WHITE ADMIRAL Newsletter 83
Autumn 2012
The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society
CONTENTS EDITORIAL
1
SNIPPETS
2
ARTICLES CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Joan Hardingham
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SOME PREDATORS OF THE STAG BEETLE - PART 1
Colin Hawes
5
DIPS AND DELLS AT ASPAL CLOSE
Caroline Markham 7
NOTES FROM ORFORD NESS BIOBLITZ
Dave Fincham
9
RECORDS PLEASE: WASP SPIDER
Martin Sanford
10
RECORDS PLEASE: RHODODENDRON LEAFHOPPER
Ben Heather
12
SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY MAKES A WELCOME RETURN TO SUFFOLK
Rob Parker
12
SNS GRANT FOR MONITORING PROJECT AT SWT’S GROVE FARM NATURE RESERVE, NORTON
Juliet Hawkins
14
THE U3A TEAM AT SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST’S GROVE FARM NATURE RESERVE
Rob Parker
16
FINDING FLIES AT ASPAL CLOSE LNR
Matt Vernon
18
WALL BROWN SURVEY 2011/2012
Rob Parker
22
PRICE REDUCTION - A FLORA OF SUFFOLK
Martin Sanford
24
WILD ANGLIA - A LOCAL NATURE PARTNERSHIP
Gen Broad
25
ABERRANT PLANTAINS
Chris Romer
26
HALF-BEAKED SUCCESS
Colin Hawes
27
INDIAN STICK INSECTS
Gary Last
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Cover photograph of Wasp Spider taken by Matt Berry http://www.greenwings.co/ ISSN 0959-8537 Published by the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society c/o Ipswich Museum, High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3QH Registered Charity No. 206084 © Suffolk Naturalists’ Society
Ben Heather Suffolk Biological Records Centre, c/o Ipswich Museum, High Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QH Ben.heather@suffolk.gov.uk NEWSLETTER 83 - AUTUMN 2012 There are two things that I thought I should do in my first editorial: Firstly, on behalf of the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society and its members I would like to thank David Walker for all the hard work he has put in producing the White Admiral, to such a high standard, for over 10 years. Secondly, I would like to introduce myself as the new editor for the White Admiral. My name is Ben Heather and I work at the Suffolk Biological Records Centre as the Biological Records Officer with a specialism in computer mapping. I would consider myself a generalist in terms of my own natural history interests, but being a keen photographer with a macro lens, I am frequently drawn to the small photogenic species groups. I was born in December 1986 and, before I was a year old, a natural event took place which saw its 25th Anniversary last month in October. The Great Storm of 1987 with its hurricane force winds brought down over a million trees in Suffolk and spawned a massive clear up and re-planting operation. A story on the BBC website interviewing SWT Director Julian Roughton suggests that, in some places we tried to do too much (clearing and re-planting) and perhaps at the time did not look enough into the opportunities to improve the wider landscape. This story highlights an issue I have always considered about the level of intervention humans should have with nature, especially (in these sorts of situations) where it may take 25 years to show that nature is actually quite resilient. However, I also think this story highlights the importance and ever increasing need for knowledge in making the right conservation choices - something Suffolk natural historians will need to take forward into the future. The BBC story can be found here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk19911920 . Please enjoy this newsletter and feel free to email or write to me with any suggestions or snippets you would like to share with me or the readers in future editions. Ben Heather White Admiral 83
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SNIPPETS
Jays Garrulus glandarius may be more visible in gardens this autumn/ winter in their search for food (due to a poor acorn crop). It is believed that increased sightings may also be attributed to birds migrating from continental Europe (again in the search of food). This photo was taken by John Brooks. Ash dieback - Chalara fraxinea. Please visit and read the information on the Forestry Commission website http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara . This is a fast developing story with possible, cases of this fungal disease within Suffolk. The Environment Agency, the University of Bristol and the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology have developed an online recording tool for invasive plants. The Plant Tracker, which is also available as a smart phone app, allows records to be pinpointed on a Google map and accepts photos to help confirm sightings. http://planttracker.naturelocator.org/ More than 30 leading disease animal experts warn Government that Badger culls could increase the problem of TB in cattle. The group of scientists believe that a cull is unlikely to contribute to TB eradication and serves more as a costly distraction. (East Anglian Daily Times.) 23.10.12 - Government delays plans till next year… Find more snippets on the SNS website www.sns.org.uk or by following @SuffolkBRC on twitter.
