t h e actual n a m e s u s e d in t h e publications. NEMATOCERA TIPULIDAE Nephrotoma flavipalpis (Meig.) ( = Pales flavipalpis Meig.). N. scurra (Meig.) ( = Pales scurra Meig.). Tipula marmorata Meig. Limonia (s.str.) nubeculosa Meig. Pedicia (Tricyphona) immaculata Meig. Ula sylvatica Meig. Bibio marci (L.) v-1972.

BIBIONIDAE Abundant.

MYCETOPHILIDAE Neoplatyura flava (Macqt.) ( = Isoneuromyia flava Macqt. and Platyura flava Macqt.). Isoneuromyia semirufa (Meig.). Macrocera phalerata Meig. Mycomyia circumdata (Steag.) ( = Sciophila (Mycomyia) lucorum Winn.). Leia cylindrica (Winn.) ( = Glaphyroptera cylindrica Winn.). Sciara (s.str.) pilosa Steag. S. (s.str.) thomae (L.). S. (s.str.) nitidicollis Meig. BRACH

YCERA RHAGIONIDAE

Rhagio scolopacea (L.). R. lineola Fab. ASILIDAE Dysmachus trigonus (Meig.). THEREVIDAE Thereva nobilitata (Fab.). T. bipunctata Meig. EMPIDIDAE Tachydromia maculipes Meig. Bicellaria nigra Meig. Rhamphomyia (Megacyttarus) crassirostris Fall. ( = R. nigripes Fab.). R. (s.str.) variabilis Fall. R. (HoloclerĂ¤) umbripennis Meig. Empis (s.str.) pennipes L. DOLICHOPODIDAE Hercostomus nigripennis (Fall.). Gymnopternus assimilis (Staeg.). Medeterus micaceus Loew. Xiphandrium brevicorne (Curtis).

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X. appendiculatum (Zett.). Diaphorus oculatus (Fall.). Chrysotus pulchellus How. C. gramineus (Fall.). Argyra argentina (Meig.). Sciopus platypterus (Fab.). S. longulus (Fall.). CYCLORRHAPHA PHORIDAE Borophaga (Peromitra) incrassata (Meig.). Megaselia (s.str.) pulicaria (Fall.). PIPUNCULIDAE Alloneura sylvatica Meig. SYRPHIDAE Melanostoma ambiguum (Fall.). MICROPEZIDAE Tylos corrigiolatus (L.) ( = Micropeza corrigiolata L.). OTITIDAE Herina palustris (Meig.) ( = Pteropaectria palustris Meig.). SPHAEROCERIDAE Sphaerocera pusilla (Fall.) (=S. denticulata Meig.). Borborus ater Meig. ( = Limosina geniculata Macqt.). SCIOMYZIDAE Phaeomyia fuscipennis (Meig.). TEPHRITIDAE Euribia zoe (Meig.) ( = Spilographa zoe Meig.). PSILIDAE Psila (Pelethophila) fimetaria (L.).

SIPHONAPTERA A Single species recorded from rabbit burrows by Morley and Atmore (1915). Nomenclature after Kloet and Hincks (1945) with Morley's synonym in brackets. PULICIDAE Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) ( = Pulex goniocephalus Tasch.).

References Aston, A. (1958). Various notes on microlepidoptera. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 11, 59-65. Beaufoy, S. (1970). Suffolk butterflies from 1945. Trans. Suffolk Nat Soc. 15, 135-137. Collin, J. E. (1961). British Flies: Empididae. Cambridge University Press. 782 pp.

