20/07/2024

We are still in the quiet period, with little or no movement on the sea except for juvenile Yellow-legged Gulls at The Patch, the main focus of our watching has been on the ARC and the Scotney Sandpit. At the ARC the Avocet pair are doing well raising their 2 chicks, as is Mama Shoveler with her 4 ducklings, whereas the Common Tern and Great-crested Grebe pairs are still sitting on eggs after 3 weeks, surely they must hatch in the next couple of days. At least 4 Garganey are around and 2+ Bitterns, also 2 Wigeon and a Pintail now joined by the Red-crested Pochard all of which to hunted for among c1,200 Pochard and c1,00 Gadwall Waders have included up to 9 Common Sandpipers, a Wood Sandpiper, 2+ Redshank juveniles, several each of Dunlin, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover.

At the sandpit up to an amazing 28 Green Sandpipers have been present along with up to 6 Common Sandpipers, 4 Greenshank, 9 Black-tailed Godwits and 14 Avocets.

A Red-crested Pochard showing signs of leucism at the ARC this afternoon, found by Adam

The last of 3 Peregrine chicks to fledge from the power station nest. The male did a good job after the female crashed into an overhead cable severing her wing, unfortunately she had to be euthanised.

One of the two Avocet chicks that appear to be doing well on the ARC

One of at least four Garganey at the ARC

Sallow Clearwing, amazingly this individual came to a lure in my garden, it was totally unexpected.

Two of these Red-belted Clearwing also came to a lure in my garden, not quite so unexpected, but still very happy they did come.

This Scarce Chocolate-tip was in my MV this morning, a very scarce moth that I have been lucky enough to catch before.

The first of the Jersey Tigers arrived overnight in my garden

This gorgeous Magpie Moth quite common in my trap, but I still get a buzz when I find them.