June 2009

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Tuesday 30th:

A pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore during the day, with at least 40 Diamond-back Moth disturbed from vegetation all around the reserve.

Moth trapping produced over 125 species with another seven new to the reserve, including Ringed Chinamark, Water Ermine and White Satin Moth. The first two both occur as close as Exminster Marshes, but despite there only being four Devon records in the last 20 years five White Satins were caught, four male one female. As with Rosy Wave these are probably migrants but might just represent an undiscovered population. Other species included Silky and Shore Wainscot, further records of Lime Hawkmoth and Meal Moth, White Colon and Beautiful Golden Y.

Ringed China-mark 30/06/09 © Ivan Lakin Lime Hawkmoth 30/06/09

White Satin Moth 30/06/09

Sunday 28th:

Despite the cooler weather a virtual repeat of yesterday with Ringlet and Golden-ringed Dragonfly again being the highlights. A new plant for the reserve, Slender Clubrush, was discovered in a ditch on the Golf course.

Ringlet 28/06/09 both © Lee Collins

Saturday 27th:

At least 11 butterfly species were recorded including six Ringlet and a Green Hairstreak. Small Skipper, Gatekeeper, Comma and Small Copper have all emerged in numbers in recent days. A Golden-ringed Dragonfly was in Dead Dolphin Wood with several Emperor and Black-tailed Skimmer around the reserve.

Comma 29/06/09

Friday 26th:

The first Gatekeeper of the year was on the wing.

Thursday 25th:

Moth trapping overnight produced 80+ species including a first for Devon, Rosy Wave, possibly an overlooked resident as it feeds on Sea Beet and Sea-lavender. The nearest populations are on the Gower, south Wales and around Poole Harbour, Dorset. Other species recorded included six more firsts for the reserve; including The Sycamore, Lesser Wax Moth Achroia grisella and Ephestia parasitella, the second reserve record of Meal Moth, Kent Black Arches, Poplar Hawkmoth, Rosy Footman and the pyrale Donacaula forficella, a Devon rarity. Elsewhere a Ringlet was in Dead Dolphin Wood with a male Black-tailed Skimmer on the Main Pond.

Rosy Wave 25/06/09 © Ivan Lakin

Wednesday 24th:

Two Ringlet were on site today, the new individual in Dead Dolphin Wood along with a Green Hairstreak.

Tuesday 23rd:

The first Ringlet and Marbled White of the year were between the Tractor Compound and the Entrance Bushes. Ringlet was only recorded for the first time last year and Marbled White is hopefully in the process of re-establishing on the reserve.

Marbled White 23/06/09 © Simon Thurgood Ringlet 23/06/09 © Simon Thurgood

Sunday 21st:

The first Small Skipper of the year were on the wing in Greenland Lake.

Cinnabar 15/06/09 © Amanda Hunter Five-spot Burnet 21/06/09 © Amanda Hunter

Saturday 20th:

Good numbers of Marsh Helleborine are now out in Greenland Lake. Elsewhere Yellow Oat-grass and Small Cat's-tail were both new to the recording area and 11-spot Ladybird was seen on the Seawall.

Marsh Helleborine both 20/06/09 © Lee Collins

Thursday 18th:

At least three Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.

Large Skipper June 2009

Sunday 14th:

Two plants species were seen on the reserve for the first time in at least 40 years, Oval Sedge Carex ovalis and Heath-grass Danthonia decumbens. Both were found in the dune slack by the visitor centre. A single migrant Bordered Straw was on the Dune Ridge.

Bordered Straw 14/06/09 © Ivan Lakin

Saturday 13th:

The first Golden-ringed Dragonfly of the year was on the wing. The pyralid moth Pyrausta aurata was found in Greenland Lake, the first record for the reserve. Overnight moth trapping produced another reserve first in the shape of a Lime Hawk-Moth.

Golden-ringed Dragonfly 13/06/09 © John Fortey Brocus cephalotes 13/06/09 © John Fortey

Friday 12th:

At least two Green Hairstreak were still on the wing.

