White Admiral 114

Suffolk Naturalists ’ Society

If you think this issue is looking a bit thin, or there’s something you would like to write about? Then we want to hear from you. This newsletter is only as good as the contributions put in to it.

Next issue deadline: 31st July 2024

Cover photo: Bryumcapillare by Justin Gant

Thursday, April 18th

Understanding your local river with Alice Wickman, Wilder Rivers Adviser. Redgrave & Lopham Fen, Diss.

Sunday 21st April Spring Bird ID with Paul Holness, Lackford Lakes.

Tuesday23rdApril

Saturday 11th May

Wednesday 15th May

Understanding your Community’s habitat with Simon Hooton, Volunteer Conservation Adviser. The Bank, Eye.

Community Trees & Woodland for wildlife with Simon Hooton, Volunteer Conservation Adviser. Ufford Community Hall, Ufford.

Discovering Woodland Mammals, with Dr Simone Bullion Bradfield woods.

Sunday 19th May Late Spring Bird ID, with Paul Holness, Lackford Lakes.

Wednesday 22nd May

Thursday6thJune

Thursday 13th June

Churchyard management with Cathy Smith, Community Conservation Adviser, St Mary’s Church, Ixworth, IP31 2HH .

Community meadows with Marie Lagerberg, Volunteer Conservation Advisor, Riverside Centre and Falcon Meadow, Bungay.

Ponds for wildlife - assessment and creation with Simon Hooton, Volunteer Conservation Adviser, Shimpling Park, Shimpling, Bury St Edmunds.

Thursday 20th June Beginners’ Wildflower ID, with Marie Lagerberg, Mellis Common, Mellis.

To find out more and book places for above see:

www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/wildlearning

Tuesday 1st October Hedgehog Discovery webinar, with Grace Johnson, PTES.

Tuesday12thNovember Dormouse Discovery webinar, with Dr Simone Bullion

To find out more and book places see:

www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/wildlife-live-webinar

From the editor

Hi everyone,

Hope everyone is doing well. Firstly, I must apologise for the lateness of this edition going out. Unfortunately, things have been rather busy for me of late and this brings me to another apology. It is with great sadness that this will be my last edition as editor of the magazine. Due to several personal issues, time has become a precious thing which I am not getting much of and some things I have to let go and it is with much reluctance, being the editor is one of those things. However, fear not, Emma Aldous, Website designer for SBIS has stepped into the role and I’m sure Emma will do a cracking job.

I won’t be disappearing completely, I will still be staying on the council for the social media pages of the Society, so will still be around. I would like to thank everyone for your support during my term as editor, from members and council too. It really has meant a lot and I totally appreciate it. I would also like to wish Emma all the best in the role and I’m sure you all do too and will keep her supplied with plenty of content for future editions of the White Admiral.

Many thanks to you all.

All the best.

The day started at 9 am on 18th August at Orford Quay, a little blustery but no rain fortunately. Just six eager individuals and 2 wardens from the RSPB.

Sadly, a dead Dolphin was seen from the quayside a very unusual sight, and one of the group went to investigate. We were soon clambering into the small boat and motoring along the water, passing the historic Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, and after a short while, mooring onto the small landing jetty on Havergate Island. Suffolk’s only island.

It is a marshy nature reserve, situated at the confluence of the River Ore and Butley River, and is 3.2 km long and 0.80 km across at its widest point, covering 267 acres. It is well known for its Spoonbills, Terns and Avocets and large numbers of wading birds and ducks in the winter.

Prior to the war the island was used for summer grazing, but without human intervention salt water flooded parts of the island making it unsuitable for agricultural use. In 1947 pied avocets were found on the island, the first time since they had become extinct in the country over 100 years before. The RSPB then purchased the land in 1948 and have since managed it for the benefit of birds and the environment.

Facilities include a compost toilet, and 5 hides, and a viewing screen overlooking the saline lagoons.