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Collingwood, C. A. (1964). T h e identification and distribution of British Ants, 1. A revised key to the species f o u n d in Britain. Trans. Soc. Br. Ent. 16, 93-114. F a r m a r , H . (1949). The Cottage in the Forest. Hutchinson, L o n d o n . Heslop, I. R. P. (1964). Revised, indexed check-list of the British Lepidoptera (Library Edition pp. v i + 145, reprinted f r o m Entomoloeist's Gaz. Vols. 10 to 14). Kloet, G . S. and Hincks, W . D . (1945). A Check-list of British Insects, Stockport, 483 pp. Kloet, G . S. and Hincks, W . D . (1972). A Check-list of British Insects (2nd Edition) Pt. 2, pp. viii + 1 5 3 . Lepidoptera. London. Morley, C. and A t m o r e , E. A. (1915). T h e D i p t e r a of Norfolk and Suffolk. Trans. Norfolk & Norwich Nat. Soc. 10, S u p p l e m e n t — 1 8 0 p p Oldroyd, H . (1970). Handbk. Ident. Brit. Ins. 9 (1). D i p t e r a : I n t r o d u c tion and Key to Families (3rd Edition) 104 pp. South, R . (1907). The Moths of the British Isles. (1961 Ed.), L o n d o n , W a r n e . 2 vols. Waller, A. P. (1953). S o m e insects that seem to be increasing in the county. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 8, 132.

Section 2 ARACHNIDA (Compiled by E.

DUFFEY

and

HARDING)

Most of the records of spiders (Araneae) are the result of collecting done in 1972. A few species are covered only by published records or by collecting done in 1953 (by E.D.). A total of 73 species has been recorded, but Staverton cannot be considered to be well recorded. Several species are associated with trees, particularly hollow trees and those with loose bark—Amaurobius fenestralis, Harpactea hombergi, Segestria senoculata and Clubiona corticalis. Theridion pallens and Cyclosa conica are often recorded on evergreens, both being taken from holly in the Thicks. Walckenaera furcillatus (associated with heather) and Thanatus striatus (locally frequent in dry grass) may be surviving representatives of the heath spider fauna, much of which has probably been lost since the heath was ploughed. The occurrence of Sintula cornigera, usually associated with marshy or boggy habitats, is more surprising even though a fen formerly existed north of Staverton Park. Similarly the Lephthyphantes pallidus inside a hollow trank of an old oak is unusual for a species normally associated with ground Vegetation away from trees. Several species given as rare or local by Locket and Millidge (1953) occur—Drassodes pubescens, Walckenaera dysderoides, Tapinocyba insecta and Diplocephalus picinus, but none is particularly associated with woodland. Pelecopis radicola has been recorded only twice in Britain; at Heyshott, Sussex (Locket and Millidge, 1953) and Rodney Stoke, Somerset (P. Merrett, personal communication).

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The five species of Harvest spiders (Opiliones) are all common in Britain. Both species of Pseudoscorpions are common in south-east England, usually occurring under the bark of trees. Nomenclature and Classification follow Locket, Millidge and Merrett (1974) (Araneae), Spoek (1963) and Martens (1969) (Opiliones) and Evans and Browning (1954) (Pseudoscorpiones). ARANEAE

DICTYNIDAE Amaurobius fenestralis (Stroem) iv, x-1972. Litter inside hollow oaks, pitfall traps under birch trees, Park. OONOPIDAE Oonops pulcher Temp. x-1972. Litter inside hollow oaks, beaten from 'witches broom' on old oak, Park. DYSDERIDAE Harpactea hombergi (Scop.) viii, x-1972. Litter inside hollow oaks, beaten from 'witches broom' on old oak, Park. Segestria senoculata (L.) x-1972. Litter inside hollow oaks, beaten from 'witches broom' on old oak, Park. GNAPHOSIDAE Drassodes pubescens (Thor) vi-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. CLUBIONIDAE Clubiona corticalis (Walck.) vi-1953. Under bark of old oak, Thicks. C. terrestris Westr. x-1972. Litter inside hollow oaks, Park. C. lutescens Westr. vi-1953. Oaks, Thicks. C. compta C. L. Koch vi-1953, x-1972. Beaten from holly, litter in hollow oaks, Parks and Thicks. Agroeca brunnea (Blackwall) iv-1972. Pitfall traps under closed canopy oak, Park. Zora spinimana (Sund) iv-vi-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. ANYPHAENIDAE Anyphaena accentuata (Walck.) vi-1953. Beaten from holly, Thicks. THOMISIDAE Xysticus cristatus (Clrk.) v-vii-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. X. erraticus (Blackwall) vi-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Oxyptila trux (Blackwall) v-vii-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. O. atomaria (Panz.) iv, vi-1972. Pitfall traps in grass glade with Ulex and in grass/bracken glade, Park. Thanatus striatus C.L.K, vii-1972. 1 imm. $ in pitfall traps in grass/ bracken glade, Park. Philodromus dispar Walck. vi-1953. Beaten from holly, Thicks. SALTICIDAE Evarcha falcata (Clrk.) vi, vii-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, beaten from Ulex, Park.

