Favourite Spots: Suffolk Water Park

by Steve Goddard

Ifl haven't already seen a butterfly in my garden this is the place I look for my first spring insects after those cold winter days. Away from my garden I have recorded the most species on one site here - 21. It is also the place where I go in search of my first migrant birds and for dragonflies throughout the year. So although it is several miles away from home I guess you could call this my regular patch. The Water Park is located near Ipswich at TM 120485 and is sign-posted off the Al 4 from the Great Blakenham exit. It is a restored gravel pit with a diverse habitat of rough grassland, scrub and woodland edge which surrounds the lake and is a rather pleasant place to be. This year for one reason or another, I did nQt get there until 30th, April but on this day I saw Large White, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock. By the end of May I had added Small Copper, Brown Argus and Common Blue. In other years, Holly Blue, Small White and Comma have usually shown themselves by now. Interestingly, this year I did not see a COfhma anywhere until 30th, June when the variety hurchinsoni appeared in my garden. Last year I saw Brimstone on 9th, May which is a scarce butterfly for the site. Early June usually brings Red Admiral although not this year. By the third week of June both Large Skipper and Meadow Brown have made their entrance. These are followed by Small Skipper, Essex Skipper and Gatekeeper. Then by mid-August the second brood of Brown Argus is in flight. In August 1996 I counted up to 100 of this species putting this into the prime site category but since then its numbers have been nowhere near as high even though the foodplants Dove's foot Cranesbill and Storksbill are still abundant. Having said that, as I write it is July 1999 and August is yet to come! In October 1997, Brown Argus was still on the wing during the first week of October which to date is the latest recorded in Suffolk. On 12th, October 1998, 2 Wall Brown were present in pristine condition which may well have been part of a third emergence. Although this is late, it is not the latest date recorded for this butterfly. In its good seasons I have seen Painted Lady and on occasions Small Heath but sightings of this latter species are rather scarce. To increase the species count for this location still further I am looking forward to recording the ever-spreading Speckled Wood and perhaps Ringlet and in a good year, Clouded Yellow. This would bring the species total up to 24. Already, the site must compare well with the best sites in Suffolk and with 13 species of dragonfly, an impressive list of birds (not to mention the toilets and refreshments in summer) it is well worth a visit.

We hope this article by Steve will encourage other members to write about their favourite spots. Please send yours to the editors for inclusion in a future Argus.