Wednesday 22 July 2015

The day started off with grey cloud covering the island, and with some light rain. The light westerly wind gradually cleared this away to leave blue skies and a bright sun to warm things up a bit. The conditions overnight prompted a small arrival of migrants, and some good numbers of moths in the traps.

In terms of birdlife, there was a small arrival of young Willow Warblers overnight, with a total of 14 recorded during the day. Other passerines of note included a Lesser Redpoll, three Blackcaps, five Chiffchaffs and two Sedge Warblers. A Sandwich Tern flew south along the West Side in the morning, whilst two Whimbrels, 20 Curlews, two Redshanks and eight Common Sandpipers were scattered around the coast.

It was another great night for moth trapping, with over 280 taken from a heath trap in Nant Withy. There were some smart species amongst the throng of Dark Arches, Crescent Darts and July Highfliers, including Peach Blossom, Burnished Brass, Mother of Pearl, Buff Arches and Anania coronata. The first Udea prunalis of the year was noted during the day, and Silver Ys, Rush Veneers and Agriphila straminella were also well represented.

Peach Blossom

Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing

Dark Marbled Carpet

Anania coronata

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