An Eastern Bordered Straw is available for viewing at the Observatory after being caught by LOS BIRDER at Lydd-on-sea last night. There's also a couple of Light Crimson Underwings there, bringing the total to five in recent days that have been caught from the Observatory.

Brilliant moth morning Dungeness Bird Observatory with massive thanks to Dave, Jacob and also Sean sean clancy for your patience with such a novice. I am fully aware I was attracted to the ‘nice’ rather than the unusual 😲 Here’s some photos of a few niceties - more on BlueSky later.

An almost unbelievable night with the moth traps producing another four Light Crimson Underwings! Also trapped include a Striped Hawkmoth and a Scarce Black Arches amongst a few other migrants.

A bit of changeover in the moths last night included a Convolvulus Hawkmoth trapped at the Observatory and this Dark Crimson Underwing on the Point, making a change from the Light Crimson's, which have totalled 11 since the beginning of the month.

Just found this Scarce Chocolate-tip on the ceiling of the Obs dining room.

19 Black Terns flew west past the Fishing Boats between 17:00 and 18:30 today. Another Light Crimson Underwing was in the moth traps this morning, our 12th this month.

Very Sadly, we have to report that Barry Banson, long-term birder and supporter of DBOT, among others, passed away yesterday. He will be much missed.

1000 Sand Martins appeared in the recording area on the 18th, and 82 were caught, of which two were ringed elsewhere. One was ringed at Nosterfield, North Yorkshire on 29th June, as a fledged juvenile and the other came from Seaton Wetlands, Devon ringed on 22nd June as a chick.

Following Barry Banson’s wishes, there will be no funeral, but there will be a celebration of his life, details of which we will share later. RIP

Pied Flycatcher at the northern end of the Trapping Area

An adult Night Heron on the RSPB reserve, at the viewing mound by Hookers Pit found by visiting birders BirdGuides

Pectoral Sandpiper on the RSPB reserve at the ARC pit today BirdGuides

For those who would like to know, Barry Banson will be cremated tomorrow. No time but if you wish, raise a glass. Details of a celebration of his life to follow.

Yesterday's sightings are now on the blog. There was a scattering of migrants both grounded and flying over including a Grasshopper Warbler and Cuckoo: dungenessbirdobs.org.uk

A busier day in the recording area yesterday with an increase in common migrants in the area, most of which being warblers, while on the Butterfly front a minimum of eight Clouded Yellows were seen. Blog now updated: dungenessbirdobs.org.uk

Pied Flycatcher in a private garden on the Point and a Whinchat in the Desert this morning, otherwise a very quiet day so far.

A Three-humped Prominent is on view at the Observatory today, after being trapped by Bob Arnfield in the recording area last night amongst a few other migrant species. An arrival of common migrant birds into the recording area too, a Nightingale in the Moat about best so far.