Ivy can be purgatory for gardeners but for insects it is paradise. The wide range of visiting species and how they make use of ivy are described by Nick Owens in the latest issue of the Norfolk Natterjack (the free quarterly bulletin for Society members).

Our gardens, although most of us do not realise it, are also home to a large number of species of solitary bees, ground-nesting creatures, one species parasitising the other. They are seriously under-recorded in Norfolk and the county recorder, Tim Strudwick, is appealing for records with good digital photographs.

Hans Watson writes about one of his favourite spectacles, the flocks of geese, especially barnacle geese, that are such a feature of Norfolk in winter, and by contrast Dick Foyster laments the fact that the red-backed shrike is no longer a familiar sight on Mousehold Heath.

The efforts of naturalists to record our local wildlife are not always understood by the unconverted. Colin Jacobs has more than once found himself under suspicion and has even been followed by gangs of children who stoned him and called him a weirdo. There must be others who have had amusing - or scary - experiences and Colin suggests that members should write about them for Natterjack.

Simon Harrap and Bob Ellis write about 'axiophytes', plants that are indicators of 'good habitat'. They are keen to establish a list of Norfolk axiophytes and Bob has prepared a draft.

As always, there are superb photographs in the pages of the Nats' Gallery.

Back issues

The following back issues of Natterjack are available for download:

No. 107 November 2009	Natterjack	Nats Gallery
No. 106 August 2009	Natterjack	Nats Gallery
No. 105 May 2009	Natterjack	Nats Gallery
No. 104 Feb 2009	Natterjack	Nats Gallery
No. 103 November 2008	Natterjack	Nats Gallery
No. 102 August 2008	Natterjack	Nats Gallery
No. 101 May 2008	Natterjack	Nats Gallery
No. 100 February 2008	Natterjack	Nats Gallery