Moths: October
Friday 31st There were six moths of six species including an unseasonal Caloptilla stigmatella, likely disturbed while trying to overwinter nearby. The weekend is a mix of wet and wind and unsuitable for trapping. Thursday 30th Another cold night at 4.1°C and there were accordingly 20 moths of 14 species. Another Merveille du Jour was the highlight and there was…
Ringing: October
Wednesday 22nd A lovely, calm, day with warm sunny intervals – the lull before the storm. Today might well be the last time for about a week when conditions are suitable to ring and it was pleasing to be joined by some of our trainees. It was an interesting morning with 95 new birds plus two birds with rings from…
Butterflies: October
Tuesday 21st Another Clouded Yellow was on the Estate. Sunday 19th Singles of Wall and Red Admiral were on RSPB Worth marshes. Saturday 18th A helice Clouded Yellow was at the northern edge of New Downs, bordering the Sampher. Thursday 9th Two Clouded Yellows were on the Estate, one in the Whitehouse and another in the Dragonfly Pond Fields. Monday…
Dragonflies: October
Tuesday 21st Six Common Darters were on the Estate and another three at Mary Bax, with a Migrant Hawker also at the latter. Thursday 16th A Migrant Hawker was on New Downs. Tuesday 14th There’s been very little to report recently as we draw down to the end of the season. Two Common Darters were on RSPB Worth marshes today.…
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…