July 20th

We were back on Moths today after a short break, it looked pretty busy, there were several bits on the walls including Chinese Character, Dark Umber (new for year), Dwarf Cream Wave plus several others. Once in the traps it was evident quite a few wasps had been attracted to the light overnight, so taking out the boxes was a more delicate operation! The trap by the greenhouse held 5 Poplar Hawkmoths and 3 Swallowtails were near the trap, also my first Pinella of the year, sorry can't remember it's first name but it's a micro. Another one new for the year was the tricky Svensson's Copper Underwing, which can only be told from Copper Underwing by... you guessed it comparing the underwing! After todays records, the year list here stands at 293, so the 300 beckons.
Despite the traps being reasonably busy I was walking by 5.40am, it was calm and mild with some light cloud. I had the camera at the ready, as ever, but didn't get a sniff of a photo opportunity, so apologies for not having something to break up my ramblings!Although another view picture might appear.
It was pretty busy on the bird front as well today, 2 SPOTTED FLYCATCHERS did a fly pass as we finished the moths, first of 6 in total. GOLDFINCHES were whizzing around in pairs, which didn't seem quite right. The young GARDEN WARBLER called from the top end of the car park and a YELLOWHAMMER was singing along the entrance lane. There was a steady flow of ROOKS heading north from their roosts, unusually not accompanied by any Jackdaws which has been the norm of late.

A quick stop by the lake was brightened by the KINGFISHER doing a circuit, before landing in a willow on the island, I did take a photo of this but probably shouldn't have bothered! A TREECREEPER was also here, as was MARSH TIT and several NUTHATCH. 2 GREY HERONS dropped into the far end of the top lake and I could hear young BULLFINCHES nearby. I still had an hour and a half before having to leave for work, so a slow walk along hedgerows was on the cards. A GOLDCREST was the first noteworthy bird followed by my second 'autumn' WILLOW WARBLER. The number finches, buntings and sparrows was lower this morning, although I did see 3 young REED BUNTINGS. As I approached a gap in the hedge a warbler started a bit of subsong from where I had just come from, I thought either Reed or Sedge, after about 5 minutes it showed, just coming to the edge briefly before darting back in, to sing a little bit more (Dr.Hook), it was my second SEDGE WARBLER of the year. It was getting close to witching hour, so my pace quickened. On the way back I heard a CROSSBILL and met Stephen on his way out, he had managed to see the Crossbill which was infact, 2 green individuals flying west.