Sutton Fen

Monday July 4 

Butterfly Conservation‘s Catfield Fen and the RSPB’s Sutton Fen nature reserves in Norfolk are nationally recognised for their special wildlife. Sutton Fen is closed to the public. The RSPB says Sutton Fen is one of the least visited places in Britain. It may be just 150 miles from London, but it's possible that only about 50 people have visited it in the last 100 years - fewer than reach the summit of Everest most years or have been into space.

Ian Robinson, newly elected Moth Officer for the Norfolk branch of Butterfly Conservation, is also RSPB officer in charge of Sutton Fen. "The only reason it has remained like this and was never drained is because it used to be one of the two great centres of Norfolk sedge, which is used to make the ridges of thatched roofs," said Ian Robinson.

When the chance came for a moth trap opening plus a walk around the reserve, organised by Mr Robinson on behalf of Butterfly Conservation members, I quickly put our names down. The number was restricted to 30, the meeting took place yesterday.

Even armed with instructions and a map, finding the place was a puzzlement - until we got there - as there was no indication of distance. We just ploughed on, reaching exactly where we should be. As we are blue badge holders we were allowed to drive about a 100 metres nearer to the trap opening site. The latter was beneath a group of tall trees overlooking the fen, the partially mown path to get there very perilous for Rollators and dodgy knees. I chose to come. We made it slowly and unscathed, then enjoyed the opening of seven traps in total. 

No new moths for us today. Double Dart we have only seen previously at Catfield Fen, Oblique Carpet and Marsh Buttons other specialities. With that number of people, it's inevitable that some moths will escape before seen by all, micros often being witheld for identification later.I was very happy with what we saw, and hope to get a full list later on the website.

I managed to see a Swallowtail Butterfly in flight, but eyesight would not permit still sightings at a distance. I wish I'd taken this photo. It's on the Norfolk BC website.

Swallowtail Butterfly - Norfolk Wildlife Trust

 

 

 

 

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