The group all had different interests, so with the island all to ourselves, we all went our separate ways to explore and see what wildlife the island had to offer. The wardens have a little hut on the island and the lure of coffee soon tempted me to make this an early port of call, a treat, as hot drinks would not normally be provided to visitors on the island!

I followed one of the trails to the hides and soon started to add to my list of species as the hides appeared to be little used and the spiders, enjoying the tranquility, had made numerous webs, in and around the Pamela Pope

hides. Neoscona adianta is a predominantly coastal species, with very few inland records.

From the hide across to the mainland one could see a rather misty but beautiful view of Orford Castle with the Spoonbills feeding in front, 14 were counted in all and a Common Ringed-plover Charadrius hiaticula too.

Left: Chorosoma shillingi.

Right: Neocrepidodera impressa.

Chorosoma shillingi (14-16mm) was one of the Rhopalid bugs found. Usually found in sand dunes and long grasses, it is a master of camouflage.

From Left to right: Walnut Orb Weaver Nucteneaumbratical,Garden spider Araneusdiadematusand Neosconaadianta.

Common Ringed-plover Charadriushiaticula

Neocrepidodera impressa – Family Chrysomelidae (4.5-5.0mm) is quite scarce being classed as Notable A. It is found in salt-marsh habitats on sea lavender at only a few Suffolk coastal sites according to NBN. Identity confirmed from the aedeagus.

Andrena pillipes – The Black Mining Bee was a rare find, only 4th record for Suffolk. This is an almost entirely black species which seems to be predominantly coastal. The summer generation tend to feed on bramble and summer umbellifers such as Hogweed.

Ichneumon sarcitorius (10-12mm) often found on umbellifers.

Host often the Turnip Moth larvae Agrotis segetum

Ancistrocerus sp is a solitary wasp species with a narrow body. They prey on the larvae of moths and beetles.

The Lesser Marsh Grasshopper, Chorthippus albomarginatus (1223mm) is found mainly in south and central Britain. Similar to the meadow grasshopper but less brightly coloured and with side keels on the pronotum almost parallel.

The day went very quickly and just as we were thinking about walking back to the departure point, I saw something red scurrying in the sand. It was moving so quickly and although I managed to take a few photos I thought it must be a beetle. On uploading my photos to the computer later, (and with my glasses on!) I realized that what I had seen was a nationally scarce Large Velvet Ant, Mutilla europaea. (9-14mm).

It is a species of parasitoid wasp inhabiting coastal dunes and chalk grasslands, mainly in Southern England.

Common host is the Bumblebee, Bombus sp.

Boating back past the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment and an old Thames Barge I think I can say we all had an excellent day. Thank you to Hawk Honey for arranging!

Large Velvet Ant Mutillaeuropea

Lesser Marsh Grasshopper, Chorthippusalbomarginatus

Species list

Diptera

Rose gall midge

Parasitic Fly

Hoverfly

Lauxaniidae

Barred Snout - Soldier Fly

Snail-killing Fly

Hoverfly

Hoverfly

Arachnids

Garden Spider

Bridge Orbweb Spider

Spider

Walnut Orbweb Spider

Long-jawed orbweb spider

Hymenoptera

Ichneumon wasp

Solitary Wasp

Pea gall

Robin's pincushion gall

Large Velvet Ant

Galls on Picris echioides

German Wasp

Buff-tailed Bumblebee

Red-tailed Bumblebee

Brown-footed Leafcutter Bee

Black Mining Bee

Brown-footed Leafcutter bee

Lepidoptera

Dasineura rosae

Eriothrix rufomaculatus

Eristalis tenax (m)

Lauxaniid sp

Nemotelus uliginosus

Sciomyzidae sp

Sphaerophoria Scripta (m)

Sphaerophoria sp (f)

