7th June

The Great Spotted Cuckoo remained in residence and there was again a thin scatter of common migrants that included 8 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Wheatear, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Chaffinch at the Bill.

Lepidoptera immigration remained largely confined to a few common species: Diamond-back Moth were again present in enormous numbers, with moth-trap totals that included 420 in one trap in a garden at Reap Lane and a total of 1040 in the five traps at the Obs; Silver Y totals from the moth-traps included just 3 at the Obs but at dusk dozens were nectaring at Red Valerian in the Obs garden; Painted Ladies increased and were reported in moderate numbers throughout the island.





Common Blue, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and Painted Lady - Portland, June 2016 © Ken Dolbear