Dragonflies: September
Saturday 27th A Black-tailed Skimmer on RSPB Worth marshes was our latest ever record. Friday 19th At least one Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly was still present on the Estate. Over on New Downs there were totals of 63 Common Darters and 25 Migrant Hawkers. Tuesday 9th A Willow Emerald Damselfly was on the Estate. Friday 5th Six Common Blue Damselflies, 18…
Butterflies: September
Saturday 27th There was another double-figure count of Wall with 13 on RSPB Worth marshes. Friday 26th There was a feel of active migration today as Red Admirals seemed to be heading purposely through the Estate. A Painted Lady added to the mix. Friday 19th The excellent third generation of Wall continued with 11 on New Downs. Also present were…
Ringing: September
Tuesday 30th A lovely calm day with little cloud helped a big catch as birds headed south. A small group of us with one or two surprise guests ringed 268 birds with just seven subsequent encounters (all seven bearing our rings). The majority were Chiffchaffs (120) and Blackcaps (111). The steady trickle of Goldcrests increased to 21 and there were…
Moths: September
Tuesday 30th I do not think there was any cloud overnight and the temperature reduced to 5.6°C. The catch went down to 166 moths of 24 species. Two Red-line Quakers were new for the year. The only migrant related species was a single Rusty-dot Pearl. Monday 29th There must have been some cloud last night as the temperature did not…
Birds: September
Tuesday 30th It’s been unusually quiet for Chiffchaff and Blackcap recently, based upon counts at this time in previous years, but today there was a decent fall on the Estate. The final totals were around 180 Chiffchaffs and 110 Blackcaps, plus smaller numbers of Goldcrest. Four Firecrests joined them and a Pied Flycatcher was in the Little Elms. The most…
Birds: August
Please note that maintenance work will begin on Restharrow Scrape on Monday 18th August. Expect disturbance to the site every Monday and Thursday morning for a few weeks. Sunday 31st A PURPLE HERON was new on RSPB Worth marshes and it was pleasing to a migrant flock of 60 Yellow Wagtails near the Chequers. On the Estate there were four…
Butterflies: August
Wednesday 27th Four Peacocks, three Small Whites, four Green-veined Whites, one Large White, three Speckled Woods, six Red Admirals, one Meadow Brown, one Small Heath, one comma, and one Gatekeeper were on Worth during a strengthening breeze. Friday 22nd The numbers of butterflies on the BMS Transect are just starting to drop. Today there were 132 individuals of 13 species.…
Moths: August
Thursday 28th The best overnight conditions for a while now with light rain, complete cloud cover and a slightly breezy South-westerly pushed numbers to 463 moths of 72 species. A Shining Marbled was the clear highlight, the 3rd record for the Obs. A good showing all-around by migrants with two Pearly Underwings, three Scarce Bordered Straws and a Dark Sword-grass, plus…
Dragonflies: August
Wednesday 27th A total of 44 Migrant Hawkers were recorded on RSPB Worth marshes, the highest this year so far. Saturday 23rd Three Willow Emerald Damselflies on RSPB Worth marshes constitute a good showing for this autumn. They have been very thin on the ground. Six Common Blue Damselflies, two Blue-tailed Damselflies, one Emperor, 18 Migrant Hawkers, three Black-tailed Skimmers,…
Ringing: August
Sunday 31st The month signed out with another, slightly unexpected calm start. There were 36 new birds all, bar two, were migrants. The residents were a Great Tit and a juvenile female Cetti’s Warbler. The latter is one of the few UK passerines which can usually be sexed on biometrics. The male is longer winged and heavier. The flow of…