Araneus diadematus

Larinioides sclopetarius

Neoscona adianta

Nuctena umbratical

Tetragnatha extensis

Amblyteles armatorius

Ancistrocerus sp

Diplolepis eglanteriae/nervosa

Diplolepis rosae

Mutilla europaea

Phanacis caulicola

Vespula germanica

Bombus terrestris

Bombus lapidarius

Megachile versicolor

Andrena pilipes

Megachile versicolor

Peacock Butterfly Aglais io

Yellow Shell Moth

Small Heath Butterfly

Ground Lackey Caterpillar

White-speckled Bagworm

Camptogramma bilineata

Coenonympha pamphilus

Malacosoma castrensis

Narycia duplicella larvae

Small White Butterfly Pieris rapae

Coleoptera

Ground beetle

Leaf beetle

7-spot ladybird

11 Spot Ladybird

Leaf beetle

Leaf beetle

Amara aenea

Chrysolina banksi

Coccinella septempunctata

Coccinella undecipunctata

Longitarsus parvulus

Neocrepidodera impressa

Ground beetle Paradromius linearis

Ladybird Rhyzobius litura

Darkling beetle

24-spot ladybird

16-spot ladybird

Orthoptera

Grey Bush-cricket

Lesser Marsh Grasshopper

Odonata

Common Blue Damselfly

Scaphidema metallicum

Subcoccinella vigintiquattuorpunctata

Tytthaspis sedecimpunctata

Platycleis albopunctata

Chorthippus albomarginatus

Enallagma cyathigerum

Coleoptera records from Martin Collier

Family Species Comments

Anthicidae Anthicus antherinus

Anthicidae Cordicollis instabilis

Anthicidae Cyclodinus constrictus

Apionidae Pseudaplemonus limonii

Carabidae Amara similata

Carabidae Bembidion normannum

Carabidae Paradromius linearis

Carabidae Philorhizus notatus

Chrysomelidae Neocrepidodera ferruginea

Coccinellidae Rhyzobius litura

Coccinellidae Subcoccinella 24-punctata

Coccinellidae Tytthaspis 16-punctata

Cryptophagidae Atomaria testacea

Curculionidae Ceutorhynchus contractus

Curculionidae Cosmobaris scolopacea 1st county record

Curculionidae Lixus scabricollis

Curculionidae Mecinus pascuorum

Curculionidae Pselactus spadix

Hydraenidae Ochthebius auriculatus

Hydrophilidae Enochrus bicolor

Latridiidae Cartodere bifasciata

Latridiidae Corticaria crenulata

Latridiidae Corticaria impressa

Latridiidae Corticarina curta

Phalacridae Olibrus aeneus

Staphylinidae Aleochara curtula

Staphylinidae Aleochara lanuginosa

Staphylinidae Astenus lyonessius

Staphylinidae Bisnius parcus

Staphylinidae Brachygluta helferi

Staphylinidae Cafius xantholoma

Staphylinidae Drusilla canliculata

Staphylinidae Metopsia clypeata

Staphylinidae Philonthus succicola

Staphylinidae Sepedophilus nigripennis

Staphylinidae Stenus clavicornis

Staphylinidae Stenus ossium

Staphylinidae Xantholinus gallicus

Tenebrionidae Lagria hirta

Bird Species

Barn Swallow (White-bellied)

Black-bellied Plover

Black-headed Gull

Black-tailed Godwit

Hirundo rustica

Pluvialis squatarola

Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Limosa limosa

Canada Goose Branta canadensis

Carrion Crow Corvus corone

Common Greenshank

Common Redshank

Common Ringed Plover

Common Sandpiper

Common Shelduck

Common Tern (hirundo/tibetana)

Common Wood-Pigeon (White-necked)

Tringa nebularia

Tringa totanus

Charadrius hiaticula

Actitis hypoleucos

Tadorna tadorna

Sterna hirundo

Columba palumbus

Dunlin Calidris alpina

Eurasian Curlew - 15

Eurasian Kestrel (Eurasian)

Eurasian Linnet - 10

Eurasian Marsh-Harrier - 2

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Western)

Eurasian Spoonbill - 14

European Starling

Gadwall (Common) -5

Garden Warbler

Grey Heron (Gray)

Greylag Goose (European)

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Cormorant

Green-winged teal (Eurasian)

Herring Gull (European)

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Little Egret (Western)

