Further searching for insects in the general area produced a couple of Rambur's Shield-bugs and around 20 White-letter Hairstreaks at Littlestone.
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| White-letter Hairstreak Satyrium w-album Littlestone 30th June 2018 |
30th June
Nothing much to report from the Observatory area except for good numbers of butterflies, especially Small Skippers and Marbled Whites.
Further searching for insects in the general area produced a couple of Rambur's Shield-bugs and around 20 White-letter Hairstreaks at Littlestone.
Further searching for insects in the general area produced a couple of Rambur's Shield-bugs and around 20 White-letter Hairstreaks at Littlestone.
29th June
Not a great deal to report but a Golden Plover over the Observatory this morning was surprisingly the first record of the year. An evening check of the Patch produced eight Mediterranean Gulls.
A Grey Seal was also feeding at the Patch.
Two Common Emerald damselflies were seen at the top of the Long Pits.
Searching for insects elsewhere produced this interesting bee along the track to the Hanson Hide at ARC. I think it is probably a Large Sharp-tailed Bee Coelioxys conoidea and is described in the Bees, wasps and ants of Kent as "not common" in the county.
A Grey Seal was also feeding at the Patch.
Two Common Emerald damselflies were seen at the top of the Long Pits.
Searching for insects elsewhere produced this interesting bee along the track to the Hanson Hide at ARC. I think it is probably a Large Sharp-tailed Bee Coelioxys conoidea and is described in the Bees, wasps and ants of Kent as "not common" in the county.
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| Coelioxys conoidea ARC, Dungeness 29th June 2018 |
27th June
A quiet day with very little to report, three Mediterranean Gulls were seen at the fishing boats this afternoon.
A single Grey Seal was seen offshore.
A single Grey Seal was seen offshore.
26th June
Seven Mediterranean Gulls were feeding offshore and a Shag flew east this afternoon. A Grey Wagtail flew over the Observatory.
At least six Porpoises and singles of Grey and Common Seal were also feeding offshore this afternoon.
At least six Porpoises and singles of Grey and Common Seal were also feeding offshore this afternoon.
25th June
One of the hottest days of the year so far and very quiet for birds except for the first Turtle Dove of the year at the Long Pits, at least eight Mediterranean Gulls "anting" over the area and 120 Swifts passing through.
At least 12 Porpoises and single of Common Seal and Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
The first Sussex Emerald moth of the season was trapped and there were lots of Small Skippers on the wing again. Numbers of Marbled Whites are starting to build up and the first Gatekeeper of the summer was seen. Of note among the dragonflies were two Common Emeralds at the top of the Long Pits - never a common species here.
At least 12 Porpoises and single of Common Seal and Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
The first Sussex Emerald moth of the season was trapped and there were lots of Small Skippers on the wing again. Numbers of Marbled Whites are starting to build up and the first Gatekeeper of the summer was seen. Of note among the dragonflies were two Common Emeralds at the top of the Long Pits - never a common species here.
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| Sussex Emerald Thalera fimbrialis Dungeness 26th June 2018 |
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| Common Emerald Lestes sponsa females Dungeness 25th June 2018 |
24th June
A Buzzard flew over the Observatory and two Mediterranean Gulls were noted during the day. The local Peregrine Falcons were also putting on a great display this morning.
A Soprano Pipistrelle bat was flying around the Observatory at 0010hrs when a Badger was also sniffing around the garden.
Moth-trapping overnight produced a couple of Rest Harrows of interest. Butterflies are abundant at the moment with big numbers of Small Skippers and Meadow Browns on the wing.
The flowers at Dungeness are putting a great display and include this patch of wild Moth Mullein and the count of Pyramidal Orchids is now up to 57 flowering spikes.
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| Perergine Falcon Falco peregrinus Dungeness 24th June 2018 |
Moth-trapping overnight produced a couple of Rest Harrows of interest. Butterflies are abundant at the moment with big numbers of Small Skippers and Meadow Browns on the wing.
The flowers at Dungeness are putting a great display and include this patch of wild Moth Mullein and the count of Pyramidal Orchids is now up to 57 flowering spikes.
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| Moth Mullein Varbascum blattaria Dungeness |
23rd June
Very little to report today apart from a Mediterranean Gull and ten Swifts overhead.
A session this evening with a Bat Detector calls from Common and Nathusius's Pipistrelle.
