New moth for 2012 11.06.12

A grey or dark dagger on the very wet sheet this morning. First for the year. These species are visually identical, different caterpillar but insect can only be id'd by genitalia dissection. Also in trap; common carpet, rustic shoulder knot, buff ermine, turnip moth, common swift, minor sp and brown rustic. From the top: grey/dark dagger, brown rustic and buff ermine

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Hadham Hall wander 10.06.12

After finding no new moths in the trap I went off for a walk arounld Hadham Hall. Highlight bird were yellow wagtail and a distant red kite. Regular finches and buntings present along with 4 tufted duck. Several 4 spotted chasers were on the wing as well as common blue and azure damselflies. No red ones yet. Plenty of small whites also flying and feeding on plants. A squirrel sat in a tree eating a bread roll and 3 moorhen chicks were on the moat. Photos:
Yellow wagtail
Moorhen chick
Picnicing squirrel
Red kite x 2
Moorhen
Bee orchids.
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moth species 199! 08.06.12

Again, a variety of moths including green carpet, buff tip, poplar hawkmoth, treble lines, rustic shoulder knot and common swifts in the extremely soggy trap this morning. However, the highlight was a clouded brindle. A common enough moth, but species 199 for the garden and parish list. Surely crack the double century this weekend. Hopefully will not get stuck on this number in the same way I have been marooned on 99 bird species since March 2010!! 2 photos here, showing how flash photography can hide important identification features.

2 new moths for the garden 07.06.12

2 new moths for the garden list now identifed from the catch last night. Firstly a small square spot and secondly a small clouded brindle. This takes the garden total to 198. Double century this weekend, perhaps?
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More moths 07.06.12

A variety of moths last night, with several still to identify. Ones already sorted as follows:

• pale shouldered brocade
• spectacle
• fan foot (new for 2012)
• white ermine
• marbled minor
• flame shoulder
• flame (new for garden)
• common swift
• shoulder striped wainscot
• light emerald
• brown rustic
• uncertain (new for 2012)
• Also, a brown house moth for the micro list

light emerald






The Flame






uncertain

Rye Meads visit. 06.06.12

Midday visit to RSPB Rye Meads gave good views of the usual residents, including a pair of kingfishers. Waterfowl in the shape of pochard, tufted duck and gadwall as well as little and great crested grebe, common tern showed well. Every bush seemed to hold a blackcap and at least 5 cettis warblers were in good voice. Also, a brimstone butterfly and fine briar roses added to the colour and sound of the reserve. A garden warbler sang near the Draper Hide and reed warblers scratched their tune from the reeds. Photo of kingfisher, briar rose, brimstone, tufted duck, pochard, common tern and gadwall shown here.
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Weeting Heath

An early start, leaving home at 4.15 and picking Gary up meant we were at the Norfolk Nature Reserve before 5.30. A close treecreeper was our first bird followed by coal tit, chiffchaff and goldcrest. The gates were locked so we hopped over the fence, heading for the east hide. No stone curlew, just plenty of rabbits and corvids. A cuckoo called in the distance. After a few minutes in the west hide Gary called a stone curlew, gave directions and lost it. However, another was immediately found, giving good but distant views. We then headed along the forest walk, seeing not much more than a few local dunnocks, finches, tits and a commmon buzzard. A quick journey home meant Gary was back home by 8.30, ready for a days work. Only worthwhile photo was this, of a female roe deer, who had a fawn in toe. Thanks to Gary for the shot of a very distant stone curlew, both camera and scope on full magnification
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Moths 06.06.12

A few moths in the trap this morning, including marbled minor (2nd photo) and a treble lines (top), both shown here. Also, several common swift, 1 white ermine, 1 buff ermine and 3 silver y's. A very faded green carpet also shown
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Hadham Hall wander 05.06.12

A pleasant wander around various parish sites today, totalling over 25sp of birds, with highlights being barn owl at its usual roost near Hadham Hall, 2 yellow wagtails and a pair of grey partridge near the lagoon as well as plenty of yellowhammers and reed buntings.
However, the main find was a patch where 14 bee orchids were in flower. Not a common plant around the parish, this being only the 3rd site I have discovered. Azure and blue tailed damsels were present in the grass around the small pond. Photos from top:
Bee orchid
Kestrel
Reed bunting
Azure damselfly
Chaffinch ( feeding on huge staszh of peanuts?)
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New moth for garden 02.06.12

A reasonable catch last night in perpetual drizzle. A small angle shades was a new addition to the garden list whilst a silver ground carpet was new for the year. Yesterday a brown rustic was a new noe for the garden, as shown below. Photos:
Small angle shades
Silver ground carpet
Brown rustic
A pair of pale tussocks
Brimstone, close up.
Scalloped hazel
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