Thursday 30 July 2020

Decent evening records

After heavy rain in the morning, the day ended calm and warm.

Ocean Edge/Red Nab - evening  (PM, JR)
Mediterranean gulls - absolute minimum 42 scattered off OE 
Greenshank 2
Bar-Tailed Godwit 15
Dunlin 50
Curlew 400+
Wheatear 1 - first autumn record

Middleton Nature Reserve evening (MD)
The conditions were again right for the emergence of flying ants, but tonight it was widespread so the small gulls were too high and wide to check for Meds. The large gulls (Herring and LBB) also got in the action, they preferred to catch the ants on the ground as they were emerging.
Several swallows, a few Sand Martin plus just two Swift were also feeding. The reduced numbers, almost certainly, the result of the wide ranging emergence.
Dragonflies included Emperor, Brown Hawker and Common Darter
Male Common Darter 

Moths 
Nice selection of moths in overnight actinic including Fen Wainscot 
Several Shaded Broad-bar were seen on Middleton early evening.
Shaded Broad-bar