A session this evening with a Bat Detector calls from Common and Nathusius's Pipistrelle.
22nd June
Five Buzzards flew over the Observatory and four Mediterranean Gulls were seen during the day.
Three Porpoises and a Grey Seal were seen offshore.
The first Essex Skipper of the season was seen amid large numbers of Small Skippers.
Three Porpoises and a Grey Seal were seen offshore.
The first Essex Skipper of the season was seen amid large numbers of Small Skippers.
19th June
Another quiet day with just two Mediterranean Gulls at the Patch of any interest.
Four Porpoises and a Grey Seal were seen offshore.
Four Porpoises and a Grey Seal were seen offshore.
16th June
Three Mediterranean Gulls were feeding at the Patch this morning but not a great deal else of interest was seen.
A Common Seal and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
A Figure of Eighty moth was trapped overnight which is (perhaps surprisingly) only the 15th Observatory record and the first since 2011.
A Common Seal and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
A Figure of Eighty moth was trapped overnight which is (perhaps surprisingly) only the 15th Observatory record and the first since 2011.
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| Figure of Eighty Tethea ocularis Dungeness 17th June 2018 |
15th June
Not a great deal to report although coverage was a bit limited today. A Mediterranean Gull was the best of the few birds offshore whilst 170 Swifts passed south-west.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
14th June
A cold, damp and windy morning restricted observations on the land but a bit of seawatching produced six Manx Shearwaters and three Arctic Skuas passing through and four Mediterranean Gulls were feeding at the Patch. Ninety Swifts also flew overhead.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.
13th June
Four Buzzards flew over the Observatory and a Mediterranean Gulls was feeding at the Patch.
12th June
Another quiet day on the land in dull and cold conditions and a fresh NE wind. A Hobby was seen at the fishing boats and 33 Swifts flew over.
There was little actual movement offshore but the Patch held eight Mediterranean Gulls and two Little Terns of note.
There was little actual movement offshore but the Patch held eight Mediterranean Gulls and two Little Terns of note.
11th June
Very little to be seen other than the breeding birds.
A quick check for Rest Harrow moths produced at least 50 individuals in a few minutes of searching.
A quick check for Rest Harrow moths produced at least 50 individuals in a few minutes of searching.
10th June
Very quiet on the land with just the regular birds being seen but a visit to the Patch produced two first-summer Mediterranean Gulls, four Little Terns and an Arctic Tern. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was feeding with the usual gulls at the Fish Shack this afternoon.
A Brown Hare was seen.
Pyramidal Orchids are starting to flower in front of the Observatory.
Ten Painted Ladies and four Brown Argus were seen and another Variable Damselfly was found at the Long Pits. Over the last couple of years I have been making regular searches of large patches of forget-me-not in the hope finding the host-specific shieldbug and today I think I have finally found a brood of first-instar larvae of Sehirus luctuosus.
A Brown Hare was seen.
Pyramidal Orchids are starting to flower in front of the Observatory.
Ten Painted Ladies and four Brown Argus were seen and another Variable Damselfly was found at the Long Pits. Over the last couple of years I have been making regular searches of large patches of forget-me-not in the hope finding the host-specific shieldbug and today I think I have finally found a brood of first-instar larvae of Sehirus luctuosus.
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| Variable Damselfly Coenagrion pulchellum Dungeness 10th June 2018 |
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| Forget-me-not Shieldbug Sehirus luctuosus Dungeness 10th June 2018. Note these are very small, c1.5mm in length, and are first-instar larvae. . |
9th June
Nothing to report on the bird front.
A check of a large patch of Rest Harrow at the Long Pits produced large numbers of the eponymous moth emerging.
A check of a large patch of Rest Harrow at the Long Pits produced large numbers of the eponymous moth emerging.
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| Rest Harrow Aplasta ononaria Dungeness 9th June 2018 |
8th June
A very tatty adult "Continental" Coal Tit was seen in the trapping area this morning and a first-summer Mediterranean Gull was feeding at the Patch.
Five Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
The first Meadow Brown of the year was seen and a few worn Brown Argus are still on the wing.
Hairy Dragonflies are still flying in decent numbers and three Variable Damselflies were see at the Long Pits.
Five Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
The first Meadow Brown of the year was seen and a few worn Brown Argus are still on the wing.
Hairy Dragonflies are still flying in decent numbers and three Variable Damselflies were see at the Long Pits.
