NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS A M O T H NEW TO SUFFOLK. On 2nd August, 1973, while examining the Contents of my M.V. moth trap in an outhouse in my garden, I noticed a small black and white moth which was new to me. Comparison with the late Bishop Whittingham's collection in Norwich Castle Museum failed to reveal the identity of the specimen. It was finally identified by Dr. J. D. Bradley and Mr. E. S. Bradford at the Annual Exhibition of the British Entomological and Natural History Society as the Cambridge Clothes Moth (Monopis monachella HĂźbn.). Although Cambridge was the only known locality to both Meyrick and Stainton, the late Claude Morley thought it might eventually be found in Suffolk. As far as I am aware this is the first record for Suffolk. The larva is reputed to feed on dry skins, birds' nests and other refuse and it will be interesting to see if further examples are found in the county. H . E . CHIPPERFIELD.
GLOW-WORM. Whilst Walking up the cliff from the beach to the Coastguard Cottages at Minsmere Head just after dark on August l l t h , we were surprised to see a glow-worm shining in the scrub beside the path. The folk I was with had never before seen a glow-worm and went on their hands and knees to examine it more closely in the light of their torches. At sundown on the same evening we had seen three spoonbills feeding quite close to the public hide. Later we watched a wonderful display of summer lightning. The colours in the sky and on the cumulous clouds were very beautiful and I am sure it was the most spectacular sky I have seen since the Aurora Borealis about 38 years ago. This had been a never-to-be-forgotten evening. A friend teils me that when she was a child there were always glow-worms on and around their water butt. GERTRUDE TOWNSEND, 5 5
Horsecroft Road, Bury St. Edmunds.
ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS CENTRE. At the meeting of the Council held in June, 1974, Lord Cranbrook stressed the need for a Suffolk Environmental Records Centre. He explained that a grant had been made to the Society by the East Suffolk County Council before reorganization had taken place on April Ist. Centres were being set up in County areas in order that local records could be available not only to naturalists for research purposes but also to assist with national recording schemes, and to supply information to local authorities and government bodies on particular sites.
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A room has been provided for the centre by the County Planning Committee at 11 St. Helens, which is in a cottage opposite County Hall. At first this will be the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, and as development takes place it will cover a wider field and will be run by fĂźll time staff working very closely with the staff of the Ipswich Museum. The premises are therefore temporary and are adequate for the initial stage. Arrangements are being made to stĂśre all information on cards and in sites files based on information supplied by staff of Monks Wood Experimental Station. Many copies of cards from Monks Wood have been filed already at the Suffolk Centre. T h e room has been furnished and heating and lighting provided. Filing cabinets have been ordered, together with a set of 6 in. maps to cover the County. All important sites will be marked on the maps. T h e centre is to be manned by voluntary workers. DĂźring the initial period I am pleased to make arrangements, and I am present at the centre each Wednesday morning though the room is available at any time. It will be necessary to enlist help from many naturalists particularly those who are Willing to help with records of their particular interest. I shall be most grateful to hear from members who could give time to help. Ultimately the success of the venture will depend on the amount of voluntary help available from Naturalists of Suffolk. A U D R I E E . FITZJOHN.