NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS
A Grey Heron and a Stoat in ermine On 17th February, 1991, on a field adjoining the RSPB Boyton Marshes Reserve, Steve Piotrowski, Nick Green and I saw a Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) which was flapping around with something white in its bill. Steve's initial thoughts were that it was a piece of ice, but we soon realised that it was 'alive and kicking'. We were all stunned when the 'thing' escaped from the Heron's grasp and we realised that it was a Stoat (Mustela erminea) in complete ermine, pure white apart from the characteristic black tip to the tail. The Heron gave chase and managed to regain its prey but, after a few seconds, the Stoat freed itself and ran into the reed-beds. This observation of a Stoat in ermine adds another dated Suffolk record to those reported recently (Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 23, 70 and 24, 99). As for the Heron, all the dykes were frozen over so its usual food of fish was unavailable. The Birds of Western Palearctic 1, 306 shows that mammals such a shrews, moles, water voles and voles are commonly consumed, the largest being up to 340g. There is no record of a carnivorous species being eaten, but stoats (up to 300g) are within the weight range of the rodent prey. I have previously seen an immature Heron catch and consume an almost fullyfledged Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) at Minsmere. That too, was quite a sight for it took over 20 minutes and several gulps of water to swallow it! Adam Kennedy Polygonum cognatum Meissner, a species of Knotgrass This alien species, a native of S. W. Asia, was introduced into Britain with grain and is usually found about docks. A patch about 1 x 2m was discovered at Felixstowe Docks (Sq. 23, V.C. 25) in 1936 by Ted Lousley and David McClintock. It is a perennial species and may persist for some time. There are no subsequent records from Felixstowe. It had earlier been found at Colchester, N. Essex (V.C. 19) in 1925, and it persisted until 1954. As far as I know the species is no longer established in the British Isles. (These details were communicated by D. H. Kent.) Francis Simpson Aberrent Small Tortoiseshell On 26th August, 1990, our garden in Stonham Aspal was open to the public as part of a village 'Open Gardens' event. The support from the general public was disappointing but we had one unusual visitor. The weather was typical of the summer of 1990 - sunny and hot. There were quite a few butterflies in the garden that day, including Small Tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae) feeding on the Italian Aster (Aster amellus). I noticed one which was strikingly different from the rest. Its hindwings were virtually a uniform brown, and there was an absence of cream markings on the forewing. Several photographs were taken (see plate 00) and the specimen was Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 27(1991)
NOTES A N D OBSERVATIONS
41
subsequently identified by Howard Mendel at Ipswich Museum as ab. semiichnusoid.es Pronin. I understand that this aberration of the Small Tortoiseshell is nationally uncommon. Although the butterfly was present for most of the day it was not seen again. J. A. Foster Morchella elata - a fungus new to Suffolk During early April 1990,1 was shown a fungus that was found growing in peat compost in a plant pot at Notcutts Nurseries, Pettistree by A. Smith. The specimen was initially identified as one of the Morels, Morchella elata and this identification was later confirmed at The Ipswich Museum. This represents the first example of this species found in Suffolk, and as this fact was known by S. Piotrowski, who had seen the specimen, he was rather surprised to discover several growing in a recently landscaped area near Ipswich Docks. Shortly afterwards I discovered two more specimens at Notcutts Nurseries. The conditions under which these fungi were growing suggests they were probably imported into the region. M. D. Crewe
Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 27 (1991)
Plate 8: A very unusual Small Tortoiseshell al Stonham Aspal. (p. 40).
(Photo: J. A. Foster)