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…
Birds: January 2023
Tuesday 31st A productive walk on the Green Wall on the last day of the month produced Yellowhammer, Lesser Redpoll, two Coal Tits, Bullfinch, Grey Wagtail, Redshank, and Short-eared Owl. On the Estate the highlight was a male Merlin on Royal St George’s Golf Course, plus Cattle Egret, five Goldcrests in the Elms/Gullies area, and a Little Egret on Restharrow…
Ringing: December 2022
Tuesday 27th After a run of mild, damp, and/or windy days this morning dawned clear and a frost formed. It only lasted a couple of hours as cloud rolled in. The bushes were very quiet and only eight birds were caught. Two of these were new, firstly a Chaffinch and finally a Redwing. This could be the last bird ringed…
Dragonflies: November 2022
Sunday 13th Six Common Darters were on New Downs. Saturday 12th Lovely weather on Worth produced 15 Common Darters. Wednesday 9th Six Common Darters were seen along the paths by Restharrow Scrape late morning. Friday 4th One Common Darter was in the Oasis area. Wednesday 2nd Seven Common Darters were on the Estate.
Butterflies: November 2022
Sunday 13th A Red Admiral was in Waldershare Gully. Wednesday 9th Two Red Admirals were around Restharrow Scrape. Wednesday 2nd Four Red Admirals and a Small Copper were on the Estate whilst on New Downs there was a Painted Lady and a Red Admiral.
Ringing: November 2022
Friday 25th Stormy weather limited ringing activity but when conditions allowed birds, particularly thrushes, were still moving. Today was clear and not too breezy, the sun still getting the temperature into double figures and tempting a couple of Common Darters out in the Whitehouse. There were plenty of thrushes around but most were busy feeding in the isolated bushes and…
Moths: November 2022
Sunday 13th Overnight fog turned what could have been a mild night into a cooler, damp, one. The moths on Sandown Road were not impressed and just a Large Yellow Underwing and an Epiphyas postvitana were caught. Friday 11th A bit more cloud last night and a mild, but strong, breeze kept the temperature above 12.5°C. Two December Moths were…
Birds: November 2022
Wednesday 30th A mixed variety across the Recording Area. A Razorbill was on the sea, as was a drake Eider which provided good views before drifting south. The Estate Curlew flock continues to increase with 32 present today. Four Dartford Warblers were scattered across the area, two at the Point, two on the Estate. Despite not being recorded in over…
Birds: October 2022
Monday 31st It was a nice and sunny end to the month. Two Pink-footed Geese on Worth marshes were the first of autumn and on the Estate 20 Lesser Redpolls and a handful of Siskins were the highlights. Sunday 30th There was some Chaffinch movement at first light with at least 230 birds north and a Brambling. Almost 40 Snipe…