Little Tern - 5

Mallard

Numenius arquata

Falco tinnunculus

Linaria cannabina

Circus aeruginosus

Haematopus ostralegus

Platalea leucorodia

Sturnus vulgaris

Mareca strepera

Sylvia borin

Ardea cinerea

Anser anser

Larus marinus

Phalacrocorax carbo

Anas crecca

Larus argentatus

Larus fuscus

Egretta garzetta

Sternula albifrons

Anas platyrhynchos

Meadow Pippit

Mute Swan

Pied Avocet

Red Knot - 10

Ruddy Turnstone

Ruff

Sanderling

Sandwich Tern (Eurasian)

Stock Dove

White Wagtail (British)

Yellow-legged Gull (michahellis)

Anthus pratensis

Cygnus olor

Recurvirostra avosetta

Calidris canutus

Arenaria interpres

Calidris pugnax

Calidris alba

Thalasseus sandvicensis

Columba oenas

Motacilla alba

Larus michahellis

Total Species recorded 125

Editor’s note:

Thank you Pam and all those who submitted their records via the SBIS website. As you can see 124 species were recorded and I’m sure there was potential for much more. Unfortunately, I will no longer be able to organise these field trips any more. However, do you feel you could? Then get in touch and let us know. Everyone who has come along has enjoyed the trips, it just needs someone who

At home, one of our veteran oak trees is showing signs that it is coming to the end of its life. Although it is one of the ‘smaller’ oaks here, it is still a few hundred years old.

In Winter, the many dead limbs are silhouetted against the sky and in summer they become obscured by new growth from the living parts.

Due to historic pollarding, where branches were, holes are formed that connect to the hollow core.

I have read that an oak tree supports thousands of species of wildlife including lichens, fungi, mosses, and invertebrates, 300 of which are solely reliant on oaks, and this tree is no exception.

Barn owls have nested in the largest hole ever since I moved here 15 years ago and recently a pair of Kestrels took over a hole close to this from Stock doves, and before that there were squirrels living there.

Great spotted woodpecker, and Green woodpecker also nest in the upper branches and their old nest holes allow Great tit and Blue tit to make their home.

This year our frequent visitors: a pair of Egyptian geese, shunning the nest box I erected nearby for their use, have decided to nest in the Barn owl’s hole!

It will be interesting to see if the poor Barn owls will tolerate another lodger, and a ‘Johnny foreigner’ at that.

Could it be possible that the geese nest at the foot of the hole and the owls in a chamber halfway down? As Barn owl nests are protected, I am not qualified to investigate but hopefully something good comes from this situation. I wonder how the goslings will extricate themselves.

Kestrel chicks

Alfred Waller

As I mentioned in my previous reminiscence, I was encouraged by my grandfather, a noted amateur entomologist in Suffolk, to take an interest in natural history and in particular in entomology. My first acquisition was a butterfly/moth net. I was not particularly interested in daubing a mixture of rum and treacle on tree trunks in our garden to attract moths rather than frogs and toads but I had noted that night flying moths were attracted by light.

At the top of our road there was a red GPO telephone box and I had noticed that it was often full of moths which had flown up its glass sides, in through its ventilator shaft at the top of it to the electric light bulb fixed inside on the ceiling. The moths then found a suitable resting place somewhere away from the direct light. It became my first moth trap at no cost to me provided I was there at dawn. Indeed, there were also financial incentives included because the previous day’s customers had often forgotten to press the ‘return of money button’. In fact, I managed to collect a very rare moth that was new to Suffolk and the Eastern Counties which I had to report to the Recorder at the London Natural History Museum – he with that funny name (see previous Reminiscence).

