Andrew M Allport

Likely UK birds (mainly juveniles?) dispersing south and concentrating birds together close to the coast as a weather front/cloud/wind moved from south west.

Common Buzzards filled the sky in an amazing sight yesterday @flamboroughbird.bsky.social when early afternoon thermals filled up with raptors . You could be forgiven for thinking you were at Batumi or Tarifa. A minimum of 75 C Buzzards and 4 Red Kites, appearing and dispersing south west quickly.

Barred Warbler @flamboroughbird.bsky.social today.

This from @flamboroughbird.bsky.social Friday appears to be Agonopterix rotundella (Ashen Buff) - (subject to final confirmation) which would be the second Yorkshire record after one in 1986 (also at Flamborough!). Nationally Scarce and apparently relatively few records annually in UK. #teammoth

Excellent! The first in 2023 and then Yorkshire records just got into double figures last year in total, but I'm still waiting in my East Yorkshire garden. They are on the way.......

Red Breasted Flycatcher @flamboroughbird.bsky.social yesterday. Elusive for long periods but showed nicely a few times if you were prepared to wait. The weather system gave expectation but really didn't produce the classic day it was hoped for. Never give up....... #yorkshirebirding

Euchromius ocellea (Silver-spotted Veneer) from Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire VC61 yesterday. A smart looking micro and a rare migrant moth in Yorkshire. New to Flamborough.
@flamboroughbird.bsky.social @doublekidney.bsky.social #teammoth @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

A mild cloudy night last night with 320 moths of 45 species which is exceptional for mid-September in the garden. Driffield, East Yorkshire. This smart Choreutis pariana (Apple leaf Skeletonizer) was a nice surprise. #teammoth

Clifden Nonpareil

Moth numbers and variety way down last night. But any day with one of these is a good day. My fifth in the last three weeks in the garden, Driffield, East Yorkshire VC61. #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social

Nephopterix angustella (Spindle Knot-horn) from the garden last night, Driffield, East Yorkshire VC61. Mainly found in southern England and not particularly common anywhere but seems to be increasing records recently in some areas. It is still rare in Yorkshire. #teammoth

Yes, I think you are right. The back is not long enough for Sei. No large blow seen, just sparse weak blows. No impression of larger size. Thanks... interesting discussion!

The middle right image is the same individual and here's another similar shot. You can see the blow hole and dorsal together here. Longer backed? not sure in this image. Dorsal I agree looks good for Sei. The Minkes were definitely blowing quite a lot but still weak sparse blows.

Definitely not a stupid question. I agree it does look quite like Sei. No, couldn't rule it out. Difficult at distance. You may be right? Not sure if someone with more knowledge could tell from the images?

Up to ten Minke Whales with periodic feeding frenzies @flamboroughbird.bsky.social on Thursday included a small calf. Quite a variation in dorsal fin shape and plenty of blows as very active. The blows are usually weak and faint but seem much more visible and strong when very actively feeding.

A juvenile Caspian Gull @flamboroughbird.bsky.social today. Several different birds have been around for a month now. Seawatch today had adult Long Tailed Skua mobbing a Bonxie, 3 Roseate Tern, Black Tern + a variety of other Duck, Terns and Gulls. @rarebirder.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

A subtly smart micro from the garden last night. Ptocheuusa paupella (Pale Seedhead Moth). At 5mm you do need a lens to appreciate it. Driffield, East Yorkshire. A very local species in Yorkshire. #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social

Indeed, there's quite a few unusual (early and late) and out of season things happening recently and seems to be more every year.

Light Knot Grass to light, Driffield, East Yorkshire last night. Quite late in the year I think and has wandered quite a distance from it's favoured acid moorland/heath. Very few VC61 records.
#teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social

Silver Washed Fritillary @flamboroughbird.bsky.social today. Quite a tatty individual and presumably come some distance. A first record for the observatory area. Also 2 Clouded Yellow today at the lighthouse. Seems to have been a bit of an influx in Yorkshire recently. @bcyorkshire.bsky.social

A trio of large shearwaters today @flamboroughbird.bsky.social in a brisk northerly. A couple of Great and a single Cory's. Always nice when you can at least get a photo in context, from land, as this Great Shearwater came close for everyone to see.

A spectacular looking bird in flight @flamboroughbird.bsky.social yesterday was this Juvenile European Swallow. (Evidently with the gene mutation known as 'Brown') looking bleached white with the sun overall as it hawked the cliff edge.

Loxostege sticticalis (Mugwort Pearl) to light last night, VC61 Driffield, East Yorkshire. @migrantmothuk.bsky.social @doublekidney.bsky.social #teammoth

Oblique Carpet amongst 827 moths of 110 species last night in the garden. Mere Wainscot, Ancylosis oblitella (Saltmarsh Knot-horn), Bordered Beauty and Ptychloromoides aeriferana (Yellow Larch Tortrix) also nice to see.VC61, Driffield, East Yorkshire. #teammoth @doublekidney.bsky.social

A very warm and muggy night. 125 species and a couple of micros to confirm. Highlight was Lunar Spotted Pinion to MV light. Driffield, East Yorkshire. Very few Yorkshire records.
@doublekidney.bsky.social @bcyorkshire.bsky.social #teammoth @savebutterflies.bsky.social

Oops.....125 species so far and a few micros to do. Best was a Lunar Spotted Pinion!.....Sorry.
Driffield, East Yorkshire.

Scarce Silver Lines is relatively common but it certainly is a 'looker'. Don't see too many and was new for the garden this week, Driffield, East Yorkshire. #teammoth @bcyorkshire.bsky.social

Nice.... similarly the macro moth Butterbur is closely associated with the plant and usually doesn't stray far away. Scarce and local and August is the peak time to trap close to/by the plant if you want a chance to find it. I did have it twice well away from the plant at N Frodingham however.

Epiblema turbidana (Butterbur Root-borer) Driffield, East Yorkshire.(subject to final confirmation). Nationally Scarce and only a single Yorkshire record in 10 years. Usually closely associated with the foodplant; nearest Butterbur (plant) is a few miles away. #teammoth @bcyorkshire.bsky.social

One of two Red-tipped Clearwing from the garden yesterday. Driffield, East Yorkshire. #teammoth @bcyorkshire.bsky.social