After yesterday's family walk I decided to go back to East Head today to have a proper look round. 59 species of about 3500 individuals in 3.5 hours Ebird list
HERE, highlights included a Dartford Warbler in the sand dunes, a Firecrest in the lane behind Snowhill Creek, a handful of Chiffs and Goldcrests, some great views of Brents, plenty of wintering waterbirds and a Sandwich Tern off shore.
Surprisingly the moth trap was busy with migrants this morning (after my seasonal affective disorder post yesterday) but it was mainly Rusty-dot Pearls with a record 36 in and around the trap. There was also a single Gem, Delicate and Radford's Flame Shoulder, a few Diamond-backs plus a little selection of mystery micros.
Dartford Warbler
Brents (above and below)
The only Med Gull this morning but it was a photogenic one
Rusty-dot Pearl- the garden record breaker today
I've gone for Dark Chestnut on this- if confirmed will be a NFG. Update- nope according to CMR it's just one of those dark shiny Chestnuts- although I thought the squared off wing tip with an S shaped outer forewing was a good feature (which I think I can see here)- don't really know how to seperate these two species. Also this morning on the non-migrant front were Feathered Thorns, Beaded Chestnuts, Green Brindled Crescent, Common Marbled Carpet, Red-green Carpet and Cypress Carpet.
Plenty of November moth agg this morning including this really nice patterned one- every single one of this agg is unique
The closest I could get to this is a very unseasonal Calybites phasianipennella ? 131124 update- yes confirmed (thanks Derek).
Gelechia sp? 131124 update- this is a good candidate for Tuta absoluta but would probably need dissection to confirm (thanks Stephen)
I've gone for Blastobasis rebelli on this one. 131124 update - yes confirmed (thanks Derek).
Another gelechia sp? Interestingly I also stringed a micro yesterday
HERE. Fascinating that these tiny moths can still survive in these increasingly challenging conditions- down to 5 C tonight. 131124 update- unfortunately this one can't be identified (thanks Stephen)