11 January 2019

Suffolk Wildlife Trust volunteers have carried out a botanical survey of ancient, secondary and planted woodland to the south of Rougham Estate.Analysis of the sampling survey demonstrates the wide range of woodland flora present, and the value of different broadleaved woodland management possible within large woodlands.High forest, coppice with standards and non-intervention woodland management result in structural and floral diversity.

A total of 26 butterfly species were recorded by two Butterfly Conservation volunteers carrying out transect surveys in woodland to the south of Rougham Estate.  This total of 26 represents 75+% of Suffolk’s 34 butterfly species that have regularly occurred in Suffolk during the last five years ie 2013-2017.  This really good number includes four of Suffolk’s target priority species, notably Small Heath, and species with host-specific larval foodplants: White Admiral, White-Letter Hairstreak and Silver-Washed Fritillary. 

A bat survey carried out by Suffolk Bat Group volunteers in July 2018 to the south of Rougham Estate found the mix of grassland, ponds and woodland to provide good feeding, commuting and roosting habitat for at least eight of the county’s 13 bats including the Barbastelle and Leislers bats. Rougham Estate Trust is committed to improving roosting and insect-rich foraging habitat for Suffolk’s bats.