another new species in the trap 11.08.11

A reasonable catch last night with: yellowshell, lesser yellow underwing, lesser broad bordered yellow underwing, mother of pearl, common wainscot, bordered straw, large yellow underwing, setaceous hebrew character, spectacle, rustic, riband wave and the new species: purple bar.

red form of common wainscot



gold triangle (previously misidentified as pyrausta purpuralis)



sickly grey heron

juvenile grey heron

lesser yellow underwing

purple bar

spectacle

I received a call this moring regarding a grey heron that had taken up residence in a large garden in Westland Green. It had been present for 3 days and appeared unwell. Upon arrival it was clear things weren't right. It was approachable and I threw a blanket over it before picking it up. It was unable to walk properly, was clearly ill and unable to fly. On closer inspection it obviously had some poisoning and was bleeding from the nostrils. I took it down the lane to a nearby wooded pond, but upon arrival it was fading fast, unable to keep its head up. I put it down and it was unable to stand. I took the decision that sadly, the best thing was to put it out of its misery, which I did swiftly.