Dragonflies: June
Thursday 25th Dragonflies on the Estate included four Scarce Chaser, three Common Darter and singles of Red-veined Darter, Lesser Emperor, Emperor Dragonfly, Broad and Four-spotted Chasers. On RSPB Worth Marshes were at least five Norfolk Hawker. Sunday 21st Three Red-veined Darters were in the Haven and a Norfolk Hawker was in the Oasis. Monday 15th Five Norfolk Hawker were on…
Butterflies: June
Thursday 25th The heat brought the butterflies out in numbers for this weeks BMS – 598 Butterflies of 12 species were recorded. The Small/Essex Skipper group lead the counts at 135 and Painted Lady influx was still going strong with 91 seen. Over 20 Painted Ladys were seen on RSPB Worth Marshes. A White-letter Hairstreak was in Pegwell Bay Country Park. Sunday…
Ringing: June
Sunday 28th Whilst I have been away the team have been kept busy with a steady trickle of corvids into the Crow Trap-it has finally lived up to its name. Jackdaws have been most regular but there have also been some Crows, Rooks and Magpies. This mornings total was 13 new birds. The highlight was a juvenile Cetti’s Warbler. There…
Moths: June
Sunday 28th Although there has been no news it is just due to time constraints. The moth trap has been very busy. Last night was hot and humid and the car park trap was in full action. There were 632 moths of 127 species. Ones I have not seen this year so far, having been away for a couple of…
Birds: June
Thursday 25th RSPB Worth Marshes had a bustling morning before the heat set in – The RED-FOOTED FALCON made a reappearance while the main flood held two Wood Sandpipers, seven Green Sandpipers, six Cattle Egrets and a Yellow Wagtail. Tufted Ducks continued their weird offshore movements with one passing south and two heading north towards Ramsgate. Two Sandwich Tern north were much…
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…