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| Hairy Dragonfly Brachytron pratensis Dungeness 8th June 2018 A mating pair |
7th June
An entertaining but at times frustrating first few hours of the day with both a Bee-eater and a Serin being seen (or more often heard) on several occasions between the Observatory and the Point. Both were last seen at about 0925hrs.
A two-hour seawatch this afternoon produced a party of three Arctic Skua passing east and a party of three Eiders flying west.
Seven Porpoises were also seen.
A two-hour seawatch this afternoon produced a party of three Arctic Skua passing east and a party of three Eiders flying west.
Seven Porpoises were also seen.
6th June
Not much to report on the bird front again with the only obvious migrant being a Grey Wagtail over the area.
Dragonflies seen today included two Variable Damselflies.
Although the weather has been unsuitable for nocturnal moth trapping for the last couple of nights it is still possible to find a few moths by day including Pammene regiana on the large Sycamore tree in the trapping area. A late Grizzled Skipper and a few ageing Brown Argus continue to be seen and a couple of Painted Ladies arrived.
The flowers are at their best with carpets of Bird's-foot Trefoil, Common Sorrel, Foxgloves, Nottingham Catchfly, Viper's Bugloss etc and a few oddities including Marsh Cinquefoil and a good showing of Common Broomrapes.
Offshore, at least eight Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding.
Visitors to the observatory can also partake in various other activities with our most recent guests spending some time fishing from the beach and catching good numbers of Sea Bass - all safely returned.
Dragonflies seen today included two Variable Damselflies.
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| Variable Damselflfy Coenagrion pulchellum Dungeness 6th June 2018 |
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| Pammene regiana Dungeness 4th June 2018 |
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| Marsh Cinquefoil Comarum palustre Dungeness 4th June 2018 |
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| Common Broomrape Orobanche minor Dungeness 6th June 2018 |
Visitors to the observatory can also partake in various other activities with our most recent guests spending some time fishing from the beach and catching good numbers of Sea Bass - all safely returned.
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| Sea Bass Dicentrachus labrax Dungeness 6th June 2018 (Photo by Walter Brown) |
5th June
Very little to report on a cold and breezy day. A Mediterranean Gull was seen at the Patch and a Redshank flew over. Two Garden Warblers were singing in the bushes.
A Stoat and a Brown Hare were seen.
A Stoat and a Brown Hare were seen.
4th June
The highlight of the day (for one observer at least) was a flock of five Bee-eaters which flew south over the trapping area at 0800hrs. Inside the Power Station there were two broods of fledged young Black Redstarts and one of Wheatears whilst two Buzzards flew over and a party of six Ravens was present. Two Black Terns flew east with a group of Common Terns.
Eight Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
A Variable Damselfly at the Long Pits was another uncommon dragonfly sighting for the area.
Eight Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
A Variable Damselfly at the Long Pits was another uncommon dragonfly sighting for the area.
3rd June
Not much to report on the bird front this morning. A Reed Warbler was singing in the moat and a Garden Warbler was singing in the trapping area. A Yellow Wagtail flew over.
At least 28 Porpoises ere feeding offshore.
The highlight of the day was a Lesser Emperor caught in the Heligoland Trap at the Observatory although a male Broad-bodied Chaser at the Long Pits was remarkably only the 3rd Observatory record.
At least 28 Porpoises ere feeding offshore.
The highlight of the day was a Lesser Emperor caught in the Heligoland Trap at the Observatory although a male Broad-bodied Chaser at the Long Pits was remarkably only the 3rd Observatory record.
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| Lesser Emperor Anax pathernope Dungeness 3rd June 2018 |
2nd June
Very little to report on another misty day. A Hobby was seen near the Old Lighthouse and a Garden Warbler was singing in the trapping area. A Nightjar was reported singing at the Long Pits at 2245 this evening.
One Porpoise was seen offshore and a Brown Hare and a Weasel were also seen.
One Porpoise was seen offshore and a Brown Hare and a Weasel were also seen.
1st June
A foggy day with a handful of migrants on the land including two Reed Warblers and two Garden Warblers and also two Egyptian Geese which flew over the Long Pits. More unusual was a Bittern which flew from the ARC Pit into the Long Pits area. The sea was barely visible for most of the day but a Velvet Scoter flew west in a brief clearer spell. A Mediterranean Gull also flew over the area.
At least four Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
At least four Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
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