SNIPPETS

      Paul Lee reports that since its first appearance a few years ago the Wasp Spider has spread to more or less every corner of Suffolk, and not only here but in more northern counties too. While no proper research has been done on the reasons for this rapid extension of territory the underlying factor is thought to be climate warming. Individuals colonize new ground by ballooning in air currents but the interesting question is how they are able to thrive in areas previously held to be too cold.

      1,250 House Martin nest sites were surveyed this year in a scheme jointly organised by the BTO and the BBC ‘World on the Move’ programme. There was no evidence to show that House Martin numbers have decreased (they were just late returning from Africa). In fact there was increased occupancy of sites in Northern Ireland and Scotland and a small decrease in southern England. • Good news for Ratty - SWT’s 2008 survey of water voles in the ‘Greene

      Good news for Ratty - SWT’s 2008 survey of water voles in the ‘Greene King meadow’ in Bury St Edmunds shows that the population has fully now recovered after a new road was built five years ago. Road building was accompanied by restoration of a ditch system and creation of new ponds in the meadow, which need regular maintenance to remain a suitable habitat.

      ‘Managed retreat’ inevitable at Minsmere? Following news that the RSPB has decided that it cannot stop the sea reclaiming at least part of its Titchwell Marsh reserve on the north Norfolk coast, it seems only a matter of time before similar retreat schemes will be necessary at Minsmere and other east coast reserves. Acknowledging this, The State of the UK’s Birds 2007 is pessimistic about the future for bitterns despite breeding successes at Minsmere in recent years.

      Neonicotinoid pesticides, widely used by UK farmers on a range of crops including oilseed rape, have been linked to massive honeybee kills and banned in four European countries. Defra says there are no plans to ban the pesticides in Britain.