Dragonflies: April 2023
An impressive 31 species of Odonata have been recorded in the Sandwich Bay area including local breeding specialties such as Dainty Damselfly, Variable Damselfly, Southern Emerald Damselfly, Norfolk Hawker, Southern Migrant Hawker, and Lesser Emperor. Why not pay us a visit? Our comfortable accommodation on site is perfect for exploring the area or as a base to visit other sites…
Moths: April 2023
Over 1,200+ species of moth have been recorded at Sandwich Bay including local and coastal specialties such as Bright Wave, Rest Harrow, White Colon, Forester, Oblique-striped, and Cynaeda dentalis. Why not pay us a visit? Our comfortable accommodation on site is perfect for trapping on our reserves or for using as a base to explore other areas nearby. See https://sbbot.org.uk/accommodation/…
Butterflies: March 2023
Monday 27th It’s been a slow start to the butterfly season so this was the best day of the year so far. A male Brimstone in The Elms was a nice surprise and the first of the year. A Peacock was also nearby and two Small Tortoiseshells were on New Downs. Sunday 19th A Peacock was on Worth marshes. Sunday…
Moths: March 2023
Thursday 30th A brief lull with hardly any rain allowed a range of traps to be put out. An actinic trap in the Elms caught 14 moths of four species, the highlight was a Pine Beauty; an attractive moth which is not annual. The car park trap held 38 moths of nine species. New for the year were Dotted Chestnut…
Ringing: March 2023
Thursday 30th Despite the strength of the wind there were a couple of sites where nets could be used safely. A short session yielded a Firecrest (the first this year), a Song Thrush and a retrap Chaffinch. Monday 27th The morning dawned with only a slight breeze which dropped away allowing a slight frost which was quickly melted away. At…
Birds: March 2023
Friday 31st Pretty horrible conditions today but ten White Wagtails were on the Green Wall. The Black Redstart put in a brief appearance around the Observatory again, as did the Tree Sparrow. Then, in the late afternoon, an ALPINE SWIFT stormed north along Royal Cinque Ports Golf Course. A brief head’s up to raise awareness of the series of walks…
Moths: February 2023
Monday 20th The daytime temperatures are mild so the trap was out again. The night-time temperatures did not listen to the forecast and dropped to 3.5°C. There were six moths in the trap. Hebrew Character (3) and Satellite were new for the year, plus there was a Common Quaker and a Pale Brindled Beauty Wednesday 15th Hopes of an interesting…
Ringing: February 2023
Sunday 26th Despite a bitterly cold north-easterly a brief attempt yielded a new Chaffinch plus three retrap Robins and two retrap Starlings. Friday 24th An early frost cleared quickly but the wind moving to north remained cool. The feeders continue to be popular but catches remain small. The new bird today was a female Mallard caught in the heligoland. The…
Birds: February 2023
Tuesday 28th A cold and breezy ending to the month. A Yellowhammer was at the hay bales behind the Observatory building and a Bullfinch along the Worth track. Two Barnacle Geese were in with the Greylag Geese next to the Shooting School at Mary Bax. The flock of five Eiders were on the sea again and three Firecrests present in…
Moths: January 2023
Friday 13th Not much to report moth-wise with the horrible weather recently, but a female Winter Moth was found on the gate to Middle Field. Friday 6th Last night started at a balmy 12.5°C but the wind picked up significantly. Once again there were no moths Tuesday 3rd Although it was calm the sky was clear and the temperature dropped…