Wednesday 10th:

At least two Green Hairstreak were still on the wing.

Tuesday 9th:

At least five Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.

Sunday 7th:

Two male Red-veined Darter were in Soft Sand Bay, with the first Common Darter of the year in the Back Meadow. Two more new plants for the reserve were found, Marsh Willowherb on Warren Point and False-Brome.

Red-veined Darter 07/06/09

Thursday 4th:

Black-tailed Skimmer 04/06/09

Tuesday 2nd:

The first Emperor dragonfly of the year was on the wing, along with only the third Small Tortoiseshell of the year. Other records included Hairy Dragonfly, Green Hairstreak and several instar Great Green Bush Cricket.

Small Tortoiseshell 02/06/09 © John Fortey

May 2009

Sunday 31st:

The first Meadow Brown of the year were on the wing. Moth trapping overnight produced 80 species including the first confirmed record of Rustic Shoulder Knot and two new micro moths for the reserve Nematopogon metaxella and Coleophora albicosta. Other species included Eyed Hawkmoth, Cream Bordered Green Pea, Scalloped Hazel, Figure of Eighty, Common Lutestring, Peach Blossom and Rivulet. Migrants were limited to a single White-point c10 Diamond back. An Orange Ladybird was also attracted to the light.

Saturday 30th:

In the brisk easterlies there were few Painted Lady but with at least 20 Silver Y migration was still in full swing. The first Four-spotted Chaser of the year was in the Back Meadow. The first Mottled and Meadow Grasshopper on the year were stridulating.

Four-spotted Chaser 30/05/09

Thursday 28th:

The first Large Skipper of the year were on the wing.

Monday 25th:

Another day with obvious migrant activity with again more Painted Lady, at least 12 Silver Y, several Rush Veneer and Diamond-back Moth. Twelve species of butterfly were recorded with the highlight a single Brimstone, a less than annual visitor to the reserve. Several day flying micro moths were also recorded including Alabonia geoffrella which is a first for the reserve.

Nemophora degeerella (female) 25/05/09 © Ivan Lakin Alabonia geoffrella 25/05/09 © Ivan Lakin

Sunday 24th:

A Beautiful Demoiselle was by the First Pond, a scarce but increasing visitor to the reserve. An increase in Painted Lady with at least 20 seen during the day, along with nine other butterfly species. Several Silver Y were also seen and the first Rush Veneer of the year was along the Dune Ridge. Moth trapping overnight continued the migrant theme with a single White-point amongst 40+ species, including Eyed and Elephant Hawkmoth, Least Black Arches, Light Brocade and Eudonia pallida.

Saturday 23rd:

A Hairy Dragonfly was on the Main Pond, with at least four Broad-bodied Chaser. The first Silver Y of the year was seen along with several Painted Lady.

Broad-bodied Chaser 23/05/09 © Simon Thurgood

Friday 22nd:

The first Cream-spot Tiger was on the wing.

Thursday 21st:

At least nine butterfly species were on the wing today including Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus, Wall and Painted Lady.

Green Hairstreak 20/05/09 © Simon Thurgood

Wednesday 20th:

At least 85 Common Blue and 15 Small Copper were in the uncut areas of the Back Meadow.

Black-tailed Skimmer 20/05/09 © John Fortey

Saturday 16th:

A Painted Lady was along the Dune Ridge.

Broad-bodied Chaser 16/05/09 © Lee Collins

Wednesday 13th:

A pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphin were again offshore. A group of 87 Azure Damselfly were roosting in a small nettle patch by the Main Pond.

Tuesday 12th:

Several Broad-bodied Chaser were again in Dead Dolphin Wood whilst the first Hairy Dragonfly and Black-tailed Skimmer of the year were seen on the Main Pond.

Sunday 10th:

At least eight Bottle-nosed Dolphin including a calf, were offshore.

Saturday 9th:

The first Brown Argus, Small and Large White and were on the wing, along with the first dragonfly of the year a Broad-bodied Chaser and a Beautiful Demoiselle - a good site record.