The next Suffolk Naturalists’ Society members’ evening will be taking place at 7.30pm on the 20th November at the Cedars Hotel, Stowmarket, IP14 2AJ. This is a brilliant opportunity to enjoy an informal but informative evening with other Suffolk natural historians and this event will also feature presentations from Our guest speaker, Scott Pedley, PhD Researcher at the UEA. Scott will tell us about an unusual survey of carabid beetles in Suffolk Brecks grass heaths. The study provided information on the types and numbers of beetles in several sites historically seen as important for invertebrates, including Wangford Warren, Icklingham Plains, Deadman’s Grave, Maidscross Hill, Eriswell Low Warren and Thetford Heath. The evening will also feature updates from some of our county recorders, so please come and join us. 2
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT People working for a charity do it for a sense of achievement in fulfilling its aims. There are no bonuses or pay rises to recognise work well done. However, it is important that suitable recognition is not neglected and SNS has a built in means of doing this. Under our Constitution, Members who have given valuable service to the Society may be approved as Honorary Life Members by Council. In exceptional circumstances nominees may be awarded a Rivis Vice-Presidency (RVPs). The Constitution allows for 5 RVPs. In addition to having honorary life membership, Rivis Vice-Presidents may attend all Council meetings, as observers, and may receive copies of the associated papers. We have 8 Honorary Life Members who were previously members of Bury Natural History Society when it closed a very long time ago. The current Rivis Vice-Presidents are: Colin Hawes: long-standing Officer and promoter of the Society; long-time White Admiral Editor and stag beetle enthusiast. Jeff Martin: long-standing Officer, County Mammal Recorder and author of many books and papers and barn owl enthusiast. Howard Mendel: again a long-standing officer in many posts, County Dragonfly Recorder, writer of many books and papers and beetle enthusiast. Council has agreed unanimously that David Walker, who has just retired as Editor of White Admiral, should be awarded a Rivis Vice Presidency. He has been an active member of Council and edited the newsletter since summer 2002 – that is 31 issues and we have all enjoyed his astute and sometimes challenging editorials. This is a time-consuming task, particularly drumming up contributions, but the result is appreciated by members, who state that the publications are one of the main reasons for belonging to the society – and not just in Suffolk, all over the world there are members who tell us it is an important link with their home county. David has made it clear that this is not an end to his involvement in SNS and wishes to continue to contribute. Late RVPs have been: Geoff Heathcote – mycologist and editor of the transactions (SNH) 1979 – 1995 (with Martin Sanford till 2001). He contributed almost a paper a year from 1968 to 1993 and was also a long-standing Officer of the Society. Francis Simpson – nationally renowned botanist, County Recorder, author of Simpson’s Flora of Suffolk (1982), author of 52 papers for SNH and Officer of the Society. White Admiral 83
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Enid M. Hyde – botanist, County Recorder, author of 30 papers for SNH, member 1964 – 2002, county recorder, proof reader of publications, Section editor SNH and Council member. Rob Warren – Bird Recorder, 1985 –1991. He covered the whole county singlehanded and without a computer and perhaps more birds – today we have 3 Recorders and computers (and fewer birds?) – does this say something? Sam Beaufoy – Butterfly recorder, author of 24 papers for SNH as well as the schools supplement containing projects to inspire young naturalists and pioneer of life-cycle photography. A member from 1944 to 1999, he served for many years on Council holding several posts including Section Secretary for Entomology and Recorder for Butterflies & Moths. He had a major role on the committee led by Norman Kerr to co-ordinate publication of Simpson’s Flora and he was at the formative meeting of the SWT at Redgrave in 1960. Norman R. Kerr – botanist and geologist (SNH Section Editor for Geology). He joined SNS in 1948 and served on council. As Rural Studies organiser for SCC he was involved in educational activities of the Society producing the Schools Supplement in Transactions. He also helped set up the first Biological Records Centre in 1972 and arranged ‘substantial loans and donations’ for Francis Simpson’s Flora as well as leaving SNS £1000 in his will.
I should of course mention Mrs Rivis, in whose memory these posts are awarded, along with the Rivis Bursary for botanical studies. She has been the Society’s major benefactor and the reason we have the funds to support our work. She left the Society property in Farnham, which was sold and we still retain a parcel of land with a substantial sum of money associated with it. We don't currently have any Honorary Members. While we are able to recognise a small number of people through the honorary awards, there are a host of other people who do an immense amount of work, particularly County Recorders, the other recorders and those who turn up to council meetings month after month, without whom the society would not exist and I would like to thank them for their work – done just for love and Suffolk wildlife. Joan Hardingham, Chairman
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SOME PREDATORS OF THE STAG BEETLE LUCANUS CERVUS - PART 1 Stag beetles have many predators, a few of which have been described in earlier issues of White Admiral (WA), for example Common Magpie Pica pica (WA 22, 1992) and Song Thrush Turdus philomelos (WA 32, 1995). Further field observations of stag beetle predation recorded by the author, records of predation received from other observers, and published data on this subject are brought together in this short article to illustrate the extensive range of species that include stag beetles in their diet. First, though, it is well worth relating verbatim a recent observation of stag beetle predation made in Ipswich by Reg Snook and reported in his 'Park Jottings' (18th July, 2012)*. 'In June I watched a starling catching billywitches (cockchafers) and smashing them on the ground until the wings, wing cases and legs came adrift; nothing too unusual in this. However, in the first week of July, a starling (possibly the same bird) was again on my lawn but this time with a stag beetle. It went through the same procedure ripping off the wing cases, the wings, the legs and finally the head. It then flew off, presumably to feed its second brood of youngsters. It then returned with another stag beetle, then another and yet another. My lawn was littered with the remains of stag beetles, both male and female. Am I right in suggesting that to stag beetles, starlings are public enemy number one?' To answer Reg's question, many bird species are predators of stag beetles, especially magpies, which sometimes wipe out a complete emerging colony. Mammals too take their toll, as can be seen from the list of known predators given below. Predators of stag beetles
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Britain Barn Owl Common Kestrel Little Owl Song Thrush Jay Common Magpie Common Starling Northern Bullfinch
Europe Barn Owl European Roller Woodpeckers (sp?) Thrushes (sp?) Jay Great Grey Shrike Crows (sp?) Northern Bullfinch Hawfinch
Common Shrew Hedgehog
Shrew (sp?) Hedgehog Fox Badger
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Predators of stag beetle larvae Britain
Europe
Common Magpie
Woodpeckers (sp?)
Other birds (sp?)
Other birds (sp?)