When I was 18 and just about to go into the Army for my National Service, my family gave me a new -fangled mercury vapour light bulb which a local electrician had made into a moth trap. It was much more efficient than the telephone box and it enabled me to set it up anywhere in the rectory garden and I did not have to get up so early. The light beams were so

powerful that it would attract moths from all over the garden. I have mentioned above that the method my grandfather used attracted many toads and frogs for a feast of intoxicated moths. This time I had a problem with bats which were attracted by the cloud of moths flying to the trap. The only deterrent I found useful was a horse whip which generated a high -pitched sound the bats didn’t like. And no, because they were such agile flyers they always avoided the whip lash. A bigger problem was hornets. I was unaware that they were also night flyers and attracted to bright lights. Whenever I tried to catch them in my moth net hovering over the light, invariably they homed in on me with painful consequences!

AlfredWaller

I was out walking at North Warren towards the end of July last year, when I suddenly saw a flash of yellow which landed on the ground. When I looked closer, I saw a lovely female pantaloon bee Dasypoda hirtipes. She uses the long hairs on her hind legs to carry pollen and brushes away the sand as she digs out her nest.

With the bright yellow pollen baskets on her hind legs, she was pretty unmistakeable, and with a field of yellow flowers close by it was easy to see where she had been. As I stood there quietly it was fascinating to watch this solitary mining bee in front of me, just a few inches awayas she went about her daily life during her flight period. This is one of the wonders of nature!

This area is such a fantastic place for a walk. North Warren is important as a SSSI and such a special place, home to an abundance of species of animals, birds, plants, butterflies, moths, fungi etc. With its rich biodiversity and differing habitats, it has given countless numbers of people immense pleasure and the opportunity to see so many different species, since becoming a reserve in 1939 more than 80 years ago.

We need to do all we can to ensure that this remarkable place is protected and continues to support the mosaic of wildlife that depends upon it and calls it home.

One early evening in September when we returned home, what should we see but a young hedgehog on the gravel path dividing our front garden, barely ten yards in front. We were simply transfixed by this beautiful ‘spiny’ creature. It was around 15-18 cm long so possibly not long out of the nest. Since it was foraging on its own, it was at least a couple of months old. Hedgehogs are weaned when they are a month old, subsequentlyforagingwith motherforanothermonth.

Unaware of us, it took almost five minutes going across the path snuffling as it made its way towards our well-established Beth Chatto style gravel garden (providing excellent cover) on the left. We waited until it had made its way past the lupin tree and under the cover provided by Miscanthus and Eryngium. Perhaps this was our chance. So, gently and quietly, keeping a wide berth, we made our way past where it had gone in. But as we glanced back, we saw that it was motionless – it had heard us! Apart from a strong sense of smell, hedgehogs also have excellent hearing.

We thought it best to go in and leave it free to forage. However, out of curiosity, a few minutes later, I decided to creep out but this time armed with a camera. The hedgehog had moved a little forward and although nearly four yards away, it noticed me and looked at me somewhat cautiously (see photo 1). I wasn’t out that long, but elated that the hedgehog had found our ‘wildlife-friendly’ garden. However, this sighting was somewhat of a culmination. Back in April we had noticed some signs of nocturnal hedgehog activity - cylindrical and firmly compressed 3-5 cm long dark droppings, studded with shiny insect bits. And in June, we had witnessed an adult hedgehog a number of times at dusk, in the back garden. In August, we also spied an adult entering the hedgehog house in the front. So, what a year so far!

Top: Luxury hedgehog house.

Right: Hedgehog highway.

With the help of East Bergholt Futures and the Dedham Vale AONB teams, modifications made in the previous year had more than paid off. In June 22, we were donated two tunnel-shaped hedgehog boxes which we installed in the back garden. Then, as part of East Bergholt’s Hedgehog Highway, Will kindly cut out two holes through the fences, connecting our front and back gardens. In August, we were given a ‘luxury’ hedgehog box (see photo 2) which we placed in a secluded corner in the front garden for itinerant hedgehogs. In November, laudable Emma Black (Dedham Vale Projects’ Officer) arranged for Phil to cut out more holes (see photo 3) in our back garden connecting us to seven other gardens – a hedgehog ‘super-connectivity’ indeed! So, with thanks to those who care, these shy and meek garden visitors will, hopefully, treat our garden as a safe haven for years to come. Is your garden hedgehog-friendly and well-connected?

