Curtains

It was my last chance to get out before the cold weather begins on Sunday and most of the day it was raining so I only got a chance for a quick session inbetween the rain. I did Ferry and Mill Pond Marsh and then went to check out a mystery wader seen yesterday at Halsey's Rife and after no sign of that I decided to walk back on north side which I've never done before- probably becuase there's really nothing there (between Owl Point and Sidlesham Quay) except  heavily vegetated salt marsh and a very boggy  and slippery path which was completely unsuitable for the shoes I was wearing.  54 species of 1400 individuals mainly due to being able to see out into the harbour HERE. Highlight or perhaps lowlight of the day was seeing the hybrid duck which I saw almost exactly a year ago HERE. This time it was on Mill Pond Marsh rather than East Side. 

The southerly airflow and the good moth migration continues although still no rarity here despite Crimson Speckled and Slender Burnished Brass making an appearance on the south coast at the moment (mainly further west). Highlight yesterday was 3 Olive-tree Pearl and also a rather unseasonal Dark Arches. Still got tonight to get a rarity before it gets cold tomorrow night so hoping for a grande finale. 

What with the cold air moving in over this weekend, it's probably time to shift the birding focus to winter birding so as the autumn winds down, the winter movements are winding up in the migration continuum. 

Hybrid duck. I think there were two of these locally at one point. Still not sure what it is but presumably a Wigeon hyrbidised with something else. 

Olive-tree Pearl- three last night

A very unseasonal Dark Arches 

Been seeing the odd Red Admiral during this southerly air- presumably migrants too. It really has been ridiculously mild over the last few days- it's 15 C tonight!  Will actually be a relief for winter to start as still have to keep cutting the grass and weed the beds and there seems to be a plague of mosquitos in the garden.