Not much to report. Two new moth species for the year: Double-striped Pug and the first micro of 2013: Agonopterix heracliana.

 Double-striped Pug

 

Only new moth species in the last 2 days was a Brindled Pug, otherwise Hebrew Characters, Clouded Drabs, Early Greys & a Chestnut. Today braved the gale blowing at Dungeness. The weather was sunny but everything was keeping its head down in the wind. There was a nice Firecrest near the Hanson hide on the ARC pit but we struggled to see much until the news came through that an Alpine Swift was showing over the Lade Caravan Park. Managed to get good but fairly distant views of what was a British tick for me! Also 2 Common Swifts there, my first of the year. Failed to see the Blue-headed Wagtails on the RSPB Reserve in the late afternoon but did see about 15 Yellow Wagtails.
 

 Alpine Swift

 Yellow Wagtail

Well it must have warmed up-11 moths of 8 species this morning, including 3 new ones for the year: 3 Hebrew Characters, 2 Clouded Drab, 1 Early Grey, 1 Small Quaker, 1 Herald, 1 Yellow Horned, 1 Chestnut & 1 Early Thorn. Total species for the year 10 now. Still some catching up to do.

 Early Thorn

The Herald

Small Quaker

At last some Moths! Yes 2 Hebrew Characters, 2 Clouded Drabs, and an Early Grey this morning. This afternoon I went down to Oare Marshes to try to see a Ring Ouzel there. The bird showed well if somewhat distantly from the West Hide where there was also a male Wheatear. Also of note was a Nightingale singing in the scrub to the south of there.

Clouded Drab

 Ring Ouzel

 

Went to Dunge yesterday-raining at first but stayed dry with a small sunny interlude. Not a bad day but few photographic opportunities. Finally had a brief view of a Bittern in flight from Dengemarsh road. This was my first of the year in Kent. New for the year were 2 Swallows, 3 Sand Martins, Common Terns at the patch, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Black-necked Grebes in summer plumage, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Willow Warblers, and 1 Yellow Wagtail. Nothing in the trap this morning but somewhat ironically just saw a female Blackcap on the garden feeders-I usually get one in the winter but this one was the first for 2 years. 2 Swallows don’t of course make a summer but I think spring has started at least. No moths to report.

 

Black-necked Grebes

At last a moth! Nothing in the trap this morning but perched on the vanes was a March Moth. This was only my 3rd garden record and the first in April.

 March Moth

No moths to report. The fine weather tempted me out this morning to try to photograph the Crane at Grove Ferry. It was a fantastic spring morning no wind!!! Arrived near the Marsh Hide at about 10.00 when there was a Barn Owl hunting nearby-unlike the Crane a year tick! The Crane eventually flew off and I saw a Butterfly on the return walk-probably a Small Tortoiseshell but it disappeared almost immediately so not sure. Didn’t see any Hen Harriers despite 6 being reported. Temp into double figures at long last! 

 

 Common Crane

 

Will the wind ever stop? Resisted the temptation to go alook for a Bluethroat this morning and spent a couple of hours around the nature trail area at Stodmarsh where the Penduline Tit showed well on and off. There was also a nice flock of Redpolls in the alder wood. Unfortunately the Penduline Tit didn't quite come close enough for a really good picture and Redpoll I managed to photograph wasn't the best one there.

Penduline Tit

 Lesser Redpoll