After a midday rain shower the weather perked up and, although wet underfoot, warm air and a little sun encouraged me to check a local wood and also encouraged insects to appear on top of leaves.
The only moth I encountered was the common micro:
Notocelia cynosbatella, whilst also discovering several new insects for the parish records, particularly the smart hoverfly
Leucozana Lucorum and a Red headed cardinal beetle (
Pyrochroa serraticornis) as well as the common
Cantharsis nigrans.
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| small tortosieshell larvae |
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| bittersweet |
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| yellow iris |
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| Phrochroa serraticornis |
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| Cantharis nigrans |
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| 14 spot ladybird |
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| Superb flowers of the horse chestnut |
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| Oedemera lurida |
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| cut leaved cranesbill |
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| brown house moth Hofmannophila pseudospretella |
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| cockchafer |
A load of small tortosieshell caterpillars were found on nettles and further along the track a web of micro moth larvae, an early instar on an, as yet, unidentified foodplant. Photos taken to be forwarded to those more knowledgeable about such things, i.e.county recorder, Colin Plant.
A tiny 14 spot ladybird also discovered, sheltering within the stem of a nettle whilst several flowering plants were noted. These included yellow iris, bittersweet and greater stitchwort.
From here, I headed to Hadham Hall to check on the owls. None noted at their respective tree holes. Drake Mackerel Mayfly were on the wing in their hundreds, bouncing up and down in their regular flight. 2 mute swans, grey heron and a female mallard were the only birds at the lagoon, with skylarks, linnets and yellowhammers all in fine voice. Few more weeks and some sunshine and their will be dragonflies and damselflies to record here.
Plant wise, hop trefoil was abundant and a small stand of cut leaved crane's bill was good to find.
Moth wise last night, a few regulars, bee moths, scorched carpet, flame shoulder etc but also clouded border and buttoned snout were new for the year, the latter being found on the pub wall. In all 17 moths of 10 species, with brimstone moth being the commonest with 3 specimens. A new micro was also in the trap, a brown house moth,
Hofmannophila pseudospretella and to finish with, always a splendid insect, the 1st cockchafer of the year.
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