People seem to have very polarised views of Bill Oddie, forgetting that he and his Humble partner are merely presenters of the BBC’s Springwatch. The stars of the show are of course the wildlife. The 2007 series excelled in portraying the stresses and toil involved in rearing a new generation. Most impressive for me were the film diaries of the birds reduced to single-parenthood. Their stoicism amazed me. I expect I am being ridiculously anthropomorphic here and it’s just genetic programming that drives them on, but it struck me that many humans could learn something from choughs and barn owls. As well as entertaining, the programmes also fulfil a useful educational role helping to promote a basic understanding of some important ecological principles, for example by not shying away from the harsh reality of competition (not only between and within species, but also among siblings). Mr Oddie may not be the naturalists’ favourite naturalist but I think we should be gracious and applaud the good work he’s doing to further our cause.

Members may be surprised to learn that the bursaries offered by the Society are often not taken up, and this year the Morley Bursary is still available. The award is usually made for studies involving insects (or other invertebrates) other than butterflies and moths, but alternatives will be considered. Applications may be made for financial assistance of up to £100 a year to support natural history projects. Young or old, any member is entitled to apply. More details can be found inside the back cover.

David Nash tells me he has so far had no specimens, photos or communications in response to his appeal in the last White Admiral for records of the Rose Chafer. In addition, he tells me that he would like members to send pictures or specimens of any attractive-looking metallic green beetles (ca 8mm long) with purple stripes found on lavender, rosemary, sage or thyme. You could gain fame by being the first to find the Rosemary leaf beetle in Suffolk!

The news from the newly combined Ipswich and Colchester Museums Service gets better all the time. Notes taken at a meeting held in May are reproduced in this issue.

I should like to thank the Recorders who responded to my appeal for contributions to the newsletter; those who didn’t can expect me to ask again in the autumn! Reports from Suffolk Recorders have their own page - there’s a lot happening.