Transactions of the Society

The Society has been publishing its Transactions since 1870. The latest issue covers the year 2008. The first of several substantial papers is the Presidential Address by Mark Cocker, author of Birds Britannica and Crow Country and a member of the Society for 20 years. His subject: another distinguished local naturalist and prolific writer who became a member in 1889 – Arthur Patterson who wrote under the pseudonym of John Knowlittle.

Three papers emphasise the importance of phenology, the science invented by Robert Marsham of Stratton Strawless – the long-term recording of what Marsham called “Indications of Spring”. Alec Bull’s talk about the man at the Marsham tricentenary celebrations last June is reproduced in full; Anne Brewster (with Tony Leech) sets out her detailed record of phenological changes at Corpusty, which she has been recording for nearly 40 years; and Margaret How, in a brief but significant note, illustrates changes in frog spawning dates in her garden pond which she has been recording since 1983.

Three members of the Norfolk Fungus Study Group report on the 240 species of true fungi and 22 myxomycetes added to the county list since the group was formed in 2000. And David Richmond writes of the wide range of wildlife he recorded at the former St Andrews Hospital estate during the 20 years he worked there.

A new feature of Transactions is “Wildlife Report 2007”, in this issue covering butterflies, bumblebees, orthoptera and dragonflies.

For copies of Transactions (price £5.00 including postage), see the Bird and Mammal Report page.