Another interesting collection to the actinic & MV overnight. A pristine Dark Sword-grass was the pick of the migrant moths, while a surprise Bunny Moth is easily our latest record to date. A bit faded now but the bunny's still there! @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth

More autumn mothy goodness at CMO HQ last night. Large Ranunculus, Sallow, Frosted Orange & Large Wainscot (left) along with Pale Mottled Willow, Delicate & Black Rustic (right). Such a nice mix & all very obliging too. @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth

So much to enjoy on our walk today but seeing so many fresh Migrant Hawkers (Aeshna mixta) perched up on hedgerow twigs was a real highlight. Despite the breeze, we still managed to see well over 40, a selection of some of them below. Stunning! @linnetincley.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social

Willow Emerald, one of two seen along the edge of the Skirts today ~ the first time we've seen this delicate damselfly around this part of the Cley square (often seen not too far away on the reserve & Walsey Hills but not the Skirts 🙂). @linnetincley.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social

Red Admiral The Skirts, Cley September 24 2025 @linnetincley.bsky.social

We enjoyed a super mix of butterflies & dragonflies today ~ a Clouded Yellow was a surprise at Walsey Hills (8 butterfly species included 19 Wall Browns & 14 Red Admirals) plus 40 Migrant Hawkers, a couple of Willow Emeralds & Common Darters galore. @linnetincley.bsky.social @norfolknats.bsky.social

Gorgeous day for a wander around the back of Cley & through to Salthouse. It was really nice to find a couple of Redstarts flicking along the hedgerows plus a Tree Pipit & a handful of Phylloscs., along with a dozen Cattle Egrets. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding #cleybirds

Just playing catch up after too much work business. This is a simply stunning quartet of young RN Phalarope shots taken by Sam ~ the head-on image, cresting a mini-wave & ripple is an absolute beauty. Top stuff Sam👌

Some more autumn moth loveliness at CMO HQ from the last couple of days: another stunning Autumnal Rustic, our 1st Brindled Green of the year, the Dark Lord, Black Rustic & a super snazzy looking Beaded Chestnut. @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth

Pectoral Sandpiper Iron Road, Salthouse September 23 2025 @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding #cleybirds

It's been ages since we've had a bit of time here at home ~ very nice to catch up with one of the Iron Road Pectoral Sandpipers (& with the Roxby's too 🙂) + a few Cattle Egrets. The recently returned Ruddy Shelduck won't ever cut the mustard... @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding #cleybirds

For me, few autumn moths are as classy & elegant looking as Autumnal Rustic. Looking good on our favourite moff-pic pebble 🙂

CMO's CEO doing what she does 😊 Some cool autumn moths (got to love a Clancy's Rustic) and, somehow, she's managed to make the most knackered looking Cliffie we've ever had almost seem elegant! Top work👏

Frosted Orange Cley Moth Obs September 12 2025 @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth

Minimal mothage action at CMO HQ last night ~ for the first time this year it felt decidedly autumnal ~ but a double hit of Frosted Orange made running the traps worthwhile. Such a gorgeous moth ~ love it! ❄️🍊 @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth

Home again after a terrific week at Sandwich Bay Bird Obs with some great bird days & some great moth nights too. Despite the moon glow, we managed 891/111 through the week. Favourite macros included Striped Hawk-moth, Vestal, Blackneck & Dark Sword-grass... @linnetincley.bsky.social #kentmoths 1/2

Still Chiffchaffs galore tonight at Sandwich Bay ~ the sun-kissed hedgerows near the Obs alive with movement as a dozen Chiffs (& a couple of Willow Warblers) sallied on & off the branches for food. A real treat to see so many migrant passerines in one spot. @linnetincley.bsky.social #kentbirds

A cracker of a morning/afternoon around the Sandwich Bay recording area: lots of passerine migrants inc., Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, 15 Whinchats, 13 Lesser Whitethroats, c50 Chiffchaff & Blackcaps + a few Wheatears & Sedge Warbler. Distant views of "our" Ibis + 7 Cattle Egrets too 🙂 #kentbirds

An epic last 90 minutes of the birding day at Sandwich. After a tantalising pallid-looking Swift flew WNW w/Commons, watching Restharrow Scrape produced 11 Cattle Egrets off to roost, followed by c14 Glossy Ibis in from the NNE at 1925, dropping WNW of the Obs 🙂 @linnetincley.bsky.social #kentbirds

A sunny Sunday saunter around Kingsdown Leas in search of Long-tailed Blues. Plenty of Common Blues & Small Coppers but not a sign of L-TB. Several significant pulses of migrating hirundines, a lone Common Swift & in the grass, Roesel's Bush-cricket & a mega Wasp Spider. @linnetincley.bsky.social

Striped Hawk-moth Sandwich Bay Bird Obs, Kent September 6 2025 @linnetincley.bsky.social #kentmoths

...and there were moths too. The monster September moon lit up the night sky but we were never worried after the first peep inside the MV early Friday morning...the 1st Striped Hawk-moth in our trap! Very happy about that and it was absolutely pristine too. @linnetincley.bsky.social #kentmoths

A sunny Saturday saw us wander the Sandwich estate & the RSPB reserve at Worth. Highlight was the appearance of a White Stork that flew in front of us & plonked itself down, totally unconcerned, by a busy tractor and trailer. Doubtless some Knepp-otism here... @linnetincley.bsky.social #kentbirds

After a failure on Thursday, we returned to Oare Marshes y'day in search of a Nearctic old-timer, the Bonaparte's Gull that's spent 13 summers by the Swale. After an abandoned high-tide trip (doh!), we popped back in the afternoon & within seconds, boom! @linnetincley.bsky.social #RareBirdsUK 1/2