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LYCOSIDAE Pardosa pullata (Clrk.) iv-vi-1972. Common in pitfall traps, Park. P. hortensis (Thor) vi-1953. Thicks (Duffey et al 1954). Alopecosa pulverulenta (Clrk.) iv-vi-1972. Common in pitfall traps in glades, Park. Trochosa terricola T h o r , iv-vi. Common in pitfall traps, Park. THERIDIIDAE Theridion sisyphium (Clrk.) vi-1953. Beaten from holly, Thicks. T. varians Hahn. Thicks (Cooke 1962). T. melanurutn Hahn vi-1953. U n d e r bark of oak, Thicks. T. tinctum (Walck.) vi-1953. Oaks, and beaten f r o m holly, Thicks. T. bimaculatum (L.). Thicks (Cooke 1962). T. pallens Blackwall vi-1953. Oaks, and beaten f r o m holly, Thicks. Robertus lividus (Blackwall) viii, x-1972. Litter inside hollow oaks, pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Pholcomma gibbum (Westr.) x-1972. Litter inside hollow oaks, beaten from 'witches broom' on old oak, Park. TETRAGNATHIDAE Pachygnatha clercki Sund, v-1972. O n e <J in pitfall trap in grass/bracken glade, Park. P. degeeri Sund, iv-vii-1972. Very common in pitfall traps in glades, Park. ARGIOPIDAE Meta segmentata (Clrk.) vi-1953. Beaten from holly, Thicks. Araneus cucubitinus Clrk. vi-1953. Beaten from holly, Thicks. Cyclosa conica (Pallas) vi-1953. Beaten f r o m holly, Thicks. LINYPHIIDAE Ceratinella brevipes (West.) x-1972. Litter in hollow oaks, Park. Walckenaera acuminata Blackwall iv-1972. Pitfall traps in glades, Park. W. cucullata C . L . K , iv-1972. Pitfall traps under birch trees, Park. W. melanocephala O.P.-C. vii-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. W. dysderoides (Wider) v-1972. O n e c? in pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, P a r k . W. nudipalpis (West.) iv-1972. Pitfall traps in grass glade, Park. W. furcillatus (Menge) vi-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Dicymbium nigrum (Blackwall) iv-1972. Pitfall traps in grass glade, Park. Dismodicus bifrons (Blackwall) v-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Pocadicnemis pumila (Blackwall) v-vii-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Oedothorax retusus (West.) v-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Pelecopsis radicola (L. Koch) v-vii-1972. 19 $ 3 $ in pitfall traps in grass/ bracken glade, Park. Cnephalocotes obscurus (Blackwall) iv-1972. Pitfall traps in grass glade, Park. Tiso vagans (Blackwall) v, vi-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Tapinocyba praecox (O.P.-C.) v-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. T. insecta (L. Koch) iv, v-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Monocephalus fuscipes (Blackwall) iv-viii-1972. C o m m o n in pitfall traps, Park and Thicks.

F A U N A OF STA V E R T O N PARK

411

Diplocephalus picinus (Blackwall) vi-1953, iv-vi-1972. Oak and holly leaf litter, Thicks. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Meioneta saxatilis (Blackwall) v-vii-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Microneta viaria (Blackwall) vi, x-1972. Litter in hollow oaks, pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Centromerus sylvaticus (Blackwall) iv, v-1972. Pitfall traps under birch and in grass/bracken glade, Park. Sintula corrtigera (Blackwall) iv-1972. Pitfall traps in grass glade, Park. Macrargus rufus Wider iv, v-1972. Pitfall traps in glades, Park. Bathyphantes gracilis (Blackwall) vi, viii-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/ bracken glades, Park. B. parvulus (West.) vii, viii-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. Labulla thoracica (Wider) x-1972. Beaten from 'witches broom' on old oak, Park. Stemonyphantes lineatus (L.) iv-1972. Pitfall traps in grass glade, Park. Lepthyphantes minutus (Blackwall) x-1972. Litter in hollow oaks, beaten f r o m 'witches broom' on old oak, Park. L. obscurus (Blackwall) vi-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. L. tenuis (Blackwall) vi, vii, x-1972. Litter in hollow oaks, pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. L. zimmermanni Bertkau viii, x-1972. Litter in hollow oaks, pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. L. cristatus (Menge) vi-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. L. mengei Kulczynski v-1972. Pitfall traps in grass/bracken glade, Park. L. flavipes (Blackwall) iv, v-1972. Pitfall traps u n d e r closed oak canopy and in grass/bracken glade, Park. L. pallidus (O.P.-C.) x-1972. Litter in hollow oaks, Park. Linyphia triangularis (Clrk.) Thicks (Cooke 1962). L. peltata Wider vi-1953. Beaten from holly, Thicks. OPIUONES Nemastoma

