THE FOX FILES

After a few dull days recently, Tuesday 22nd turned out to be sunny and warm. The beach at Cudmore Grove has been relatively deserted both for birds and people. High tide in the late afternoon saw one or two common and little terns flying past.

The moth trap was put out on Monday night and being overcast and still, it was rewarding with 30 species noted such as this common moth pictured above - the burnished brass. This average sized moth looks brownish at first glance but a second glance especially with a torch, reveals an incredible brass sheen on its wings. This dazzling shine is a marvel of nature and would beat any brass rubbing enthusiasts hands down - all without the aid of Brasso.
Other moths included two poplar hawks, four cream-spot tigers, pale oak beauty, green carpet, clouded border, Shoulder-striped wainscots, common wainscot, silver Y, peppered moth, willow beauty and light emerald.

Several vertical columns of pink stood on the cliff in the shape of foxgloves. Just coming into flower they should add some colour to the area over the two or three weeks.

In the park two green hairstreaks were seen tussling with each other near the hide, spiralling round and round in a frantic pursuit of each other. When they settled on nearby bushes, their green undersides instantly blended in with the foliage. The cuckoo was seen perched in a bush near the pond calling loudly. Four avocets were still present on the pools near the Point.

Just before dusk a fox family with the vixen and three cubs, were watched behind the pond. The cattle grazing nearby seemed to be hugely fascinating to these two-thirds from full-size cubs. They sat down with their typical upright posture, staring intently at the big cows. Every so often they would pin their little furry ears back and race round in circles as they tried to inspire their siblings to play.

Apart from the usual pipistrelle bats flying around the park at night, I was pleased to find the droppings of the lone long-eared bat in its usual night-time resting spot in the ladies toilets - where else?

Martin Cock saw the continental race of yellow wagtail called blue-headed wagtail, near Rewsalls Farm.
Martin Dence reported that he watched a spotted flycatcher near his pond at Bromans Farm- the only report of this species on the Island this spring. Also a reed warbler there and a pair of yellow wagtails in his horse paddock. The kestrels and barn owls appear to be nesting again in boxes in his barns.