10th May 2014

With breeding now in full swing early morning seawatches in wet westerlies produce a continual highways of Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Kittiwakes and Gannets. Other than that though there was little movement. On the land the first Garden Warbler of the year was along ‘Motorway Hedge’ by the Gorse Field (first hedge back from the Foghorn). Thornwick Pool hosted (yet another) Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. 21 Greenland-type Wheatear included 13 together on cliff top at Thornwick.

male Greenland-type Wheatear. Thornwick, Martin Garner. Some males are less extensively orange below
male Greenland-type Wheatear. Thornwick, Martin Garner. Some males are less extensively orange below

 

Recent rarer moths include this Mullein, only the 2nd flying specimen for the outer head, plus one of the very distinctive caterpillar.

Mullein Moth, Martin Garner
Mullein Moth, Martin Garner
Kittiwakes collecting nest material on cliffs below Golf Course
Kittiwakes collecting nest material on cliffs below Golf Course