Badger
Wild Boar
Acknowledgements: I am grateful to Richard Stewart for sending me a copy of Park Jottings 18th July, 2012, and to Reg Snook for giving permission to quote in full his paragraph on stag beetle predation. Park Jottings can be viewed at the Reg Driver Visitor Centre, Christchurch Park, Ipswich. Reference for European stag beetle predators: Klausnitzer, B. and SprecherUebersax, E. (2008). Die Hirschkäfer. Westarp Wissenschaften. PART 2 will include an account of stag beetle predation at one emergence site. Colin Hawes
Stag beetle remains from predation (male) by Colin Hawes 6
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DIPS AND DELLS AT ASPAL CLOSE The Suffolk Breckland exhibits a variety of patterned ground features of periglacial origin formed subsequent to the melting of the great Anglian ice sheet which covered Suffolk about 450,000 years ago. Permafrost, prevalent during post-Anglian cold phases, and ground water in the Chalk underlying much of the area were significant in the development of these relic landforms. Aspal Close in Beck Row has a network of shallow depressions which reward closer inspection and GeoSuffolk members visited in August this year with a view to designating it as a County Geodiversity Site. This Forest Heath District Council Local Nature Reserve has ancient pollarded oaks and its history and biodiversity have been described by Richard Champion in White Admiral 42. It has unrestricted public access and includes a short stretch of easy access path with plastic mesh underlay which passes close to one of the hollows. The hollows vary in shape, some are circular and some elongated or irregular in outline. They average about 50-100m across and all are of a similar depth - a few metres - some having damp, ‘plashy’ bottoms. They can be seen most clearly in the short grass areas of the park, but are present throughout. They are visible on Google satellite images and there is an excellent sketch map in the Aspal Close leaflet produced by Forest Heath DC which shows about 20 ‘dips and dells’. Their origin is unclear and was discussed at some length during our visit. The areas between the depressions are flat with no hummocks, which precludes man-made diggings. It has been suggested that they are pingoes - small hills formed by an ice lens growing under the regolith in areas of saturated ground above permafrost. They exist in areas such as Spitzbergen today and are one of the best understood periglacial features. When the ice melts with amelioration of climate, a depression is left with a rampart formed when the material covering the pingo sludges down its slopes. The lack of positive relief at Aspal Close, i.e. no ramparts is not typical of pingoes and we came up with two alternative ideas. They could be ground-ice depressions, where sediment has accumulated around small masses of persistent ice, leaving hollows when it melts; or they may be solution hollows in the underlying Chalk exacerbated by thawing of the permafrost. An investigation of the underlying deposits is needed. The geological map of the area shows terrace sands/gravels on top of Chalk and the presence of these sediments supports the ground-ice depression origin. However, a covering of sediment over the Chalk does not preclude solution features, especially since the White Admiral 83
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Advent Fjord, Spitzbergen - a pingo in alluvial material, showing cracks due to growth of the ice lens. Sketched by the author in August 2002. area is low lying, overlooking the ‘fen edge’ at about 5m OD, which makes the presence of ground water near the surface likely. We did find small areas of the fine blown sand prevalent throughout the Breckland on our field trip to Aspal Close, but no evidence of hummocky relief to suggest the presence of sand dunes. Caroline Markham References: Aspal Close Local Nature Reserve - Beck Row, Forest heath DC leaflet. British Geological Survey Sheet 174 Thetford, 2010 R Champion, Spotlight on Aspal Close - County Wildlife Site, White Admiral 42, Spring 1999. A Celebration of Suffolk Geology Copies of A Celebration of Suffolk Geology cost £20 and can be obtained through SNS by calling in person at Ipswich Museum or the Reg Driver Centre. Postal copies can be obtained by contacting info@geosuffolk.co.uk (£8 should be added to cover p&p). All cheques should be made payable to “GeoSuffolk”.
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NOTES FROM ORFORD NESS BIOBLITZ AUGUST 4-5 TH 2012 In the summer of this year I arranged a weekend BioBlitz event on Orford Ness, aimed largely at SNS members and other enthusiastic and skilled local naturalists. Although a great deal of recording of certain taxa has taken place during the National Trust’s management of the 16km long, vegetated shingle spit, our records are far from comprehensive and notable species, particularly invertebrates, are still frequently discovered here. To allow access to as much of site as possible, without undue disturbance to breeding birds, the event was a little later than might have been ideal for some groups, but still it was hopeful of yielding good results. A small detachment of the Suffolk Moth Group started the weekend off on Friday night, trapping at various locations, including reedbed and saltmarsh, and recording around 100 species over 6 traps. The main day, Saturday, drew around 13 people, including several SNS members, but also others from further afield, covering taxa including vascular plants, diptera, hymenoptera, coleoptera, fungi, lichen, butterflies, mammals and others. This day was intended to give access to the largest, and easiest to access, central section of the site. This included the grazing marshes with saline lagoons and ditches (recently created and improved through the LIFE funded Alde-Ore Future for Wildlife Project), vegetated shingle, lichen heath, mudflats and saltmarsh. After an early downpour, the weather settled and the recorders clearly Orford Ness Lighthouse by Ben Heather enjoyed the company of others as well as the site. On Sunday, we were concentrating on the southern section of the spit, where access difficulties (except by boat), have always limited the amount of recording. Since this White Admiral 83
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section of the SSSI that covers the Ness is now classed as being in unfavourable declining condition due to the effects of public access from anglers and pleasureboaters, recording here is a priority for us. Numbers were limited by places in the boat and seven made the trip, stopping at various points along the 6km section of vegetated shingle, lichen heath and saltmarsh. Overall, Adrian Knowles’ record of the bee Hylaeus spilotus, a first for East Anglia and the most northerly in the UK, was certainly one the early highlights of the event. Also from Adrian were interesting records of Brown-banded carder bee (Bombus humilis) and Moss carder bee (B. muscorum) but a great many other records have been added to our lists too, and, as usual, quite a number of potentially interesting records from all the recorders will need further examination over the winter months before they can be confirmed. The event seems to have been well received and several people have asked if it will be repeated next year. As a result, I am hoping to go ahead with another, similar weekend in 2013, and will time it rather earlier in the season, with a slightly more restricted area available, to avoid disturbance to any breeding birds still on the site. I would like, once again, to extend my thanks to all those to came along to the event and will keep White Admiral informed of the arrangements for next year. Dave Fincham Ranger, National Trust Orford Ness NNR
RECORDS PLEASE: WASP SPIDER ARGIOPE BRUENNICHI A query this autumn from Adam Gretton about wasp spiders on his land at Aldham (see Mark Cocker’s Country Diary in the Guardian 19 Aug 2012) prompted me to review our records for this handsome species. I wondered if, after the initial excitement, recorders had assumed we knew all about them and would not be interested in further sightings. Photo credit: Matt Berry Since the first county record at Framlingham in 2001, we have gradually added new sites, but it has not spread everywhere and remains relatively scarce. In recent decades it has spread north from the south coast (where it was first seen in 1922) and it is often cited as an example of change due to global warming. We appear to be on the northern edge of its (expanding?) range in 10
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Britain (see National map from SRS left) and this may explain why it has not become more frequent here. Despite the wet weather; this year has seen several new records, including a large population along the sea wall at Levington Marina (TM2537). Their large size (up to 2 cm in adult females) and bright colouration makes them easy to spot. The characteristic webs with a vertical zigzag band of iridescent silk (stabilimentum) near the hub are also quite noticeable (see Matt Berry’s cover photo). Look out also for the large, flask-shaped, brown egg-sac, somewhat resembling an up-turned Greek urn. This is generally hung in the vegetation near her web. Females die in the autumn, their eggs however, over-winter and then hatch in the spring. Further records would enable us to get a better idea of the rate of spread of this species across the county. Did the colder winter last year slow it down? Or will it continue to spread northwards? A link to the Spider Recording Scheme website: http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/ portal.php/p/Summary/s/Argiope+bruennichi Martin Sanford SBRC
Contributions to White Admiral Deadlines for copy are 1st February (spring edition), 1st June (summer edition) and 1st October (autumn edition). The opinions expressed in White Admiral are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society.
