When the Norfolk Fungus Study Group announced a field trip to the normally out of bounds Sutton Fen it really wasn't one to miss. This is widely thought to be the most pristine lowland fen in Western Europe so the main lure for me was to see the place rather than the fungi!
In the company of Ben Lewis from the RSPB we explored the fen, or rather those bits that were not still under water from the extremely wet spring. As expected, Swallowtails were about when the sun graced us along with Norfolk Hawkers, many Variable Damselflies and a very confiding Four-spotted Chaser. Other insects were also very entertaining and varied - Green Lacewing, Swamp Crab Spider, Contracted Pond Hoverfly, Two-banded Waspfly, Tiger Hoverfly, Bumblebee Hoverfly, the bulky Hairy-legged Horsefly, colourful Square-spot Deerfly and the flower beetle Crudosilis ruficollis. A single Hobby was literally the only bird of note. Greater Water Parsnip and Greater Butterwort also graced the clean water dykes. I have to admit to not taking enough interest in the (mostly) micro-fungi thatv were found but Psathyrella typhae growing on Cocks-foot was nice.
Afterwards it was back to the Bartlett's in Norwich where Vanna was able to show me her Four-banded Flower Bees, the very scarce Large-headed Resin Bee and Blue Mason Bee. A triple-tick bonanza in the 'garden of earthly delights'!
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