bimaculatum

NEMASTOMATIDAE (Fab.) 1972. Occasional in pitfall traps.

PHALANG11DAE Platybunus triangularis (Herbst) 1972. C o m m o n in pitfall traps. Megabunus diadema (Fab.) 1972. Occasional in pitfall traps. Mitopus morio (Fab.) 1972. Occasional in pitfall traps. Oligolophus tridens (C. L. Koch) 1972. Very common in pitfall traps. PSEUDOSCORPIONES CHERNETIDAE Allochernes wideri (C. L. Koch) x-1972. Leaf litter in hollow oak, Park. Chernes eimieoides (Fab.) viii-1972. Inside rotten holly trunk, Park.

References Cooke, J. A. L . (1962). A preliminary account of the spiders of the Fiatford Mill region, East Suffolk. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 12, pt. 3, 155-176. Duffey, E., Locket, G. H . and Millidge, A. F. (1954). On some spiders collected in East Suffolk and Essex. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (12) 7, 574578. Evans, G . O. and Browning, E. (1954). Pseudoscorpiones. Synopses of the British Fauna, No. 10. Linnean Society, London.

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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 16, Part 6

Locket, G. H . and Millidge, A. F. (1953). British Spiders, II. Ray Society, London. Locket, G. H., Millidge, A. F. and Merrett, P. (1974). British Spiders, III. Ray Society, London. Martens, J. (1969). On the black Nemastoma (Opiliones) species of the British Isles. Bull. Brit. Arach. Soc. 1, 29-32. Spoek, G . L. (1963). T h e Opilionidae (Arachnida) of the Netherlands. Zoologische Verhandelingen, No. 63, Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden.

Section 3 VERTEBRATA The lists of the Amphibia, Reptilia and Mammalia are the result of Opportunist recording together with published records. The only comment to make is that these three groups are underrecorded especially the mammals. All the species listed are common or locally common in East Anglia. Staverton Park has been locally famous for its avifauna for several decades and the following list is compiled from various sources dating from 1932 to 1974â&#x20AC;&#x201D;detailed below. Peterken (1969) noted the loss of several breeding species during the last 30 years and related this to the reclamation of the heaths and marshes in the area. The loss of the heathland and marshland habitats seen at Staverton was happening over most of the Suffolk Sandlings after 1939 (Armstrong 1973). At Staverton, reclamation of the surrounding heaths has resulted in the loss of the Ringed Plover, Nightjar, Wheatear, Stonechat, Whinchat and Red-backed Shrike as breeding species. Similarly the Woodlark, Tree Pipit and Stone Curlew have seriously declined in numbers and the last species does not now breed within the park boundaries. The drainage of the fen area just north of the park beside Butley River has also reduced the diversity of the avifauna with the loss of the Redshank and a reduction in the number of breeding Reed and Sedge Warbiers and Water Rail. The national decline of species such as the Sparrow Hawk, Hobby and Wood Warbier resulting from changes in agricultural and silvicultural practices (Parslow 1973) has also affected Staverton. The Wryneck, Nightjar and Red-backed Shrike have declined all over Britain, suffering from land-use changes as well as some other factor, possibly climatic change. Parslow (op. cit.) points out that the decline of the Magpie in some areas of eastern England since the 1950s may be due to changes in agricultural techniques; this species has also ceased to breed at Staverton. Of the specialities among the rieh and characteristic bii-d life described by Farmar (1949), two species remain, but in reduced numbers. Shelduck still nest in the crowns of the oak pollards (see Payn 1962) and Redstarts continue to nest in the hollow oaks.

