The highlight of the day was another Yellow-browed Warbler trapped in the Moat. Grounded migrants were otherwise fairly scarce with 30 Chiffchaffs, five Blackcaps, three Dartford Warblers, two Firecrests, eight Goldcrests, 14 Redwings, 24 Song Thrushes and a Wheatear of note. Birds passing overhead included 550 Stock Doves, six Buzzards, two Woodlarks, 33 Skylarks, ten Tree Sparrows, five Grey Wagtails, a Rock Pipit, seven Bramblings, 100 Goldfinches, 16 Siskins, a Yellowhammer and 29 Reed Buntings. The sea remained quiet with just six Pintails and a Sooty Shearwater of note.
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Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus Dungeness 19th October 2024 |
The moth traps were surprisingly productive overnight with eight Palpita vitrealis, a Musotoma nitidalis, five Gems,a Scarce Bordered Straw and a Delicate. In addition, a Diasemiopsis ramburalis and a Crimson-speckled were trapped at South View Cottage. A Mediterranean Stick-insect was seen in the Observatory garden again.
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Crimson Speckled Utethesia pulchella Dungeness 18th October 2024 |