Recent Moth trapping

The last week of hot weather has been ideal for moth trapping, though I've only just been able to use the Hastings Country Park trap again  due to electrical problems.

My small Fairlight garden trap has produced a steady stream of garden firsts, mostly tiny micros, but during the night of the spectacular thunderstorm no less than four new species  included a hulking Privet Hawk-moth.

By far the best came on July 23, when I almost overlooked a 5mm micro on top of the trap. Photographs of this suggested it was Epermenia aequidentellus, an identification confirmed by county recorder  Colin Pratt. This is the first time an adult has been found in  East Sussex, two larvae were identified on Moon Carrot near Beachy Head in 1996, in West Sussex it has been found around Walberton, but not since 2007.

Unfortunately I am unable to upload images at the moment, but see page 232 of the micro moth book -or google it !

Beach Reserve

A Curlew Sandpiper in moulting summer plumage provided the avian highlight this morning, there was also a small movement of Swallows and Sand Martins over Harbour Farm and Shore Ridges with around 100+ plus of each. At least 9 Common Sandpipers were spread around the various pools and scrapes and 5 Whimbrel were on the new saltmarsh area. A few Yellow Wagtails were perched along the fence by Crittall Hide, perhaps a prelude for the larger return passage next month when large numbers can gather on the Beach Reserve. There are still a few Sandwich and Little Terns around and 150+ Common Terns out on the Quarry. The low water sand provided some interest with several Mediterranean and Common Gulls, 6 Avocet, Common Sandpiper and strangely 4 Snipe, I can't recall ever finding Snipe on the beach before.

Plovers in Mayweed

In recent days our wintering Golden Plover have been returning. This morning a dozen or so were hiding in the Sea Mayweed inside the fencing near the red roofed hut at Rye Harbour. Most are still in full summer plumage - I counted 9 birds in the photo above.

Beach Reserve

Highlights this morning included two Peregrines, 4 Ruff, 8 Snipe, 120 Curlew, 45 Redshank, 70 Dunlin, 100 Lapwing and 150+ Swallows. Otherwise pretty much as previous posting.

OTHER RSPB NEWS

RSPB review of charges for entrance, events and equipment hire

In order to continue to do the best we can to save nature, the RSPB have reviewed some of the fees that we charge on our reserves, including entrance fees. These revisions will also ensure you experience consistency and value for money across all the reserves you visit. 

At RSPB Dungeness these changes will come into force as of Monday 11th August 2014.  For full details of how these charges have been revised at RSPB Dungeness please visit our website and follow the ‘Read our blog’ link.  www.rspb.org.uk/dungeness  

Summer Fun for all the Family

The summer holidays are approaching fast, and as usual there will be tons going on to entertain the family on the reserve! Our favourite events will of course be back, and we’ve added some new ones into the mix as well.  There’s something to amaze your whole family -  whether you fancy dipping into the watery world of pond creatures, building a den in a field of wildflowers, or exploring what the Dungeness wildlife gets up to after dark.  Check out our full list of events at www.rspb.org.uk/dungeness

Retirement of Phil Beraet,  Assistant Warden

Phil Beraet, our Assistant Warden of seven years, will be retiring at the end of July.  Staff and visitors alike will be sad to see him go, and wish him many happy years of birding, photography, holidays and relaxation!

Teachers’ Conferences

Following on from the success of our Science and the New Curriculum teachers’ conferences held at RSPB Dungeness during the winter, a new course has been delivered as part of our “Giving Nature a Home” programme.

This “hands-on” science day looked at what habitat mapping is, how to map school grounds, mapping the Dungeness reserve and how to plan a habitat mapping programme in school.

To follow up schools were asked to send in their Action Plans and the Dungeness education team will visit or take part in online video conferences with pupils in the Autumn 2014.

If you would like any information about our learning programmes please contact Heather Chantler, Lifelong Learning Officer, on heather.chantler@rspb.org.uk or 01797 320 588.

Keep up to date with our news as it happens – sign up to our blog at www.rspb.org.uk/dungeness