Nothing to report on the bird front.
The mothtraps were very productive again with at least 135 species recorded including Pale Oak Beauty and Small Fanfoot - both fourth Observatory records.
Elsewhere, the Serin was still singing at Littlestone.
Data Protection
Migration Time.
25th June
Nothing to report on the bird front but more thunderstorms in the early hours brought a small arrival of migrant moths. Unfortunately the storms also resulted in power cuts which obviously affected the catch but there was one notable highlight in the form of the 4th British record of the superb pyrale Chrysocrambus linetella.
Other bits in the traps included four Dioryctria abietella and our 3rd record of Red-necked Footman.
Elsewhere, a Ringed Border was caught at Littlestone - the third area record of this very recent colonist.
Six Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
Other bits in the traps included four Dioryctria abietella and our 3rd record of Red-necked Footman.
Elsewhere, a Ringed Border was caught at Littlestone - the third area record of this very recent colonist.
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| Chrysocrambus linetella Dungeness 25th June 2019 |
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| Red-necked Footman Atolmis rubricollis Dungeness 24th June 2019 |
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| Ringed Border Stegania cararia Littlestone 24th June 2019 |
24th June
The highlight of the day on the bird front was a brief visit to the Point of two Bee-eaters which came in over the New Lighthouse, flew round the Old Lighthouse and then quickly headed north and out of sight this afternoon. Four Yellow Wagtails also passed through during the day. A visit to the Patch produced our first juvenile Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull of the summer.
Despite continuing low numbers of the moths in the traps last nights effort produced some surprising records with only the third Dungeness example of the Common Rock-rose feeding pyralid Hypochalcia ahenella. The last Dungeness record was in 1986. In addition, another pyralid, Dioryctria abietella was also likely to be a migrant. We also had our earliest-ever Langmaid's Yellow Underwing.
Large numbers of Painted Lady butterflies are now starting to arrive.
Hypochalcia ahenella, Dioryctria abietella and Langmaid's Yellow Undering. Dungeness 24th June 2018 |
23rd June
Very little to report. A Marsh Harrier was hunting over the Desert.
Three Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore and two Brown Hares were seen in the Desert.
Butterflies seen today included 40 Painted Ladys but the moth traps were very quiet with just 51 moths caught in two traps and nothing of note.
Three Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore and two Brown Hares were seen in the Desert.
Butterflies seen today included 40 Painted Ladys but the moth traps were very quiet with just 51 moths caught in two traps and nothing of note.
22nd June
Very quiet with just a Corn Bunting over the Observatory of note on the land.
A Porpoise was seen offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the beach.
Last night at around midnight there was another impressive but brief display of Noctilucent Clouds.
A Porpoise was seen offshore and a Brown Hare was seen on the beach.
Last night at around midnight there was another impressive but brief display of Noctilucent Clouds.
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| Another display of Noctilucent Clouds Dungeness 21/22nd June 2019 |
21st June
A Mediterranean Gull which flew west was the only bird of note.
Two Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
Two Porpoises and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
20th June
Very little change on the bird front.
A Brown Hare was seen in the Desert.
Strong winds continue to hinder butterfly and dragonfly observations but numbers of Painted Lady seemed to increase during the day.
The Serin was singing again at Littlestone.
A Brown Hare was seen in the Desert.
Strong winds continue to hinder butterfly and dragonfly observations but numbers of Painted Lady seemed to increase during the day.
The Serin was singing again at Littlestone.
19th June
Prolonged thunderstorms overnight and at first light produced few new birds with just 27 Swifts of interest.
A Stoat was seen.
The moth traps were not run and the weather limited butterfly and dragonfly sightings.
A Stoat was seen.
The moth traps were not run and the weather limited butterfly and dragonfly sightings.
18th June
A Curlew, 31 Swifts and a Grey Wagtail flew over the Observatory this morning and five Mediterranean Gulls were feeding offshore.
Three Porpoises were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen in the Desert.
A Red-eared Terrapin was seen in the Southern Long Pit.
The moth traps were a bit better than of late with a Rest Harrow and a Rosy Wave of note. In addition, another 61 Rest Harrow moths were seen at the three locations around the Long Pits.
A Marbled White in the Moat was the first of the year.
Three Porpoises were feeding offshore and a Brown Hare was seen in the Desert.
A Red-eared Terrapin was seen in the Southern Long Pit.
The moth traps were a bit better than of late with a Rest Harrow and a Rosy Wave of note. In addition, another 61 Rest Harrow moths were seen at the three locations around the Long Pits.
A Marbled White in the Moat was the first of the year.
17th June
A Buzzard, 40 Swifts and a Grey Wagtail flew over. Five Mediterranean Gulls were seen offshore.
A Porpoise and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
A new colony of Rest Harrow moths was found inside the Power Station perimeter but the moth traps themselves were disappointing.
A Porpoise and a Grey Seal were feeding offshore.
A new colony of Rest Harrow moths was found inside the Power Station perimeter but the moth traps themselves were disappointing.
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