Visible migration was also full of interest with five Great White Egrets coming in from the East, a Hobby, 73 Jackdaws, two Wood Larks, two Grey Wagtails, seven Rock Pipits, two Bramblings, seven Redpolls, 210 Siskins and 63 Reed Buntings.
The early morning seawatch produced over 1200 Gannets west along with a Great Skua and six Arctic Skuas whilst 320 Mediterranean Gulls were lingering offshore. Two Merlins flew out to sea.
With the warm weather continuing there was a good scattering of butterflies to be seen with four Clouded Yellows and a Brown Argus of note.
The excellent moth trapping continued again overnight with the obvious highlight being our second Beautiful Marbled of the year and an excellent supporting cast of a Gem, five Vestals, four Delicates, two Dark Sword-grass, a Turnip, one Udea ferrugalis and an exceptional total of six Palpita vitrealis.
Two Hummingbird Hawkmoths were also seen.
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Beautiful Marbled Eublemma purpurina Dungeness 17th October 2018 Our second record of the autumn. |
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Gem Orthonama obstipata Dungeness 17th October 2018 |
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Vestals Rhodometra sacraria Dungeness 17th October 2018 Three different individuals showing variation in colours. |