Common Sandpiper

Lade - 0700hrs - overcast, drizzle, light airs - With muggy weather conditions overnight I was expecting a load of moths in the trap this morning, and while there was 32 species there was little of any quality apart from Sussex Emerald, Kent Black Arches and the pyralid Ringed China-mark.

                                 Ringed China-mark, Parapoynx stratiotata

                                Blood-vein, Lade

Over the pits, with barely a breath of wind, juv Linnets and Whitethroats appeared to be everywhere. The first Common Sandpiper of the season flew over south lake calling, three whistling Greenshanks went south along the coast, while an accurate count of roosting Curlews tallied 155. Above the willow swamp hundreds of Sand Martins fed on emerging insects. Several noisy parties of Sandwich Terns flew over the site from the bay, coming and going Rye way, some with fish, although I hear tell that few young have fledged. Common Terns, presumably from the bird reserve, seemed to be finding plenty of small fish in the lakes hereabouts.
ARC - An afternoon visit to the screen hide and at the south end yielded 13 Little Egrets and 11 Grey Herons amongst the usual wildfowl. Plenty of Sand Martins and Swallows about.
NB: The identity of the Park Wood tree has been solved by Mrs Moth, it is a Black Locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, also known as False Acacia, which is an introduced species from south-eastern USA and widely planted as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.