A fun trip to Kent for @linnetincley.bsky.social & I ~ everything started off nicely on Thursday evening when we arrived at SBBO & nipped along to New Downs to enjoy the snazzy Spotted Crake that's been around a week or so now. Really enjoyed this characterful bird... #kentbirds #sandwichbay 1/2

Here's a little comparison between yesterday's Bordered Straw (left) & this morning's Scarce Bordered Straw (right). Both were super fresh & very smart👌 @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth

Our little actinic has been doing really well vs. the MV this week ~ today we had 114/24 in the actinic, including two new for year speices ~ Scarce Bordered Straw & Dark Spectacle. Also one of my favourite autumn moths, Frosted Orange. @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth

After a ragged Bordered Straw 2 nights ago, we were both surprised to see a pristine individual in the actinic last night. Two in two nights quickly doubled our historic Bordered Straw tally! Also last night, the 1st Centre-barred Sallow of 2025. @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths

...and more of the Red-backed Shrike at Thornham from yesterday. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding

Small Dotterel in a big field! Ringstead September 2 2025. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding

A few more of the lovely adult Dotterel up at Ringstead yesterday. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding

Fortunately, I'd heard the Dotterel amongst the Goldies & after a while when everything calmed down, I picked it up all alone, feeding feverishly in a ploughed field. It's decades since I've seen an autumn adult Dotterel in Norfolk ~ a real treat this one. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding

... and from there we headed inland to Ringstead... Wandering down the track, everything rocketed up off the fields, Goldies, gulls, pigeons, Stock Doves. Soon, over the rise came the culprit, slowly cruising across the fields. A monster juv♀️Goshawk! Oooof! @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding

After the Iron Road, we decided to strike out on a rare foray to west Norfolk. At Thornham, we had super views of the very showy young Red-backed Shrike that's been along the coast path for a few days + 13 Spoonbills & a 2cy Caspian Gull on the saltings. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding

After our 11k steps in the valley, we fancied a Salthouse Stores coffee. From there it would have seemed rude not to pop down the Iron Road to enjoy the flockette of 6 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, plus a young Little Stint & a decent number of Dunlin & Snipe. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding

Not many highlights after a cool, half-moon night at CMO but we did have a tiny number of migrant moths including our 3rd-ever Bordered Straw (2 this year & 1 in 2022) & a Rush Veneer. Also in the traps, our latest Poplar Grey (by over 2 weeks). @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths

Gorgeous early autumn morning, perfect for a wander around the valley. Two raucous Ravens at the top of the Hangs & Sand Martin & Swallows on the wires near the Oriole Wood the pick of our modest selection + Painted Lady by the house as we came back. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding

August has had many mothing highlights for us & one of the best moments was the appearance of our 800th CMO species, Small Waved Umber (top) followed by #2 soon after (bottom). In the middle is our 1st ever autumn Waved Umber, seen on August 18. @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths

Bordered Beauty Cley Moth Obs August 21 2025 We had one of these delightful moths in 2021, followed by one in 2022, one in 2023 and another in 2024. The average remains in tact👌😉 @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths

What do you see here? Me, I see Worzel Gummidge as a Christmas angel...albeit dressed in a burnt orange outfit. Bordered Beauty Cley Moth Obs August 21 2025 @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths

Punk moth in a mohair ~ this Ogeoconia sp (most likely O. quadripuncta) reminds me of all the jumpers that were around in 1977... ...in my mind's eye I see John Lydon tumbling out of Vivienne Westwood's boutique Sex in a mohair just like this... @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths

Slight return to the subject of berry-laden bushes from a couple of weeks ago. Every single bush is loaded this autumn, today it was sea buckthorn, elderberries & blackberries to go with sloes, haws, holly and more. Marvellous to see ~ the spring & summer weather has clearly benefitted the bushes.

Another trek around the back of Cley (so much nicer than the reserve) with 13k steps on the Salthouse loop. Almost a complete lack of passerine migrants followed the pattern of the whole week (an aberrant silver juvenile Sand Martin was nice though). Just three Cattle Egrets logged. #NorfolkBirding

Another brisk 5.5 miles around the back of Cley this morning & this marvellous field of colour in the valley made it all worth while. Gorgeous!

Pretty happy with this phone shot of one of the Hummingbird Hawk-moths we saw in Salthouse today: busy, busy, busy on the Valerian near the churchyard. Two around here plus one at the bottom of our lane as well. @linnetincley.bsky.social #norfolkmoths

12k around the back of the village & on to Salthouse this morning ~ a brief Polecat was the absolute highlight (1st we've seen for ages) plus two or three Hornets, a few butterflies (decent number of Small Heaths) & at least three Hummingbird Hawk-moths too. @linnetincley.bsky.social #norfolkmoths

Cooler NE winds & moon-y remnants have knocked moth numbers back here over the weekend. This morning delivered a surprise though, our first two Calybites phasianipennella for the garden (White-marked Stilt). Smart micro this one👌 @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth 1/2

We've been checking the Cley fig-trees for a few years now & this year is the first time we've found evidence of Fig-leaf Skeletoniser (Choreutis nemorana) locally. This afternoon, just down the lane, we finally caught up with the moth! @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths

Morning meander around the Freshes for a change today ~ a minimum 37 Cattle Egrets on the east side of the marsh plus a couple of loafing Red Kites, a Common Sandpiper looking for mud at high tide plus a steady westward movement of Swallows. @linnetincley.bsky.social #NorfolkBirding #cleybirds

Time for a bit of Pug-love & appreciation ~ not always glamorous, sometimes tricky & tough to ID but then you get two very smart, very different Pugs & all is well in PugWorld ~ two from last night, Bordered Pug & Tawny Speckled Pug. @linnetincley.bsky.social #cleymothobs #norfolkmoths #teammoth