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RECORDS PLEASE: RHODODENDRON LEAFHOPPER GRAPHOCEPHALA FENNAHI This psychedelic looking leafhopper was discovered in Kenton Woods near Leiston by keen photographer Jonathan Wright. The Rhododendron Leafhopper is native to the USA but was introduced to Great Britain in the 1930s and continental Europe in the 1970s. It can be found widely in southern Britain but is a species with only a few casual records to its name in Suffolk. Both adults and larvae feed on Rhododendron sap and can be found mid summer to late autumn. This is worth keeping an eye out for. Photo credit: Jonathan J Wright Ben Heather SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY MAKES A WELCOME RETURN TO SUFFOLK Climate change appears to be good for the Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia, which used to grace Suffolk woodland in the 1940s and 1950s, but has suffered a long absence since then. Recently, it has been strengthening its colonies in the south of England, and in 2007, a couple of stray males turned up in Suffolk. At the time, these were put down to overspill from a re-introduced colony in Essex, but a few more in a private wood near Stowmarket gave cause for hope in 2009. That hope turned to excitement in 2010, when the butterfly had a very strong year across Essex, Herts and Cambs, and suddenly turned up in a dozen places in Suffolk and Norfolk. It is a woodland species, and several of the sightings were in woods that seemed to offer good prospects for breeding. The early hot dry spring of 2011 brought more success than anyone had expected. Searches of the prospective breeding woods in late June discovered paphia flying in numbers that proved that colonisation had taken place the previous year. They turned up in 13 Suffolk woods, and pairing was observed in at least one of these. Two strays have also turned up in gardens. The woods in question are mainly large oak woodlands, and are spread across the county. Most of them already support colonies of the White Admiral too. 12
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Although 2012 was an awful season for butterflies in general, the Silver-washed Fritillary continued its consolidation, with numbers increasing dramatically in 3 woods, and gently in others, with a spread to nearby woods in several cases. Pakenham Wood, north of Bury St Edmunds, is a private wood with a public footpath running through its best open glade, and this provided exciting viewing opportunities for dozens of enthusiasts, several of whom were able to count over 20 paphia on visits in late July and early August. Notably, Bill Stone saw three mating pairs and took the photograph to the right showing one pair with a third in transit above them. The number of woods with sightings in 2012 rose to 17, not counting 4 sites that had apparently had only one brief visit in 2011. Here is a list of the best of the woods for observing Silver-washed Fritillary. All of these have at least some public access (please respect the private parts to preserve the landowners' goodwill).
Bradfield Woods (SWT) Wolves Wood (RSPB) Silver-washed Fritillaries by Bill Stone Theberton Wood (FC) Northfield Wood (WT – only one seen so far; the wood is rather heavily shaded) Dunwich Forest (FC/ SWT – look in the glades with oak and bramble) Norton Wood (private with footpaths) Reydon Great Wood (private, crossed by Hadleigh railway walk)
Pakenham Wood (private with public footpath crossing through the wood)
The butterflies are on the wing from late June, they fly through July, and can be found taking nectar from bramble blossom or thistle. In 2012 they were still to be found in at least 3 woods on 18th August, although their bright colours had faded and most were worn. The females lay their eggs low down on oaks close to violets - the larval host plant. Why not visit a wood near you next summer, spending time in sunny glades with violets. If you find any Silver-washed Fritillaries, you can report them via the Butterfly Conservation website: www.suffolkbutterflies.org.uk Rob Parker White Admiral 83
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SNS GRANT FOR MONITORING PROJECT AT SWT’S GROVE FARM NATURE RESERVE, NORTON Suffolk Wildlife Trust acquired Grove Farm in Norton, near Bury St Edmunds, when it was generously left as a legacy by Laura Cooper in 1995. It has six mostly small, winter-cropped arable fields totally 45ha along with 17ha of species-rich cattlegrazed marshes, designated as County Wildlife Site. In 2010 SWT successfully applied for a ‘Million Pond Project’ grant to create nine new ponds to add to the 11 existing ponds at the farm. The Trust has also recently agreed exciting new changes with Natural England to its ten-year Higher Level Scheme (HLS) agreement. This HLS scheme will help SWT’s enthusiastic new farming tenants, the Barker family from Westhorpe, by providing management payments for new, more challenging options that aim to help reverse the decline in key farmland birds and rare arable flora. In February, SWT was awarded an SNS grant to help study the various changes in wildlife that occur in the forthcoming years at Grove Farm from the baseline year of 2012. However, this monitoring project is also an experiment in harnessing the enthusiasm of volunteers from the local Blackbourne group of the University of the Third Age (U3A) with the following specific aims: 1.
To study how quickly rare arable flora returns to arable fields following a change in the management of arable field margins and the introduction of winter stubbles. The chalky boulder clay in Suffolk is known to be important for rare arable flora. With a change from conventionally farmed land to the introduction of overwintered stubbles and spring and autumn cultivated margins, specifically aimed at benefiting rare arable flora, there is an opportunity to monitor the changes from a baseline year.
Adrian Chalkely describes a sampling method for aquatic inverts 14
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2.
A study of how quickly Biodiversity Action Plan species (great crested newt, toad, grass snake, tassel stonewort) and aquatic invertebrates colonise 9 new (and several restored) ponds from existing ponds. Within this are the following objectives: a.
b. c.
