Harbour clear out

Had a quick look at Ferry and the harbour from the tramway this morning while I was procrastinating at work. The main observation was I only saw 10 Lapwing HERE (down from 4000-5000 just a couple of weeks ago). The clear out was confirmed by Les et al on East Side HERE who didn't see any Lapwings and reported that the Blackwits were down to 50 birds (1500 just a couple of weeks ago). 

I noticed on the vis-mig whatsapp that thermal imaging was revealing an exodus of birds over Surrey over the previous couple of nights (the birds were silent so not being picked up by noc-miggers). So clearly waterbirds that have been wintering on the coast are heading back in land or further afield to their breeding areas. This was a pattern I noticed when in Oxfordshire when the breeding waders (Lapwings, Redshanks, Oystercatchers and Curlews) would appear on breeding territory in late February e.g. See HERE. Presumably some of the waders there (presumably arriving now) have originated from areas like the Peninsula. 

Beside the negative sightings I also had the Green Sandpiper on Ferry and a Firecrest was singing in the discovery area. 7 Redwings were flying round the lane this morning too. 

The moth trap was more lively last night with 20 indiviudal moths including Depressaria daucella, Agonopterix hericliana and alstromeriana, Dotted Border, Early moth, Small and Common Quakers, Hebrew Character and 2 gorgeous Oak Beautys. 

Firecrest- not that many around this winter and seemingly not wintered in our garden as I haven't seen or heard one for many weeks 

Green Sandpiper 

Oak Beautys- stunning