Hawk-moths

Lade - 0700hrs - cool, cloudy, nw 2 - After a couple of quiet nights around the moth trap, due to recent strong winds, this morning was a little more encouraging with 18 species including a flurry of Hawk-moths with Poplar, Eyed, Elephant and 6 Small Elephants. RDB2 White Spot made a reappearance along with the micro moth Ethmia bipunctella, plus the first Dark Arches (unfortunately...) of the summer.

                                          Small Elephant & Elephant Hawk-moths

                                          Ethmia bipunctella

A circuit of the local patch resulted in plenty of Cuckoo activity around the willow swamp with both male and female birds noted. No doubt eggs have already been laid in unsuspecting Reed Warbler nests as it wont be long now before the adult Cuckoos depart for Africa; how quickly the breeding season passes. A straggly flock of Lapwings over the airfield also confirmed the passing season.
Dungeness - 1500hrs - An hour from the boats staring at the sea produced a steady incoming movement of Swifts careering inland low over the shingle beach. Along the shoreline small groups of feeding Common and Sandwich Terns came and went, while further out a few Gannets and Kittiwakes drifted west. At least 5 porpoises were feeding just off-shore.