To increase local/interested amateur naturalists’ understanding of pond ecology, amphibian, plants and aquatic invertebrates through two training workshops (May & September); collection of data and ongoing feedback/dialogue regarding recorded finds. To contribute records that help the understanding of colonisation of newly created ponds. To establish whether it is possible to use non-specialist volunteers to help flag up sites of high conservation value which can then be studied further by specialists.
Martin Sanford teaches arable flora during a rather wet training day at Grove Farm It is early days yet, but SWT is delighted with the progress made: U3A volunteers have been issued with pond nets and sampling equipment; a really well-attended training workshop was held in May; and volunteers have regularly visited Grove Farm to collect data. New volunteers with additional skills such as photography have joined the monitoring team; there are frequently additional observations of orchids, birds and butterflies on the Grove Farm e-grapevine; and aquatic specimens to identify this winter are rolling in. The Wildlife Watching Group of the Blackbourne U3A is fast becoming SWT’s local ears and eyes and Rob Parker’s article next demonstrates that, in turn, the project is proving enormously rewarding for those involved. Juliet Hawkins Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s farmland and pond adviser White Admiral 83
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THE U3A TEAM AT SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST’S GROVE FARM NATURE RESERVE The University of the Third Age (U3A) is a self-help organization of retired citizens, clubbed together to share expertise through informal learning in groups led by retired professionals, academics and amateur enthusiasts. I come into the last group and lead a “Watching Wildlife” group within the Blackbourne U3A, based at Thurston (near Bury St Edmunds) and covering the geographic area around the River Blackbourne (a former Hundred of Suffolk). The Watching Wildlife Group meets monthly, visiting local nature reserves and other sites to see natural history, learn a little and to simply enjoy an outing in the countryside. We number 25 in total and our interests range from farming and gardening, through archaeology, botany, photography and entomology to ecology and biological recording. Training for monitoring Our closest Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve is Grove Farm, a working farm inherited by the Trust, and recently enhanced by the construction of specially designed conservation ponds. A theme of the reserve is to allow natural regeneration, and monitoring the colonisation of the resultant string of 20 ponds has become a focus for our Watching Wildlife Group. Some of the ponds are well established; two are dried and overtaken by successional growth of scrub, several of the old ponds were de-silted, others were extended and ten were dug afresh in 2009/2010. 18 of us volunteered to get involved in the monitoring project and were given an excellent training day by a team led by Juliet Hawkins (SWT Farmland and pond adviser), and County Recorders Martin Sanford (Flora) and Adrian Chalkley (Aquatic Invertebrates). We split into sub groups to monitor amphibians, flora (of the field margins) and aquatic invertebrates, and shared the load by sub-dividing to cover particular field margins and clusters of ponds in smaller teams. Our photographers got to work recording our antics, the development of each pond and close-up images of everything that required specialist identification. In the case of aquatic invertebrates, it would be necessary to take samples to be referred to Adrian for identification to species level, whilst at the other end of the scale, the amphibians could only be handled by those appropriately licensed for the job. An interesting development was the arrival of the Barkers, new tenant farmers, who are implementing SWT plans for new hedgerows and conservation margins, providing specific target margins for the flora teams to record.
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Progress Four months after our induction we have managed to make a first visit to each of the target ponds and field margins. Smooth newts have been found in almost all of the ponds, both old and new. However, we will have to wait until spring 2013 to have a proper opportunity to search for great crested newts, none of which have yet been found, but are known to inhabit one pond on the marsh edge. By August, common frogs and toads were turning up in the grass margins, sometimes well away from the ponds. Butterflies, dragonflies, birds and a few mammals have been noted as incidental sightings and are being recorded centrally. Learning the aquatic invertebrates was a new task for most of us, but even the new ponds were found to be populated with pond skaters, backswimmers, lesser water-boatmen, whirligig beetles, diving beetles, dragonfly larvae, mayfly larvae and immature stages of flies and mosquitoes. Sometimes a single net sweep would produce any of these plus two or three immature newts too. The common water snails were already present but leeches and flatworms have been slower to surrender. The problem is that each of these groups contain species which require microscopic inspection to determine. As this is (at present) beyond our expertise, samples are being sent to Adrian Chalkley for expert identification, and we have already received feedback on the first batch. The whole process has been absorbing, educational and good fun too. If you think of pond dipping as a pursuit for children, we now have a bunch of senior youngsters. Botanising is fun too and we are all feeding on one another's knowledge – in the true spirit of the U3A. So, we are progressively assembling an inventory of the natural treasures of Grove Farm, and under expert guidance, achieving the right quality of identification to satisfy the needs of the county recorders and the Suffolk Biological Records Centre. This is being done for the benefit of SWT but not through the SWT. The use of retired, non-specialist volunteers as local recorders (under the supervision of County experts), within a partnership between U3A and SWT, is a new venture. This may prove a useful model for use elsewhere and it is certainly providing an enlightening activity for U3A members. Rob Parker White Admiral 83
Photo: Larva of the diving beetle Acilius sulcatus 17
FINDING FLIES AT ASPAL CLOSE LNR Starting back in May 2012, a survey of dipterans has been taking place at Aspal Close LNR. The survey has been designed to make the most of local volunteers which both helps funding go further but more importantly helps engage local residents in gathering important species records and learning more about a site on their doorstep.
