Ringing: September 2024
Sunday 28th A cool, overcast, start with only a gentle breeze was a good beginning. Warblers were moving through in big numbers. One-hundred-and-ninety-five were ringed plus there was a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff with rings from elsewhere in the UK. The other birds were also typical of autumn – six Goldcrests and singles of Dunnock, Blackbird, Great Tit and Jay.…
Birds: September 2024
Monday 30th The early onslaught of wind and rain gave way somewhat around midday. Three Balearic Shearwaters were seen flying south with three Arctic Skuas, one Great Skua, one Little Gull, and one Arctic Tern also of note. There was an increase in winter wildfowl in Pegwell Bay. Sunday 29th Thank you to all who attended the Big Kent Bird…
Dragonflies: August 2024
Wednesday 28th After a week of windy and/or wet conditions it was perfect today to look for odonata. The recently-discovered SCARCE BLUE-TAILED DAMSELFLIES were still present. At least seven were on the new Dragonfly Ponds. Also on the Estate were four Blue-tailed Damselflies, six Common Blue Damselflies, one Red-eyed Damselfly, 34 Small Red-eyed Damselflies, one Azure Damselfly, two Willow Emerald…
Butterflies: August 2024
Wednesday 28th There were 66 butterflies of 11 species on today’s BMS Transect. There was an increase in ‘whites’ and ‘blues’ but a decrease in ‘browns’. Tuesday 27th Hot off the press! A PURPLE HAIRSTREAK was photographed at Stonelees, the first SBBOT record, and the third hairstreak species to be recorded here this year. Wednesday 21st Nine species were seen…
Moths: August 2024
Thursday 29th Clear and calm again but this time the temperature stayed above 15°C. This brought about an increase to 408 moths of 71 species. The highlight was another Porter’s Rustic. Other migrants included 11 Silver Ys, two Palpits vitrealis and singles of Dark Sword-grass, Diamondback and Rush Veneer. Twenty-two Delicates may well have been all locals and 102 Setaceous…
Ringing: August 2024
Friday 30th A calm start followed by a stiff breeze mid-morning. To emphasise the approach of autumn Blackcap was the most numerous with 35 of the 48 new birds being Blackcap. Next most numerous was Chiffchaff with five. There were also two Reed Warblers, three Willow Warblers and singles of Robin, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat. Although hirundines could be heard…
Birds: August 2024
Friday 30th The Estate held a Pied Flycatcher, a mobile Greenshank, nine Whinchats, six Yellow Wagtails, and 50 Linnets. Over in Pegwell Bay there were good numbers including 110 Ringed Plovers, 60 Dunlins, and a Curlew Sandpiper and inland on RSPB Worth marshes there were three Great White Egrets and 120 Teals. Thursday 29th Another hot day out there. There…
Birds: July 2024
Wednesday 31st Seven Willow Warblers and a Green Sandpiper were on the Estate and a handful of Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls feeding together offshore. Our first Spotted Flycatcher and a few more Willow Warblers and Green Sandpipers were on New Downs. Tuesday 30th A Grasshopper Warbler was seen briefly at the Point. There were now three Great White Egrets…
Dragonflies: July 2024
Monday 22nd A Willow Emerald Damselfly was at the Observatory and another two on New Downs. Saturday 20th Two Lesser Emperors on New Downs were the first records from that subsite. Thursday 18th Our first Willow Emerald Damselfly of the year was on RSPB Worth marshes. Monday 15th Two each of Norfolk and Southern Migrant Hawkers were on the Estate.…
Moths: July 2024
Wednesday 31st A warm (17.8°C) and humid night resulted in a decent catch( for this year ) of 412 moths of 106 species. There were a few migrants with 20 Silver Ys, three Dark Sword-grasses and a Diamondback. Ear agg, was new for the year as was a male Gypsy Moth. Five Brown-veined Wainscots were of note. I am still…