Dragonflies and Damselflies
Dragonflies and Damselflies are regularly seen throughout the Summer. Common Blue, Azure and Blue-tailed Damselfly are found along the River Deben footpath, and the footpath that runs from Brick Kiln Lane to Decoy Farm.
Species seen include the Southern Hawker along the River Deben footpath towards Wilford Bridge. Other species found are Common Darter, Black-tailed Skimmer and Brown Hawker with Emperor Dragonfly noted on the Ufford side of Wilford Bridge. Male and female Broad-bodied Chaser at the pond in Burkes Wood, Melton.
Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea along the River Deben footpath June 2007.
A pair of Common Blue Damselflies Enallagma cyathigerum in tandem along the River Deben footpath June 2007.
Male Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum Bromeswell June 2007.
A variety of Damselflies have been seen particularly around the River Deben at Ufford. Emperor Dragonflies also patrol this stretch of river.
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens on the Deben at Ufford 2006.
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans on the Deben at Ufford 2006.
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula on the Deben at Ufford 2006.
A visit to the fishponds by the Cherry Tree pub in Bromeswell found lots of damselflies and dragonflies.
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella at Bromeswell fishponds June 28th 2007.
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis on the Deben at Ufford July 19th 2007.
Willow Emerald Lestes viridis at Bromeswell fishponds.
Small Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma viridulum north of Wilford Bridge in a small pond.
Butterflies and Moths
With the variety of habitat a range of butterflies have been found in the area. Speckled Wood and Holly Blue can be found along Saddlemakers Lane in Melton. An area of grassland that has a footpath through it from Saddlemakers Lane is a good place to see Small Copper in late Spring. Also in Spring Orange Tip can be found along the Melton section of the River Deben and around the picnic area near to the train station.
The footpath, that goes off from the Bridleway that goes from Brick Kiln Lane to the Melton to Ufford road, goes through rough grassland where early Summer lots of Meadow Brown and Small Heath can be seen. Common Blue, Small White, Small Tortoishell, Painted Lady and Small Skipper have also been seen there - Summer 2006.
Peacocks, Large White and Red Admiral have been seen in the village.
Peacock Inachis io
A Wall Brown was seen on the footpath of the River Deben between melton and Woodbridge in the Summer of 2005. This is a good local record with it not being recorded in the area during the Suffolk Butterfly Millenium Atlas.
Wall Brown Lasiommata megera
Essex and Small Skippers are seen regularly along the river footpath and the rough grassland by the footpath from Brick Kiln Lane to Decoy Farm.
Essex Skipper Thymelicus lineola.
Grayling were found for the first time this summer (2006) by the footpath from Brick Kiln Lane to Decoy Farm.
Grayling Hipparchia semele.
Regularly seen in Bromeswell Common woodland and along Saddlemakers Lane.
Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria.
Ringlet are found along woody rides and glades, this pair were found along the footpath that runs from Saddlemakers Lane to the back of Melton village. Bromeswell Green woodland is another good site and the fishponds near the Cherry Tree pub in Bromeswell.
A pair of Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus mating.
Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas.
Common Blue Polyommatus icarus.
Painted Lady Vanessa cardui on Creeping Thistle.
Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus.
Large White Pieris brassicae on Creeping Thistle.
Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi seen on a footpath near Sutton Hoo.
Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urtica along the Deben footpath, Melton March 2007.
Female Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines on Garlic Mustard along Common Lane, Bromeswell April 2007.
Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina along the River Deben footpath June 2007.
Large Skipper Ochlodes sylvanus Melton picnic site June 2007.
Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris at Melton picnic site meadow June 2007.
