Black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros). 2 have been seen on site together the past couple days, it is quite possible these are two migrants and not bred locally.
A morning of variable cloud cover, with a brisk SW wind. Quiet once again inside the compound with Song Thrushes (12 in total across the whole site), 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap and 2 Collared Dove. Out on the reserve, the two Black Redstart were seen perched near the seawatching hide on the tank blocks.
Overhead migration: 15 Meadow Pipit, 9 Skylark, 2 Swallow and a Grey Wagtail, all south.
Seawatching:
South; 24 Cormorant, 16 Black-headed Gull, 8 Common Gull, 7 Wigeon, 3 Dunlin, 1 Brent Goose, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Pintail and a Red-throated Diver.
North; 3 Common Scoter.
Feeding offshore: 2 Great Black-backed Gull and a Mediterranean Gull.
Moth trapping: 18 species recorded between our 3 traps this morning. Micro moth numbers are rapidly declining as the nights get colder. Eudonia angustea bucks the trend, with a very good late emergence period.
Eudonia angustea.
Bird ringing: 4 Song Thrush, 2 Blackbird, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Chaffinch.