SNS Invertebrate Recording meeting

Halesworth Millennium Green invertebrate survey

20th July 10am—4pm

Buns and soft drinks provided.

Situated in the centre of Halesworth, the Millennium Green is celebrating 25 years in public ownership and to mark this occasion they are keen to update their invertebrate records for the site.

This mixed habitat comprises grassland, ponds, dykes, rivers and fens, mature trees and a smaller heathy area and SNS Recorders and other specialists should find much to interest them here.

Visit: https://millenniumgreen.halesworth.net/

Toexpress an interest in attending, or forfurtherinformation contact

Nicky Rowbottom

nicky.rowbottom@btinternet.com

Every ten years the Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) conducts a National Polecat Survey to assess the current distribution of Polecats (Mustela putorius). The latest survey for 2024- 2025 is appealing for members of the public to assist as ‘community scientists’. SBIS has been active in monitoring Polecats even since the last National Survey, and as you can see from the map below, we have a good record of sightings: If you can assist with this current survey it would be greatly appreciated.

Some Background Information on the Polecat

It is very unlikely you will see a live Polecat in the wild. They are not only nocturnal but also very secretive and are probably the least known of our UK mustelids. Most observations will be from Road Traffic Accidents (RTA’s) as the Polecat forages for fresh killed carrion at night. Polecats were once a common and widespread native British carnivore, but by 1915 were eradicated from most of their former range, remaining only in small strongholds in mid-Wales and the English borders. The reason for the decline was primarily due to persecution by both gamekeepers and the general public.

The Polecat appears to have been the most hated animal in the past due to the defensive stink emitted from its anal glands and its liking for poultry/livestock. As you can see from the map, as the Polecat has moved eastwards.

There is a strong concentration of observations in Suffolk as the North Sea provides a barrier to further movement. Polecats have an innate ability for predating on rabbits which in the past led to them being domesticated as ferrets for hunting. This subsequently led to some escaping into the wild and becoming feral and breeding with wild polecats to form the hybrid ‘polecatferret’ which can provide a major challenge when trying to differentiate them from ‘true polecats’.

How to Identify a Polecat

Some key identifying features:

• Mask-like pattern of dark and light fur on its face. The dark fur should be clearly distinguished, can be extensive and should extend to the nose.

• Dark coloured fur all over the body.

• Lighter. buff undercoat which can show through the darker fur. See the chart below which will assist in identifying polecats, ferrets and hybrids.

See the chart below which will assist in identifying polecats, ferrets and hybrids.

Access to the Survey

The data for Suffolk can be continued to be collected by the specific SBIS Polecat website which will then be forwarded to the VWT. SBIS website. In addition to the established phenotype analysis in assessing the observations, the VWT will be collecting some samples for this survey to aid with genetic and dietary analysis. This will involve the collection of hair and whiskers. If you feel you are also willing/able to assist with this aspect of the surveyplease let us know and we will send additional instructions As mentioned above, most of the observations will be from RTA’s so please be extremely careful when collecting your data.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me at hancockmjf@aol.com or enquiries@vwt.org.uk

Trevor Goodfellow

After an interesting year in 2023 finding some species of moth new to me, and frustrating weather upsetting my Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) survey in King’s Forest last spring, I now look forward with hope for 2024.

The local juvenile White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) sightings kept coming during January and February, then a second bird originating in Sussex joined it.

I took some close-up shots of the Dutch bird (WN88) on Christmas morning during a routine visit to SWT Micklemere, so that was a nice surprise. Further opportunities arose over the next two months allowing me to take some varied photos of them together, in flight, and perching. I was also treated to seeing the Sussex bird (G625) catch a pike.

As news of the birds spread, the local spotting sites became very busy, especially after BBC reported them and other social media posts.

Already this year I have found a female Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) along our front drive for the first time, and I hope it finds the male which has been seen across the field.

