Six-spot Burnet Moth
On our regular Sunday walk we explored the flowers around the edge of Rye Golf Course. There were spectacular displays of Pyramidal Orchids and many Six-spot Burnet Moths, as below.
Michael Prince
Archive for June, 2006
26th June 2006, Monday
26th June 2006, Monday
Stinking Hawk’s-beard
In the 1980’s Stinking Hawk’s-beard became extinct in Britain. During the last 14 years there has been a Species Recovery Programme that has been trying to re-establish a viable population from seeds collected at Dungeness. At Rye Harbour, close to Ternery Pool, plants were introduced and protected from grazing by Rabbits. Last year there were just 5 plants counted, but this year, with superior Rabbit protection there are at least 39 plants. They can be identified by the very white pappus of hairs of the seed heads and the drooping buds… and the “stinking” is from the faint smell of cyanide in the leaves!
26th June 2006, Monday
Rye Harbour Moths
Another good night for the Lime Kiln Cottage moth trap, despite the wet weather. While not as rich in species as the previous night, (just over 40 as opposed to over 50), there were even more individuals, the majority again being either Dark Arches or Heart & Dart. Rarities included the micros Synaphe punctalis and Dolicarthria punctalis and the macros Sand Dart and Reddish Light Arches (below), while new species for the year included Sycamore, Smoky Wainscot and Green Pug.
Reddish Light Arches (left) with Light Arches
26th June 2006, Monday
Meadow Brown
Easier to get close to this species today with the dull weather, the Meadow Brown is the most abundant butterfly on the reserve from early June, on sunny days during July hundreds can be found at Castle Water.
26th June 2006, Monday
Common spotted and Pyramidal Orchid
From the viewpoint at Castle Water at least 430+ Common Spotted Orchid can be seen poking up through the nearby grassland, amongst them is the occasional Pyramidal Orchid. A Five or Six-spot Burnet Caterpillar has found its way to the top of the Common Spotted.
25th June 2006, Sunday
Rye Harbour Moths
A good morning for the Lime Kiln Cottage moth trap, with over 50 species and several hundred individuals present. The commonest species were Dark Arches, Heart & Dart and Small Elephant Hawk moth, while rarities included the micro moth Synaphe punctalis, White Colon and Star-wort. Also present were Swallow-tailed Moth and Burnished Brass, two rather striking (and photogenic) species!
Burnished BrassÂ
24th June 2006, Saturday
The Mullien
This Mullien moth caterpillar was munching its way through the Buddleia at Lime Kiln Cottage. The pupae are formed in tough cocoons beneath the ground and can remain there for up to four years.
24th June 2006, Saturday
Past Few Days
A few bird highlights over the past few days, at Castle Water 29 Redshank, 14 Curlew, 2 Green Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover and 300+ Lapwing. Also a Marsh Harrier and up to 2 Hobby have been seen daily, and from the viewpoint a Barn Owl has been seen hunting untill mid morning. On the Beach Reserve 18 Avocet, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Knot and 19 Curlew. Dusk is a good time to see the breeding seabirds as they gather to roost either at Ternery Pool, Flat Beach Quarry or along the shore. At least 1000+ Sandwich Tern, 240 Common Tern, 2000+ Black Headed Gull and 150+ Meditterranean Gull make an impressive sight.
Mediterranean Gull
23rd June 2006, Friday
Shelducklings
There are now several broods of Shelduck at Rye Harbour - the best place to see them is at Ternery Pool. It seems to be a good year for them, they missed all the previous bad weather when they were in their underground nest …
23rd June 2006, Friday
Small Heath
The Small Heath is a restless little butterfly and hard to get close to. They fly only in sunshine and rarely settle more than a metre above the ground, its wings are always kept closed at rest. Adults are on the wing from april to september.
