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Local weather

Update

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16th Oct

A fine, warm morning with a few grounded migrants including two Yellow-browed Warblers of note (one in the Lighthouse Garden and one near the Pumphouse at the Long Pits) along with five Firecrests, five Goldcrests, 13 Redwings and eight Song Thrushes. There was a steady stream of Siskins and Goldfinches overhead which was joined by a Wood Lark, a Grey Wagtail, two Rock Pipits, two Crossbills and 22 Reed Buntings.

 Seawatching was very quiet although 16 Mediterranean Gulls were around this afternoon.

 Two Porpoises were feeding offshore.

 The moth traps proved extremely productive overnight although most of the good stuff was actually taken off the wall during the previous evening rather than from the traps when entered. The highlights were two pyralids, Hellula undalis which was new for the trap and the fifth area record and a Spodalea recurvalis, the second observatory and sixth area record. In addition two Palpita vitrealis were also of note. Four Hummingbird Hawkmoths were seen during the day.
Hellula undalis   Dungeness   16th October 2018
The first Observatory record of this very scarce migrant

Spoladea recurvalis   Dungeness   16th October 2018
The second Observatory record of this migrant but part of a remarkable arrival across southern Britain overnight.
Also clinging to the side of the moth trap this morning was a Western Conifer Seed Bug.   

 The continuing very warm weather is also prolonging the flight periods of some of our butterflies with two very freshly emerged Meadow Browns seen today and at least 70 Red Admirals on the wing.

 For the second day running there was no sign of any Asian Hornets on the ivy in the Lighthouse Garden so it may be that the previous individuals were migrants rather than attending an undiscovered nest. 
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