Orange Tip 09/05/09 © Simon Thurgood Common Blue 09/05/09 © Simon Thurgood

Thursday 7th:

At least four Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.

Tuesday 5th:

The first Painted Lady of the year was along the Dune Ridge.

Sunday 3rd:

The first Green Hairstreak, Common Blue (butterfly) and Blue-tailed Damselfly of the year were on the wing. A Grey Seal was in the estuary.

Saturday 2nd:

Salticus scenicus 02/05/09 © Ivan Lakin Striped Millipede Ommatoiulus sabulosus 02/05/09 © Ivan Lakin

April 2009

Wednesday 29th:

A second Green-winged Orchid is now flowering near the car park.

Green-winged Orchid 01/05/09 © John Fortey

Sunday 26th:

Amazingly four more new plants were found today, White Ramping-fumitory Fumaria capreolata and Prickly Lettuce Lactuca seriola on the Golf Course, Giant Lettuce Lactuca virosa and Hawkweed Oxtongue Picris hieracioides along the estuary embankment. A second Green-winged Orchid is in flower, near the car park. The first Wall of the year was in the Cuckoo's Nest.

Saturday 25th:

No less than four new plant species were found in the recording area today, Common Fumitory Fumaria officinalis and Trailing Bellflower
Campanula poscharskyana near the Boathouse, Aspen Populus tremula in the car park ditches and Laurustinus Viburnum tinus on Warren Point.

Wednesday 22nd:

An early Clouded Yellow was seen and a Cinnabar was on Warren Point, both the first of the year.

Tuesday 21st:

The first Azure Damselfly of the year was on the wing. Green-winged Orchid was found in Greenland Lake - a new site.

Sunday 19th:

Several Slender Groundhopper Tetrix subulata were found in Greenland Lake the first record for the reserve. Other firsts for the recording area included Thyme-leaved Speedwell Veronica serpylifolia found near the seawall and Tutsan Hypericum androsaemum growing behind the Toilet Block.

Saturday 18th:

At least two Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.

Friday 17th:

A Weasel was near Dead Dolphin Wood with at least six Sand Lizard along the Dune Ridge.

Wednesday 15th:

Tuesday 14th:

A dead Common Shrew in Dead Dolphin Wood was the first record of the year. Two Slow-worm were also in the area.

Monday 13th:

At least five Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore, with a Fox by the Main Pond and a Stoat by the Dune Pond other notable mammal sightings.

Sunday 12th:

The first St Mark's Flies Bibio marci were on the wing, an early date (St Mark's Day is 25th April). Five species of Bumblebee were seen on site today including the first worker Early Bumblebee Bombus pratorum. On a different note, the only Snake's-head Fritillary on the reserve was picked today by some mindless simpleton.

Saturday 11th:

Upright Chickweed is now in flower.

Friday 10th:

Greater Stitchwort Stellaria holostea was found growing in the Car Park, the first reserve record for almost 30 years of this very common hedgerow plant. A Slow-worm was along the Back Path and Sand Lizard continue to show well along the Dune Ridge.

Wednesday 8th:

The first Small Copper of the year was on the wing along with Peacock, Speckled Wood and Green-veined White.

Monday 6th:

The first Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius of the year was out on Warren Point.

Sunday 5th:

Single Weasel and Stoat were seen along the Back Path, the latter near the Dune Pond and the former by Dead Dolphin Wood. The first Orange Tip, Southern Cuckoo Bumblebee Bombus vestalis and Bee-Fly Bombylius major of the year were on the wing.

Saturday 4th:

A bright spring day saw large numbers of Sand Crocus in flower both behind the Visitor Centre and alongside Small Adder'-tongue in Greenland Lake. The first Seven-spot Ladybird of the year were also out along with plenty of Feverfly Dilophus fibrilis and the first Common Carder Bee Bombus pascuorum of the year.

Thursday 2nd:

The sunshine encouraged good numbers of both Common and Sand Lizard out as well at least four Butterfly species.

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