RXwildlife Sightings

The first beautiful baby slow-worms of the year have turned up under roof felt laid on the long grass at the end of our lawn. The cool weather this month has meant that these animals have been found regularly under this material, which warms in the sun and is thus a safe basking site. In hot weather they are warm enough to disperse to hunt for prey in the long grass. Contrary to popular opinion cool weather is the best time to search for these animals

We have had a peak count of 12 animals earlier this summer, which is very welcome given that they feed on slugs and snails.  Allowing some of your lawn to grow long is a good way to attract them, although you need to be careful when you mow it at the end of the summer.

On Harbour Farm this morning the highlights were an immature Ruff, over 65 Yellow Wagtail feeding along the fence line and the occasional Wheatear, while at Ternery Pool at least two Pintail (including the leucistic individual mentioned here) and five Common Sandpiper were present. On Camber Sands 85 Ringed Plover were roosting near the river mouth, with at least 15 Dunlin and five Sanderling here also, while from the viewpoint at Castle Water a female Marsh Harrier was hunting over the reedbed and at least three Cetti’s Warbler and a Kingfisher were also present.