Moths: October 2023
Can you help? Every charity relies on its volunteers and we are no different. Our Treasurer is moving away from the area and so will be stepping down. We need a new treasurer. Bo has prepared a small manual to describe what is done and how it is done if this will help. Please contact treasurer@sbbot.org.uk if you think you…
Birds: October 2023
Tuesday 31st A relatively late Yellow-browed Warbler was on the Estate with a smattering of Goldcrests and continued passage of Lesser Redpolls and Siskins occurred overhead. Over on New Downs, 495 Lapwings and 220 Golden Plovers were congregating and a female Goosander flew over. In Pegwell, the Spoonbill and male Eider were still present. On RSPB Worth Marshes, there were…
Butterflies: September 2023
Friday 29th Another Clouded Yellow was seen on the Estate, this time on the beach. Wednesday 27th A Clouded Yellow was flying around on Restharrow Scrape and a Wall was nearby on the path outside. Monday 25th One Large White, four Green-veined Whites, three Small Whites, seven Speckled Woods, and four Red Admirals were on the Green Wall. Saturday 23rd…
Dragonflies: September 2023
Monday 25th A mid-morning walk along the Green Wall produced 18 Migrant Hawkers, 12 Common Darters, a Ruddy Darter, and four Willow Emerald Damselflies, whilst the Estate held ten Migrant Hawkers, 83 Common Darters, two Small Red-eyed Damselflies, and a Willow Emerald Damselfly. Friday 22nd Another Red-veined Darter seen, this time in the Oasis. Wednesday 20th At least 65 Common…
Ringing: September 2023
Saturday 30th A clear night followed by a lovely calm morning created great conditions. There were more than a hundred each of Blackcap and Chiffchaff around the Haven first thing. With only one senior ringer and one trainee we were careful to use just two net rides. One hundred and nineteen birds were ringed and there were no retraps or…
Moths: September 2023
Saturday 30th Last night started clear and breezy allowing the temperature to drop to 8.4°C. This, combined with a bright full moon, dropped the catch to 41 moths of 19 species. Red-green Carpet, outside the trap, was new for the autumn. There are still Hummingbird Hawk-moths around. Friday 29th It was cloudy overnight, which is just as well as the…
Birds: September 2023
Saturday 30th There was some surprise when the RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was re-found on New Downs. It was very mobile (again) but showed distantly on the North Pool, along with five Cattle Egrets and a Little Stint. A reminder that parking at the Polytunnels is only available for a few cars and members must display their membership card on their dashboard.…
Butterflies: August 2023
Monday 21st There was a late Essex Skipper on the BMS Transect (though still two weeks away from our latest ever record) and a Clouded Yellow in the Whitehouse. Wednesday 16th A male Brimstone was in the Whitehouse and there was a good emergence of Speckled Woods with 19 on the Estate, plus five Walls and six Holly Blues. Tuesday…
Dragonflies: August 2023
Thursday 31st A Red-veined Darter was at Dickson’s Corner, the first of the next generation. Monday 28th There were at least 14 Emerald Damselflies on the Estate. Saturday 26th A Willow Emerald Damselfly was in Big Gully. Wednesday 23rd The LESSER EMPEROR was still on Restharrow Scrape along with three Emperors. Tuesday 22nd A LESSER EMPEROR was on Restharrow Scrape…
Moths: August 2023
Thursday 31st I am guessing the cloud cleared during the night and the big moon then affected the catch. The temperature fell below 10 to 9.3°C as well. There were only 70 moths of 26 species, none of which were migrants. Clay Triple-lines was new for the year. The night was saved by a visitors trap which caught our second…