Continuing the rollercoaster of birding that we've been experiencing, today was another below par day. Meadow Pipit numbers were reduced to just 37, Yellow Wagtails to just 11 and Grey Wagtails to just 16. A mid morning highlight brought some unexpected class with the first Grey Phalarope of the autumn. 2 Arctic Skuas and 11 Common Scoter were the only additional sea farers. Singles of Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, and Goldcrest were accompanied by 2 Reed Buntings, 14 Blackcaps and 16 Wheatears.
Elsewhere on the island, a Green Woodpecker at Suckthumb quarry was our third woodpecker species for the month. Ferrybridge produced 6 Sanderling and 11 Knot.
Moth interest has been pretty minimal in recent nights, with immigrant activity restricted to the odd Convolvulus Hawkmoth, Delicate and Scarce Bordered Straw amongst single figure totals of more routine fare. We're still a wee bit hesitant about claiming 100% certain Jersey Mochas but this very peppered mocha trapped last night at the Obs looks to be as good as it could be for one without it being dissected:
Jersey Mocha is still infrequent enough here that we doubt that it's yet become established. Rather rarer in island terms was this Barred Hook-tip - in fact just one quarter of a Barred Hook-tip because that's all there was in the bottom of the trap after the rest of it had presumably been snaffled by a bird that beat us to the trap at dawn! Since they're a Beech feeder it's unlikely this species would ever get established here and our few records presumably relate to strays from the mainland or the Continent © Martin Cade:
