This morning dawned clear with sunshine and high cloud. There was barely any breeze. It felt like a Morton Bagot morning, particularly after John Chidwick had come up with a Greenshank yesterday.
Half way to the flash field Dave and I noticed some birds flycatching at the far end of a hedgeline. Being rather desperate to see a local Spotted Flycatcher, we approached and scoped what turned out to be several Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, and Blackcaps. However, accompanying them was a Whinchat, our first this autumn.
The views can best be described as adequate.
We reached the flash field and quickly discovered an adult Black-tailed Godwit, the first here for a couple of years. The water in the nearest flash was continuing to evaporate, but was still fine for at least 18 Snipe and eight Green Sandpipers. Most of the Teal had disappeared, possibly to the furthest flash, and we were unable to confirm whether the Garganey was still present.
While we were immersed in counting the waders we became aware of a distantly calling Greenshank, presumably yesterday's bird. The sound seemed to be coming from beyond the furthest flash. Maybe Morton Springs fishing pool, which we never visit, is now receptive to waders.
Finally, Friday night's moth trapping (after I'd discouraged several Hornets) brought me a total of 86 moths of 30 species. The variety was less than exciting, and the only one's new for the year were the very common Square-spot Rustic, and the very small (and common) Mompha subbistrigella.
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