FRANKLINs Gull Sandown

Yesterday evening, I couldn't resist a local twitch of the Franklin's at Sandown Canoe Lake - local birder Jay Amor had found it there back on the Aug 19th - but it's routine has been to disappear for most of the day before returning. Nice rare (American gull) find! A first for the Island. Record shots....Also a Yellow-legged Gull briefly dropped in (an advanced YLG and another ringed Med Gull at Shanklin on 20th). 

The star gull - Franklin's - Sandown Canoe Lake - Aug 22nd

Advanced YLG - August 20th - Shanklin Beach

Ringed Med HL3M (ringed in Budapest Hungary) - Shanklin Beach - Aug 20th

Common gull (Juv) - Shanklin Beach - Aug 14th

Queen of Spain IOW

Today, I finally caught up with the Queen of Spain fritillaries that have been hanging around a 'west Wight' site for a couple of weeks or so (since end of July). We saw at least two together but likely a total of three have been reported. And more have since been found at other Island locations and on the mainland too. A rare migrant to the UK. They were quite active but I managed some phone camera record shots at least. Also, four HB Hawkmoths seen. Otherwise: the bright sunny warm days continue unabated with another 'heatwave' forecast.

Issoria Lathonia

Clouded Yellow - noticeably numerous this year - this one on Nansen Hill on July 30th