the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has launched an ambitious survey of British owls. Owl populations are difficult to monitor and concerns are growing about the numbers of all five British species. The survey, which will start in Autumn 2005, will concentrate on tawny, short-eared and barn owls. Members are encouraged to participate. Details are available from BTO Owl Survey, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU or telephone 01842-750050 or owls@bto.org.uk
visit www.SNS.org.uk to view the new domain website. Details are available elsewhere in this newsletter in an article by Adrian Chalkley.
- populations of wild deer in Suffolk have increased to the extent that culling may be needed to control numbers. Mild winters over the past 40 years have allowed many more young deer to thrive. An average of 20 people a year are hurt in road collisions with deer.
two thirds of British moth species have declined over the past 35 years. Total numbers have fallen by 60% since the 1930s. Worst affected species are the dusky thorn and the hedge rustic, both of which have decreased by 90%. Warm damp winters are thought to be killing their eggs. Many garden animals depend on moths and their caterpillars for food.
following a rampage across the European mainland the moth has crossed the channel. Caterpillars emerge from the mines on the leaves of horse chestnuts leaving a brown blotch and can cover the whole tree with a brown coating. Growth of the tree may be restricted and conker production reduced.
oak leaves are now not falling until the end of October, a week later than 30 years ago - from www.phenology.org.uk
- the earliest redwing this autumn was reported in Suffolk on 3rd October.
most of the UK experienced the wettest August since 1956 with mean rainfall of 152.9mm, 200% of the long-term average.
fox faeces have been counted in 444 1 km squares across mainland Britain to construct a baseline index of population density. The total rural population is estimated at 225,000 with a further 33,000 in urban locations. Hunting kills up to 25,000 annually and 100,000 are killed on the roads. Numbers are influenced more by habitat than by hunting so the population is not expected to increase if hunting is banned.
a juvenile Cettis warbler was mist-netted at the Nunnery Lakes Reserve in Thetford for the first time this summer.
the Scarce Chaser is continuing to expand its range. An unusual double-peak emergence of the species occurred along the River Stour in Suffolk this year. The emergence is normally highly synchronized but its range has expanded despite this setback. The small-red eyed damselfly is also continuing to expand its range. A male was reported on a garden pond, just south of Saxmundham on 20th August.
a Jersey Tiger moth was seen at Westleton on 5th August.
Steven Falk has recently completed a ten-year survey of bees, wasps and flies at Centerparc holiday villages. He recorded an amazing total of 208 species at the Elvedon (Thetford) site, including 98 in one day. Well done Centreparc for employing environmental management methods that are sensitive to biodiversity!
farmers have been praised for continuing their efforts to conserve water voles by trapping mink on the river Deben. A recent census of water voles showed a 40% increase in numbers compared with the national census figure of 1998 (from Suffolk Wildlife Trust report).
Paul Dickinson, Conservation Officer for the Elvedon Estate reports that more than 50 pairs of stone curlew nested on the estate this year. 37 chicks have been ringed. This is a just reward for the dedication of the Elvedon conservation group and farm staff.
© 2004 Suffolk Naturalists' Society
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