Suffering from the mothless Winter

So yeah, Winter is more or less here, with some places having their first frost last night (not me though, being on the south coast).

Anyhow, signs of Winter are amongst us now; leafless tree (mostly blown of from winds), dark really early, lack of moth traps, first winter thrushes about, blackcaps in the garden, and firework night finished..

So yeah, that leaves us moth-ers 2 choices, either sort our moth stuff out, sending in records ect, or birding. I will try and do both, pleased with the mixed flock in the garden yesterday morning - Long-tailed, Great & Blue Tits, Chiffchaffs, Dunnocks, Blackbirds (including one black-billed form), &, of course, the Blackcap. So yeah, Chiffchaffs still about, but here on the south coast, I'm pretty sure some stay all winter long.

Anyway, the biggest surprise came this morning, from my neighbour. He arrived at my door and there, in his hands, was a new moth for me. The fantastic Death's-head Hawk-moth! I think I went into shock, stood there with shaking hands with my cup of tea. Wow. Just wow.

So I have finally seen the Atropos, cheers to that!