Recent wildlife sights and sounds

The recent activity of various events, surveying and guided walks on the heath, including the new sightings board for visitors to add their records to, has all allowed us to start gathering greater numbers of wildlife records for Knettishall.

The summer, particularly July, was very good for some of our rarer species including the White Admiral butterfly and Bee Orchids, but some of the more recent highlights include:

- July and August - regular Barn Owl sightings
- August - Weasel and Stoat
- July/August - Good numbers of dragonflies including Banded Demoiselles and Hawkers
- 6th/16th/18th August - Kingfisher
- August - Hobby, Buzzard and Kestrel sightings
- 17th August - Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Osprey passing through
- 17th and 23rd August - Spotted Flycatcher
- August - Brown Argus butterfly
- August - Adder
- Three possible Nightjar sightings between 11th and 22nd August

The heather is also in flower now around the site

Summer visitors

Throughout the summer Knettishall Heath has had a fantastic array of visitors, whether it be from community groups exploring the site, or families joining in with our holiday events!

Both the 1st Ixworth and 1st Redgrave and Botesdale Brownie groups have visited, with more visits booked in for the Autumn term. Both groups of girls enjoyed evening sessions following trails learning about the wildlife of the reserve, as well as making wild art sculptures or mini animal homes.

1st Redgrave and Botesdale Brownies making natural art sculptures

Our summer holiday family afternoons have almost all been fully booked, with the rain drowning a few soggy geo cachers on August 10th. The River Dipping and Brilliant Butterflies family afternoons were popular as ever, with the new moth trap causing excitement!(Angle Shades moth pictured)

River Dipping

Water Scorpion

Day visitors have been generally enjoying the site all summer, whether it be for a walk, a swim, or a picnic out the camper van!