If you are visiting Lackford Lakes, check out the bee hotels, you may spot this snazzy looking ruby-tailed wasp! 

Warden Jamie Smith was amazed to spot this otter in one of the ponds in the middle of Reydon Wood! Although wetlands are not too far away, this is the first record of an otter in Reydon Wood.  

Many thanks to volunteer Carl Earrye for sharing another stunning shot of a short-eared owl at Trimley Marshes. 

Warden Joe Underwood and the Trimley Marshes volunteer team have been building a stag beetle pyramid in the wildlife area for the Suffolk Show next month! Check it out if you’re going this year. We’ll show you how to make a similar one (maybe a bit smaller!) at home to help these incredible insects and other mini-beasts, too. 

Anneke Emery got more than she bargained for when a woodlark landed beside her during skylark surveys at Knettishall Heath. Purple milk vetch is coming through on the chalky areas of grassland on the reserve, whereas sheep's sorrel is thriving on the more acidic sandy soils. Now is a wonderful time to see how Knettishall's varied geology produces the interesting botany on the site. 

Reserves Intern Anneke Emery recorded the calls of common and soprano pipistrelle bats this week at Bradfield Woods. 

Intern Anneke was thrilled to count four spotted flycatchers at Bradfield Woods this week. 

The nightingales sang their hearts out for Lackford Lakes nightingale walk. Delighted visitors also saw barn owl, marsh harrier, whitethroat and swifts. 

Storms, slow worms and bluebells - the reserves team enjoyed a variety of wildlife and weather during their site visit to Arger Fen.

Dawn chorus day at Bradfield Woods 

Reserves Intern Anneke Emery shot this gorgeous film of the dawn chorus and early morning wildlife encounters at Bradfield Woods. 

Dawn chorus day at Knettishall Heath 

Wardens David Stansfeld and Sam Norris led a wonderful dawn chorus walk at Knettishall Heath. The group arrived in the dark and heard woodcock, tawny owl and were also treated to the last of the night's bats. They recorded over 30 bird species on the walk including woodlark, stonechat, willow warbler and whitethroat.  

Dawn chorus day at Carlton Marshes 

Sunday morning's dawn chorus walk at Carlton Marshes was an enormous success thanks to the assistance and expertise of volunteers Andrew Easton and Chris Mutimer. Special thanks should also be given to Colin, the Broads Authority Ranger, who gave them all a lift over to the Waveney River Centre where a hearty full English breakfast which was enjoyed by all. 

Volunteers have been doing some path maintenance at Hen Reedbeds recently, by putting down a fresh surface of new material. The work has also improved the road crossing, improving visibility and direction.  

Membership Recruiter Mark Groves filmed this water vole which has been thrilling visitors to Carlton Marshes visitor centre, swimming in the dyke right beside the viewing area.  

The bluebells and wild garlic at Reydon Wood are stunning at this time of year. Unfortunately, the recent deluges have left the paths there incredibly wet and muddy. This has meant some paths are unwalkable and others are passable only in wellies. If you plan a visit to view the bluebells, please wear wellies or similar waterproof footwear, and keep to the marked paths to protect the flowers from being flattened by trampling. 

Warden Dan Doughty shared these lovely images of moths at Church Farm and St Mark’s flies at Hen Reedbeds. 

Warden Dan Doughty recorded this reed warbler singing in the hedge at Church Farm Marshes, during a recent bird survey. 

Warden Lewis Yates heard at least two cuckoos battling for territory at Sprats Water this week. He didn’t quite manage to catch the cuckoo calls - but did get this noisy lot! The most prominent calls are grasshopper, sedge, and Cetti's warblers. But there was also willow warbler, chiff chaff, green woodpecker, wren and more. It is a brilliant time of year to visit Carlton and just listen. 

Lound Lakes Warden Andy Hickinbotham spotted this shimmery green hairstreak this week, which makes it twelve butterfly species recorded so far at Lound for 2023.