Moths & Waders

Lade - 0600hrs - warm, dry and sunny s2 - A somewhat disappointing 23 species in the moth trap last night considering how warm and still it was. However, 3 new `uns for the year included Ruby Tiger, Old Lady (outside the trap) and a Poplar Grey.

                                         Poplar Grey

                                          Old Lady

                                          Ruby Tiger

ARC - 1200hrs - Migrant waders on the islands in front of Hanson included 6 Common and one Green Sandpiper, plus singles of Dunlin, Greenshank and a flyover Whimbrel. Also, LRP, Little Egret and Garganey. The juv Peregrine was causing havoc scattering the Lapwings and clouting a juv Black-headed Gull which it failed to gather as the gull fell onto the water, swam around for a bit in a daze before disappearing into cover on an island.
Lade Bay - 1700hrs - As the tide receded the usual hundreds of gulls flooded back onto the sands, amongst the holidaymakers floundering in the mud. At least 50 Sandwich Terns came in to sit and preen, plus 280 Curlews, 50 Oycs and a scattering of Dunlins, Redshanks and a red Barwit.
ps: The Eagle Owl was back in Ashford town centre this evening.