Recent Sightings
June 2008
Despite the sad demise of our Little Tern colony this year, the majority of our special species do seem to be having a good season. On Ternery 1600 pair of Black-headed Gull, 60 pairs of Mediterranean Gull, 300 of Sandwich Tern and about 150 of Common Tern nested, these latter two species producing their first chicks during the month. On Harbour Farm, both Yellow Wagtail and Corn Bunting numbers are up this year and at least two pairs of Little Ringed Plover were present, while, the last of the Avocet hatched their young, with chicks of this species which hatched earlier in the season almost fledged. For some species the breeding season has reached its culmination, with some such as Lapwings and Starling already starting to form flocks!
Bird highlight during June was a Great White Egret which was seen leaving the roost at Castle Water on the 13th, along with 22 Little Egret (above), while other waterfowl of note included a male Red-crested Pochard late month, and the occasional Garganey at Castle Water. A smattering of returning waders during June included 19 Black-tailed Godwit over Harbour Farm on the 5th, a lovely male Ruff on Castle Water on the 26th, regular Green Sandpiper and small numbers of Knot, Whimbrel, Curlew and Grey Plover. Raptors included up to three Hobby, and the odd Peregrine and Marsh Harrier, and there were also several sightings of Barn Owl during the month. Offshore, up to five Gannet, a Fulmar and the occasional Arctic Skua were seen during the month, while both Roseate Tern and Little Gull were present at Ternery Pool on the 2nd. Passerines included up to 400 Swift over Harbour Farm on the 14th, a maximum of 50 House Martin, around 30 Sand Martin, and regular Bearded Tit at Castle Water, with five on the 21st, while the highlight was probably three Ravens over Harbour Farm on the 14th
A fairly average month for moths in the Lime Kiln trap, with the highlights being the rarities Crescent Striped, Shore Wainscot, Water Ermine and Long-legged Tabby. Notable dragonflies/damselflies included Hairy Hawker, Variable Damselfly, and probably the most significant and striking invertebrate discovery to date this year, five Downy Emerald (above) at the northern end of Castle Water on 5th June. These stunning dragonflies are nationally very uncommon and in Sussex are included in the rare species inventory. Other new invertebrates for the reserve during June included the striking black and yellow longhorn beetle Rutpela maculata and the small orb-weaving spider Hypsosinga albovittata. Plants in flower this month included Sea Pea, Sea Heath, Smooth Tare, Red Hempnettle, Stinking Hawksbeard, Twiggy Mullein (below) and English Stonecrop.
