Questions and Advice

These animals, descendants from mink that escaped or were intentionally released from fur farms, are an ‘alien’ species, and don’t fit properly into Norfolk’s ecology. The American mink is a very undesirable resident in Norfolk and certainly not to be encouraged; in fact, due to the damage the animal can cause to native wildlife, especially species such as the water vole, the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership is undertaking ongoing control programmes in mid-Norfolk and the Broads. Gamekeepers also undertake mink control in order to reduce predation of pheasants and partridge, all of which contributes to the control of this predator.

Mink also hunt water birds, such as moorhen and ducks, and a noticeable decline in numbers of birds may indicate that mink are in the area. Mink are aggressive predators and will overkill prey. They can cause significant damage to housed or penned game birds or poultry by killing large numbers, far more than they can eat, and they may also damage fish stocks.

The non-native American mink is in the same mammal family as the otter, stoat and weasel, and resembles all of these species in general body shape. It is quite commonly confused with the otter, especially in wetland habitats, but there are several important differences. It has a long, slim body, short legs and a round, fluffy tail that is about a third of its body length. The otter’s tail is broad-based, flat and tapers towards the tip and is about half the body length. In size American mink are larger than stoats and weasels but smaller than a domestic cat and about half the size of an otter. The average body length is 60cm for males and 50cm for females. The tail adds an extra 14 – 21cm. The fur is rich, glossy and generally dark brown or black, with a white or pale patch on the chin only. The pale markings on an otter extend from the chin to the chest. The muzzle of a mink is pointed and ferret-like whereas the otter has a flattened head shape and a broad dog-like muzzle. The mink swims high in the water with the head and body visible but the otter swims low in the water with only the head and part of the tail on show.

Large trees of historical or conservation significance cannot be cut down or weakened in any way by boring holes in them to count the annual rings. Age can only be estimated by external measurement and then by direct comparison with other trees of similar species, size, and known planting date on comparable sites elsewhere. Accurate comparisons of this kind can only be made after a considerable amount of data from a wide range of situations has been accumulated. A lot of detective work must then be carried out on the trees to be dated. Detailed site notes are essential.

Unlike frogs, toads tend to remain loyal to a relatively small number of traditional breeding ponds and have an instinctive desire to return to the pond in which they were born. In many areas this prevents them from utilising garden ponds for breeding. It is estimated that for every ‘toad pond’ there are 6 ‘frog ponds’. You may have toads in your garden pond during the summer months, but they are probably simply cooling off and may not stay long. Toads like fairly deep, well-oxygenated water to lay their eggs, and are usually found in larger fish ponds, reservoirs and farmland ponds, but they are known to breed in some garden ponds when the conditions are suitable for them.

There is no known sustainable population of red squirrels left in the wild in Norfolk. There are occasional reports from the Thetford Forest area but these are thought to relate to deliberate releases of captive bred animals or escapes.

The basic advice is to leave it alone. If your pond is of a reasonable size and depth a covering of ice is unlikely to do any harm and is a natural occurrence that native wildlife is conditioned to cope with. Ice forming over shallow water may have an adverse effect on any frogs that are hibernating in the mud and in these circumstances it may be best to gently melt the ice by placing a saucepan of hot water on top. Smashing the ice is not recommended as the shock waves could harm wildlife and any fish.

If the ice looks like staying for a while it would be a good idea to melt an area over any shallow water so that birds can bathe and drink.

Expanding ice can damage a garden pond by putting excessive pressure on the pond walls. To prevent this float a plastic ball on the surface of the pond during cold weather, if the pond then freezes the ball will absorb some of this pressure helping to protect your expensive liner.

The Ordnance Survey has produced a comprehensive step by step guide to reading a grid reference, to view it Click here.

Your mammal records should be sent to the county mammal recorder: Dave Leech , c/o BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU. You can also download a mammal recording form from the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society website.

The junior branch of Norfolk Wildlife Trust is called Wildlife Watch. More details of how to join can be found in our online shop or visitthe children's section.

The only sure way of doing this is to completely fence your garden. However to be effective against rabbits the netting will have to be buried some 30cm into the ground and to stop deer will have to be over 6 ft tall.

