2+2=1

 Two moth traps, out for two nights, one moth caught.

Angle Shades.

It was worth a try, down in the South of England it seems traps can barely avoid large numbers of rare migrant moths.

Other moth stuff has involved collecting more Gorse seed pods, a painful activity, and also Ash keys; looking for larvae.

I also had some dissections to carry out to sort out some identifications from specimens I received. The dissections proved very useful, two almost unidentifiable specimens of Noctuids mooted as rarities were proven to be more common species. However, Marbled Coronet and Lobesia littoralis were both proven. (Thanks again to SS for his help.)

Marbled Coronet.

Perhaps not my best work, but good enough.

Aedaegus.

Lobesia littoralis.

Again, maybe not my best work but...

I carried out some more Agonopterix dissections, all four proved again to be A. heracliana. 

On the bird front a Ring Ouzel, just the third for the patch I think, performed nicely in the back garden.

Male Ring Ouzel, an adult.

The light was not the best on a very dreich day. ISO 10,000.

Some other bird photography was a little easier.

Blackbird; if I had to say I'd suggest 1cy male, but that could be wrong.

I had a trip out to check on the local Barn Owl again which afforded excellent and extended views. Hopefully folk will keep their distance as I think it has every chance of staying the winter.

Barn Owl.

We went for a stroll past Loch of Wasdale and into Binscarth Wood. No Coal Tit was found but it was a lovely walk on a beautiful, still West Mainland day.

Leaves, light, water.

Robin.

Back in the garden the Brambling flock got up to 14 and there have been over 100 Redwings through most days. Blackbirds and Robins have been noticeable migrants. An influx of Reed Buntings and two Stonechats, the first for a long time, were down by The Shunan where today there were six Common Redpoll and a large flock of 110 Fieldfares. 

Lunchtime today I got a phone call, "There's an egret near our house, in the field opposite the farm entrance." (Thanks IK.) Sure enough, and as suspected, this turned out to be the elusive Cattle Egret which allowed a brief photographic opportunity.

Cattle Egret.

But then, it was up and away. for no apparent reason