We've had a week full of interesting things! Our weekend started off with an Open Day at our historic Sound Mirrors over at Lade Pits. The day proved very popular and attracted 700 visitors! Thanks to all who came and to the volunteers that helped us out on the day, I hope you all enjoyed it!
Secondly, an interesting bird was spotted on Monday - a Ruddy Shelduck. A beautiful bird which looks rather different from our usual Shelducks it is a lovely chestnut brown with a white head and white and black wings. It was only spotted for one day though sadly.
Ruddy Shelduck over Denge Marsh - Martin Casemore
Also this week, we've had not one but two extremely rare Sussex Emerald Moths caught in our moth traps! This is fantastic for us as it proves our hard work to conserve this species (which is only found on the Dungeness peninsula) is paying off. We plant and manage wild carrot in rabbit-proofed areas, which is the food plant for the caterpillars of this moth.
Sussex Emerald Moth - Louise Kelly
There are lots of wading birds on the reserve at the moment, so it looks like their passage back through us for winter has already started! To name but a few saw this week included Ruff, Black-tailed godwit, Turnstone, Wood sandpiper, Common sandpiper and Golden plover.
A Black-tailed Godwit in its beautiful summer plumage, taken from Firth Hide - Graham Parry