May 2017 - Ecology Survey and Assessments | Suffolk Norfolk and East Anglia

Sometimes newt surveys are not very exciting from an amphibian perspective - which is good for clients, but may reflect ponds that have been degraded or neglected.
However, this does not necessarily mean they are lacking in life - a grotty little Norfolk pond I was surveying last night was teeming with invertebrate life. Highlights were several water stick insects - fascinating predators of this murky, silty world, which hunt other inverts as well as larger prey such as tadpoles.

This one was munching on a water boatman, and I was lucky enough to find one in a bottle trap in the morning.
After a quick snap, it was safely returned to its habitat unharmed.

Also noted were a pair of mating water scorpions - another pond predator and fascinating to watch - and several larvae of great diving beetles: fabulous and voracious preadators that were attacking and eating sticklebacks.

It just goes to show that ponds are fascinating and enthralling habitats - and the bugs that live there show a great deal of diversity that merit a good dabble every now and then.

May Bank Holidays offer great opportunities for exploring the natural jewels and early May is the perfect time to explore bluebell woods.
Here in Suffolk, Bradfield Woods is a gem - an ancient woodland that is expertly managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust in a style of management known as coppice with standards. Much of the wood comprises hazel and ash coppice with mature trees including some fine oaks rising majestically above the coppice layer.
The result is a splendid wood with a wealth of ancient woodland indicator species - on show this weekend were bluebells (of course) but also some marvellous early marsh orchids, wood anemones, carpets of wild garlic, and for me the pick was a few remaining oxlips (a rare species nowadays).
I would highly recommend a visit - a few hours of wandering around the woods is perfect escape from the trials and tribulations of everyday life!
Bradfield Woods is a few miles from Bury St Edmunds, and is National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. More information can be found at the Suffolk Wildlife Trust website. Read on for more about a recent visit to see the bluebells at their best.

A small car park was overflowing when we arrived, but we were able to park on a nearby verge. At the entrance to the wood, there is smattering of wood-based structure and sculptures, which give the air of a natural transition to the woodland beyond. However, beyond the car park, the first experience is that of a marvellous timber-built visitor centre which provides a wealth of information about the wood.

With just a couple of hours to spare, we opted for an amble around the blue walk - a couple of miles around the eastern half of the wood.
Immediately we were in a different world, surrounded by wonderfully uplifting hazel coppice, each stool spreading from the base into a network of spreading stems. Beneath the canopy, the ground layer was a mesmerizing mass of colour - vivid blues from bluebells, lush violets from spikes of early marsh orchids and occasionally the pale yellow forms of oxlips, nearly over now, but a delight to see.
Further on, we came across a pungent carpet of white and lush green wild garlic - often excluding most other species.

Throughout the wood, birds were in full voice, and an early morning visit is something I will try and fit in this month to take full advantage of the dawn chorus and the full gamut of woodland bird song. Occasionally we caught sight of dormouse tubes and nest boxes, evidence of the work of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust who have been active in re-introducing this species to this part of Suffolk.

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Great crested newt surveys often reveal hidden invertebrate treasures

Bradfield Woods - Ancient Woodland Heaven in Suffolk