Burnished Brass Moth
Not the rarest or most colourful moth in the ABO trap this week but perhaps this Burnished Brass moth is the winner of ‘ most striking ‘ photo (JH).
Also today an early sea-watch produced 21 Balearic Shearwaters.
Pied Flycatcher
Some passage this morning featured 5 Pied Flycatchers amongst the ringing. Marsh Harrier through the census area and half a dozen Wheatears. Also a species of moth – Dog’s tooth, was a new addition to the ABO’s moth records.
Photo from this morning, Pied Flycatcher
Insects
Couldn’t help noticing the fabulous diversity of insects whilst doing some maintenance at one of our ringing sites this afternoon, I was reminded of an excellent presentation I saw a few years back ‘ Bird observatories, not just about birds ‘.
In no particular order Brassica Shieldbug, Ectophasia crassipennis, Speckled Bush Cricket, Painted Lady, Batman Hoverfly, Minstrel Bug, Common Globetail, Compost Fly and Hornet Hoverfly were amongst 42 species of insects recorded in less than an hour all photographed this afternoon within a few meters of our ringing station cabin.
SILPHUR PEARL MOTH
A busy and productive day starting early with over 50 species of moths in the OBS trap including a new species for the island, the Sulphur Pear moth does not appear to be on the Alderney moth list, nationally rare Devonshire Wainscott and locally rare Pebble Hook-tip were also recorded. This morning’s ringing produced our first autumn passage Willow Warblers and we followed that by confirming the welcome return of the successful breeding of Common Terns.
Photo: Sulphur Pearl Moth
Dartford Warblers
For the second year running, a low set 2 shelf net set in a large open Common area dominated by Sea Raddish and Brambles has turned up a recently fledged Dartford Warbler.
Ringing sessions at our three primary sites over the last three mornings have established Cettis Warbler fledglings (Mannez quarry reserve for the first time) and Firecrests breeding at all 3 sites.
Photo todays Dartford Warbler.