Dragonflies: June
Thursday 4th A Red-veined Darter was sheltering from the wind in the Haven.
Butterflies: June
Monday 1st The influx of Painted Ladies continued. At least 90 individuals were nectaring on the flowering Bramble around the Restharrow Scrape area. The next generation of Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshells seems to be starting too.
Ringing: June
Friday 5th The blustery wind dropped enough to allow some netting. Ten Birds were ringed. A family of five Blackcaps were joined by a young Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tiy, Chaffinch and two Robins. Now that the tits are fledging some of the adults are transferring their energy to moult activity. Monday 1st It was with a mixture of hope…
Moths: June
Saturday 6th The blustery winds continued and there are even a few more showers, but the ground remains dry. There was enough of a break last night to put the trap out and considering the wind and the temperature down to 9.1°C it was worth it. There were 190 moths of 51 species. Migrants continued to appear headed by another…
Birds: June
Friday 5th A Black-tailed Godwit and a/the Little Gull were on Restharrow Scrape and a Spoonbill flew over RSPB Worth Marshes. Thursday 4th Another day of hard work in the blustery and often wet conditions. There were a few Manx Shearwaters reported elsewhere along the coast but we had to make do with a handful of Common Scoters and the…
Moths: May
Sunday 31st Slightly warmer last night at 13.3°C and still very hot during the day. The catch increased slightly to 264 moths of 67 species helped by an arrival of some migrants. There were 52 Diamondbacks which is a good catch for the car park trap. Even better there were 25 Small Mottled Willows. There were singles of Rusty-dot Pearl,…
Ringing: May
Sunday 31st A breeze kept some of the ongoing heat reduced. Eight new birds included five recently fledged Chiffchaffs. The adult males seem to be setting up for the next brood and there is plenty of singing. It used to be a feature that there was a late wave of Reed Warblers noticeable around the end of May and it…
Birds: May
Sunday 31st A large number of Red Kites moved north overhead. We estimated at least 80 came through but some groups drifted back south and then back again, making double-counting an issue. A nice Honey-buzzard came through with them as well as a Spoonbill and 80 Swifts. Singles of Little Gull and Kittiwake were on Restharrow Scrape again and four…
Dragonflies: May
Sunday 31st Red-veined Darters were finally confirmed with at least three on Restharrow Scrape and another elsewhere on the Estate. Two Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies were in the Dragonfly Pond Field Saturday 30th Our earliest ever Ruddy Darter was at the Point. Friday 29th Three teneral Scarce Chasers were on RSPB Worth Marshes. Thursday 28th Another Lesser Emperor was on Restharrow…
Butterflies: May
Sunday 31st Our first Meadow Brown was at Restharrow Scrape. Thursday 28th This week’s BMS Transect was rather quiet. I expect the heat and dry conditions may have something to do with it. Most numerous was Small Heath with eight. Tuesday 26th Our first Large Skipper was along the Worth Track. Monday 25th There was an arrival of Painted Ladies…