RXwildlife Sightings

The day started well with a garganey seen on the lake near Boulderwall Farm and two black-necked grebes on the ARC pit. A few yellow wagtails and swallows passed through early on and a common buzzard flew over late morning. A greenshank was seen briefly on Burrowes pit, two wheatears were near the boardwalk and a chiffchaff was singing from the car park bushes for most of the day. At about two o’clock one lucky visitor saw an osprey fly over and a cuckoo was heard at Hooker’s pits at dusk.

Our first whimbrel, cuckoo, whitethroat and lesser whitethroat of the year were all seen yesterday. Other migrants on the move included yellow wagtail, swallow, wheatear, blackcap and chiffchaff. Over 70 sedge warblers were heard across the site. A Dartford warbler was spotted along the return trail and a little owl was seen near Hooker’s pits.

Steve Wheatley’s first Rother Woods Project moth evening of 2009 took place last night at Corkwood Farm, Iden, by kind permission of René Regendanz. Highlights from the five traps were Engrailed (2), Early Thorn (4), Grey Shoulder-knot, Lunar Marbled Brown, Satellite, the dark variety hirschkei of Brindled Pug (2), an early Flame Shoulder, and early migrant Dark Sword-grass and Diamond-back (2). The traps also attracted a couple of Great Silver Beetles from the ponds in René’s wood.

A damp and murky early morning and highlights were confined to the shore with 56 Turnstone, an Arctic Skua roosting on the low water sand, a single Raven overhead and the regular Merlin perched along Shore Ridges.

Merlin perched along Shore Ridges this morning

At Camber Castle the yellow Wallflowers are now in full bloom , and they look their best and have a very strong fragrance. The castle is open (2-5pm) today, Sunday and Monday… see details here