FAUNA OF STA VERTON PARK

413

O n e h u n d r e d and eighteen species of birds have been recorded f r o m t h e 150 ha. of the medieval park at Staverton of which about 5 0 % breed or have b r e d in the immediate vicinity. Elias (1973) records 115 species f r o m M o n k s Wood National N a t u r e Reserve, 157 ha. of mixed coppice woodland on clay soils, with large open fields a n d a pond. A similar percentage of species breed or have bred at M o n k s W o o d . Sage (1966) lists 72 species f r o m the 217 ha. of N o r t h a w Great W o o d in Hertfordshire and adds to this a f u r t h e r eight species which are closely associated with the wood. Of this total of about 80 species, some 6 0 % are classified as breeding species for the wood. At Staverton 49 breeding species are woodland rather than heath or fen dependent species a n d almost all the losses or declines of breeding species since 1932 have been of heath and fen dependent species. I n the following list of Birds each species entry is followed by a Statement on its occurrence followed by a n u m b e r to detail the source of that Statement. I a m very grateful to D r . R. J. H o r n b y for access to the unpublished lists ( 1 , 3 and 4) held by the N a t u r e Conservancy Council and to H u g h F a r m a r a n d Alan H u b b a r d for m u c h helpful correspondence. 1.

'List of Birds f o u n d to be breeding at Staverton Park between 1932 and 1945' by Eric Hosking (undated).

F a r m a r (1949).

Surveys by P. R. Westall and T . M . Fowler for British T r u s t for Ornithology 1953 and 1954.

Banks (1971).

H u g h F a r m a r (personal communication) on status of selected species 1972-4.

Surveys and observations by P. T . H a r d i n g and A. H u b b a r d 1971-3.

N o m e n c l a t u r e and C l a s s i f i c a t i o n follows: S m i t h 1969 (Amphibia and Reptilia); B . O . U . 1952 and B . T . O . 1971 (Aves); Corbet 1964 (Mammalia). AMPHIBIA BUFONIDAE Bufo bufo (L.)—Common Toad. v-1973. -Under piece of roofing feit, Park. REPTILIA ANGUIDAE Anguis fragilis L —Slow Worm. Farmar (1949). years. LACERTIDAE Lacerta vivipara Jacq.—Viviparous Lizard. viii-1972.

Not seen for many

On oak log in sun.

414

Natrix

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 16, Part 6 COLUBRIDAE natrix (Lac.)—Grass snake. vi-1972. On ride in Park.

VIPERIDAE Viper berus (L.)—Adder. Farmar (1949). since the reclamation of the heaths.

Almost

certainly

extinct

AVES Tachybaptus

PODICIPITIDAE ruficollis (Pallas)—Little Grebe. Bred in the past, 1.

ARDEIDAE Ardea cinerea L . — G r e y Heron. Occasional, 1, 6. Botaurus stellaris (L.)—Bittern. Occasional in the past, 1, 2. ANATIDAE Anas platyrhynchos L.—Mallard. Probably bred beside the Park in the area of fen now drained, 1, 3. Seen frequently in the area 6 A. crecca L.—Teal. An occasional breeder, probably in the fen area, 1, 4. Seen occasionally, 6. A. querquedula L.—Garganey. Occasional in the past, 1. Tadorna tadorna (L.)—Shelduck. Nests in pollard oaks, recent estimates are of about 40 pairs (Payn 1962), 3, 4. Probably fewer in 1972/3, 6. Cygmis olor (Gmelin)—Mute Swan. Occasional, 6. ACCIPITRIDAE Buteo lagopus (Pontop.)—Rough-legged Buzzard. Occasional, 1, 2, 4, 6. Accipiter nisus (L.)—Sparrowhawk. Formerly bred, 1, 3; now only occasional, 6. Circus aeruginosus (L.)—Marsh Harrier. Occasional in the past, 1. C. pygargus (L.)—Montagu's Harrier. Occasional in the past, 1. FALCONIDAE Falco subbuteo L . — H o b b y . Formerly occasionally bred, 1, 2. F. peregrinus Tunstall—Peregrine. Occasional in the past, 1. F. columbarius L.—Merlin. Occasional in the past, 1. F. tinninculus L.—Kestrel. Formerly bred, possibly still breeds, 1, 3, 6. PHASIANIDAE Alectoris rufa (L.)—Red-legged Partridge. Breeds, 1-6. Perdix perdix (L.)—Partridge. Breeds, 1-6. Coturnix coturnix (L.)—Quail. Calling birds July, 1964; 5. Phasianus colchicus L.—Pheasant. Breeds, 1-6. RALLIDAE Rallus aquaticus L . — W a t e r Rail. Possibly still breeds beside Butley river, 1, 2, 6. Crex crex (L.)—Corncrake. Occasional in the past, 1, 4. Gallinula chloropus (L.)—Moorhen. Probably still breeds beside Butley river, 1 , 6 . CHARADRIIDAE Vanellus vanellus (L.)—Lapwing. Breeds, 1, 2, 6. Charadrius hiaticula L.—Ringed Plover. Formerly bred on the heath,