It is a strategic vision of our landscape that will help us to create a resilient and healthy environment. The Wildlife Trusts are identifying key areas to protect for wildlife – enlarging, improving and joining them up – across the UK; on nature reserves, in towns and cities, and in partnership with hundreds of other landowners. We need a healthy natural environment to enable wildlife and people to adapt to a changing climate. There are over 100 Living Landscape schemes around the UK, including six for Norfolk: Claylands, Hickling, Wissey valley, Gaywood valley, North Norfolk woods and Bure valley.

These schemes are creating inspirational, accessible landscapes – full of wildlife and rich in opportunities for learning, better health and wellbeing, alongside sustainable economic development.

The main reason why flowers such as these are now rare is that they are essentially flowers of cultivated or disturbed land. The drive for higher yields and ever more sophisticated farming methods, especially more efficient herbicides, has virtually eliminated these flowers from the UK; in fact the cornflower is now extinct in the wild in Norfolk. The seeds can however be readily purchased from garden centres and wildflower seed stockists, and when sown in the garden provide a beautiful display which is highly beneficial to insects. For more information download our leaflet ‘Creating your own Poppyland'.

The British Trust for Ornithology carries out many surveys to monitor bird populations and actively seeks assistance from members of the public. For more information, go to their website at www.bto.org.uk. Alternatively you can take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch which normally takes place in January. See www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch for more details.

The simple answer to this is yes. Many of the cornfield wildflowers are now classed as ‘weeds’ but can easily be reintroduced by making a wildflower meadow which will provide a nectar source for a wide variety of insects. Another wildlife friendly option is to make an herbaceous border using many of the old fashioned cottage garden plants and perennials. These will not only give a splendid array of colour all summer but will also attract a great number and variety of insects.

The valley fens, unlike the floodplain fens with their breeding Bittern and marsh harrier, are not renowned for their birdlife but are a refuge for a wide range of special plant communities supporting some of the county’s rarest plants. Among these is a wide range of orchids including marsh helleborine, the insect eating sundews and striking grass of Parnassus. The fens are also particularly important for invertebrates: the rare bog bush cricket and extremely rare snails – narrow mouthed whorl snail and Desmoulin’s whorl snail – headline a long list of molluscs that thrive in the damp calcareous soils.

Norfolk’s relatively flat landscape is a result of its geological history. The county is underlain at depth by chalk bedrock. On top of this is a great thickness of jumbled-up rock and earth deposited by retreating ice sheets and thick layers of sands and gravels lain down in shallow seas. This complex geology combined with the relatively flat landscape has resulted directly in the creation of a special type of wetland habitat in Norfolk.

Fens are wetlands that receive their water supply from the ground (valley fens) or surface water from rivers and streams (floodplain fens). Water that reaches the surface through springs and simply by seeping out of the ground on valley sides can be calcareous or acidic depending on the underlying geological conditions. Plants and consequently other wildlife are affected by this. Sometimes a site can have acidic and calcareous water within a space of a few metres.

To be wildlife friendly it needs to provide a combination of shelter from the elements and predators, a supply of food and good breeding sites. A good hedge will be composed of a mixture of native species to encourage a variety of wildlife. Consider using 50% hawthorn in with a selection of three or four other species to add diversity. Other good species to use are blackthorn, field maple, dog wood, common alder, hazel, crab apple and holly. Once the hedge is established you can introduce climbers such as dog rose, honeysuckle and ivy all of which will increase the value to wildlife of your hedge

Plant your hedge by creating two staggered lines with plants spaced 30 to 45 cm (12”-18”) apart with the second row about 45cm (18”) from the first.

New hedges are best planted during autumn and winter (October – February). Avoid periods when the ground is frozen or water-logged. Dig over the area for planting, one spade blade deep and remove any grass or weeds. Bare rooted trees and shrubs (whips) will be cheaper than pot grown and are better for establishing a hedge. Most hedgerow trees or shrubs do not require any compost unless your soil is sandy or heavy clay.

You will need to weed around the base of your new plants for the first couple of years and water in dry periods during the growing season.The hedge can be lightly trimmed in the autumn every other year but remember to leave some of the hedge uncut to provide plenty of berries for winter and avoid cutting your hedge during the nesting season of birds (March to late July).

To provide more homes for wildlife; leave the grass long leading up to the hedge and leave leaf piles and log piles at its base to provide a variety of habitats for invertebrates and small mammals. Flowers such as snowdrops, primroses, red campions, dog roses, honeysuckles, foxgloves and violets can be planted at the base of your hedge – these will encourage insects to visit. Foxgloves are especially attractive to bees and honeysuckle will attract moths at night.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was written as a response to the Convention on Biological Diversity 1992 (also called the Rio convention). It was signed by 150 government leaders who agree to promote diversity in a sustainable way, to help not only the plants and animals but also to secure future food, medicine and other resources for humans.

