Yesterday I was able to survey the western RX wetlands from the air on a perfect summer’s evening - in a Tiger Moth biplane. It gave the most amazing views of the habitats that we usually enjoy from a very different perspective.
Over Pett Level.
This morning while searching for exuvia I came across this Cuckoo chick in a Reed Warbler nest. With over 250 Pairs of nesting Reed Warbler within the SSSI, its not surprising this species is an important host for the Cuckoo. The bright red gape in the second picture will be a regular sight for the adults over the coming weeks as they try to feed their huge offspring.
With the first sightings yesterday of adults on the wing, a search for exuvia this morning found two on the small pools north of the viewpoint. One of the features to look for on exuvia are characteristic pale markings on the side of the thorax which extend onto the side of the head and reach the back of the eyes. The legs also have distinct banding, both these features can be seen in the photo below.
About sixty individuals of 25 species this morning, the majority Dark Arches, Heart & Dart and Common Wainscot. The highlight was a single Shore Wainscot, a rather local species of sand dunes (the larvae feed on Marram grass) which occurs annually in small numbers at Rye Harbour, while new species for the year included Garden Tiger and Scalloped Oak. Also seen this morning was Rutpela maculata (below), a rather common longhorn beetle which is nontheless a new species for the reserve!
Some species, it appears, did benefit from the wet summer of 2007. Three years ago the natural freshwater pits at Dungeness with their rare Transition Mire communities were in a sorry state with very low water levels. This year they are brimming full and some of the uncommon fen plants are in much improved condition.
Take saw sedge Cladium mariscus. Known from only four localities in Kent, the counties largest stand of this plant is at Dungeness. Three years ago it was so dry that only three plants managed to flower. This year there are numerous flower stalks.
This plant is more common in East Anglia and is cut to thatch roofs. It has wickedly serrated leaves that can cause deep cuts if you do not handle it carefully. Read the rest of this entry »
The Oppen Pits on the RSPB reserve were well known for their unusual flora in Victorian times, and this mostly persisted up until the 1950’s, after which the unshaded fen communities were overgrown, and damaged by falling water levels. Since 1998 we have been cutting back willows and managing the fen vegetation and every so often an interesting plant or two returns from the past as dormant seed germinates. Today I found two long-lost residents!
The first was a small patch of bog pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius in Pit 8. The floating leaves of this plant can be seen in the photo below, amongst a mass of floating algae obscuring the submerged leaves. These are much broader than the submerged leaves of the common broad-leaved pondweed.
This plant was recorded in Victorian times, Read the rest of this entry »
An introduction to the plants of Dungeness
Saturday 28 June, 2 pm - 5 pm
A quarter of Britain’s plant species may be found on the reserve. This walk will introduce you to the wonderful flora of Dungeness. No need to book.
SLR photography for beginners
A one-day course with David Featherbe
Sunday 13 July
10 am - 4.30 pm
Join David for a one-day wildlife photography workshop aimed at beginners. The intention is that you will leave us with a series of images that will inspire you to experiment further. Those attending should bring their own equipment, ie a SLR digital or film camera, as this course is not suitable for those with compact cameras. You should bring your longest telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses and a tripod. For Canon users, there will be an opportunity to take photographs from a hide with a 500mm f4 IS lens. Likely subjects: little grebe, moorhen, coot, passerines, moths, pond life, various plants and lichens.
Please note: This programme is very weather dependent and may be subject to change at the last minute.
Cost : £40. Places are limited so please book early on 01797 320588
Good numbers of species on the weekly dragonfly transect today, though the brisk wind did make life a little difficult. The ponds at the northern end of Castle Water held both Red-eyed and Small Red-eyed Damselfly, two Four-spotted Chaser (below) and a female Emperor, while the northern end of Castle Pit itself was the place to find Black-tailed Skimmer and large numbers of Blue-tailed and Common Blue. At Castle Water hide one or two Large Red Damselfly were still on the wing, while the nearby ditch produced Variable Damselfly.
This is Volucella bombylans, a fairly common fly on the reserve at the moment, and one of several hoverflies which pretend to be bumblebees to gain protection from predators. This species occurs in two colour forms in Britain, mimicing either white-tailed (below) or red-tailed bumblebees (bottom). It can be told from true bees by the fact that it only has one pair of wings (bees have two) and from other bee-mimicing hoverflies by the dark mark on the wing, elongated face (particularly visible on the bottom photo) and the long hairs on the last segment of the antenna (just visible in both images).
Read the rest of this entry »