Although I am interested in all wildlife, I am only a casual birder for just the winter months until the butterflies show then my attention turns to butterfly recording. During the last few days tracking down the eagles, I had two punctures each resulting in the need for new tyres, a very expensive week for me!

In our wildlife-friendly garden in Great Waldingfield near Sudbury, amongst other fauna my wife Maria and I have seen Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus), Field Vole (Microtus agrestis), Bank Vole (Myodes glareolus) and Wood Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). We have seen the Harvest Mouse daily, feeding on fat logs put out for the birds. Initially very tame it allowed photographs to be taken, then it was seen holding back as the tits were probably disturbing it, and then noticeably shy.

I placed a nest box nearby with shredded newspaper and soft ornamental grass seed heads inside, next to this a wire mesh platform with fat pellets containing insect, and berry food, dried mealworms, apple, sunflower hearts, seeds and sultanas. This is placed in a dense honeysuckle

so no birds can access it, it is now a job to see if this mouse is still around. The harvest mouse was seen 6 Jan.24 to the 14 Jan 2024 feeding in the open branches of a spindly leafless shrub. Using its tail around tiny twigs for support, I would guess head and body about 5 cm

long, and the tail nearly or about the same length. I am very surprised it found us as we are surrounded by estate type housing almost and nearby hedges and fields don't seem to be the right habitat for it. A wild disused field opposite, is now gone with many houses built on it. Our garden has berry-bearing shrubs, ornamental grasses, and most perennial flowers we grow mainly for wildlife and nectar feeders, two wildlife ponds here doing very well.

The photos illustrate why the Suffolk name is apparently "Red Mouse"! I sent them to the County mammal recorder Alison Looser, who replied

- Great photos, I can definitely confirm it is a harvest mouse. They do occasionally come into gardens and use bird feeders but it is quite rare and they are very rarely seen at all so you are very lucky. They weave their nests into dense grass tussocks so are unlikely to use a nest box, although other species will benefit from that. They are likely to be in the base of the hedgerows, or in the field margins near you if left to grow long. I would be interested to know if you continue to see it.

Previous page top and bottom:

Harvest mouse visiting the suet block.

This page left: Wood mouse

Below: Bank vole

I have previously written about the diverse range of species choosing one of our veteran Oak trees, but this time I thought readers might be interested how attractive our cart lodge is to wildlife too.

I have erected many nest boxes over the years so there is plenty for birds and bats to choose from. Two owl boxes are occasionally used by a male Barn Owl to roost but mainly Stock Doves insist on nesting in both. The evidence that the Barn Owl has been, is obvious by the white splashes and occasional pellet on the floor (photo).

An old Parrot’s nest box I bought for a quid at a boot sale sitting on a pile of bricks is again occupied by Great Tits and a Blue Tit box with a hole enlarged by Woodpeckers and Squirrels has suited a Robin this year.

ClosebyaWren has built anest on a beam by using TV aerial cable for support.

Pied Wagtails nest in the ridge of the roof annually and during nestbuilding cause a lot of mess as they seem unbothered that most of their nesting material falls through a gap on to the floor. This is not normally retrieved.

Various bat boxes seem to be more attractive to Blue Tits to roost in rather than Bats, in fact I have seen a Bat go to roost in a gap behind the bat box!

Wood piles are sometimes adopted by Peacock butterflies for hibernation and the firewood that sits for more than a year often supports various wood boring beetles and Bees and Wasps.

I also have a few Bee hotels made from bamboo and wood blocks drilled with holes of varying sizes. These become very busy and sometimes filled to capacity with various resin, mason and leaf-cutter bees. This concentration of bee activity attracts Ichneumons that probe for larvae to parasitize in any gaps in the hotels or the barn’s wooden structure.

I have tried to encourage Swallows to nest in the roof by constructing shelves and even an open box with ledges for them, but the early summer exploratory birds don’t seem to fancy the idea. At the end of the summer, the young Swallows rest in the roof joists to be fed by their parents as they prepare for migration.

My front door is in the cart lodge, and to my cat’s amusement, Blue Tits and Great Tits happily tug hairs and fibres from the door mat immediately in front of the cat flap as ‘Ziggy’ watches from the inside inches away.

