Smart gulls and a very unexpected first for Devon... #DevonBirds #TeamMoth

A lunchtime check of the Axe Estuary gulls turned up a hefty 1w Caspian Gull. Half an hour later a 2w dropped in. First time I've had two at once here. Or anywhere! 😎 #DevonBirds

Completing the set... #TeamMoth

Olive-tree Pearl on the trap vanes already, and a different individual to last night's. Promising. 😊 Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

Pick of the trap migrant-wise, this Olive-tree Pearl accompanied by Vestal and Rusty-dot Pearl. But in some ways best of the 9/8 was Blair's Shoulder-knot on house wall, a new moth for me. Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

Quick check inside the trap revealed this peering at me. Olive-tree Pearl? Would be a nice bit of quality for the new garden. Only ever caught a couple in Bridport. Axminster VC3 #TeamMoth

Very distant, awful light, etc... but this Cirl Bunting on clifftop brambles was highlight of the morning at Axe Cliff, Seaton. Nothing of particular note vis-mig wise, but some nice Woodpigeon flocks coasting. #DevonBirds

Onwards and upwards... #DevonBirds #TeamMoth

Prior to my final outing as guide on Seaton Birdwatching Tram, a quick look at R Axe produced this 1w Caspian Gull, yet another in ridiculous series of records this year. Think this takes us to c31 in 2025 (mostly c/o @axebirder.bsky.social) compared with 38 birds in preceding 18 yrs! #DevonBirds

No trap tonight so but just popped out to find this lovely fresh Merveille du Jour on the wall next to the porch light. Sticking a 20W actinic bulb in it was so worth the modest investment! 😄 Axminster, Devon #TeamMoth

I've only once been to Spurn, so don't know it, but this just popped up on my YouTube feed and might be of interest to regulars. I noticed the postman is wearing bins... 😁 youtu.be/CULUs8IfIxc?...

Trap's first outing in Axminster produces just 8 moths, but one was this Green-brindled Crescent - dusted with green glitter, an absolute belter and one of my all-time favourite moths - and one a Merveille du Jour. In three Bridport autumns caught just 4 and 2 respectively. A good start then. 😎

Breakfast with Merv. Despite intentions to contrary, trap out for first time in new Axminster home. GB Crescent, RD Pearl, White Point, 2 Vine's Rustic and LYU added weight to argument that I should do it again before 2026.

Recent Axe Estuary Caspian Gull Green T|P hadn't come far really, as the ringing data shows. Always great to get the story on colour-ringed birds, and in my experience almost all projects respond very quickly to enquiries. Grateful thanks to RJ. #DevonBirds

Another priceless PBO blog post. '... science and social care...' 😄

Local stuff. Gulls and crests mainly... #DevonBirds

Only had time for 15-minute check of Axe gulls this morning, but roughly fourth bird I looked at was a Dutch-ringed 1w Caspian Gull. Astonishing run of these locally at the moment. Think an afternoon visit essential! 😄 With thanks to @axebirder.bsky.social for the regular gen.

With no plans to do any trapping until next year, nevertheless thought I'd try and get new home moth list underway by installing porch light plus 20W actinic bulb today. Quick check just now, and we're away: 2 spp. 😄 Axminster, Devon

I have Firecrest photos with a lot more bird on show, but rather like this shot. One of two birds in the Black Hole Marsh car park, Seaton Wetlands early evening; this one ringed. #DevonBirds

What it says on the tin... #DevonBirds

A surprise Siberian Chiffchaff among 20+ Chiffs at Beer Head this morning. Attached ropey photo compares Sibe on the right with regular collybita job on the left. #DevonBirds

Seabirds, 'Scillies running', scuppered... #DorsetBirds

😳

Very much a 'birder's photo' but at least it features one of West Bay's iconic 'red baskets' as @tombrereton.bsky.social would call it. Juv Sabine's Gull was well worth getting wet for in this evening's rain. Off the end of the West Pier. 😎 With thanks to Tom for the shout. #DorsetBirds

Cogden bushes dead quiet this morning but plenty of birds offshore - mostly milling around it seemed - including double figures of Balearic Shearwater (25+ in one scan) and Med Gull; also 7 Ringed Plovers on the beach. #DorsetBirds

A week of ups and downs. Mostly ups... #DorsetBirds

325 Balearics and 210 'commic' Terns (including 6+ definite Arctics) E past Seaton by 07:50. Movement had pretty much fizzled out by then, but nevertheless amazing numbers for here. #DevonBirds

Given recent events in and around Lyme Bay, thought there should be a decent chance of a Grey Phalarope at Cogden this afternoon. A bit of effort produced two, though strictly speaking one was too distant to ID to species. Lovely. 😎 #DorsetBirds

Summer ends on a high note... #DorsetBirds

Admittedly on my 'outside chance' radar this morning, but this is still the first Lyme Bay Sabine's Gull I've found in 20-odd years living here. And very nice it was too. 😄 Cogden, #DorsetBirds

Juv Sabine's Cogden found b.y @notquitescilly.bsky.social it flew east at around 9.00am...