FAUNA OF STAVERTON PARK

415

SCOLOPACIDAE Gallinago gallinago (L.)—Snipe. Possibly still breeds near Butley river, 1,2,5. Scolopax rusticola L.—Woodcock. Several pairs breed. 1, 2, 3, 6. Numenius arquata (L.)—Curlew. Occasional, 6. Tringa hypoleucos L.—Common Sandpiper. Occasional, 1, 6. T. totanus (L.)—Redshank. Formerly bred in the fen area, 1, 2. T. ochropus L.—Green Sandpiper. Occasional, 6. BURHINIDAE Burhinus oedicnemus (L.)—Stone Curlew. Formerly bred on the heath, 1, 2. Possibly two pairs still breeding within the Park up to 1965; 4. Two pairs still breed in the Wantisden area, 5. LARIDAE Larus argentatus Pontop.—Herring Gull. Occasional, 1, 6. L. canus L.—Common Gull. Occasional, 6. L. ridibundus L.—Black-headed Gull. Feeds within the park, 1-6. COLUMBIDAE Columba oenas L.—Stock Dove. A few pairs breed, 1, 3, 4, 6. C. palumbus L.—Woodpigeon. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. Streptopelia turtur (L.)—Turtle Dove. Breeds, 1-6. CUCULIDAE Cuculus canorus L.—Cuckoo. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. TYTONIDAE Tyto alba (Scop.)—Barn Owl. Formerly bred, 1, 3, 4. STRIGIDAE Atherw.noctua (Scop.)—Little Owl. Formerly bred and may still do so, Strix aluco L.—Tawny Owl. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. Asio otus (L.)—Long-eared Owl. Recorded as breeding by D. Boast (gamekeeper), 1, 2, 3. No other records. A.flammeus(Pontop.)—Short-eared Owl. Vagrant, 1, 2. CAPRIMULGIDAE Caprimulgus europaeus L.—Nightjar. Formerly bred in some numbers, but no longer breeds, 1, 2, 3, 5. APODIDAE Apus apus (L.)—Swift. Flying over only, 1, 3, 6. ALCEDINIDAE Alcedo atthis (L.)—Kingfisher. Occasional, 1, 2, 6. PICIDAE Picus viridis L.—Green Woodpecker. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. Dendrocopus major (L.)—Great Spotted Woodpecker. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. D. minor (L.)—Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. Possibly still breeds, 1-6. Jynx torquilla L.—Wryneck. Ceased to breed during 1950s, 1, 2, 3, 5. Last seen August, 1968, a road death beside Staverton Thicks, 4.

416

Suffolk Natural Iiistory, Vol. 16, Part 6 ALAUDIDAE

Lullula arborea (L.)—Woodlark. Declined and possibly ceased to breed during the 1960s, bred in 1973/4, 1-6. Alauda arvensis L.—Skylark. Breeds, 1, 3, 6. HIRUNDINIDAE Hirundo rustica L.—Swallow. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. Delichon urbica (L.)—House Martin. Occasionally breeds, 1, 3, 6. Riparia riparia {L.)—Sand Martin. Formerly bred, 1 , 3 . Breeds nearby, 6.

