Old Vic moths and Otmoor migrants

Did Otmoor this morning. Migrant counts (and a couple of other bits) HERE. I just concentrated on Long Meadow, Morleys and July Meadow (seem like the best places to get something decent like Wryneck, Red-backed Shrike, Barred Warbler, Melodious/Icterine or Ortolan- all with odds peaking at moment) . Meadow Pipits are now moving overhead and groups of Swallows are moving through so it really feels like core autumn now especially with Chiffchaffs everywhere. Unfortunately no scarce migrants again, highlights was a couple of Redstarts. 

307 moths (200 of them just two species- Common Wainscot and Setaceous Hebrew Character) of 38 species in the Old Vic trap last night, no new for years but all the autumn classics; Lunar Underwings, Black Rustic, Cabbage moth, Frosted Orange, Centre-barred Sallow (although no other Sallows yet) and another Feathered Gothic. 

Feathered Gothic

Frosted Orange

Black Rustic

Centre-barred Sallow 

Incredible variation in Common Marbled Carpet (five images above) - presuming they are all Common Marbled anyway 

Lots of moths- not too many species 

Lunar Underwings are just appearing - the moth clock is ticking 

Was surprised to see this Shark 

The tit and warbler flock is still around the garden with Willow Warbler (didn't see any at Otmoor amongst the 20+ Chiffs), 2 Blackcaps and Chiffchaff (below). Also up to 6 Mistle Thrush about and Mipits, Yellow Wagtails, Swallows and House Martins have been migrating overhead. The garden Buzzard was joined by five kettling overhead on the weekend. Tawny Owls are calling again.

Another weekend, another wildlife park. This time back to Cotswold Wildlife Park to do some toddler twitching. Believe it or not we actually dipped. We went to see the Armadillo that we missed last time we were there and it was still not showing. Almost missed out on the Sloths too (awful views! zoo twitching is harder than it may sound). Did see the Clouded Leopards (above). I'm still in shock of how many different species are kept in collection in the zoos and parks in this area- Anacondas, Siamangs, Marmosets, Tamarins, Red Pandas, Binturongs, Tamanduas, Tapirs, Tragopans, Lemurs, Sifakas, Mouse lemurs- from an evolutionary and species distribution perspective, it's insane! I'd never heard of most of that stuff before all this shit started. 

Sclater's Crowned Pigeon

Jacob with his first field guide, twitching everything in the book, good lad! 

Little dipper, he took his first dip well with a Mr Whippy sedative