RXwildlife Sightings

Windy, and later on wet weather kept the birds’ heads down this morning, though there were still bits and pieces around. Near Lime Kiln, a Corn Bunting was singing throughout the morning, while a pair of Yellow Wagtails foraging on the saltmarsh gave good views. On the Beach Reserve, several pairs of Wheatear were visible, some obviously already feeding chicks, while a Little Egret and Common Sandpiper were the highlights on Ternery Pool. On Harbour Farm, 24 Avocet were present (with at least three chicks), while Grey Partridge and Little Ringed Plover were behind Ternery Pool.

Wheatear on Flat Beach

Despite it being mid-May, catches have been fairly poor so far, and this is the first morning I have reached double figures in terms of species (12 today). Several new faces for the year today - Small Elephant Hawk, Nutmeg, Light Brocade (below), Yellow Belle and Common Swift - with the highlights being the micros Diamond-back moth and Ethmia bipunctella. Up until recently I have been calling this latter Viper’s Bugloss Moth, but have been informed by Pat Bonham that this a name that should be used for an extinct macro moth that hasn’t been recorded in the UK for 40 years!

Light Brocade