The Old Vic- Vagrant China-mark, a first for Bucks

I hadn't quite given up on the autumn yet despite transitioning to hibernation mode and my hope paid off this morning with a mega moth migrant in the garden actinic trap. Following a few days of strong south winds (and seabird wrecks at places like Portland) a calm night produced a few moth migrants here including a Vagrant China-mark, Diasmiopsis ramburialis, a first for Bucks! There was also 2 Rusty-dot Pearls, a Rush Veneer and also Turnip and White Point as possible migrants. There were 11 species in total of 14 moths; in additon to the migrants were December moth, Feathered Thorn, Red-line Quaker, Cypress Carpet, Black Rustic and a very unseasonal Double-striped Tabby Hypsopygia glaucinalis .

On the ultra low carbon birding front (garden birding) there's been a female Brambling on the garden feeders, good numbers of Redwing feeding on the Yew, a few Fieldfares about, Grey Wagtail feeding in the Pony Paddock, been seeing groups of Golden Plovers flying over from Oakley Airfield most mornings, the odd Redpoll and good for the garden was a flock of 25 Canada Goose flying over yesterday morning. Ebird list for this morning HERE. 

Vagrant China-mark (above and below) . Following a very disappointing few weeks in October when vagrant moths were falling all around and missing our garden, we have finally scored! A first for the county (Buckinghamshire), thanks to David Wilton and Martin Albertini from the county CMR team for confirming.  

Double-striped Tabby

Rusty-dot Pearl- there were two in the trap last night. Not been too many of these this year and the first night they have exceeded the number of Rush Veneers (only one). 

Feathered Thorn

December moth- a couple last night and up to three recently 

After consulting with Dave this is going down as a female Turnip (its darker and larger than the usual well marked males I see). I suspected it might be a small Pearly Underwing (seems to be a pink sheen on the underwing below) but difficult to say for sure but it would also fit a female Turnip which is more likely. 

I had this Red Admiral flying round the mini-farm yesterday. Could well be a migrant. 

The female Brambling that's been around a few days now

Redwings a very prominent in the garden feeding on the Yew berries (abundant berries this year)

Had this small mammal under the log pile a couple of days ago- Bank Vole?