Please see page 28 for full details and agenda.

Left top and below: Vegetarian fox with carrot by Stewart Belfield.

Bottom left: Spotted Redshank in Martlesham Creek by Stewart Belfield.

Bottom right: Nacreous clouds photographed by Dot Richards.

Top left: Albino frogspawn for 2 years running in Stewart Belfield’s pond in Bredfield.

Top right: Buff-tailed bumblebee on willow by Paul Gilson.

Bottom right:

Bottom

There have been so many amazing photos on our Facebook page that there’s not enough room to show here. Please keep sharing though and importantly of all, keep recording those sightings.

Right: Waxwing by Paul Gilson.

Common Orange Cup lichen by Stewart Belfield.

left: Dark-edged Beefly by Bill Davis

Suffolk Naturalists’ Society Bursaries

The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society offers six bursaries, of up to £500 each, annually. Larger projects may be eligible for grants of over £500 – please contact SNS for further information.

Activities eligible for funding include: travel and subsistence for field work, visits to scientific institutions, scientific equipment, identification guide books or other items relevant to the study.

Morley Bursary - Studies involving insects (or other invertebrates) other than butterflies and moths.

Chipperfield Bursary - Studies involving butterflies or moths.

Cranbrook Bursary - Studies involving mammals or birds.

Rivis Bursary - Studies of the county's flora.

Simpson Bursary - In memory of Francis Simpson. The bursary will be awarded for a botanical study where possible.

Nash Bursary - Studies involving beetles.

Applications should be set in the context of a research question i.e. a clear statement of what the problem is and how the applicant plans to tackle it.

Criteria:

1. Projects should include a large element of original work and further knowledge of Suffolk’s flora, fauna or geology.

2. A written account of the project is required within 12 months of receipt of a bursary. This should be in a form suitable for publication in one of the Society's journals: Suffolk Natural History, Suffolk Birds or White Admiral.

3. Suffolk Naturalists' Society should be acknowledged in all publicity associated with the project and in any publications emanating from the project.

Applications may be made at any time. Please apply to SNS for an application form or visit our website for more details www.sns.org.uk/pages/bursary.shtml.

The

Suffolk www.sns.org.uk

Naturalists’ Society

The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, founded in 1929 by Claude Morley (1874 -1951), pioneered the study and recording of the County’s flora, fauna and geology. It is the seed bed from which have grown other important wildlife organisations in Suffolk, such as Suffolk Wildlife Trust (SWT) and Suffolk Bird Group (SBG).

Recording the natural history of Suffolk is still the Society’s primary objective. Members’ observations go to specialist recorders and then on to the Suffolk Biodiversity Service at The Hold to provide a basis for detailed distribution maps and subsequent analysis with benefits to environmental protection.

Funds held by the Society allow it to offer substantial grants for wildlife studies.

Annually, SNS publishes its transactions Suffolk Natural History, containing studies on the County’s wildlife, plus the County bird report, Suffolk Birds (compiled by SBG). The newsletter White Admiral, with comment and observations, appears three times a year. SNS organises two members’ evenings a year and a conference every two years.

Subscriptions to SNS: Individual membership £15; Family/Household membership £17; Student membership £10; Corporate membership £17. Members receive the three publications above.

Joint subscriptions to SNS and SBG: Individual membership £30; Family/Household membership £35; Student membership £18. Joint members receive, in addition to the above, the SBG newsletter TheHarrier.

As defined by the Constitution of this Society its objectives shall be:

2.1 To study and record the fauna, flora and geology of the County

2.2 To publish a Transactions and Proceedings and a Bird Report. These shall be free to members except those whose annual subscriptions are in arrears.

2.3 To liaise with other natural history societies and conservation bodies in the County

2.4 To promote interest in natural history and the activities of the Society.

For more details about the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society contact:

Hon. Secretary, Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, The Hold, 131 Fore St, Ipswich IP4 1LR. enquiry@sns.org.uk