Dunwich Heath and an unexpected local twitch, 11 May 2024

With the weather warm and sunny a trip to Dunwich Heath was in order to look for some insects. Little did I know that the coastal strip was grey, chilly and misty! 

Nevertheless I explored the heath anyway and found a few nice bits and pieces despite there being nothing flying. One of the species I wanted to try to find was Heather Ladybird, that eluded me but I did score with another new ladybird Pine Scymnus. Mottled Sedge, Heather Weevil, Heath Damsel Bug, Birch Catkin Bug, Gorse Pod Moth, Pogonognathellus longicornis and Lesser Thorn-tipped Longhorn Beetle were the other highlights.

Birdwise 3 Dartford Warblers, Woodlark, Willow Warbler, Stonechats, a distant singing Nightingale and 2 fly-over Sandwich Terns were mostly to be expected.

                                                                                                                                   Pine Scymnus
                                                                                                                              Heath Damsel Bug
                                                                                                                                   Mottled Sedge
                                                                                                      Lesser Thorn-tipped Longhorn Beetle
                                                                                                                                  Heather Weevil
                                                                                                                       Gorse Pod Moth
 

A brief look on Westleton Common (where the sun was out) revealed several Small Coppers and singing Nightingale and Garden Warbler

When back at home in the early evening news that 13 Black Terns found earlier in the day at Dickleburgh Moor were still there so it would have been very amiss not to go and see them. Also there were singles of Black-tailed Godwit and 'tundra' Ringed Plover.  


                                                                                                                              Black Terns


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