Thursday 17 August 2017

Thursday 17th August


Sea defence works along on the dune ridge continue to restrict access to the hide and Warren Point. The golf course is not a public right of way. Please follow signs and access guidance from staff.

The juv White-winged Black Tern accompanied two Black Tern, though at times the Black Terns ventured far out to sea, the star bird remained north of Bull Hill inside the estuary this morning. Counts on Bull Hill were 52 Sandwich Tern and 30+ Great Black-backed Gull. A few Common Tern were still in evidence.

On the rising tide, the usual wader species arrived with representative counts of 278 Dunlin and 165 Ringed Plover achieved early, enticed by the rain-soaked sands of The Bight. Apart from the Black Terns, quiet at sea with only an immature Great Northern Diver close offshore of interest.

Small numbers of Swallow and 12 Swift headed south. A Sparrowhawk scattered a mixed flock of finches on the golf course fairways, which included 25 Goldfinch. The main areas of bushes were as expected with nine Blackcap, a flock of eight Long-tailed Tit, a few Chiffchaff, two Whitethroat, two Willow Warbler and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The unexpected surprise of the day was a Goldcrest in a Sycamore on Warren Point, the earliest post-breeding record since 2010. A Wheatear and a Rock Pipit were also up at Warren Point.

Wildlife news: in the humid air and sunny spells, butterflies were plentiful, many Gatekeeper, a few Common Blue, Meadow Brown and Large White, two Red Admiral, one Small Copper and a Painted Lady. Day flying moths were also active, three Yellow Belle were in Greenland Lake and a Jersey Tiger also seen. Two families of Fox remain on site and a grown cub was spotted on Warren Point.

                             Yellow Belle (Alan Keatley)


                              Jersey Tiger (Alan Keatley)

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