The creation of the RSPB reserve started in the 1960's. At that time, Bob Scott
was the Bird Observatory warden and went on to become the resident warden
of the reserve. Bob, along with Ted Carpenter were running light-traps at both
locations as well as in Lydd. The great pity is that their records have disappeared.
The records of the unusual species exist and it is known that some species,
eg. Shoulder-striped Wainscot was formerly much commoner on the shingle. From
1992, staff at the Reserve have been operating light-traps at Boulderwall Farm and
the Reception centre. Pete Akers started in 1992, and still continues to do so. John
Badely in 1996. Simon Busuttil 1997-2000. Darren Fry in 2000. Andrew Blake
and Graham Lyons achieved the most continuous coverage in 2001 which produced
their best yearly total of 188 species of macro. To the end of 2006, 377 species
of macro and 77 species of pyrals have been recorded.
Of note:- Death's-head Hawk-moth (1973,1974, 2001), Scarce Chocolate- tip
(1992,1996), Jersey Tiger (1992), Great Brocade (1996), Flame Brocade (1997),
Marbled Grey (1983), Purple Cloud (1996), Marsh Mallow Moth (1967), Rush
Wainscot (1952,1954). And the pyral, Haimbachia cicatricella (1999,2000).
In 2003 traps were run at two locations on the reserve. Pete Akers ran at Boulderwall
Farm and recorded 173 macro and 22 species of pyral. The other was at the visitors
centre and operated by Jill Walker and Barry Banson, with occasional help from
Bryan Pinchen and Keith Redshaw. They recorded 164 macros and 36 pyrals from
May to August. Altogether five new macro and three pyrals added to the reserve list.
Of note:- Dotted Footman and Langmaid's Yellow Underwing. And pyrals:- Haimbachia
cicatricella.
2004. Pete Acres ran at Boulderwall and Barry Banson did the visitor centre trap
from May to August.
Boulderwall:- 8 of the 209 macros and 12 of the 46 pyral species Pete recorded were
new. Site total stands at 313 macros and 66 pyrals.
Visitors Centre:- 15 of the 160 macro species that Barry recorded were new. Site total
stands at 229 macros and 46 pyrals.
2005. Pete Acres ran the Boulderwall trap with Keith Redshaw doing week-ends in
August and all of September. Barry Banson did the visitor centre trap from May to
August. For the Rspb reserve 13 new macro and 2 pyral species added to their list.
Boulderwall:- 12 of the 215 macros and 2 of the 44 pyrals were new. Of note:- Lesser
Cream Wave and Dewick's Plusia (2). Site total now stands at 329 macro and 69 pyrals.
Visitors Centre:- 18 of the 177 macros and 2 of the 12 pyrals were new. Site total now
stands at 269 macro and 41 pyral.
2006. Pete Acres ran the Boulderwall trap with stints by Barry Banson in August and
September. Barry also ran the visitors centre trap from May to October. 18 of the 201
macros and 12 of the 46 pyrals were new to the visitors centre trap .. 16 of the 237
macros and 5 of the 54 pyrals were new to Boulderwall. Of these 13 macro and 5 pyral
were new to the reserve. Of note:- Six-belted Clearwing, Dotted Footman, Jersey Tiger,
Cosmopolitan, Tree-lichen Beauty and Clouded Brindle.
2007. Pete ran the Boulderwall trap and Barry ran the visitor centre trap. 9 of the 129
macros were new at the latter. Of note:- Cypress Carpet, Striped Hawk-moth and Large
Nutmeg.1 of the 183 macros new at Boulderwall. To date 382 macros and 77 pyrals
have been recorded from the Rspb reserve. Boulderwall total 346 macros and 74 pyrals.
Visitors centre total 275 macros and 53 pyrals.
2008. Pete ran the Boulderwall trap and Barry ran the visitor centre trap. The two traps
recorded 226 species, 4 of which were new, Cloaked Pug, Rannock Looper and Brown
Rustic at Boulderwall and Rosy Underwing by day at the Hanson Hide. The Rspb reserve
total now stands at 386 and 78 species of pyral. Also of note:- at Boulderwall, Scarce
Chocolate-tip,Cosmopolitan and the pyral cicatricella.