An overcast morning and light winds offered good ringing conditions. We managed to process 53 birds at our Essex Farm site before rain set in for the day. Our two new net rides were both fruitful – see ringing totals page for the species caught.
A single Grey Heron drifted over Essex Castle at about 0515 this morning, our first sighting since early April. A female Siskin was feeding in the spruce near the Obs, further fuelling speculation that we may have them breeding on Alderney. On Longis beach at high tide were 5 Curlew, an unseasonably high number here, 3 Whimbrel and a Black-headed Gull. One of the Whimbrel showed extensive and symmetrical flight feather moult.
Moths galore once again with Buff Ermin, Heart and Dart, Marbled Minor and Shoulder-striped Wainscot all into double figures. The moth shown below really got my attention as I had to check that is wasnt a bit of wood! It’s a Pale Prominent, a wonderfully extraordinary creature. Unlike many moths found here that are not found on mainland UK, this one is apparently fairly common on parts on mainland UK, but rare on Alderney.
Busy week ahead co-guiding a Naturetrek tour with Martin Batt though the weather tomorrow does not look very forgiving.
Finally, very well done to Barry Summers for achieving his C permit ringing licence.
Pale Prominent – Pterostoma palpina