Still not much sign of the sun, but mild temperatures and overcast sky’s do provide good conditions for moths, and there was a bumper haul at Carey Secret Garden last night/this morning with 153 species logged from 3 traps, including a Dotted Fan-foot which is possibly only the 3rd Dorset record, plus a Scarce Merveille De Jour which is red data book species. There were also some possible early signs of autumn dispersal with 3 new adult Blackcap ringed at Carey Secret Garden, suggesting some possible local dispersal due to failed breeding? Also 11 Chiffchaff were ringed which would have been local youngsters, but dispersing into the local landscape, before their longer migration later in Sept and Oct. In the Frome Valley 4 summer plumaged Cattle Egret were between Holmebridge and Wareham, where a 2nd cal year White-tailed Eagle was having a fight with a Red Kite, and was then later seen at Carey having a fight with female Osprey CJ7. The summering male Red-breasted Merganser was off Jerry’s Point this afternoon and on Brownsea there were 11 Avocet and 1 Spoonbill.

Finally, some good news, there’s been a hatching in our Swift box! The first feed seemed to be around 20:10, and with their growth being substantially faster than our Ospreys, the next 14 days should be a facinating insight into Swift nest ecology and behaviour. To watch all the drama on our Swift Cam visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/uS1oq61EuOA

Dotted Fan-foot – Carey Secret Garden – Ed Betteridge

Scarce Merveille De Jour – Carey Secret Garden – Ed Betteridge

Wareham Webcam Swift pair feeding their newly hatched young