Sallow Kitten

This sallow kitten larvae hatched from some eggs I was given a couple of weeks ago.They are feeding on ......yes sallow.I have also found a load of Common lutstering larvae in folded leaves of birch which I let go just before I went away to Ireland,glad to see they survived.

Back garden Vis

7 till 8,an excellent morning ,with a real autumn feel.
5 Cormorant west
51 Meadow Pipit s/w
80+ Swallows s/w
71 BHGull s/w
7 LBBGull south
2 common Gull south
1 alba wag south(5 bloggers)
1 Oystercatcher south
2 Stock dove s/w
50 + Goldfinch and 5 Linnet over (local flock)local Sparrowhawk between the houses.

Sand martin

Found a Sand martin today in the middle of a group of swallows feeding frantically over a small patch of mud/water.Also 8 Linnets,2 Goldfinch,1 Greenfinch and 1 Cole Tit flying directly s/e about 50ft up calling.

Back garden Vis

7- 8 bad conditions with the wind and rain but hey - ho.
1 House martin
3 Swallows
1 Meadow Pipit (first of the autumn here)
1 Common Gull
1 LBBGull
8 BH GUll
1 Stock Dove
1 alba wag
all s/w

Tree Pipit

One Tree Pipit over the house calling loudly this morning heading due south at 8ish,a few swallows s/w,one Goldcrest calling from next doors garden (the first of the autumn)1 LBBGull west and 20 BHGull s/w.

Co- ordinated Vis mig dates

September Meadow Pipits and Swallows (Sunday 27th September)

October Redwings (Sunday 18th October)

November Starlings, Fieldfares and Woodpigeons (Sunday 1st November)

Swallows on the move

Today I was in the garden most of the day a continual movement of swallows was noted all day with a massive increase around 7ish.there must have been well inexess of 1000 birds all going south west.A few small groups of House martins and the odd LBBGull were the only other birds of note.

Ireland

All records of this rare species have been since 2004. Its upland heath and grass habitats are varied and apparently not very specialised, so more colonies might yet be found.

Bordered Grey male(national scarce A) This was found at a new site in the S/W of Donegal.Thanks to Donegal Moths for the map and very usefull info.