31st July

We seem to be heading firmly back into summer, although a touch of autumn could be felt with the arrival of a smattering of migrants. Todays highlight came in the form of a mega-flock of Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge, including a large proportion of juveniles. The moth traps remained uneventful but a Six-belted Clearwing  represented a possible first for the Obs garden.

Portland Bill Willow Warbler 8, Swift 6, Sand Martin 4, Lesser Whitethroat 1, Sedge Warbler 3.

Portland Bill Seawatch Manx Shearwater 42, Balearic Shearwater 3, Common Scoter 1, Yellow-legged Gull 7, Mediterranean Gull 5, Kittiwake 18, Black-headed Gull 2, Sandwich Tern 2, Guillemot 1, Curlew 2.

Ferrybridge Common Sandpiper 3, Curlew 2, Turnstone 2, Whimbrel 1, Grey Heron 1, Yellow-legged Gull 3, Mediterranean Gull 1230 (420 juveniles).

Moths Silver Y 8, Rusty-dot Pearl 2, Diamond-back Moth 9, Six-belted Clearwing 1.

There's nothing that spices up hanging out the washing like finding a Six-belted Clearwing on the wall of the Obs. Although relatively abundant on Portland, it is usually only with the help of a pheromone lure that one gives itself up © Erin Taylor: