137 Cory's Shearwater!

 

Cory's Shearwater off the Scillonian Paul Semmons 

  Just before 11.30, Paul Semmon's contacted me to let me know that there were lots of Cory's Shearwater off the Easten Isles. Robin had already seen 2 off  Deep Point, but I had to wait until gone 14.00. In twenty five minutes, in a F6-7 SW, 11 birds passed and later between 15.30 and 17.00, with Robin and Martin, only 13 were seen with 2 Sooty Shearwater. We all moved to Giant's Castle and there were joined by Higgo, Big Al and after 19.00, Ritchie. Here, some of the Cory's slowly moved west, at times, at very close range. I didn't see the Bonxie or 2 Puffin and only saw 3 of the 4 Sooties and 2 of the 4 Stormies.

Total of birds

137 CORY'S SHEARWATER
4 SOOTY SHEARWATER
1 GREAT SKUA
4 STORM PETREL
400+ MANX SHEARWATER
40+ KITTIWAKE
50+ GANNET
5 FULMAR
3 RAZORBILL   

 

Cory's Shearwater passing Deep Point Martin Goodey 

 

'I've had one more than you boy!' 

 

Manx Shearwater passing giant's Castle 

 

 Altogether, Paul got 90 Cory's Shearwater, there and back, on the Scillonian! Also, large numbers were seen off Cornwall including, Porthgwarra (800) Lands End (160+) and 125 of The Lizard.   

 

Looking out from Giant's Castle 

Monday 4th July 

  At Pelistry, there's a very long Privet Hedge that borders fields in that area. From 22.00-23.30, Martin and I spent our time catching moths coming to feed on the flowers. Altogether there were 6 species of immigrants. 

 

The Privet Hedge where the moths were feeding 

1 Small Mottled Willow
1 Diamond-backed Moth 
2 Rusty-dot Pearl 
2 Dark-sword Grass
1 Rush Veneer 
5+ Silver Y
1 Dusky Brocade  
1 Cabbage Moth 
1 Dolicharthria punctalis 
1 Mecyna asinalis 
3 Common Rustic 
3 Bright-line Brown Eye
4 Common Emerald
5+ Large Yellow Underwing 
7+ Swallowtail

 

Dolicharthria punctalis

 

Mecyna asinalis 

Small Mottled Willow 

 

My sixth Oxyptilus laetus, this time I caught at Porth Hellick Down 

  

 

Any ideas what this strange little fellow is?