View of veteran Oak towards St Johns Church, FHDC The Site Aspal Close (above) is a Local Nature Reserve owned and managed by Forest Heath District Council. It covers approximately 20 hectares and is located in Beck Row, near Mildenhall. It is a complex mix of ancient wood pasture, scrub and lowland grass heath. The site is within the Brecks landscape area and is a remnant of medieval wood pasture and was home to a working farm up to 1963. The site undulates with dips and hollows which have always been assumed to have formed either naturally or though human intervention. However, the site has recently been designated as a County Geodiversity Site as it is now believed the network of shallow depressions is of periglacial origin (See Caroline Markham’s notes on p. 7). The grassland is typical of the Brecks, containing a mosaic of chalk, neutral and acidic communities. The site has been naturally and formally grazed in the past and there is no evidence that the grazing land has ever been improved. The site is currently well grazed by a rabbit population that helps maintain valuable conditions associated with the Brecks. 18
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The site is home to around 200 important veteran oak trees. It is estimated many of these are at least 800 years old or possibly more. A proportion of the veteran oaks are located in the more open Brecks grassland areas of the site. These typify ancient wood pasture and the grassland surrounding them is well grazed by rabbits, with a supplementary annual cut and collect where necessary. The site also has a good level of scrub which provides additional beneficial habitat, including hawthorn and blackthorn thickets. Central areas of the site have developed significant Oak regeneration over more recent years. Tree ring evidence from some of these regenerated Oaks dates them at up to 50 to 75 years old at the most. This would indicate a cessation in grazing in these areas around the time the site ceased to be a working farm. The majority of the veteran oak trees are located in these areas. Consequently much of these areas have more of a woodland structure with coarser vegetation, well developed humus layer, greater shading and slightly damper conditions. The site is home to a number of nationally and regionally important species. Many of these are Brecks specialities including the Grey Carpet Moth (Lithostege griseata) and its larval host plant Flixweed, the Five Banded Tailed Digger Wasp (Cerceris quinquefasciata) and the Brush-thighed Seed Eater (Harpalus froelichii). There is also a good range of specialist Brecks vascular plant records including Breckland Thyme, Spanish Catchfly, Grape-hyacinth, Sickle Medick, Bur Medick and Annual Knawel. The site also has records for a number of notable saproxylic Coleoptera which are associated with the veteran Oak trees. Records include the Cobweb Beetle (Ctessias serra), Scraptia testacea, Melasis buprestoides and Korynetes caeruleus. Why Flies? Diptera are yet to be surveyed on the site and no records currently exist. The group is generally under represented in surveys and so fewer records tend to exist on many sites. In particular this is the case in Suffolk, and a dipteran survey may enhance knowledge of this group in the region. There are a number of dipteran species associated with veteran Oaks and deadwood habitats that are noteworthy both nationally and locally. Information on this important assemblage is required to help inform management priorities as well as provide additional information about these features of interest and improve an understanding of the site, within the context of its veteran Oak population. In addition, there are a number of notable dipteran species which are Brecks specialists. Survey records of such species on the site would further inform important management prescriptions for the site within its Brecks context as well as improve understanding of this assemblage in the wider regional context. A survey of White Admiral 83
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Diptera on this site may also provide valuable information on the relationship between the veteran Oak population and the Brecks associated features. At present the lack of information for Diptera is a clear gap in the site’s research and monitoring programme, and the survey work will address this need. Funding An application was made to the Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership Project Fund which successfully provided 50% match funding for the project. The remaining 50% was matched from the sites budget which was only possible as the site has now been entered into a Higher Level Stewardship Agreement (HLS). With the HLS agreement in place, enough resource was freed up this year to undertake the project. However, the total project budget was too small to allow a full survey to be carried out using professional contractors. Therefore we began to develop the project using volunteer resources where possible. The volunteers have been able to carry out much of the fieldwork, which in any survey eats into the time available for the contractor. The project tender was then developed identifying the volunteer resource available and the emphasis for the contractor was identification of samples and producing a report. Survey Methodology The survey aimed to use techniques which volunteers would be able to carry out in the field. The first stage was sweep netting (left) in late May to try and sample flowering Hawthorns. Due to time constraints few samples were taken as the Hawthorns were beginning to slow down by the time samples could be taken. Sweep netting was also used as part of an event called Dip into Dipterans. This was an opportunity to include the project in Forest Heath District Council’s Summer of Fun programme of children’s activities during the summer holidays. The activity enabled participants to learn Family taking part in Dip into about flies (a much overlooked group of Dipterans Event, FHDC insects), identify flies as an Order, and learn sampling techniques. The specimens caught on the day formed part of the overall project trapping effort and were placed in wet storage for later identification by the contractor. Participants were also able to feel part of a project that would 20
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provide a permanent legacy for species records in the area. Water traps formed the mainstay trapping technique for the survey, as volunteers could easily help service them. In total 15 traps were placed on the site at a range of locations. The traps were left for 2 week periods and emptied, samples labelled, specimens placed in wet storage and traps reset. Traps were set between July and August, and again between September and October. By the end of August volunteer time spent to date was 86 hours, not including the autumn traps. Additional sampling has been carried out by the contractor, who was able to include a couple of days field work. This has been targeted at more specialised sampling, to make the most of the limited time available from the contracted expert. The contractor was able to use malaise and vane traps (below) and also carried out some targeted sweep netting while on site. It is hoped that wet rot material can also be reared over the winter. At time of writing, it is too early to gauge the results of the surveying. It is hoped a full report will be produced for December 2012, although the results rearing may need to be appended to the report in the spring. We aim to share the results of the survey in an update to this publication later in the year. Matt Vernon Countryside and Open Spaces Officer, Forest Heath District Council
Malaise Trap being used by contractor. All photos courtesy of Forest Heath District Council White Admiral 83
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WALL BROWN SURVEY 2011/2012 SNS/BC Single-species Survey. The organized survey started by selecting 15 paired tetrads, one which had Wall records in the previous 2 years, paired with an adjacent tetrad with records from 4 or 5 years back, but none since. The idea was to get surveyors to find them flying in the primary good site, and then (ideally on the same day) to search the secondary tetrad in the hope of finding that they were still resident there too. 15 volunteers enrolled to provide cover of those squares and some late additions extended the original plan with 4 extra unpaired tetrads. Inevitably, a few surveyors were unable to visit for various personal reasons, whilst many others recorded Walls without being allocated survey squares. A total of 55 people contributed records, from their own gardens, in a couple of cases. 2011 Results The bad news is that, for the second year in succession, not a single Wall was recorded from West Suffolk (TL tetrads). Five paired tetrads were thoroughly searched. Results for TM were also disappointing, with most sightings being close to the coast, and in known strong colonies. At least, the survey has improved our understanding of where the best remaining coastal habitat is still occupied. It appears that the Wall is only hanging on close to the sea or river estuaries, usually where unkempt grasses grow unmown on embankments and sea walls. The most westerly record was from Thorpe Bay on the Orwell estuary (TM2537), and the most inland was Bredfield (TM2753). The northern areas of Lowestoft & Gorleston (TG) were not target tetrads, but the Wall is holding on there relatively well. In all, Wall was recorded from 30 tetrads in 2011, as against 27 in 2010 - so the considerable extra recording effort produced mostly negative results, without the surge of sightings that might have been expected. 34 target tetrads were selected, and 30 of these were visited at least once, but 4 went unvisited. Only 2 primary “promising/strong� squares had Wall sightings (but in neither case were they found both in 1st and 2nd generations). None of the secondary squares had any Wall sightings (all of these had Wall 5 or 6 years ago). The 4 extra unpaired squares were surveyed by volunteers joining after the main allocation, but none were seen in these squares either. The majority of sightings came in from roving recorders, plus a few from the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey and the Big Butterfly Count. A total of 66 Wall records were noted, many from the Shingle Street, Bawdsey & Boyton areas. A total 22
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2011 Wall in 30 tetrads (4.4% of 677) – but none in TL (West Suffolk)
of 30 tetrads had Wall records. Most sightings were of singles and the highest number seen together was six. This in itself reflects a declining population. The map (left) shows how coastal the distribution has become. Was the 2011 survey a failure then? Far from it; the survey sadly confirmed that the Wall is retreating east even faster than we already knew. Our objective now must be to identify the extent of the remaining colonies, with a view to preserving the habitat.
