Firecrest x2

Well, no amount of rash fantasising ever produced scarce seabirds out of thin air, so, needless to say, last Thursday morning's seawatch had to do without a Long-tailed Skua. A nice juv Arctic Tern was the best of it, and a Med Gull count of 98. Since then it has mainly been slim pickings locally, with afternoon visits to Cogden contributing excellent step counts but not too many birds. However, two Firecrests today were only my second record at Cogden and therefore a major highlight...

Firecrest at Cogden, one of two together.

Late yesterday afternoon, my fruitless efforts to kick up a Richard's Pipit were scornfully watched from afar...

On Friday we entertained our eldest grandaughter for the day. She turned four in July, which is not quite old enough to handle a pair of 8x30s. Still, she was game to try. A brief visit to Seaton Wetlands seemed an appropriate choice, specifically the Island Hide on Black Hole Marsh. While I spent a couple of minutes with an obliging Grey Plover, Amilia found a bird to look at through her bins, which I then photographed for her...

Juv Grey Plover at Black Hole Marsh

Amilia's bird. Good choice.

Finally, a Moth Diary update...

Friday night, 20th October

A paltry eight moths of seven species, but one was new for year.

Feathered Thorn. Not uncommon locally; we caught three last year.

Saturday night, 21st October

Another puny tally. Eight moths of seven species again, though two were new for year and one was a nice migrant.

Always nice to catch a migrant Vestal. Unlike the others caught so far this year, the stripes are definitely not pink on this one.

Red-line Quaker is new for year; we trapped 14 in 2022.

After two in 2022, this is our first Green-brindled Crescent of the year. Status-wise this attractive species seems to be on a par with the likes of Sallow and Merveille du Jour locally.