Down a gear

The anticyclonic conditions continue with clear blue skies and a northeast breeze. The wind had calmed down a lot today which seems to have slowed down migration. I did a 3.5 hour session at the Bill first thing HERE where the highlights included a group of 7 Arctic Terns (also 28 'Commics'),  4 Brent Geese (2 pairs moving east), 47 Common Scoter, 12 Whimbrel and 19 Barwits east, a dark phase Arctic Skua chasing the gulls, a Fulmar, 4 Wheatears (3f,1m) and a few hirundines. Later in the day there were 9 more Poms (a group of 3 and a single bird between 1515 and 1615 and another 5 at 1831) seen by the other guys. Full log and all news locally today HERE. 

After the Bill I quickly checked out Ferry where a Garganey had been found and then went over to Mill Lane for the Cuckoo that has been around a couple of days. There was also a male Wigeon, LRP, Common and Green Sand on Ferry and 2 Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Whimbrel in the Channel. Cuckoo and Arctic Tern were year ticks and Garganey was the first time I've had a decent view of one round here (most often seen on seawatches moving with Common Scoters). Now on 165 locally and 837 for the world year list. 

As it was Saturday the rest of the day was family day. Back in the field full on on Monday but hoping to sneak out a bit tomorrow too. 

I put the moth trap out last night despite the cold nights (the anticyclonic conditions are causing temperatures to drop to below 5 C). Only four moths 2 Muslin, 1 Common Quaker but also a first for the garden- a Great Prominent proving that it's always worth a spin on the moth trap. Now on 60 moth species for the year (also had Nettle-tap during the day) and 633 all time for the garden. 

Arctic Terns off the Bill (above and below) 

Brents still moving

Fulmar

Common Scoters 

Male Wheatear

Male Garganey

Great Prominent. A new for garden.