Feathered Thorn

Only one moth over the whole of the weekend: an immaculate feathered thorn. Am planning an evening trapping at Millennium Wood this week, weather permitting.

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Another autumnal moth 28.10.11



Sprawler




November moth sp?

 Another new moth found in the trap this morning: The Sprawler moth is a typically common autumn moth in Hertfordshire. Very little else found, with crane flies filling the trap, along with several wood lice and a slug. A November moth was also discovered, one of 3 possible species, only identifiable by dissection of the genitalia. Shall pass on to an expert for this procedure. Note: previously recorded winter moth is in fact one fo these 3 species.

Red Green Carpet 26.10.11

Yet another new moth in the trap: a red green carpet. Again, an expected moth, photo to follow. Also, 2 of the November moth species. I shall need an expert to check these to identify them to specific species. Finally, another blair's shoulder knot. Whilst checking the trap a grey heron "cronked" overhead and both tawny owl and common buzzard called. A good start to the day at 6.50
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Winter moth 25.10.11

Yet another new moth for the garden list this morning. A winter moth, as unexciting in colour as the name suggests, a drab brown specimen. Also, another green brindled crescent was also presenr on a warm but damp night. 

winter moth

winter moth

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Another Merveille du Jour

Another m du j found at the trap this evening. Indeed a stunning moth. Hoping to get some really good photos of this species.

Weekend Moths 24.10.11

Here are the moths taken this weekend, a good catch after a week of nothing. This morning offered 2 green brindled crescents, a single merveille de jour and a large yellow underwing. Below are the moths found as from Friday.


An extemely late buff ermine: a county record




green brindled crescent




green brindled crescent




Blair's shoulder knot




green brindled crescent





Merveille de Jour







Hat Trick

A merveille de jour at the trap this evening, making it 3 new species in a day. Also: 2 that I have yet to identify, probably best reecording day for a long while
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And another!

A Blairs shoulder knot in the trap this morning. Another common Herts moth, but 2 new species in one day is indeed a rarity in autumn. Photos to follow
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New moth

A new moth was trapped this morning, taking the species total to 150 since June of this year. Today a green brindled crescent was found on the sheet next to my trap. A common moth for Herts.
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First new moths for October 05.10.11

A feathered thorn was found in the trap this morning, in amongst a good variety of moths. The feathered thorn is a common Hertfordshire moth, flying throughout the autumn and will certainly appear in the trap again. Another new one for the garden was a spruce carpet, again a common autumnal moth.Other species included: sallow, barred sallow, lesser yellow underwing, large yellow underwing, brimstone moth, lunar underwing and large ranunclus.

feathered thorn

dusky lemon sallow

large ranunculus

lesser yellow underwing



spruce carpet



rosy rustic

sallow

Moth Round up 04.10.11

barred sallow

blood vein

blood vein (same specimen in better light)

large ranunculus

unusual dark form of rosy rustic

After our Norfolk trip, back to the garden moth trap. The usual autumnal moths have been caught and released (lunar underwing, large yellow underwing, setaceaous hebrew character and brown spot pinion) but in amongst these have been some immaculate specimens. A blood vein on the 28th, large ranunculus (3rd) and 2 barred sallows (4th). Also, a snout taken this morning in a busy trap; over 30 moths in total of 8 species. Finally, on the 3rd, a drab grey/black form of a rosy rustic was taken. I need to find out how common this form is as little mention of it in text books.

4 days in North Norfolk

Egyptian geese with overtaking linnet

Wells beach: 01.10.11!

wheatear, Cley

fallow deer stag

greylag goose

 Just returned from a 4 day visit to North Norfolk, staying at the Dun Cow, Salthouse. A none birding break, with walks everyday with Wendy, so just camera and binoculars. Consequently only 80 species for the trip. Friday a walk from Salthouse to Sheringham along the cliffs, Saturday, in blistering heat, from Morston to Stiffkey and then bus to Wells and today a wonderful wander around Holkham Hall estate, including the extensive deer park. Highlight birds: yellow browed warbler at Kelling Quags, lapland bunting, Salthouse beach car park, lesser spotted woodpecker, Holkham Hall and short eared owl, coastguards car park at Cley this morning. Other good ones: bearded reedling, brent and pink foot geese, grey plover, wheatear and stonechat.

fishing at Cley

Weybourne Windmill

to Sheringham

male stonechat

female stonechat

steam train on Poppy line

Fire from spilt ashes from aforementioned steam train: Sheringham golf club

arty sea shot. Spot our shadows from the clifftop

seal, Sheringham beach

House Sparrow, garden of The Lobster pub

Pink foots arriving from the Arctic Circle

Distant bearded reedlings

grey lag geese

black tailed godwits plus one wigeon

black headed gull

Holkham Hall lake