The Bradfield Woods team postponed renovation of the old bird hide when they discovered this active hornets' nest inside. A very large relative of the common wasp, hornets build their nests by chewing up wood - these papery nests are often made in hollow trees or cavities in buildings, like this one.

Suffolk Moth Group discovered evidence of a royal midget moth at Lackford Lakes recently – this is the first record of this species for West Suffolk. These moths are a leaf-miner on willow trees, the image below shows the leaf in which the larvae will pupate.

Our new Reserves Intern Anneke Emery snapped this gorgeous lesser stag beetle and also discovered an excavated wasps’ nest at Combs Wood this week. The wasp nest was partially excavated by hungry badgers and the wasps are busy rebuilding the papery structure.

Martins’ Meadows are looking glorious this week with swathes of pink and white meadow saffron, also known as ‘naked ladies’.

Warden Dan Doughty snapped these wall brown butterflies at Oulton Marshes recently – can you spot them?

Warden Jamie Smith and his team cut the glades at Reydon Wood and fenced them to protect the coppice from deer browsing whilst it regenerates.

It’s been a fantastic year for butterflies at Lound Lakes. This week a 29^th species was added to the list when volunteer surveyor Rob Quadling discovered this stunning clouded yellow during the last transect walk of the year. Also, another wall brown was found on Dorking wet fen recently by Warden Andy Hickinbotham.

A dangerous, rotten silver birch tree was identified at Lound Lakes this week. The birch was hung up in an oak, and if it fell, it would fall across the path. The tree was cut, winched down and cleared away from the path to leave safe access through Dorking woodland at Lound Lakes.

Many thanks to Lound Lakes visitor Graham Smith for these amazing close-up images of a grass snake seen on the reserve.

Site Manager Matt Gooch has been topping Carlton Marshes, which alongside grazing manages the grassland structure in preparation for breeding waders next spring.

Also at Carlton, the new viewpoints are starting to take shape – these hexagonal structures will provide brilliant views across the reserve, enabling visitors to clearly see the wonderful wildlife.

Also at Carlton, Broads Warden Lewis and his loyal volunteers raked an area of cut fen this week. The team cut and clear the fen habitat of Sprats Water on a seven-year rotation to maintain floristic diversity. The area will have a path through it for a short period during the summer to let everyone view and enjoy the fen at its best without causing damage to the flora by trampling.

Lound Lakes Warden Andy Hickinbotham and his trusty volunteers were hard at work cutting and collecting at the wet fen during last Saturday’s work party. The bits the Rytec didn't pick up will be raked and removed this weekend. Thanks all for the hard work and great results for wildlife!

Intern Anneke Emery was focusing on the smaller things at Bradfield Woods this week and took this lovely selection of images.