The Old Vicarage- migrants

It was quite muggy last night, overcast with a wind swinging round to southerly (and conditions look even better tonight so I'm putting out everything I've got).  Turns out this is moth migrant weather and hot on the heels of the female Gem earlier on in the week I had a couple more okay migrant species last night including Olive-tree Pearl and Dark Sword Grass.

While I was doing the moth trap the tit flock went through and it's certainly swollen. Must have been 25 Blue Tit, 10 Great Tit, 15 Long-tailed Tit, at least 1 Coal Tit, 4 Goldcrest, a few Chaffinch, 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warbler, Blackcap and a Spotted Flycatcher. Nearly 70 birds in one flock! Got to be a good chance of getting something good in with them- the Spot Fly was nice to see. Will keep an eye on them.  Had a Yellow Wagtail going over too and a few Swallows and House Martins around. 

Olive-tree Pearl (and Vapourer)

Dark Sword Grass

Six-stripe Rustic? No a Small Square Spot (cheers Dave) 

Burnished Brass- not seen one in a while 

Common Marble- not seen one of these in a while either 

The Blackbirds are becoming a bit more visible now (haven't seen a Song Thrush in a while- presumably laying low while moulting). Meant to say the other day that I haven't seen a Skylark at Otmoor for a while either- not sure if they go to ground or move off site. What with the Goldcrests calling this morning, large tit flock moving round and Blackbirds becoming more visible it's feeling much more autumnal- exciting!