If it weren't for the surprise discovery of a
Large Tortoiseshell hibernating in a garage at Fortuneswell today would have been largely forgettable. Just 1
Wheatear - along with a couple of
Chiffchaffs and a
Black Redstart - graced the Bill area, further singles of
Wheatear and
Black Redstart were at Church Ope Cove and a
Swallow bombed through at Fortuneswell. A glimmer of action at sea included 14
Manx Shearwaters, 9
Brent Geese and a
Red-
throated Diver through off the Bill.
Despite the continuing blasting northwesterly singles of
Dark Sword Grass and
Turnip provided a sniff of immigrant interest in the Obs moth-traps.
The capture of a couple of immigrant moths overnight reminded us that we'd never got round to mentioning the Red Sword Grass trapped last weekend at the Obs. Despite now turning up pretty well annually we guess this species is still just a stray to the island © Martin Cade:
