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…
Dragonflies: July
Wednesday 30th The Lesser Emperor remained in the Dragonfly Pond Field as well at least 14 Scarce Blue-tailed Damselflies. At the Observatory there was a Southern Hawker and two Willow Emerald Damselflies. Over on RSPB Worth marshes there were another two Willow Emerald Damselflies, a Lesser Emperor, five Brown Hawkers, two Norfolk Hawkers, six Migrant Hawkers, ten Black-tailed Skimmers, and…
Moths: July
Wednesday 30th There were 229 moths of 74 species in the trap. An Oak Processionary was the best of the bunch and the only addition for the year. Two Small Wainscots, one of each colour form, added some variety and a Maple Prominent was a good find for the main trap being scarcely seen away from the Jubilee Field. Tuesday…
Butterflies: July
Wednesday 30th The BMS Transect on the Estate produced 237 butterflies of 14 species including ten Walls. Another eight Walls were on RSPB Worth marshes. Monday 28th Seven Clouded Yellows were on New Downs and one on the Estate. Friday 25th After a week of mostly wet weather there was decent activity on the Estate today. Five Walls were taking…
Birds: July
Thursday 31th Those who braved the thunderstorm warnings met a good mix of waders over on RSPB Worth Marshes including two Wood Sandpipers, three Green Sandpipers and three Little Ringed Plovers. Another Green Sandpiper was on Restharrow Scrape. Wednesday 30th A decent selection around the Estate included 16 Willow Warblers, 12 Reed Warblers, three Garden Warblers, a Spotted Flycatcher, two…
Dragonflies: June
Saturday 29th A female Southern Migrant Hawker was the first of the year patrolling around the Oasis along with a Norfolk Hawker. A Red-veined Darter, 2 Emperors, 2 Broad-bodied Chasers were also present on the Estate. Friday 27th Three Red-veined Darters remained on the Dragonfly Ponds. Elsewhere on the Estate there were three Emperors, four Black-tailed Skimmers, six Common Darters,…
Moths: June
Monday 30th The warm nights continue with a minimum of 16°C resulting in another busy trap. Four hundred and ninety four moths included the following firsts for the year; Dunbar, Scalloped Oak, Orange Footman, three Dusky Sallows, Lunar-spotted Pinion, Maple Prominent plus the very local Gymnancycla cannella (2). Chrysoteucha culmella was down to 13. The only migrants were a Rush Veneer,…
Ringing: June
Summary of pullus ringing in May. So far so good! We have ringed 86 Blue Tits and 55 Great Tits in May. The Blue Tits are well up on last year. We will await the end of the month to see it they fledge, which would be great. Sunday 29th the heat continues to build but a gentle breeze…