After finishing work this morning, I headed down to Portland in Dorset for the afternoon, where Martin Cade, the Bird Observatory Warden, had trapped six Red-headed Chestnut moths over the last couple of nights and kindly saved a few for me to see.
Red-headed Chestnut
The Red-headed Chestnut is a scarce migrant to Britain, originating in mainland Europe, where it occurs across central and southern Europe. Most British records come from the south and south-east of England, although it has turned up further inland and occasionally much further north. It's mainly recorded during October and November and remains an uncommon moth in Britain, so it's always a good species to come across.
After a brew and taking some photos of these scarce moths, I headed down to the Bill Lighthouse, where I got cracking views of a Snow Bunting. It wasn't at all bothered by my presence and showed really well.
Other birds of note included a Northern Wheatear and good numbers of Pied Wagtails and Rock Pipits.
Northern Wheatear
Pied Wagtail
Rock Pipit
By the time I left Portland, the sun was going down after another successful afternoon of birding and mothing on the island.
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