Bird Sightings

This morning was another bright and early start, this time for moth trapping! Last night Tara put out the trap, turning on its light to lure in any moths in the vicinity. When we opened it up we found 19 moths of 9 species nestled in the egg boxes lining the inside of the trap.

 

 

The most abundant species trapped was Common Quakers, with 9 individuals in varying shades. We trapped a stunning Angle Shades with its wings folded to resemble the leaf litter. This was seconded only by an Oak Beauty living up to its name, speckled with white, black and reddish browns. Additionally we trapped 1 Brimstone, 1 Hebrew Character, 2 Dark Sword Grass, 2 Dotted Border, 1 Small Mottled Willow and 1 Early Grey.

 

 

Later we walked around the island to find the sections of cliff that I will be monitoring Puffins, Guillemot and Kittiwakes over the breeding season. It was a very windy walk but worth it to see where I will be spending lots of my summer! And to see all of the birds returning to the cliffs. Jenny's Cove was the busiest I have seen it this week with 200+ Guillemots and at least 19 Puffins appearing and disappearing into burrows. We even saw one holding some nesting material so that shows they are starting to prepare the burrows for eggs!

 

Lots of Fulmar and Razorbill pairs can also be seen sitting together which is a lovely sight. I'm very excited for this season!