Arctic Tern passage Saturday 24th August

Not noticed by many nationally I sea watched in 20mph NW winds off Sand Point and had two parties of Arctic Terns flying down channel post 4pm. Finding birds on the patch this day was a struggle but 4 Wigeon and a Garganey were new in at Weston STW. A Greenshank and 3 Wheatear were on the Banwell Estuary.

first trip of the year to Brean Down 23rd August

It's been a long time but finally made my first trip of the year to
Brean Down: 9 Wheatear, 1 Redstart and a Clouded Yellow.
Sand Point: 2 Wheatear
Sand Bay: 76 Ringed Plover, 120 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 8 Blackwit
Weston STW: 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 7 Teal

Mompha propinquella

Another new for the garden on night of 18th August this Mompha propinquella was also a new moth for me. They are similar to Mompha lacteella so care with ID is needed.

Mompha propinquella

Chrysotoxum elegans

A new hoverfly for me today when I discovered 2 Chrysotoxum elegans amongst Sea Aster Aster tripolium which is starting to come into flower in Sand Bay marsh.

Chrysotoxum elegans

Mediterranean Gull and Garganey

There was still a good wader count in Sand Bay this morning with 343 Ringed Plover, 214 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, 50+ Curlew and a Turnstone. Also on the beach was an adult winter Mediterranean Gull.

This evening at Weston STW a Garganey and 3 Gadwall were present.

Garganey Anas querquedula

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata

This moth turned up at the garden trap this morning. I identified it as Maple Pug but found that Slender Pug looks very similar. The Gen Det showed it to be Maple Pug

Maple Pug Eupithecia inturbata (Gen Det)

Common Cockchafer Melolontha melolontha

Here's a shot of a Common Cockchafer that I took back in May. Probably my best shot of this species.

Common Cockchafer Melolontha melolontha