Birds: March 2024
Sunday 31st Highlights on New Downs were 12 Pintails, a Great Crested Grebe, and a Merlin. The Cattle Egret remained at the Observatory. Saturday 30th RSPB Worth marshes produced an adult Little Gull, eight Egyptian Geese, a Ruff, and a White Wagtail, whilst 23 Chiffchaffs were in full song on the Green Wall. Friday 29th Despite the fairly horrible conditions…
Butterflies: February
Friday 16th The first day of the year with multiple butterflies, with a Small Tortoiseshell and a male Brimstone on the Estate. Thursday 15th Our first Red Admiral of the year was seen on the hay bales at the back of the Observatory. Friday 2nd A Peacock was seen around the back of the asparagus fields on the Estate.
Moths: February 2024
Our Moth Nights for this year have just been announced. They will be held on Saturdays June 8th, July 6th, August 10th (all at 18:30), September 7th, and October 5th (both at 16:00). Come along and bring family and friends and see and learn about Moths up close. You can even stay the night and book into our accommodation. Tuesday 27th Our…
Ringing: February 2024
Saturday 24th A calm, clear, night resulted in a shock to the system with a slight frost to start with. The sun quickly cleared this. It was a case of quality over quantity with just two birds caught. One of these was the second male Firecrest this year and the other was a retrap Redwing. Friday 23rd It was a…
Birds: February 2024
Thursday 29th After a week or so with only one or two birds the Cattle Egret flock at the Observatory increased again with five birds present in the morning. There’s also been a flock of six nearby at Ham Fen. It isn’t currently clear if they are additional or whether the birds are going to back and forth to us.…
Dragonflies: February – March 2024
It may be a quiet time for Odonata but it’s perfect for planning ahead for the summer. Here at SBBOT we have recorded 31 species of Dragonfly and Damselfly, of which 28 are regular breeders in the area. Highlights include Dainty and Variable Damselflies, Southern, Scarce, and Willow Emerald Damselflies, Scarce Chaser, Norfolk and Southern Migrant Hawker, Lesser Emperor, and…
Butterflies: January
Wednesday 24th It was some surprise to see a Small Tortoiseshell fly in off the sea. A strange record and our first butterfly to be recorded this year.
Moths: January 2024
Our Moth Nights for this year have just been announced. They will be held on Saturdays June 8th, July 6th, August 10th (all at 18:30), September 7th, and October 5th (both at 16:00). Come along and bring family and friends and see and learn about Moths up close. You can even stay the night and book into our accommodation. Saturday 6th A…
Ringing: January 2024
Saturday 20th Another very frosty start but this time a bit of a breeze removed some of the frost in exposed spots. Twenty-five birds were caught of which seven were new. The new birds were headed up by a Blackcap, there were also four House Sparrows, a Blackbird, and a Song Thrush. Such is the scarcity of Starlings these days…
Birds: January 2024
Wednesday 31st There was a high count of 100 Dunlins on RSPB Worth marshes with Great White Egret, 18 Pintails, and Water Pipit all present. A Woodcock was along the Green Wall. Tuesday 30th A Woodcock was on the Estate and a Great White Egret on RSPB Worth marshes. Monday 29th The drake Goosander relocated to Pegwell Bay but the…