A few nice moths

The dead calm conditions continue and its been a good time for moths emerging and also looking for passerines. 

This morning I did Church Norton and the Severals with 75 species of about 900 individuals HERE. The highlight was my first Brambling of the year (now on 185 locally and 931 for the year list) and a nice fall of Chiffchaffs with 53 across my circuit. There was also a Dartford Warbler, 15 Stoncehat, 14 Blackcap, 3 Siskin, 1 Firecrest, 3 Goldcrest, 15 Barn Swallow, 2 House Martin, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sandwich Tern and 6 Brent Geese. There were more Robins, Dunnocks and Blackbirds around and a couple more Song Thrush. Also more Woodpigeons around and yesterday morning I had the first group moving over in the garden. The Firecrest and a few Chiffs and Blackcaps are still in the garden and I had the first Siskin for the autumn go over too.

A family visit to East Head yesterday produced a Merlin hunting the Linnets and Skylarks in the saltmarsh, 15 kettling Common Buzzard and the usual selection of waders on Snowhill. There was also a bit of Clouded Yellow vis-mig along the beach. The good season for Clouded Yellow also produced another one in the garden this morning. 

The moth trap has been the main source of interest with the first Flame Brocades, Feathered Ranunculus, Green Brindled Crescent and Red and Yellow-lined Quakers emerging. This morning I was pleasantly shocked to find a Pale-lemon Sallow in the trap- a lifer for me. Continuing on the moth highlight theme, an RSPB volunteer found a Convolvulos Hawkmoth resting by day by the board walk too. Other interesting bits in the trap included an unseasonal Rosy Tabby and the first Dark Sword Grass in a while. Now on 560 for the garden year and 722 all time (now 3 months into our third year here). 

53 Chiffchaffs this morning Church Norton and the Severals (above and below) 

Dartford Warbler

Male Siskin 

Pale-lemon Sallow- what a beauty! Lifer. Seems to be a local speciality, see HERE. 

Flame Brocade

Yellow (above) and Red-line (below) Quakers 

Feathered Ranunculus 

The Church Norton Convolvulos Hawkmoth 

Main scene in the trays is lots of Lunar Underwings (up to 110 a night) and a peppering of Black Rustics, Turnips and Large Yellow Underwings. 27 species in total last night. 

The good harvest continues in the garden with abundant tomatoes and peppers, raspberries are still producing and the ducks are laying 3-4 eggs a day

We got the rabbits finishing off the haycut by moving them round the meadow. Free hay and free mowing- good times.