A nice, early(ish) trip over to Sidleham in fine conditions; the SSC is up to 48+ mpg!
Arrived 45 minutes early so walked along, past the pond, and on to the hide.
Plenty of Goldfinches bathing in the pond and just one male Emperor Dragonfly.
From the hide, the ferry pool is very dry with continued work on predator fencing and island creation. I'm guessing it will not be attractive to waders for a couple of months. A few noisy Redshanks were in the muddy Sidlesham channel and a single Cattle Egret flew over.
Met up with Ant (AB) and Mike (MB) prior to the start of the session.
Similar numbers of guests, staff and volunteers to the last session but curiously, despite summer holidays, no children. A different approach to previously with a 'classroom' approach, some moths potted from MB's overnight trap, reference books and some written clues.
Most appeared to be the less 'large and good looking' species; Palpita vitrialis, Brimstone, Iron Prominent, European Corn Borer, Nutmeg etc etc.
I randomly sat at Moth 1, a medium sized closed cardboard pot and was expecting something less than exciting. How wrong! Only a pristine Striped Hawkmoth! So that was the day's highlight and was never going to be surpassed.
Sadly, for reasons none of us understood, the reserve trap was virtually empty despite the bulb being lit when the staff arrived. Power cut? Mis-set timer? Who knows.
Headed off for chores.
A few pictures from the TG7 - Beet Armyworm, Nutmeg, Clouded Border and Striped Hawkmoth.
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