Birthday tick

Andrew found a juv/first-winter Grey Phalarope at Honer Reservoir today which was handy as it was my birthday so after we finished brunch at the Ivy in Chichester I went out on a birthday twitch which luckily was successful. Now on 199 for the Peninsula. Thanks Andrew for the best present of the day.  Looking forward to see what the 200th bird will be.

The moth trap was lively again this morning with a good number of migrants. Highlights were two Convolvulus Hawkmoths and a Red Underwing. I thought my number had come in when I first saw the Underwing as the strong fork-lightning cross line led to me think it might be a Rosy Underwing but alas after checking the underwing and the other forewing markings it was not to be. Still on top of the wish list.  

Juv/first-winter Grey Phalarope. There's been quite an influx of these recently across the region with 28 entries into Birdguides today HERE, mainly in the west and multiple birds at some sites including up to 6 at Portland and also one at Beddington too. The westerly bias implies an arrival in the west due to the intense Atlantic storm weather over the last few weeks which has also been linked to the big arrival of Balearic Shearwaters locally too. 

Convolvulus Hawkmoth and Red Underwing