2012 Update Monitoring the Wall remains a priority, so recording has extended for 2012. The survey continues, but using different ground rules. Last year’s targets were clearly optimistic. So no targets were set in TL for 2012. However, there is some encouraging news from TL, as two Walls were seen close to Sedge Fen. Infill targets were set for coastal tetrads in TM and TG and continued monitoring of last year’s TM targets was undertaken. However, the results have been generally disappointing, with almost all sightings coming from the known hot spots from Shingle Street to
* *Note: One late record raised the total from 30 to 31. White Admiral 83
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Boyton and Bawdsey. Hopefully more records have yet to come in from casual sightings and from observers without email, but the picture does not look encouraging. Coastal Work The Environment Agency has conducted a lot of coastal defence work during 2011, some of it disturbing good Wall habitat. In some cases, the ongoing EA work could prove beneficial in the long term. For the future, the Environmental Information Summary for the proposed East Anglia ONE offshore wind farm reveals that its undersea cables are likely to come ashore at Bawdsey - the site of one of our strongest Wall colonies. Rob Parker PRICE REDUCTION - A FLORA OF SUFFOLK Copies of A Flora of Suffolk continue to sell well with only about 200 copies remaining. If you haven’t already got it, you are advised to buy one before it sells out. The book is quite heavy (550 pages weighing over 2kg!) and, if you are able to collect it direct from Martin Sanford at the High Street Museum in Ipswich, you can save postage and buy it for £30 (a £10 reduction on the price in bookshops). It will also be available for this price at the Member’s Evening in Stowmarket on 20th November. This attractive A4 hardback is illustrated in colour throughout and would make an ideal Christmas gift. The opening chapters covering climate, soils, landscape history, habitats etc. give it a broad appeal beyond just wild flower and moss enthusiasts. Indeed, Peter Lawson’s review in White Admiral says ‘Every Suffolk naturalist should have a copy – it is worth every penny’. A Flora of Suffolk. M. N. Sanford & R. J. Fisk. Pp. 552. Published by D. K. & M. N. Sanford, Ipswich. 2010. Hardback. ISBN 978-0-9564584-0-7. If you would like to order a copy by post please send a cheque for £40 (inc. p&p) payable to ‘D. K. Sanford’ to 78 Murray Rd, Ipswich, IP3 9AQ. 24
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WILD ANGLIA - A LOCAL NATURE PARTNERSHIP Norfolk and Suffolk Local Nature Partnership (known as Wild Anglia) became a reality in July after months of dedicated development work by the two counties’ Biodiversity Partnerships and County Councils. Following a well-attended ‘Springboard’ event hosted by the National Trust at Ickworth House in May, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) gave approval for full ‘LNP’ status to the delight of the steering group. Wild Anglia will work to prevent the loss of species and habitats in the two counties, championing the area’s outstanding and economically important natural environment. Partnership working has been recognised by Government as key to delivery for the natural environment at local level (Natural Environment White Paper 2011, Lawton 2011) and so Wild Anglia forms a natural way forward into the future. The strong Biodiversity Partnerships of Norfolk and Suffolk have forged links with a wide range of delivery partners over the past decade, providing a solid foundation on which Wild Anglia can build. Both county Partnerships will remain in place with Wild Anglia working at a strategic level, in particular, with its economic counterpart, New Anglia (the Local Enterprise Partnership), to ensure that decision making at all levels takes the environment into account. Wild Anglia will be a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, a unique model for Local Nature Partnerships and a transition board is currently being formed under the chairmanship of Richard Powell, Regional Director of the National Trust. A manifesto to be published early 2013 will clarify Wild Anglia’s aims, explain how the organisation will work and encourage partner participation. Capacity building for communities is a major focus and Wild Anglia achieved its first success in this field by funding a Building Skills in Community Wildlife Projects workshop in September. Hosted by the Green Light Trust (GLT) near Bury St Edmunds, the event featured presentations on GLT, Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Networking Nature Project, Eco-Schools, the Little Ouse Headwaters Project, Debenham Woods and Waterways project and the Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership’s Green Web project. A Questions for the Panel session proved popular giving the audience a variety of viewpoints and additional resources. More events of this type will be run if there is a demand for them. If you would like to go on the mailing list for the Wild Anglia newsletter or find out more, please contact Haidee Bishop at Norfolk County Council. Email: Haidee.bishop@norfolk.gov.uk.
