Rye Cemetery is full of old conifers and it’s not unusual to find crests lurking in them. They always turn out to be Goldcrests - except today. Mid-afternoon, while recording for the new BTO/SOS winter atlas, I was amazed to find not one but two Firecrests together just by the little gate into the cremation plots at TQ 919212. Responded well to “pishing” - very tame, yellowish crowns so probably both females.
The mild night led to an increase in the number of moths caught, the majority being Large Wainscot with 21 trapped. Thirteen other species were present including Chestnut, Dark Chestnut and a late Barred Sallow. MIgrants were represented by a Pearly Underwing and two Delicate. I am not in fact sure as to whether there is a local population of Delicate as we are regularly catching them when few other migrants are present.
Highlights this morning, 2 Black-throated Diver gave good views fishing close inshore out from Crittall Hide, 24 Turnstone (pictured) were picking through the debris along the recent high tide line near the Red Roofed Hut. On Flat Beach, 36 Golden Plover were roosting, these have been irregular visitors lately.