CORVIDAE Corvus corone corone L.—Carrion Crow. Breeds, 1, 3, 6. C. c. cornix (L.)—Hooded Crow. Vagrant, 1. C. frugilegus L.—Rook. Regulär visitor, 1, 3, 6. C. monedula L.—Jackdaw. Breeds, 1, 3, 6. Pica pica (L.)—Magpie. Formerly bred, now only occasional, 1 , 3 , 6 . Garrulus giandarius (L.)—Jay. Breeds, 1, 3, 6. PARIDAE Parus major L . — G r e a t T i t . Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. P. caeruleus L.—Blue T i t . Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. P. ater L.—Coal T i t . Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6. P. palustris L . — M a r s h T i t . Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. P. montanus van Bald.—Willow T i t . Stated to have bred 1, 2, 4. definitely recorded 1972/3.

Not

AEGITHALIDAE Aegithalos caudatus (L.)—Long-tailed T i t . Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. SITTIDAE Sitta europaea L . — N u t h a t c h . Possibly ceased to breed in 1950s, 3. Still breeds in some numbers, 4, 6.

Certhia familiaris

CERTHIIDAE L.—Treecreeper. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. TROGLODYTIDAE

Troglodytes troglodytes (L.)—Wren.

Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6.

TURDIDAE Turdus viscivorus L.—Mistle T h r u s h . Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. T. pilaris L.—Fieldfare. Winter visitor, 1, 6. T. philomelos Brehm—Song T h r u s h . Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. T. iliacus L.—Redwing. Winter visitor, 1, 6. T. merula L.—Blackbird. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. Oenanthe oenanthe (L.)—Wheatear. Formerly bred, 1, 2. Occasional, 6. Saxicola torquata (L.)—Stonechat. Ceased to breed when heath was ploughed, 1 , 2 , 5. S. rubetra (L.)—Whinchat. Ceased to breed when heath was ploughed, 1, 2. Occasionally seen, 5. Phoenicurus phoenicurus (L.)—Redstart. Bred in large numbers, 1 0 0 + pairs in 1950s, declined in numbers in recent years, 1-6. Luscinia megarhynchos Brehm—Nightingale. Breeds, 1-6. Erithacus rubecula (L.)—Robin. Breeds, 1-6.

FAUNA OF STAVERTON PARK

417

SYLVIIDAE Locustella naevia (Bodd.)—Grasshopper Warbier. Breeds beside Butley River, 1, 2, 4, 6. Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Herrn.)—Reed Warbier. Possibly still breeds beside Butley River, 1, 2, 5. A. schoenobaenus (L.)—Sedge Warbier. Possibly still breeds beside Butley River, 1, 2, 6. Sylvia atricapilla (L.)—Blackcap. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. S. borin (Bodd.)—Garden Warbier. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6. S. communis Latham—Whitethroat. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. S. curruca (L.)—Lesser Whitethroat. Formerly bred, 1. Phylloscopus trochilus (L.)—Willow Warbier. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. P. collybita (Vieillot)—Chiffchaff. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. P. sibilatrix (Bech.)—Wood Warbier. Formerly bred, 1, 2. REGULIDAE Regulus regulus (L.)—Goldcrest. Breeds, 1, 4, 6. MUSCICAPIDAE Muscicapa striata (Pallas)—Spotted Flycatcher.

Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6.

PRUNELLIDAE Prunella modularis (L.)—Dunnock. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. MOTACILLIDAE Anthus pratensis (L.)—Meadow Pipit. Breeds, 1, 6. A. trivialis ( L . ) — T r e e Pipit. Breeds, 1-6. Motacilla alba yarrelli Gould—Pied Wagtail. Breeds in the vicinity of Staverton, 1, 2, 3, 6. M. flava L.—Yellow Wagtail. Breeds in the vicinity of Staverton, 1, 2, 5. BOMBYCILLIDAE Bombycilla garrulus (L.)—Waxwing. Occasional in the past, 1. LANIIDAE Lantus excubitor L . — G r e a t Grey Shrike. One record, 2. L. collurio L.—Red-backed Shrike. Ceased to breed when heath was ploughed, 1, 2, 5.