The UK BAP describes all the biological resources in the UK and outlines any risks they face and how they can be protected. The action plans are split into species action plans for individual species which need protection and habitat action plans for important UK habitats. For local information look at the Norfolk BAP website.

The plans are implemented by a variety of people and conservation organisations which form the UK Biodiversity Partnership.

Bumblebees do not die when they sting. Unlike hive bees which leave their sting in their victims, bumblebees withdraw their sting. Bumblebees are unlikely to sting unless they are severely provoked.

Native trees are much better than non-native trees for attracting wildlife to your garden. This is because native trees house a wider variety of invertebrates, which in turn attract mammals and birds. Trees with lots of interesting features such as dead branches, splits, and hollows support the widest range of invertebrates, so try not to ‘tidy up’ trees unless they are unsafe.

Different trees will attract different species. Acorns from oak trees will attract squirrels, jays and woodpigeons. Cones from alder trees attract goldfinches. Dense trees such as yew and holly provide good habitat for greenfinches. Beech trees attract tits and chaffinches, but few insects. Berries from rowan and ash will attract many bird species. Willow trees host more than 90 species of moth caterpillar, which in turn will attract bats. Birch trees attract many species of birds, insects and caterpillars. Treecreepers nest in large, mature trees with loose bark, while hollow branches provide perfect habitat for tawny owls.

It is impossible to be completely certain of how many species of fungi occur in a particular locality. Fungi are not a well-studied group, and are easy to miss, as the length of time between the emergence of a fruiting body and its decay can be very short. The British Mycological Society compiles a list of fungi species recorded throughout Britain, called the Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland. This database lists 2,289 species of fungi recorded in West Norfolk, and 3,262 species recorded in East Norfolk. If you are interested in the particular species occurring in your area, visit their website (click the link above). It is important to note that while the Fungal Records Database lists all species recorded, many of these species are microscopic - too small to identify with the naked eye - and are usually not listed in field guides.

The safest way to learn about fungi is to attend a fungi foray led by an expert. Autumn is a good time of year to see fungi, so look out for guided walks and events in your area during the autumn months. Organisations which host fungi forays include Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve and Gardens, and National Trust properties throughout Norfolk. The East of England Tourist Board lists all wildlife events in East Anglia, so this is a good place to keep up to date with any fungi forays happening in your area. Details of some of the more common fungi species occurring in Norfolk can be found on our website. For lots more information about fungi, visit The British Mycological Society website.

grass snakes mate during April after they come out of hibernation in March. The female will then lay her eggs in June or July in a warm place where the heat will allow the eggs to develop. This takes around 10 weeks and the young will hatch from late August through September. If the weather has been particularly cold then hatching may be delayed until October.

Both have a blunt nose, smaller ears and much shorter tail than mice.

Field voles have greyish-brown fur covering most of their body but have a paler grey underside. They have a very short tail which equates to approx 30% of the body length. Their ears are half hidden whereas those of a bank vole are more visible. Length is 10-13 cm. They mainly inhabit grassy fields but can also be found in open woodland.

Bank voles are the smallest of the UK voles at only approx 9cm in length. They have a rich red-brown back and creamy grey underside giving a distinct 2-tone effect. The ears are more visible than on a field vole but are still quite small, certainly smaller than those of a mouse. The tail is approx 50% of the body length. They inhabit broadleaved woodland, scrubland and hedgerows.

Both species are agile swimmers and catch fish by chasing them underwater. The otter needs to eat 20 per cent of its body weight in food every day - about 2.5kg and will be able to tackle larger prey items than mink. Otters will usually eat the fishes head first and will quite often leave the tail. The mink has a wider diet but will take smaller fish. A feeding station will contain lots of fish scales and fins especially in the winter months.

To ascertain which species is involved you should firstly look for any footprints the animal may have left in the mud around the feeding area:

Otters are much bigger than mink and have 5 toes on each foot connected by webbing (although this is not always obvious and the print marks left usually only show four toes). The overall footprint shape resembles that of a kite with a footprint approx 7cm long and 6cm across. The hind print is generally bigger and can be up to 9cm in length. The claw marks are represented as slight indentations.

