Neil Sherman, County Moth Recorder for Suffolk, made an extremely exciting discovery at Bonny Wood recently – a light orange underwing moth. This species is very scarce in Suffolk, having only been previously recorded at Wolve’s Wood and Raydon Great Wood, so this record at Bonny Wood is a first for the reserve. The moth’s caterpillars feed on the catkins of aspen trees, so large aspen trees are important for this species. Neil has been searching for the moth at Bonny Wood in recent years, as there are several good mature stands of aspen there, and this spring he got lucky! 

Warden Dan Doughty recorded more stunning moths at Church Farm. 

Warden David Stansfeld has recorded lots of spring birdsong at Knettishall Heath this week, with the first cuckoo being heard, as well as this lovely willow warbler. 

Bradfield Woods is an exquisite reserve for enjoying spring wildlife. Currently in flower are early purple orchids, rare oxlips and herb paris. Intern Anneke Emery took these gorgeous photos. 

Reserves Intern Anneke Emery spotted this large bat with audible squeaks amongst the pipistrelles at Bradfield Woods, unfortunately there was not enough time to identify the call using the bat detector. 

Warden Jamie Smith was thrilled to spot this sleepy tawny owl at Dingle Mashes.  

Have you heard a nightingale yet this year? We've recorded their melodious song at Church Farm Marshes and Trimley Marshes. Shy and secretive, nightingales sing from dense scrub and woodland, day and night.  

Our wonderful Heaths and Meadows Volunteer Team have been counting the snakes head fritillaries at Fox Fritillary Meadow recently. They counted 19,877 flowers in a transect area, which translates to around 30,000 over the whole meadow, making it a great year for the flowers. 

Warden David Stansfeld recorded this stretchy leech on the move at Hopton Fen. 

Warden Jamie Smith was delighted to record several ringed plovers sitting along Dunwich beach in the fenced shoreline protection area. This highlights the importance of cordoning this area off during nesting season. 

Warden Joe Underwood and his brilliant team of volunteers have been hard at work filling in potholes on the bridleway at Trimley Marshes – this should make for much easier passage for horses, bikes and wardens. 

Lots of otter action was captured on our trail cams this week, one with a large pike... 

… and then a male otter being harassed by a female – the male is the larger one. 

Warden Andy Hickinbotham oversaw the return of the Suffolk Red Poll conservation grazers to Lound Lakes this week, where they got stuck in straight away reducing sward.