RXwildlife Sightings

On a recce today for Monday’s RX Wildlife Festival walk over East Guldeford Level, I found three Mother Shipton moths (above - there she is on each forewing!), a Rush Veneer, lots of Silver Y’s, 2 Small Heath and several Common Blue butterflies, and at least 20 Painted Ladies. We’re in the midst of a Painted Lady invasion, with reports of huge numbers just across the Channel and many sightings daily throughout southern England. The Silver Y’s and probably the Rush Veneer seem to be part of the same influx. Four or five pairs of Yellow Wagtails were found but unfortunately no Tree Sparrows, despite searching several traditional locations.

This week’s highlights: Four male garganey were found during our wildfowl count on Friday (two at the ARC pit, one at Denge Marsh and one on Burrowes pit). Also of note were a Slavonian grebe in summer plumage and four wigeon. Up to nine hobbies have been present, hunting over Denge Marsh or the access track. Little ringed plover, avocet, common tern and cuckoo were seen regularly. A red-rumped swallow was seen briefly from Makepeace hide on Saturday afternoon.
Two avocets were seen at the ARC pit first thing this morning and a spotted flycatcher was in the main car park bushes. An osprey flew over mid-morning, followed shortly after by a common buzzard.

Much better over the last couple of mornings, with richer catches and new species for the year appearing thick and fast. Personal highlight today was Blood-vein (below), a very attractive moth with a red cross-line and red-edging on straw coloured wings (the image below does not really do it credit). I catch a handful a year here, but getting one in the trap always results in appreciative noises regardless of how many I have seen!

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