Monday 4 November 2024

Brents arriving at Pagham Harbour

It certainly felt wintery today. I did Church Norton to the first Several and then the Spit in what was quite a chilly east wind. 69 species in about 4 hours HERE. Highlight was mainly the sudden uptick in the arrival of the wintering Brents and other waterfowl and waders (which started yesterday). I estimated about 2450 birds this morning including 300 Brents, 200 Wigeon, 200 Lapwing and 200 Dunlin.

There was still a bit of autumn vis-mig going on with 630 Goldfinch moving into the wind and a few other bits including 2 Redwing and a Fieldfare. There were still half a dozen Chiffs around Church Norton and a Firecrest. 2 Dartford Warblers were along the beach scrub. 

Once again there were 6 Hawfinches over the garden yesterday (this time later at about 10am)  and also a flock of 150 Fieldfare flew west. The Firecrest is still around too. 

The moth trap was surprisingly quite busy last night despite the cooler conditions. Highlight was an Oak Nycteoline (a NFG, garden list now on 399) , a couple of Flame Brocades, a Pearly Underwing (don't get many here), a Gem and the first Merveille du Jour in a few days.

Brents arriving (above and below) 

Dartford Warbler 
Oak Nycteoline- NFG
Still not bored with getting these regularly - Flame Brocades. 
Oak Rustic on Saturday night- the second one here 
Getting 5-6 Large Wainscot every night in recent weeks. This species was always a treat at my previous trapping sites but clearly quite common here
November moth agg. Up to 6-10 a night recently in all different sizes and colours. This pale one was a nice specimen. 

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