Warren Glen

A walk around Warren Glen this morning, to see if any autumn bird migration was going on. Not much- 6 calling Willow Warbler/Chiffchaffs, and 1 nice bright Willow Warbler seen-a migrant; a Crossbill calling out to sea, but no hirundines .
Best was a bush on top of the cliffs at the bottom of Brakey Bank containg 3 small raptors sunning themselves- a Kestrel and 2 juvenile Sparrowhawks, the latter playing around on the steep cliff and soaring about. A Grass Snake was sunning itself at the bottom of the Bank, and 50 Linnets were in the radish fields at the top of the Glen.

Rambling through the park

An early morning walk from Fairlight to Hastings yesterday, primarily in search of birds, turned into a general nature ramble, with a great deal of interest encountered.

Birds were in fact pretty good, with 9 Crossbills dropping into Warren Glen, a close circling Peregrine. a singing male Dartford Warbler accompanied by another bird, looking good for a nesting pair, and again a singing Cettis Warbler in Ecclesbourne Glan, apparently a territorial male.

The early morning sun shines nicely on Brakey Bank [west side of Warren Glen] and I usually linger here, looking for interesting insects. The photos show a selection of these: A “Wood Wasp” which I havent as yet been able to identify [the long prong is an ovipositor used for laying eggs in wood, not a sting !], the common beetle Cantharis fusca which is abundant in the  Country park at present, it is related to the familiar Soldier Beetle; and the very smart bug Miris striatus, which I first encountered near Fairlight a couple of weeks ago. 

Easier to identify were butterflies, a couple of very fresh Red Admirals, a Small Tortoiseshell and a bright Painted Lady.  But the highlight of the walk for me was an Adder sunning itself on the steps in Ecclesbourne Glen. I know these are seen in the Country Park, but this was a first for me, in fact the first I’ve seen anywhere for 5 years.

Scarce Prominent – New to Hastings

April has been a fantastic moth month for us on the Patio. Since we have a couple nights left for putting the box out, I’ll wait to do a monthly report in a few days time.

Since the great night on 19th, we’ve had several new species for us and a few new ones for the year. On the 21st April we had Herald, Dark/Grey Dagger, and Caloptilia syringella a very attractive micro moth, all NFY for us.

A walk around the area around Filsham Reedbeds (Pebsham Park area) on the 22nd was full of wildlife as well, we saw the first Grizzled Skippers have emerged, the Marsh Frogs are really active, and one of my favorite moths Adela reaumurella are up and swarming small trees and shrubs.

Male Adela reaumurella Swarming

Butterflies and Reptiles

A short walk round Warren Glen yesterday yielded a pleasing number of species. Comma, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and Brimstone butterflies. On the reptile and amphibian front, Slow worm, Grass Snake, Adder and Palmate Newt, all seen without looking under cover objects.

It was interesting that the Orange Tips and Brimstone were all female.

Unusual record for HCPNR

Whilst non-native species are not of great interest on a Nature Reserve, I think Saturday’s snake is worth a mention. I arrived at the Visitor Centre around lunchtime to be told by a fraught volunteer that a member of the public had reported a Boa Constrictor at the bottom of the car park. I said I’d take a look and subsequently found a large obviously non-native snake curled around one of the bollards. We’re lucky to have RSPCA Mallydams on our doorstep, so after a quick visit for their expert advice I was equipped to catch and transport the said snake and I duly delivered it to Mallydams.
It has been tentatively identified as a Royal Python, but if anyone knows better please leave a comment.
Sadly, the snake was very ill and despite the best ministrations of the excellent staff at Mallydams it did not survive.

Fairlight to Hastings

A leisurely, hot  walk on June 21 from Fairlight to Hastings through the Country Park today, a few butterflies about including several Large Skippers, Speckled Yellow Moths and a Grass Snake below Brakey Bank. The highlight was undoubtedly the display of wild flowers in Ecclesbourne Meadow, notably an abundance of Grass Vetchling [Lathyrus nissolia] , its bright pink flowers contrasting with the yellow of buttercups and vetches. Go and see !!