A good Tern out.

The Blackneck (Lygephila pastinum)

The Blackneck is locally distributed, and is single brooded in the UK. although it is double brooded on the Continent. I've caught one in seven out of the nine years I've been mothing in St Margaret's and all the records are between July 6th and 22nd.

Evergestis limbata

Another Evergestis limbata last night means that although the first was caught as recently as 1993 it has become established and is no longer a real surprise. I still think that it is a very attractive Pyralid but it obviously is finding conditions in Kent to its liking and it may soon become commonplace.

Ringed China-mark (Parapoynx stratiotata)

This Ringed China-mark is the third I've caught here, singles in 2005 and 2006 and then a gap to now. The larva is an aquatic feeder, living on pondweeds and other aquatic plants, so it is obviously making use of one of the ponds in the garden.

This afternoon I had a look at Pegwell bay as the tide came in. There were loads of Terns roosting out on the saltings, mainly Sandwich with a few Commons, but none to raise the pulse rate. Phil Milton and Dave Beadle were in the hide and the conversation turned to moths.

Like the previously mentioned Evergestis limbata it is difficult to get used to a former rarity becoming common. There were at least 10 Little Egrets around a sight I never dreamed of seeing in the UK when I started birding.

I think that they look ungainly on dry land, the legs and feed seen out of proportion compared to the body. (a bit like Peter Crouch),

Once in flight they become far more elegant,

The number of waders around was disappointing, whith large number Culews and distant Oystercatchers making up the bulk. I did see a few Bar-tailed Godwits and four Dunlins, but no surprise migrants.

A few Whimbrels flew in to join the Curlews resting on the saltings.

A distant group of Curlews with a scattering of Whimbrels.