Monday 13th July 2026

An overcast and windy morning. A Peregrin over the reserve mid morning and also 3 Greenfinch within the compound. A dull Back Redstart continues to call from the fort. 

Seawatching produced 18 Common Scoter, 10 Gannet, 8 Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Common Gull, a Curlew, a Little Tern and an Oystercatcher North. South: 10 Teal. 7 Common Scoter on the sea and 6 Black-headed Gull West. 

Moth trapping: 43 Species between our 3 traps last night - quiet due to the wind and cooler night. Moth of the morning is the Oak Eggar with its impressive size and colour. The moth earns its oak title from the shape of its cocoon, mimicking an acorn despite nor the caterpillar or adult feeding on oak trees. The larvae feed on shrubs including heather. 

Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa quercusare) impressive beasts.

Bird ringing: 4 House Sparrow, 2 Herring Gull, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 1 Linnet.  

Sunday 12th July 2026

Bright n' breezy. With the wind coming off the North Sea it should be chilly but the sea temperatures are several degrees higher than they should be for the time of the year so it feels more like a sirocco wind. Of note 4 Black-tailed Godwit flying north which is a species we failed to record in 2025 despite them being one of the commoner waders on the estuaries behind us. Also worth a mention southbound 20 Teal & northbound 3 Sandwich Tern, 2 Common Scoter & 2 Gannet. Yet another Great Spotted Woodpecker visited suggesting that they have had a decent breeding season locally. Black Red singing on the Fort early morning with it, or another one, on the reserve later.

Athrips mouffatella has only been recorded here on a handful of previous occasions but, living on Honeysuckle, it has no reason to come here.

Ringing: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Whitethroat.