Delighted to discover a juv/1w Yellow-legged Gull on the Axe Estuary while on pre-Birdwatching Tram recce this afternoon. Thought, 'nice if that stays for later', convinced it wouldn't. It did! Needless to say, punters thrilled out of their boots by the brown thing. #UKbirding

An early afternoon stroll around Cogden was very quiet bird-wise, but produced a really smart new moth for me: Rosy Knot-horn. I was pretty impressed by the first individual I saw, but a later one was in a different league! Also a stack of Rush Veneers and 4 Clouded Yellows. VC9. #TeamMoth

No birds. No moths. Rather, a rare fishing post...

Death's-head Hawk-moth cat on the coast path near Cogden, Dorset VC9 today. Photos taken by friends, and posted here with permission and massive envy! 😄 #TeamMoth

Garden's 2nd Tissue last night, following one in 2023. Seemingly a rare moth in Dorset. Unless there have been any others more recently than our last one, Dorset Moths website reckons these are the first in the county since 2015! Bridport VC9 #TeamMoth

And this is why almost the whole garden needs checking after a night with the trap out... Peach Blossom 😍 Lyme Regis VC9 #TeamMoth

A nice result while babysitting in Lyme Regis last night. Royal Mantle is quite rare in Dorset, and this is only my second. #TeamMoth VC9

Not a massive catch, but certainly some interest: NFG Brown-veined Wainscot, 2FG Twin-spotted Wainscot, a beautifully marked Tawny Shears, and a surprise Beet Moth. I wonder if the latter is a one-off, or the start of something, like 2022... Bridport VC9 #TeamMoth

Latest NFG trio brings garden list to 600. Or rather, 600 *minimum*. With all the aggs, gen-det only, and now DNA-only so-called spp - none of which I can be bothered with - it's a bit academic really... Nice to amaze non-mothy friends with the big number of course! 😄 Have a Slender Pug... #TeamMoth

Moth trap still not very inspiring right now, despite at least three NFG micros last night: Three-spot Dot, Shaded Tortrix and the handsome Chequered Grass-moth. Pictured here with a nice Beech Mast Piercer. Bridport VC9 #TeamMoth

Blackthorn Knot-horn was NFG on Friday night, and there was opportunity for nice comparison with fresh Hawthorn Knot-horn trapped last night. Two Dusky Sallows last night the first since a single in July 2022. This hot spell has produced far fewer moths than I was expecting. Bridport VC9 #TeamMoth

I do like going rogue and getting lost among the backstreets and alleyways in old towns: What I found in Whitstable yesterday #2: An in the window pop-up display on the sad history of 'Sparrow Clubs'. Still some when I was young, but had forgotten about them, had me reading up lots last night.

Anyone want these Devon Bird reports, free to a good home? Collect from Plymouth or Colyton.

Medway's Spotted Redshanks - a plea. Pease keep to public footpaths. When Coast Path does open here, it veers inland a lot for good reason - to avoid disturbance. Year round you will disturb feeders at low tide, and pre-roost assemblies / roosts (esp on low hts) if go off-piste. 1/10

NFG, and one of the most amazing moths yet to come my way. The Lappet is much bigger than I expected. Basically a tank disguised as a dead leaf. Wonderful! 😎 Bridport VC9 #TeamMoth

More sleep deprivation... #TeamMoth

Not sure how much longer they'll be around, but migrants still evident here in Bridport VC9. Small Marbled (4th for year), Bordered Straw (6th), Rusty-dot Pearl and European Corn-borer last night, with first Dark Sword-grass of the year the night before. #TeamMoth

Gold Triangle (Hypsopygia costalis) is a little stunner, especially when they settle with wings spread like this...😍 Only get the odd one here. Brisport VC9 #TeamMoth

Ribwort Stilt (Aspilapteryx tringipennella) NFG last night, and a reminder always to have pots in your pocket when releasing the catch. My bleary eyes didn't see it when I went through the trap earlier. 😄 Bridport VC9 #TeamMoth