Lesser Whitethroat (Curruca curruca).
Colder to start off with but soon becoming warmer with little wind. Not much in the compound. 2 Yellow Wagtail briefly out on the reserve before flying across the river. A Wheatear also present. 2 Sanderling present on the beach.
Seawatching produced; south movements: 37 Oystercatcher, a Whimbrel and a Redshank. North movements: An Oystercatcher and a Mediterranean Gull. Feeding offshore: 12 Sandwich Tern, 3 Black-headed Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gull and an Oystercatcher.
Moth trapping: 98 moth species recorded between our 3 traps last night. Moth of the morning is the Gypsy Moth, with single records in 2003 and 2014 but then becoming an annual occurrence since 2020. This species was accidentally introduced into London area in the 1990s, a government eradication program failed to wipe out this 'pest' species. The species gained this pest branding due to the caterpillars ferocious appetite taking foliage off a variety of trees and shrubs, causing reduced growth and reduced fruit, also caterpillars have bristly hairs that can cause skin irritation in humans and may become airborne, affecting respiratory systems.
Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar dispar).
Bird ringing: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin, 1 Willow Warbler.