Mink also have 5 toes on each foot but the prints are much smaller with fore prints approx 3.5cm long and up to 4cm wide. The hind print is up to 4.5cm long. The prints are roughly oval in shape with clearly defined claw marks

Your next piece of detective work would be to see if the animal may have left some droppings nearby:

Otter droppings (called Spraints) are black and slimy when first deposited and have a strong oily smell. Over time however they become light grey and lose their thick consistency. The droppings are made up almost exclusively of fish bones, scales and the hard shell fragments of crustaceans. Otters use droppings as scent markings and they are quite often left in exposed places (raised banks or vegetation, stones etc).

Mink droppings are generally 6-8cm long and approx 6-9mm wide. They are often twisted and pointed at one end. Close examination is likely to show a much wider range of prey remains including the fur and bone fragments of small rodents, bird feathers and also the husks and pips of fruit and berries. If the mink has been eating fish the droppings are likely to resemble thin otter spraint but with a faintly acrid smell. The droppings are often used as scent markings, although some will be inconspicuously placed.

The otter is a protected species and it is illegal to trap or harm it in anyway. The mink however is a relatively recent introduction to Great Britain, and represents a threat to some native animals, in particular the water vole. Mink are categorised as a pest species and are widely trapped.

Bat boxes can be positioned on trees, buildings, and garden walls. If possible choose a site where bats are known to feed. Locate the box in a site that is sheltered from strong winds and heavy rain and that is not exposed to strong sunlight for long periods.

Place the box as high up as possible to avoid disturbance or predation by cats. Most bat species prefer boxes over 5m above the ground. If possible position the box near to a linear vegetation feature such as a line of trees or a hedgerow. This will help bats to navigate between their nest site and feeding grounds. If positioning a box in a tree, try to ensure that branches are cleared from around the box entrance so that the bats’ approach to the box is not impeded.

Common Frogs have a moist smooth skin which can be quite variable in colour ranging from brown, green or grey with dark blotches to yellowish or orange with red blotches. However, all common frogs have a distinct brown patch behind each eye which is not present in common toads. Common Toads are far less variable and are usually a mottled mid-brown colour and have a granular or warty appearance.

Another useful feature is to look at the nose – that of the common frog will be pointed whereas that of the common toad will be blunt giving a much more rounded profile. The method of locomotion also varies with common frogs tending to leap and common toads tending to waddle or crawl along.

During the breeding season male common frogs make a quiet low-pitched call and inhabit ponds and ditches with shallow edges whereas common toads make a louder, higher croak and favour deeper water. Frogspawn is laid in familiar jelly-like clumps, while toads lay long, gelatinous ‘strings’. Frog and toad tadpoles can also be told apart: frog tadpoles are mottled brownish-grey to olive with gold speckles, while toad tadpoles remain jet black.

There are three newt species found in the UK – the great crested, the smooth or common newt and the palmate newt. Only the great crested and smooth newts are now widespread in Norfolk with the palmate newt being confined to a very small number of sites.

The great crested newt is the largest species at about 15cm long. Their topside is very dark brown or black and the underside is orange or yellow with irregular black spots. The males have a distinctive and large serrated crest during the breeding season. Great-crested newts have full protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The smooth or common newt is about 8-10cm long and has a pale grey-brown body with a bright yellow or orange underside with dark spots. A distinguishing feature is the presence of spots on the underside of their throat. During the breeding season males have a continuous wavy crest running along the back and also along the underside of the tail.

The palmate newt is very similar in size and colour to the smooth newt; however the males do not have a very pronounced crest and have webbed hind feet. Females are more difficult to differentiate but the best way is to look at the throat which in palmate is usually a pale/translucent pink colour without spots.

These are redwings or fieldfares. Both species are immigrants from Scandinavia and northern Europe arriving in the UK during autumn and departing in early spring. Both species will visit gardens to plunder supplies of holly and hawthorn berries.

The redwing is the smaller of the two and can be distinguished from the more familiar song thrush by being generally darker and slimmer. The redwing is dark russet brown above with a very conspicuous buff coloured eye-stripe. The under parts are whitish, streaked dark brown with a large and conspicuous red coloured flank and under wing – hence its name. The Fieldfare is a larger bird, comparable to our Mistle thrush, and can be distinguished from all other UK thrushes by the combination of blue-grey head and rump and chestnut back and wings. The fieldfare is also quite a noisy bird, particularly in flight, and its harsh ‘chack-chack’ calls will quite often alert you to its presence.