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References and further information: Defra: Local Nature Partnerships. Website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ natural/whitepaper/local-nature-partnerships/ Eastern Daily Press article 24 July 2012 – link http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/ environment/ government_approval_means_boost_for_norfolk_and_suffolk_s_wonderful_nature_ 1_1457893 Green Economy Pathfinder manifesto. Website: http://www.newanglia.co.uk/Assets/ Files/Content/2012-06-01%20Final%20New_Anglia_Manifesto_2.pdf Making Space for Nature (Prof. John Lawton) an independent review of Britain’s wildlife sites and their connections. Website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/ news/2010/09/24/nature-news/ Natural Environment White Paper 2011 Website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/ environment/natural/whitepaper/ New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. Website: http://www.newanglia.co.uk/ Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership. Website: www.norfolkbiodiversity.org Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership. Website: www.suffolkbiodiversity.org Gen Broad LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ABERRANT PLANTAINS I was walking on Pakefield beach on 19 July 2012 when I noticed a plant with an unfamiliar globular fruiting head. Nearby was another plant with a pyramidal head. I checked the leaves of these plants and they both had the typical leaf rosette of Plantago lanceolata (Ribwort Plantain). Also nearby was a more usual looking plant. All the fruits on each of the plants were similar. This suggests to me that the different forms are the result of a 26
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genetic change rather than a gall effect. I have not seen this phenomenon before and I would be interested to learn if anyone knows the cause. The site is at least 20 miles from Sizewell Power Station! Chris Romer ccromer@btinternet.com HALF-BEAKED SUCCESS On May 28th this year, among the blackbirds that visit our garden was a male that attracted our attention. Something about it didn't look quite right. With binoculars we were able to see that his beak was severely damaged. The lower mandible had broken near to the bird's head and was hanging down towards the ground, making it impossible for him to feed normally. With such a serious injury, we wondered if he would be able to survive. During the morning we watched him struggle to pick up the regular food that we put out for the birds, stabbing at it repeatedly with the one usable mandible. Thinking that it might be easier for him to manage if the food were softer, and knowing that blackbirds are fond of earthworms (meat), my wife, Ann, put out some small pieces of minced beef. Persevering with the stabbing technique he was eventually able to get a morsel stuck to the remaining mandible, and then tried to 'flick' the food into his mouth. Repeated stabbing and flicking attempts finally led to success. Gradually, over the months, 'half-beak' has become accustomed to minced beef on tap. He has also mastered his technique and is less wary of Ann. More recently, he responds to her call when she is putting out the food, and sometimes is even waiting on the doorstep for her at eight o'clock in the morning. However, because he is more timid than other blackbirds and necessarily a slow eater, other members of his species often muscle in and drive him off. Does he get enough food to survive? We hope so, but time will tell. Colin Hawes 17th October, 2012 White Admiral 83
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INDIAN STICK INSECTS I thought your readers may be interested in an unusual “find” made at Theberton Woods, Saxmundham, earlier in July this year. For the last few years I have made frequent visits during the summer months to this site to view the spectacular and rare Purple Emperor butterfly. During one of these visits I was called over to a patch of thistles by one of the other “regular” Emperor watchers who had found a group of at least six Indian Stick insects (Carausius morosus) spread over a few square metres of thistle plants. As a keen photographer I couldn’t resist taking a few images of these strange and compelling insects. Having taken the photos I thought I would find out more about these unusual insects. Whilst there are no native stick insects in the UK there are a few naturalised colonies in Cornwall and Devon, and so I believe it is likely that someone “released” these into the wood. They breed profusely by parthenogenesis and can soon multiply into unwanted numbers when confined in captivity. Unfortunately they cannot withstand cold temperatures and are therefore unlikely to survive the winter at Theberton but visitors to the wood may be lucky to catch a glimpse of one of these elusive creatures before the first frosts of the autumn. Their discovery certainly made an interesting diversion whilst waiting for the Purple Emperors to make a show, but that’s another story. Gary Last Photos: Carausius morosus by Gary Last. Gary is one of many keen naturalists using the photo sharing website ‘Flickr’ to show his natural photography skills off to the world. More of his photos can be found via the Suffolk Biological Records Centre flickr group page at http:// www.flickr.com/groups/sbrc_suffolk-wildlifephotos/ 28
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SNS MEMBERS EVENING 20TH NOVEMBER 7.30 PM THE CEDARS HOTEL, STOWMARKET, IP14 2AJ
SUFFOLK NATURALISTS’ SOCIETY BURSARIES The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society offers five bursaries, of up to £500 each, annually. Morley Bursary - usually awarded for studies involving insects (or other invertebrates) other than butterflies and moths. Chipperfield Bursary - usually awarded for studies involving butterflies or moths. Cranbrook Bursary - usually awarded for studies involving mammals or birds. Rivis Bursary - usually awarded for studies into the County’s flora. Simpson Bursary - in memory of Francis Simpson; this will be for a botanical study where possible. Any member wishing to apply for a bursary should write, with details of their proposed project, to the Honorary Secretary. As applications are normally considered at the Council meeting in May of each year, proposals should be with the Hon. Sec. by 30th April. Applications made at other times will be considered but, even if considered worthy of an award, may not be successful if all the bursaries for the current year have already been taken. The following two conditions apply to the awards: 1. 2.
Projects should include a large element of original work and applications must include a breakdown of how the bursary will be spent. 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.
FOUNDED IN 1929 by Claude Morley (1874 -1951), The Suffolk Naturalists’ Society pioneered the study and recording of the County’s flora, fauna and geology, to promote a wider interest in natural history. Recording the natural history of Suffolk is still one of the Society’s primary objects, and members’ observations are fed to a network of specialist recorders for possible publication before being deposited in the Suffolk Biological Records Centre, which is based in Ipswich Museum. Suffolk Natural History, a review of the County’s wildlife, and Suffolk Birds, the County bird report, are two high quality annual publications issued free to members. The Society also publishes a newsletter, White Admiral, and organises two members’ evenings a year plus a conference every two years . Subscriptions: Individual members £15.00; Family membership £17.00; Corporate membership £17.00. Joint membership with the Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group: Individual members £28.00; Family membership £32.00. As defined by the Constitution of this Society its objects 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, c/o Ipswich Museum, High Street, IPSWICH, IP1 3QH. Telephone 01473 213479 The Society’s website is at www.sns.org.uk