Supermoon, moths and some birding

 Via the wonders of the internet I had watched the August Blue Supermoon rise above Delhi some fifteen (?) hours before it did so on Thanet. I'm fairly sure that there was some religious connotations involved in the Indian event, yet it was just a "full moon" here in the UK. Having kept a close eye on the weather, I knew that there would be a fair chance to obtain a few shots if the clouds stayed away. As it happens, it wasn't until gone 23.00 hrs that I finally managed to grab a few images.

It wasn't time wasted, however, as I had one eye on the Nicotiana flowers and managed to secure a few photos of the Convolvulus Hawk-moths which turned up for a feed. Because of the limitations of my equipment, the fastest shutter speed I could use was 1/400 th sec, but it certainly helped obtain the best shot thus far. 

Obviously there is the light from the MV moth trap to assist my efforts but, the real game changer, has been the acquisition of a Core work light. At full power it has 1,150 lumens available, but I choose to use it at half power (probably 600 lumens?) which still allows my camera/lens combo to auto focus on any subject I point at. I purchased the device to help with my nocturnal angling photography and, at £20, it is perfect for the task and £35 cheaper than a Ridge Monkey branded alternative! As it is not specifically designed for the angler, or photographer, there are no threaded points to attach it to a tripod or bankstick. An issue which is easily overcome with a bit of thought.

Not a photo I've taken, just a copy of a "Flea-bay" image
It might not be very "Carpie" but, who cares, it works a treat.

A few Silver Y's, Dark Swordgrass and Pearly Underwings add evidence of continued moth migration, yet it was a handful of residents which provided the bulk of my enjoyment when examining the egg trays this morning.

Orange Swift

Maple Prominent

Canary-shouldered Thorn

With a big tide, due around mid-day, at Pegwell Bay NNR. I took a drive down there to see what was about. I arrived around 10.30 hrs and already the water levels had risen to cover the bulk of the exposed mud. The Garage Pool held six Black-tailed Godwits, 70+ Redshank and a Common Sandpiper and, on arriving at my chosen viewing spot, just south of the public hide, I was able to add Kingfisher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Whimbrel, Curlew, Sandwich & Common Tern without any real effort. Three self-found year ticks were obtained in the shape of Spoonbill (2), Little Tern and a imm/female Eider. Twenty-seven Little Egrets was the highest count I've ever made at the site but, is surely just a sign of the times, not a particularly noteworthy total.