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Saturday 9th May 2026

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), 6 present on site today, with 3 new and 3 hanging around that were ringed here recently. 

Strengthening N winds again preventing anything too unusual today migration wise, the young male Black redstart continues to sing from the fort and a Buzzard headed south. Lesser whitethroat and Whitethroat remain around 3 individuals of each. The forts Great tit nest fledged over the course of this morning, 3 were ringed, a typical brood size for habitat fringe sites compared to the more average 7 - 9 sometimes produced in optimal habitats.       

Sea watching produced: 11 Oystercatcher, 7 Gannet, 5 Shelduck,  4 Black-headed gull, 3 Common scoter 2 Fulmar, 2 Whimbrel and a Cormorant north. No passage south. 

Moth trapping: 2 new species present: Thistle Root-borer (Epiblema scutulana) and Setaceous Hebrew Character, in all 21 species present. We had a nice example of the Yellow belle so this is todays focus. 

The First Yellow Belles are starting to appear, which can be found during the day as well as coming to light, with one being seen on net round disappearing into the Nettles.

Yellow Belle (Aspitates ochrearia)

Bird ringing: 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Great tit  (all Juvenile), 1 House sparrow, 1 Linnet (Juvenile). 

1st Great tit (Parus major) fledged this year, part of a brood of 3, young last year fledged on 25th May, so 16 days earlier this year. This bird has only recently fledged perhaps this morning or yesterday, decision to photograph was only chosen as this individual was very calm and was then taken back to the area in which it entered the net.