Over the last couple of days there has been an influx of immigrant moths. In a garden in Staplecross yesterday 2 humming-bird hawk-moths were seen feeding on red valerian.
In Warren Cottage garden, Hastings Country Park at dusk over 30 silver y and a bordered straw were on the wing.
We had a couple of insect lights on until 11.30pm and 46 species were recorded included 3 diamond-back moths and a scarce bordered straw.
The pair of Ringed Plover reported nesting in front of the Crittall Hide on 28th May have hatched two chicks this afternoon. The first photo shows the female removing the egg from the second chick, you can just see some attachement of the egg to the wet chick. The first chick is on the extreme left. She flew off from the nest with the eggshell, then returned to brood the young.
A quick look at the sea showed that there were still 17 Great Crested Grebe loafing offshore. A single Fulmar flew eastwards close to the shore and two tardy Turnstone were dodging the dog walkers.
The two Egyptian Geese were still present on the pools and a female Marsh Harrier hunted the reedbeds at the back of the pools. The pair of Mute Swan have cygnets and a Bearded Tit was calling from the reedbed by the road.
Small Tortoiseshells are one of the first butterflies to be seen in spring, hibernating adults emerge in March and April. The larvae feed on Common Nettle and are gregarious, sheltering within silk webs spun around the tops of nettle plants.
These attractive gulls can be seen all year round, but they have not nested in Sussex since 1963. For the last 2 years a pair of adults has been prospecting at Ternery Pool and this year they have nested. I was surprised just how red the eye ring appears!
