Lizard, Cornwall pt. 4 - Thurs 14th and Fri 15th Oct

A morning's birdwatching walk via Pistil and Lizard Point marked a small change in vis-mig - in the fields above Pistil whilst still full of meadow pipit - the white wagtails had been replaced overnight by pied wagtails - and scanning through the flock, not a white wagtail was to be seen.

Pistil itself produced a small flock of 6 Greenfinch. Although the birds were assumed to be resident rather than vis-mig - for me it was a notable sight and my diary entry reads: "I can't remember the last time I saw a flock of Greenfinch? - Just lovely!".

Taking breakfast at Polpeor Cafe, we were joined by another resident species, the local House sparrows whose brazen behaviour suggested that they were well used to tit-bits from the Cafe tables.

Later that evening, a short walk to Housel Point produced grey wagtail, and several Chiffchaff.

The last moth trap of the holiday was by far the most productive - helped no end by the mild temperatures and cloud overnight. The trap was also returned to the front garden as weak southerlies brought migrant promise. We were not to be disappointed.

Angle shades

Delicate

Radford's Flame shoulder

Sorting

Gem

Lunar underwing (36)
Feathered ranunculus (11)
Black rustic (3)
Rusty dot pearl (12)
Common marbled carpet (3)
Large yellow underwing (3)
Silver Y (1)
Feathered brindle (2)
Light brown apple moth (2)
Angle shades (2)
Delicate (1)
Red-line quaker (1)
Setaceous Hebrew character (2)
Radford's Flame shoulder (1)
Double-striped pug (1)
Bloxworth snout (1)
Gem (1)

By coincidence the first migrant bird of the week had been a fem/juv type Black redstart which flew from Barnside Cottage garden to the neighbour's roof. As we said goodbye to T on the drive of Pen Cairn, a male Black redstart flew from his roof to Barnside Cottage.

Black redstart (fem/juv) Oct 9th