Wednesday 28th There were 66 butterflies of 11 species on today’s BMS Transect. There was an increase in ‘whites’ and ‘blues’ but a decrease in ‘browns’. Tuesday 27th Hot off the press! A PURPLE HAIRSTREAK was photographed at Stonelees, the first SBBOT record, and the third hairstreak species to be recorded here this year. Wednesday 21st Nine species were seen…
Thursday 29th Clear and calm again but this time the temperature stayed above 15°C. This brought about an increase to 408 moths of 71 species. The highlight was another Porter’s Rustic. Other migrants included 11 Silver Ys, two Palpits vitrealis and singles of Dark Sword-grass, Diamondback and Rush Veneer. Twenty-two Delicates may well have been all locals and 102 Setaceous…
Friday 30th A calm start followed by a stiff breeze mid-morning. To emphasise the approach of autumn Blackcap was the most numerous with 35 of the 48 new birds being Blackcap. Next most numerous was Chiffchaff with five. There were also two Reed Warblers, three Willow Warblers and singles of Robin, Lesser Whitethroat and Whitethroat. Although hirundines could be heard…
Friday 30th The Estate held a Pied Flycatcher, a mobile Greenshank, nine Whinchats, six Yellow Wagtails, and 50 Linnets. Over in Pegwell Bay there were good numbers including 110 Ringed Plovers, 60 Dunlins, and a Curlew Sandpiper and inland on RSPB Worth marshes there were three Great White Egrets and 120 Teals. Thursday 29th Another hot day out there. There…
Wednesday 31st Seven Willow Warblers and a Green Sandpiper were on the Estate and a handful of Sandwich Terns and Mediterranean Gulls feeding together offshore. Our first Spotted Flycatcher and a few more Willow Warblers and Green Sandpipers were on New Downs. Tuesday 30th A Grasshopper Warbler was seen briefly at the Point. There were now three Great White Egrets…
Monday 22nd A Willow Emerald Damselfly was at the Observatory and another two on New Downs. Saturday 20th Two Lesser Emperors on New Downs were the first records from that subsite. Thursday 18th Our first Willow Emerald Damselfly of the year was on RSPB Worth marshes. Monday 15th Two each of Norfolk and Southern Migrant Hawkers were on the Estate.…
Wednesday 31st A warm (17.8°C) and humid night resulted in a decent catch( for this year ) of 412 moths of 106 species. There were a few migrants with 20 Silver Ys, three Dark Sword-grasses and a Diamondback. Ear agg, was new for the year as was a male Gypsy Moth. Five Brown-veined Wainscots were of note. I am still…
Tuesday 30th The heat brought an early end to bird activity and to ringing. There were 12 new birds today. Another juvenile Green Woodpecker contiued their improved performance after a poor year last year. As usual the warblers were birds of the year. Another young Cetti’s Warbler was particularly pleasing. After the poor showing in our nest boxes it is…
Monday 29th A male Brimstone was in the Observatory garden. Sunday 21st The next generation of Wall was underway with six seen on RSPB Worth marshes. Friday 19th This week’s BMS Transect on the Estate recorded 475 butterflies of 14 species. Gatekeepers, as expected, were the most numerous species with 230 present in the heat. Small/Essex Skippers had a drop…
Saturday 29th Four Scarce Chasers, five Norfolk Hawkers, and 36 Banded Demoiselles were on Worth whilst the Red-veined Darter and Lesser Emperors were still on Restharrow Scrape. Friday 28th Two Lesser Emperors and a Red-veined Darter were on Restharrow Scrape, both firsts for the year. Singles of Norfolk Hawker and a Southern Emerald Damselfly, and 41 Ruddy Darters, were the…
