New moths last day of May

Another fine selection of moths early this morning, with poplar hawkmoth, shoulder striped wainscot, cinnabar and buff ermine all being new moths for the year. Cinnabar made a successful bid for freedom as soon as I opened the trap, so no photo. Shown here:
Poplar hawkmoth
Shoulder striped wainscot
White (on left) and buff ermine. Note shape, size and background colour differences
Immaculate example of white ermine.
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New 2012 bird for parish

A brief walk around Hadham Hall gave good, if distant views of a solitary yellow wagtail. This bird constitutes the 2nd parish record and 1st spring record. A good find. In all 28 species observed, including goldcrest, 3 heron and 2 tufted duck on lagoon.
Common blue damsels were everywhere, with several shots here + a teneral azure damselfly face on.
Goldfinch
Teneral azure dragonfly,
Common blue damselfly
Yellow wagtail (distant and with heat haze)
View of the Hall from the east
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More new moths

A possible 2 new moths for the garden this morning in the form of treble lines moth and shears. Also new for the year was a splendid peppered moth, always a striking individual. Numerous silver y moths in and around the trap at 11pm last night, only 7 remaining at 6 a.m. One micro also id'd, Eudonia mercurella, a common garden pyralid.
Photos:
Peppered moth
Treble lines
Shears
Eudonia mercurella
Beetle awaiting id ( with parasitic mites)

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More moths

A good selection of common moths including willow beauty, eyed hawkmoth, knot grass and heart and dart being new for the year. All will be taken on many future occasions.
Photos:
Eyed hawkmoth
Knot grass
Pale tussock
White ermine
Willow beauty
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Amwell, damselflies and a dead bat

Spent a while on the Dragonfly trail at Amwell NR. Common blue, blue tailed and azure damsels and 2 male emperor draonflies. A pair of Egyptian geese seemed out of place on the River Lea whilst warblers were more expected: chiffchaff, blackcap, cetti's and whitethroat were all heard. No willow warblers was a surprise.
Photos:
Azure damselfly
Female common blue
Blue tailed
Jay
Chiffchaff
Egyptian goose
Orange tip on larval foodplant; jack in the hedge (allaria petiolata)
Garden escape rose
Dead long eared bat.
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New moths and bird walk

Four new specuies for the year this morning. Photos from the top show;
Setaceous hebrew character
Scalloped hazel
Shuttle shaped dart
Lychnis. Other photos from the walk show hare in long grass, chaffinch, small heath butterfly and flowering horse chestnut. Finally, a picture of the garden.
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Sunday morning

Late to the trap this morning so many may have escaped. However, over 10 common swifts, brimstones, common, white spotted and grey pugs and 3 rustic shoulder knots. Two shown here to highlight the variable nature of the colouring.
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Moths 26.05.12

A good haul of moths last night with white ermine, swallow prominent, chinese character, bright line brown eye being new for the year whilst common and grey pug were new to the garden list. In all 27 species. Photos of:
Swallow prominent
White ermine
Chinese character
Bright line brown eye
White spotted pug
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Damselflies

A brief wander around Hadham Hall ponds gave views of common blue, azure, emerald and blue tailed damselfies but no dragonflies. The latter may well have been present but not on the wing due to the strong breeze. Linnets, reed buntings and yellowhammers were noted as swallows, swifts and house martins fed over the adjacent fields. Few photos of common blue damsels, the 3rd photo showing a teneral specimen ( newly emerged)
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Moths 25.05.12

More and more activity at the trap with new for garden and new for year moths being a daily occurence. Photos here of new ones:
Grey pug
Rustic shoulder knot
Bee moth
Buff tip
Cockchafer beetle
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