New Hythe Wildlife Blog: Sunday 29th July

I wasn't able to get out on Saturday, although I had a call from Terry Laws to say that the Ferruginous Duck had been refound on Abbey Mead. I did however get out late afternoon on Sunday for a couple of hours. I did have a look for the Ferruginous but no sign.

Bird-wise it was quiet, a few young Chiffies, two Green Woodpecker and a few Swift were the highlights - not much else at all. Apart from birds I saw 6 Slow Worm (including 2 young) a Grass Snake, a Newt Eft, several Darter sp, 3 male Black Tailed Skimmer, good numbers of Red Eyed Damsels, as well as plenty of Common and Blue Tailed.

I spent a while watching an Emperor Dragonfly feeding voraciously at the end of the Millstream. It patrolled it's territory and seemed to snatch every insect that dared cross it.

Gatekeepers were everywhere, with 1 Large White, 3 Red Admiral, 2 Speckled Wood, and a few Meadow Brown. Most interesting sighting was a Grey Dagger moth Caterpillar - nice larva - moth is dull though!