Mud and Moths

Bird News: Ibsley Water - ruff 1 juv., dunlin 1, ringed plover 1 juv., oystercatcher 1, black-necked grebe 1.

Ivy Lake - water rail 2, green sandpiper 1, Cetti's warbler 1.

The moth trap was quite busy following a mild night, highlights were a fine red underwing, below.

The autumn moths are really picking up now, with lots of lunar underwing, sallows and my first black rustic of the autumn.

Although there was not much change in the birds from yesterday, the oystercatcher was the first I have seen on the reserve for some time. The number of martins had dropped somewhat, but there were still over a thousand, mainly house martins.

We continued work on the willow clearance on Ivy Lake, things are getting muddy now that the stumps are coming out, but progress continues apace.