The fourth wave

It's back up to nearly 30 C today and across the country even higher temperatures. I've been working in London yesterday and stuck in the office again today but there has been some migrant activity in the moth trap to provide some interest. 

There was also a Willow Warbler, surprisngly singing, in the garden this morning- my first of the autumn. 

Seems like these dry and sunny conditions have been going on too long becuase there doesn't seem to be many butterflies or other insects in the garden and there was probably only 100 or so individual moths of 40-50 species last night across three traps. Maybe it's the lull between summer and autumn insect populations?

The front garden pond is becoming an increasingly busy drinking spot for the local birds. 

Small Marbled- always nice to see. The proportion of migrant moths is quite high. 

Cosmopolitan- a new for year

Another two Silver-spotted Veneers over the last couple of days. Now five records this year, unrecorded previous to this year here. 

Fleabane Pearl- another NFY 

Common Shrew and a glimpse of a Hedgehog. There's also Wood Mice in the log sheds and Short-tailed Field Voles in the meadow.. and Brown Rats by the ducks which are not so welcome