And Then There Were Three - Genesis

A dull start to the day on Friday, which persisted throughout, and may have reflected results from the Moth Traps in recent days had it not been for a sudden flush of excitement. Despite a paltry catch of just 81 Insects of 15 Species the catch included a trio of Firsts for the Year.

 First up, and only the 3rd Insect to be taken was

 BLAIR'S SHOULDER-KNOT

followed by, and only of novelty value, 2 variations of

 LESSER YELLOW UNDERWING

 There was then a short intermission before

 LARGE WAINSCOT

was coaxed from the egg trays

 immediately followed by the

 'Catch of the Day'

something of an acrobatic

MERVEILLE du JOUR

and as we were lucky enough to catch its far less common cousin

 'SCARCE' MERVEILLE du JOUR

in the Spring we are able to offer that up by way of comparison.
Finally on the subject, there was also something of a rather tardy

 LESSER BROAD-BORDERED YELLOW UNDERWING

which usually ceases to be 'on the wing' by the end of September.

Also starting to adorn the early morning sky on a daily basis are both

GREYLAG

and

CANADA GEESE

Skein counts thus far have reached 25 and 36 respectively.

All else of note during the past 2 days has been a moderate 'fall' of

 MEADOW PIPIT

 along with

 a 'first' showing of Autumnal

SISKIN

There has also been what can only be described as a 'large' increase of

 JAY

 across our Recording Area

 but all too wily to get a decent shot (or any shot at all for that matter)

 until last evening that is.

 Deciding to spend a hour either side of sunset on the Heath, in hope of 

a very late Nightjar, a returning Short-eared Owl or maybe just an

ever-present Woodcock,

 En-route, we caught this pair of Jays (complete with Acorn) and 

a single Magpie unawares and

despite the gloom did get away with these few discernible shots.
YES, WE DID NOTICE THAT THE UK OVERHAULED THE USA
FOR JUST ONE, ALL TOO BRIEF, DAY 

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When Will I See You Again - The Three Degrees

It was with great delight that we welcomed not one, but 2 protégés to the Moth Traps yesterday, and while at this time of year they are not brimming over with Insects (the traps that is not the protégés) there was at least something to see, so a gentle introduction to the subject.

NIKI and CHLOÈ

(When Will I See You Again? - next Wednesday!)

The undoubted favourite with the ladies was

ANGLE SHADES

with Niki wanting an image to take home with a view to committing it to canvas.

also on veiw were

 DARK SWORD-GRASS

STRAW DOT

 PINK-BARRED SALLOW

 PALE MOTTLED WILLOW
along with a creature caught yesterday.

Once restricted to the strip between the Rocky Mountains of the USA
and the coastal fringe of the Pacific Ocean, this destructive Beetle can
now be found across much of the World.

 WESTERN CONIFER SHIELDBUG
(it's a new one on us)

 The antics of a

 COMMON BUZZARD

 Up ahead, a stirring in the grass

 brought into view

 a couple of possibly 'late'?

 PHEASANT CHICKS

 along with their Mum.

 With nothing at all to report from the Heath either, on the way back

 the sky seemed to be filled with southbound Hirundines mostly

 HOUSE MARTIN

(maybe as many as 2-300)
which must have been overlooked in previous years as our records
tell us that this is a new Species here for the ongoing October List!

 along with a lot less

SWALLOWs

this could be the last we see of them for this year?

When Will We See You Again?

and for what they are worth, here are the first returns from the

Gravel Pit Trail Camera.

Showing the pit-falls, the windblown Sallows and Surface Water

activate the camera hence leaving us with 102 videos and images to sort through!

Operator Error!

 CARRION CROW

bathing.

MOORHEN

 GREY WAGTAIL 

in the morning mist. 

MAGPIE

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