Sturmis vulgaris L.—Starling.

STURNIDAE Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6.

FRINGILLIDAE Coccothraustes coccothraustes (L.)—Hawfinch. • Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6. Carduelis chloris (L.)—Greenfinch. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. C. carduelis (L.)—Goldfinch. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. C. spinus (L.)—Siskin. W i n t e r visitor, 2, 5, 6. Acanthis cannabina (L.)—Linnet. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6. A. flammea (L.)—Redpoll. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. Pyrrhula pyrrhula (L.)—Bullfinch. Possibly breeds, 1, 3, 6. Loxia curvirostra L.—Crossbill. Occasional, 1, 6. Fringilla coelebs L.—Chaffinch. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. F. montifringilla L.—Brambling. Winter visitor often in some numbers, 1. 2. 4. 5. 6.

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Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 16, Part 6

EMBERIZIDAE Emberiza calandra L . — C o m Bunting. Formerly bred, 1, 2. may still breed in the vicinity of Staverton, 5. E. citrinella L.—Yellowhammer. Breeds, 1, 2, 3, 6. E. schoeniclus (L.)—Reed Bunting.

Possibly

Breeds along Butley River, 1, 2, 5, 6.

PLOCEIDAE Passer domesticus (L.)—House Sparrow. Breeds, 1, 3, 6. P. montamis (L.)—Tree Sparrow. Possibly breeds, 1, 3, 6. MAMMALIA ERINACEIDAE Erinaceus europacus L.—Hedgehog. iii, v-1972.

T w o dead specimens.

TALPIDAE Talpa europaea L.—Mole. 1972, 1973. Mole-hills specimens seen above ground twice (iii, v-1972).

Vulpes vulpes (L.)—Fox.

Mustela erminea L.—Stoat.

present,

CANIDAE Farmar (1949). Smelt, but not seen 1972. MUSTELIDAE 1972. Seen on the fields.

SORICIDAE Sorex araneus L . — C o m m o n Shrew. viii-1972.

Dama dama Thicks.

always

CERVIDAE (L.)—Fallow deer. iii, viii-1972.

U n d e r large oak log.

Single individuals in

LEPORIDAE Lepus capensis L.—Brown Hare. vi-1972. Seen in field, west of Park. Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.)—Rabbit. 1972, 1973. Plentiful in Park and Thicks. SCIURIDAE Sciurus vulgaris L.—Red Squirrel. v-1972. Seen in Thicks. seen in surrounding conifer forest. S. carolinensis Gmelin—Grey Squirrel. 1972. Thicks.

Frequently

MURIDAE Rattus norvegicus (Berk.)—Brown Rat. Farmar (1949).

References Armstrong, P. H . (1973). Changes in the Land Use of the Suffolk Sandlings: A Study of the Disintegration of an Ecosystem. Geography 58, 1-8. Banks, P. A. (1971). An account of the birds of south-east Suffolk, 19601970. (Unpublished report to Nature Conservancy.) British Ornithologists Union (1952). Check-list of the birds of Great Britain and Ireland.

FAUNA OF ST AVERTON PARK

419

British T r u s t for Ornithology (1971). A species list of British and Irish Birds. Guide No. 13. Corbet, G. B. (1964). The identification of British Mammals. British M u s e u m (Natural History), London. Elias, D . O. (1973). Avesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;In: Monks Wood, a nature reserve record, ed. by R. C. Steele and R. C. Welch, 274-288, T h e Nature Conservancy. Farmar, H . (1949). The Cottage in the Forest. Hutchinson, London. Parslow, J. (1973). Breeding Birds of Britain and Ireland, a historical survey. Poyser, Berkhamsted. Payn, W. H . (1962). The Birds of Suffolk. Barrie & Rockliff, L o n d o n . Peterken, G. F. (1969). Development of Vegetation in Staverton Park, Suffolk. Fld. Stud. 3, 1-39. Sage, B. L. Ed. (1966). Northazv Great Woodâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;its history and natural history. Education Department of the Hertfordshire County Council. Smith, M . (1969). The British Amphibians and Reptiles (2nd edition). Collins, London.

P. T. Harding, Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon.