Ringing: July 2024
Tuesday 30th The heat brought an early end to bird activity and to ringing. There were 12 new birds today. Another juvenile Green Woodpecker contiued their improved performance after a poor year last year. As usual the warblers were birds of the year. Another young Cetti’s Warbler was particularly pleasing. After the poor showing in our nest boxes it is…
Butterflies: July 2024
Monday 29th A male Brimstone was in the Observatory garden. Sunday 21st The next generation of Wall was underway with six seen on RSPB Worth marshes. Friday 19th This week’s BMS Transect on the Estate recorded 475 butterflies of 14 species. Gatekeepers, as expected, were the most numerous species with 230 present in the heat. Small/Essex Skippers had a drop…
Dragonflies: June 2024
Saturday 29th Four Scarce Chasers, five Norfolk Hawkers, and 36 Banded Demoiselles were on Worth whilst the Red-veined Darter and Lesser Emperors were still on Restharrow Scrape. Friday 28th Two Lesser Emperors and a Red-veined Darter were on Restharrow Scrape, both firsts for the year. Singles of Norfolk Hawker and a Southern Emerald Damselfly, and 41 Ruddy Darters, were the…
Butterflies: June 2024
Friday 29th A WHITE-LETTER HAIRSTREAK was on the Green Wall. Wednesday 27th The best transect of the year with 200 butterflies exactly. Meadow Browns led the way with 75, followed by Small Heath on 50 and Small/Essex Skipper on 35. A few Large Skippers were logged and the first of the next generation of Small Tortoiseshell. Thursday 20th At least…
Ringing: June 2024
Friday 28th It was a team effort, with particular thanks to Guy, the new net 11 boardwalk is in. We have used recycled plastic wood supplied by Plasteco to build a longer lasting walkway. Tuesday 25th Work progressed well on the replacement boardwalk. In the evening a check of the House Martins resulted in 14 more chicks being ringed. It…
Moths: June 2024
Sunday 30th 0.6°C warmer and the catch went up to 127 moths of 46 species. With such low numbers it is no wonder the House Sparrows are struggling to rear chicks. Depite the low number there was a reasonable variety There were four species of footman (Common, Scarce, Rosy and first for the year Pigmy ) and four species of…
Birds: June 2024
Sunday 30th The Cattle Egret flock on Worth marshes now numbered five and included one young bird in two. In the evening around 800 Jackdaws came to roost on the Green Wall. Saturday 29th There was an influx of various heron species with a Spoonbill in Pegwell Bay, two Great White Egrets and two Cattle Egrets on RSPB Worth marshes,…
Ringing: May 2024
Friday 24th A total of 11 birds were processed. A Cetti’s Warbler was new for the year and our first three juvenile Long-tailed Tits were caught. Wednesday 22nd The last few tit pulli were ringed. Of great concern is the position with House Sparrows. The only two nest with chicks have both failed and lots of nests are not carrying…
Moths: May 2024
Thursday 30th The low cloud improved the contents of the carpark trap to 141 moths of 41 species. Silver Y numbered 23 and eight Poplar Hawk-moths was unusual. Middle-barred Minor was new. Wednesday 29th Last night’s haul was reasonable. A Pearly Underwing was of note and our first Dark Arches appeared. A Vapourer caterpillar was found during the day on the…
Dragonflies: May 2024
Saturday 25th Our first Norfolk Hawker was in the Haven. Friday 24th Our earliest ever Southern Hawker was a surprise find along the Great Wood on RSPB Worth marshes. Friday 17th Two Four-spotted Chasers and four Azure Damselflies were on New Downs. A Variable Damselfly was on the Estate and large numbers of Emperor exuviae were in Middle Field pond.…