Wintery feel

There was a cold strong northeast wind blowing today making it feel quite uncomfortable. There was an intersting Roseate Tern last night at Church Norton so I had an unsuccessful look for it this morning and again this evening and also checked out Ferry and some of the harbour. Ebird list HERE with highlights including 2 Greenshank back in the Ferry Channel, Shovelers back on the Pool, a few of the usual waders in the harbour inlcuding Barwits, Whimbrel, 10 Knot some in summer plumage and about 120 Dunlin flying around the harbour entrance in the evening. 

Most of the day was spent doing family stuff including Church and then a visit to Rigeway's Exoctics for the Paludarium reburshiment. 

I almost didn't bother putting the moth trap out last night but I guess the time of year trumps the weather as it was quite lively with 37 species with Pine Hawkmoth, Pearly Underwing, Common Wainscot and Peach Blossom being new for years and a Two-spotted Dwarf, Elachista biatomella candidate which I think will be a lifer.  On the migrant front there was the Pearly Underwing, quite a few Turnips, Rush Veneer, Silver-Y in the lure, 2 Diamond-backs and Angle Shades. Yesterday Jacob and I had a Green Longhorn, Adela reaumeralla on our small willow in the front garden another garden tick. The garden list is now on 642 and year list 122. 

Greenshank in Ferry Channel with the Blackwits

Sandwich Terns at Church Norton. Gail, the RSPB ranger and her team are doing a breeding count this coming week on the islands so will be interesting to see how many pairs of Meds, Black-heads and Sandwich Terns out there. I guestimated (total numbers) 200 Sandwich Terns, 150 Meds and 250 Black-headed Gulls so will see how far off I am.

Pine Hawkmoth- stunner

The Two-spotted Dwarf candidate

Pearly Underwing

There were a couple of these dark Turnips with the usual paler ones. I wasn't sure if the one below with some white on the thorax might be a dark Pearly Underwing but I put it down as another Turnip

I put this down as a female Muslin moth. I get loads of males but not sure if I've been passing these off as White Ermines in the past?