Egrets and moths

Lade - muggy and overcast first thing, sunny by midday - 0600hrs - With perfect overnight weather conditions (humid, cloudy and still) it was no surprise that the garden MV was rammed with moths this morning. Plumed Fan-foot, a former vagrant and recent colonist to the south-east was a surprise catch and new for the site. Small Blood-vein, two Sussex Emeralds, Chinese Character, Poplar  Hawk-moth and Rosy Footman all added to the variety.

                                Plumed Fan-foot - new to the Plovers trap site

                                Small Blood-vein - an occasional visitor

                                Rosy Footman

On the local patch the lakes were full of waterbirds, chiefly Coots, Mute Swans, grebes, Pochards and Tufteds, but also plenty of Common Terns and a few Sandwich Terns. Two Great White Egrets flew over the willow swamp while four Little Egrets and three Grey Herons fished along the edge of the main reedbed. A Green Sandpiper paused briefly on south lake island, while Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard were soaring over the airport fields.
  Called in at Hanson hide around midday where Teal numbers had increased since my last visit a week ago. Hundreds of Lapwings, ducks and Coots were loafing on the many wader friendly islands.
Had a brief scan over Boulderwall fields for the Cattle Egret that`s been around for a few days now, but without success.