June 2011
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Tuesday 28th:
Today saw the first report of Emperor Dragonfly for the year with at least two on the wing along with a Golden-ringed Dragonfly and a Black-tailed Skimmer. The first Ringlet of the year was also flying today.
Golden-ringed Dragonfly 28/06/11 © Lee Summersby
Sunday 26th:
The first Small Skipper of the year were on the wing with Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell and Small Copper.
Saturday 11th:
This Eyed Hawkmoth was found in the Back Meadow.
11/06/11 © Lee Summersby
Friday 3rd:
A Fox cub was on Warren Point with a Sand Lizard on the path down to the Bight.
Thursday 2nd:
The first Meadow Brown of the year was on the wing.
May 2011
Tuesday 31st:
A female Black-tailed Skimmer was by the Main Pond and a Green Hairstreak was in Greenland Lake.
Wednesday 18th:
Creeping Soft Grass Holcus mollis was discovered in the Back Meadow, a first for the reserve for this widespread plant. Other recent plant finds have included another common reserve first Annual Wall-rocket Diplotaxis muralis, which was found near the Visitor Centre and Sweet Violet Viola odorata which was rediscovered in the same area.
Friday 13th:
A pod of 10-15 Bottle-nosed Dolphin were offshore.
Wednesday 11th:
A Grey Squirrel was in trees by the Main Pond, a less than annual visitor to the reserve. A Stoat was also recorded.
Sunday 8th:
The first Green Hairstreak of the year was on the wing.
Green Hairstreak 08/05/11 © Simon Thurgood Broad-bodied Chaser 08/05/11 © Simon Thurgood
April 2011
Friday 29th
The first Cinnabar of the year was on Warren Point.
Thursday 28th
A probable Vagrant Emperor was seen three times
midmorning seemingly flying a circuit on the Dune Ridge, but gave dashing flight
views only, it could not be found subsequently. This would have been the first
site record for this very rare species - it has arrived during a record
national influx. Other odonata on the wing included three Hairy Dragonfly
on the Main Pond, as well as several Broad-bodied Chaser, Blue-tailed
and Azure Damselfly. Butterflies today included five Brown Argus
in the Back Meadow along with the first three Common Blue and good
numbers of Small Copper and Wall Brown. Holly Blue,
Peacock, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip & Green-veined White
were also recorded.
Wednesday 27th
The first Blue-tailed Damselfly of the year was in the Back Meadow.
Saturday 23rd:
The first Broad-bodied Chaser of the year was in the Back Meadow.
Broad-bodied Chaser 23/04/11 © Lee Summersby
Thursday 21st:
The first Wall Brown of the year were on the wing and the first couple of Azure Damselfly.
Sunday 17th:
The first reported Green-veined White of the year were on the wing along with the first St Mark's Flies. A Fox was watched walking around the shore of the Bight and several Sand Lizard were along the Dune Ridge.
Monday 11th:
Speckled Wood 11/04/11 © Simon Thurgood
Saturday 10th:
The Sand Crocus was out in profusion.
Sand Crocus 10/04/11 © Sylvia Simmons
Friday 8th:
Common Lizard 06/04/11 © Pearl Summersby Orange Tip 08/04/11 © Lee Summersby
Thursday 7th:
Large numbers of Sand Crocus were in flower today behind the visitor centre and the first Small Copper of the year were on the wing.
Wednesday 6th:
The first Speckled Wood and Orange Tip of the year were on the wing. No news yet on the crocus, last year they emerged late on 12th April.
Saturday 2nd:
A Large Tortoiseshell, presumably the same
individual as seen in late March, was near the Tractor Compound. Also on the
wing several Comma and Peacock.
Large Tortoiseshell 02/04/11 © Simon Thurgood