The Arrival of Easterlies and a Big Stripy Moth

Last week I could see this current easterly airflow in the forecast, and fancied it to deliver at least some variety and/or increase in bird numbers.  At this time of the year any change in weather usually does something, and easterlies are one of the most exciting wind directions for the UK birder.   I was right to be optimistic...

Yesterday evening saw my third 'Birdwatching Tram Special' of the autumn, the two previous ones coming up with nothing unexpected (a far cry from Garganey, Wood Sand, Wryneck, Caspian Gull found in previous years!).  

The sky was buzzing with feeding House Martins and Swallows, and two Yellow Wags came through presumably on their way to roost somewhere.  On the Estuary, twenty Ringed Plover were new arrivals and by far the largest count of the year so far, but the biggest surprise was a first-winter Common Tern that dropped in half-way up the Estuary...

We left it where it was but I couldn't see it during the return journey south

Now to today, and I had a lovely surprise waiting for me in the moth trap this morning... 

Striped Hawkmoth - what a cracker! My third one in Seaton, having trapped two at Mum and Dad's in June 2015 - on consecutive nights! 

What a head and eye!  

Followed by the gardens first Yellow Wagtail over west, and then shortly after an Osprey which flew in from the west heading right for the Estuary - yet another new garden bird.  The Osprey has been seen fishing on the Estuary a couple of times since.

Then news came in from Phil of a Spotted Redshank on Black Hole Marsh which saw me head down there before work.  The lovely (and very vocal!) juvenile Spotted Redshank as showing well, along with a juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit (first seen last night by Tim C), the two lingering juvenile Ruff and masses of the usual wading birds and gulls.  Water levels have dropped on the marsh rapidly, probably not planned, however it is proving the perfect conditions for a feeding frenzy!  And coinciding nicely with these easterly winds.

Gorgeous Spotted Redshank

 

Best looking plumage of this species I think - stunning

 

Couldn't get enough of it! 

 

The Bar-tailed Godwit was another cracking fresh juv - love looking at waders at this time of year!

 

The Ruff sticking together - again both juveniles

 

On my way to work, a quick look around Seaton Marshes gave me my first (overdue) Whinchat of the autumn, tagging along with a couple of Stonechat in the fields north of Seaton Marshes.

Something I was a bit gutted to miss out on was our first, and currently only juvenile Yellow-legged Gull of the autumn, papped by Gav from Tower Hide on Saturday afternoon.  A screenshot of his Bluesky message here...

A corker too as am sure you will all agree! :-)

More of the above would be great!  Looks like the weather is going to be a bit changeable this week so my expectations are high...