Dungeness Swallowtail

When I arrived at the fishing boats at 07.20 AJG was already there looking bored. He'd had an early flush of 300 Common Terns but not much else. In the next hour the highlights were Shearwater sp. so far out that ID was impossible and a Marsh Harrier coasting eastwards.

A visit to the ARC the highlights were 2 Garganey, 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, a Black-tailed Godwit and a Hobby. Along the track to Hanson 4+ Willow Warblers in the bushes. 

Swallowtail by Dennis's Hide (Photograph courtesy of Steve Broyd the finder)

 A wander around the reserve found a few more Willow Warblers along with Cetti's, Reed and Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats. Along the tracks numerous butterflys, Painted Ladies, Red Admirals, Peacocks, a couple of Clouded Yellows, Brown Argus and many more. The Great white Egret was on show at Dengemarsh and still Common Tern chicks being fed on the rafts. As we made our way along the return trail we got news of Swallowtail Butterfly at Dennis's hide found by Steve Broyd. On arrival the butterfly had disappeared, after about an hour looking around the area seeing a Little Gull and 2 Black-necked Grebes on Burrowes, also 2 Peregrines high over the lakes, a group of us were standing by the visitor centre when the Swallowtail flew across the car park and disappeared over the bank by the centre, as far as I know not to be seen again. Many thanks to Steve Broyd for letting me use his image of the butterfly.  

At the ARC this evening the 2 Garganey on show from the Screen Hide along with 3 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper and a Black-necked Grebe.