Friday 29 July 2022

Friday 29th July

Counts from the estuary included 528 Oystercatcher, 111 Sandwich and 28 Common Tern, 40 Sanderling, 39 Ringed Plover, 24 Dunlin and a Grey Plover.

Two migrant Willow Warbler, one singing, were in the Entrance Bushes, along with the long-staying Treecreeper. Elsewhere at least two broods of Whitethroat were on the wing and the long-staying first summer Kestrel is starting to moult into adult plumage.

Kestrel - Alan Keatley

Wildlife News: Sunny all day with temperatures rising again. The Warren is looking particularly parched with flowers going over very quickly. After a series of November showings the Marsh Helleborine haven't lasted long this year, struggling to reach August. Bramble, Ragwort and Evening Primrose are going the same way. Only the Common Fleabane and the emerging Water Mint provide a reliable nectar source at the moment. 

The regular dragonflies and butterflies were on the wing including six Small Red-eyed Damselfly, a male Black-tailed Skimmer and a Brown Argus. The hoverfly offering was again limited with Hornet and Marmalade Hoverfly, Dark-winged Chrysogaster C. solstitialis, Common Paragus P. haemorrhous, Bumblebee Blacklet Cheilosia illustrata and Spotted Meliscaeva M. auricollis.

Mint Moth - Alan Keatley

Other insects included Small Purple and Gold aka Mint Moth, Dark-barred Twin-spot Carpet and Rhombic Leatherbug Syromastus rhombeus.

Rhombic Leatherbug - Alan Keatley

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