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We had yellow ones in the immigrant waves, and like many others, we're getting pink ones now. Vestals were almost common in the failed silage field behind our house late summer, and I suspect they bred there. Homegrown ones being pink has been noted before: dorsetmoths.co.uk/index_mobile...

dorsetmoths.co.uk

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Brilliant atmospheric glory just right of the Wrekin, and segments of fogbow too! I wondered where the fog spread to, could just see it pouring into the Severn Valley from my vantage point (the Wrekin is just out of shot to the left)

The Severn Valley filled with fog at sunrise this morning

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Bonkers isn't it! Long may it continue!

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

...down at the pink Vestal club... 💗 Of an amazing 10 Vestals this morning, 7 were deep pinks, maybe born in the garden?! The other surprise amongst 88/23 was this apparent July Belle! In October. Unless anyone has any more autumnal suggestions?! #teammoth #salopmoths @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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Love these sorts of things: how many SBS were on the move last night for the three of us to all get one?!

Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Two county rares amongst a catch of 72/15 was a good result from a cloudy night at #salopobs. Scarce Bordered Straw and Delicate, both lovely moths and immaculate #teammoth #salopmoths @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Scarce Bordered Straw, such a smart moth

Beaded Chestnut, one of 13 this morning, outnumbered only by the 38 Lunar Underwings

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

October getting into its stride at #salopobs. More #nocmig Common Scoters and the first Merveille du Jour last night, then a gorgeous 50spp morning including the first push of 2,580 #vismig Woodpigeons, raptors, Skylarks, Mipits, buntings... #loveautumn #ukbirding ebird.org/checklist/S3...

Dawn from the obs looking over the Severn Valley to the Wrekin

Merveille du Jour. Probably the best moth, or at least the most marvellous

Woodpigeons heading SW, a bit earlier than usual

Some of the 1,590 Lesser Black-backed Gulls that headed west out of roost this morning

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Yes, been a good autumn for Light Emerald here too

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Reposted by Tom Lowe

Matthew Halstead @csmaff.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

A night that keeps on giving! #LongMyndHike #LongMynd #ChurchStretton #Shropshire Would love to have been taking these with @saloplarus.bsky.social !

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

After such a beautifully clear day, tonight's sky is unsurprisingly magical. So many stars (but still no Redwings). Thanks as ever to @csmaff.bsky.social for the inspiration to step outside and #lookup

The Milky Way over the wood from the front field. Stunning

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Think you were too quick for the plane, unless it was flying backwards?! 🤔 😉

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Looking forward to it! Have fun

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Fourth garden Clouded Yellow this autumn/year/ever this afternoon, a Wheatear on nextdoor's roof, and a few hirundines still trickling south #loveautumn #salopobs #ukbirding

Clouded Yellow taking off from a dandelion

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Definitely a Mandarin, can see her little white mask there

The shape of the white belly, the mottled flanks, dark underwing and hint of white on the face all point to female Mandarin

Lots on the move at the moment, eg 192 south at Snettisham on Sunday morning!

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Happy days! Glad you had a good birthday. What's next?!

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Corn Bunting has become more and more regular at #salopobs over the last few years, but this morning's flock of 14 doubled the previous high #ukbirding

3 Corn Buntings in the very top of the Ash tree

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Reposted by Tom Lowe

Cellular Tracking Technologies @celltracktech.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A Northern Waterthrush tagged in Cape May, NJ left after sunset on Sep 11. Two weeks later it was over Colombia! Jamaica -> Colombia included ~800 km of open Caribbean. 3,082 km so far! @birdscanada.bsky.social @originalstu.bsky.social #MotusWTS #BirdMigration #ornithology @nature.org

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

19 records last year, singles before that. But records, not individuals as long-stayers get recorded every night

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Third garden record of Clouded Yellow this afternoon, all this month but this was the only one to sit still. Morning #vismig produced 474 Mipits and 2 Swallows #loveautumn #salopobs #ukbirding

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Tom Lowe @saloplarus.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

First one is a second winter with that pale bill, marbled tertials ans messy coverts. Nice bird though

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Same here, infrequent in normal years, but I've had up to 6 a night since the solar eclipse. Warm nights around then they could be found in the garden, and several feeding amongst a plethora of Common Wainscots on buddleia and grass flowerheads in the adjacent field by torchlight. Locally bred now?!

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Lovely lunar halo out there tonight, first one I've seen for a long time #loveautumn #moon

The waxing Moon shining through a veil of high cirrus cloud, creating an optical effect known as a 22 degree lunar halo

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How old are you?!! Edwardian?

They're such cool little moths!

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