RXwildlife Sightings

Having waited 2 years to see the harlequin ladybird at mid-day today I saw several thousand within 30 minutes, in various colour combinations just above Romney Marsh at Port Lympne Zoo. They appeared to be associated with Norway maple and Sycamore trees and many were landing on a pale post and rail fence. Several larvae were crawling over this and there were numerous pupae. They were also causing a degree of irritation by landing on the caged tigers. This is going to be an insect that gets noticed!

Along the small sheltered path that runs east from Playden Church today I counted 15 Common Darters (and 3 Red Admirals), mainly settled on the old fence, basking in the hazy midday sunshine.

The spoonbill was still present on ARC during the morning, along with a single grey plover, but had moved elsewhere by the afternoon. The two bewick’s swans were on the ARC pit throughout the day with an adult caspian gull, a mediterranean gull, four goldeneyes and the immature drake goosander. The slavonian grebe showed again on New Diggings and the bittern put in another appearance from the viewing ramp early afternoon.  

Highlights this morning, 500 Oystercatcher were roosting at high tide along Shore Ridges. From the viewpoint at Castle Water, an impressive group of 19 Long-tailed Tit (pictured), 4 Goldcrest and 2 Chiffchaff were in the nearby willows and scrub, a hunting Marsh Harrier gave good views and also flushed 22 Snipe. Two additional groups of Long-tailed Tit included eight along Narrow Pit and six at the southern end of Castle Water.