Moths and plants

Dungeness - Warm, dry and sunny - We spent the day concentrating on moths and plants for Patrick and Ooter from Germany. A combined total of 38 species of macros were recorded from three trap sites at Plovers, Lydd-on-Sea and Dungeness with the highlights for the guests being, many White Spots, three species of hawk-moth, Dark Tussock, Lackey, Shaded Pug and Mullein Wave. And many thanks to Dorothy and David for holding back their moths and pointing us in the right direction for Red-hemp Nettle and Stinking Hawksbeard.
  At Dungeness a wide range of shingle plants were located including a patch of Sea Pea on the beach, plus Wheatear, Mipit and Skylark. A glance out to sea revealed the incongruous sight of several Porpoises just offshore and the regular beach Fox in the same field of view!

                                Lydd-on-Sea flower meadow and pond
                               

                                Sea Pea, Dungeness

The afternoon was spent on the bird reserve where many more plants were noted, plus our first Marbled White of the summer. Bird wise several Hobbies put on a fine show over Dengemarsh, along with the usual Common Terns, Marsh Harriers, Lapwings and Redshanks, while Raven, Ringed Plover, Common Buzzard and Egyptian Goose were seen on or around Burrowes. A singing Reed Warbler showed particularly well from Firth hide.
  The Squacco Heron spent its third day around Dengemarsh, although elusive at times.

                                Unusual nest site for an Oystercatcher

                                Singing Reed Warbler

                                Black-headed Gull and Common Tern from Firth hide