Comparing Dark chestnut and chestnut moths for identification purposes.



dark chestnut



chestnut

When in the field these 2 moths can be confusing to separate, with some luck you will trap ones that have good colouration and be in mint condition. They will then show the diagnostic features that separate them. Firstly, a dark chestnut. Note the stronger, darker chestnut hue, the end of wing shape and the way these are folded. Also, on good condition creatures white marks along the edge of the wings are visible. These are not found on the chestnut (below.)

Also, on the chestnut a row of curved black dots can be seen towards the end of the wings and, frequently, a dark area can be noted in the kidneyspot on the chestnut.

New moth for parish records.

2 species this morning, one being my first micro of the year and the other, a new record for my parish list

Firstly, a dark chestnut. This is new to my parish list, species number 253. This is identifiable from chestnut by the small white patches on the edge of the wings and also, frequently a darker shade of chestnut.
Secondly, a tricky micro. I believe this to be Agonopterix arenella, moth #697 but may yet be proved wrong. Photo sent to a micro expert. This moth now been identified as Agonopterix heracliana, a common moth, but still a new moth for the garden.

New moth for the year

A quick visit to check on the moth trap at 8pm gave views of this March moth, a common and abundant species found between late January and April. This one was brought inside for identification, although there really isn't anything like it at this time of the year. The triangular shape being a good indication of species. However, having warmed up, it legged it around the lounge, eventually selecting the laptop to roost on, as shown in the second photo. 5th moth species of the year

Therfield and Rye Meads

An early start found me walking around Therfield Heath near Royston just after 7a.m. Blowing hard and persistent drizzle were not pleasant, nor conducive to short eared owls and hen harriers being on the wing. So it proved, no sightings and basically not much at all on show. A few linnets, a covey of grey partridge and assorted finches and corvids were all I got + my first skylarks of the year. Year lister 110.
So, wet and cold, off to the Silver Ball transport cafe for a good breakfast and mug of coffee before a quick trip to Rye Meads.
Here, I just missed a good view of a bittern. It had been out in the open before a chap moved nearby which sent it wandering into the reeds and out of view. Duck; pochard, mallard, tufted shoveler, teal, gadwall and many black headed gulls were on show as well as 2 green sandpipers from the tern hide.

Photos here show a robin, 2 of tufted duck in bright sunlight, sleeping pochard, drake shoveler and distant green sandpipers on an island with some teal.
The green sandpipers became year lister number 111.

New moth for the year

Very quiet on the moth front with only this chestnut taken over the last few days. A common, winter moth that will be flying right through the spring. Many of them will be taken over the ensuing couple of months.

 

A report arrived today from a local resident of a barn owl seen near Bury Green last night. This will be the owl that occasionally roosts in outbuildings near the polo fields and also in trees towards Great Hadham Golf club.

Rare gull 01.02.13

A qucik visit to Amwell today after I postponed a trip to Therfield Heath due to weather that wasn't worth going chasing owls and shrikes in.
Almost immediately I caught sight, through the scope, of an aggresive gull some 400 yards away on the water. Beak, white head, sloping forehead and general demeanour made me think caspian. One had been present for several days but it normally left the roost before returning late afternoon. I pointed it out to a chap who had just arrived for whom it would be a lifer. Best get it right, I thought.
However, after about half an hour it obligingly flew in front of us and showed all features you would expect of a caspian. Still too far off for a good photo, but several here.

 

Other birds around were wigeon (100+) shoveler, and usual suspects. A wander to the next lake, Tumbling Bay, gave views of the overwintering scaup. Now getting into breeding gear and no longer the dull brown bird that it was upon arrival in late 2012.

 Finally, a wander through the alders and willows. Siskins, (below) long tailed tits and tree creepers were all about. The Caspian gull becomes year lister 109 for 2013.

 

 





Morning moths

2 moths at the trap this morning, both previously recorded this year. A pale brindled beauty (photo 1) and a spring usher (photo 2.) With the up turn in the evening temperatures recently it has been worth running the trap. As yet, no micro moth records. A few more warm days and temperate evenings should put this right.
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Amwell 27th Jan

A quick visit to Amwell earlier in the week gave views of usual suspects: grey heron, scaup, cormorant, goldeneye etc but the reported glaucous gull had already left the roost. Photos here of a vociferous great tit and song thrush.
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Therfield Heath

A wander around Therfield Heath yesterday morning was most productive. After a mile walk, where I recorded no more than robin, wood pigeon and carrion crow, I came to the Icknield Way. From a vantage point across a field I observed the over wintering great grey shrike. After only a matter of seconds it was flushed by a farm vehicle and flew directly overhead. Whilst trying to find it again I noticed a kestrel put up a 200+ flock of linnets which were immediately attacked by a swift merlin. Excellent to see. Another flock of linnets, + chaffinch and bullfinch were noted, this one at least 750 strong. Very mobile, so difficult to go through to check for corn bunting, brambling and yellowhammer. Photos show just some of this flock. I plan to return with scope for a more complete check of the area. The heath can be found just south west of Royston, with the GGS in and around TL348396. Seems, as usual for this species, prefer the uppermost branches of the hedge, so not too difficult to find if it is present.
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Village wander

A quick wander back from the town this morning, giving very few birds until the last 400 yards, where I got a year lister in the form of 4 meadow pipits feeding in the snow on the village hill and surprisingly, my first village greenfinch of the year. Apart from these, just regular tits and finches, a kestrel, corvids etc.

Year list now 105 and my village list already up to 53. Last year the annual total was 79, so looking good to beat this.
Photos:

• 2 of fieldfare
• distant meadow pipit
• looking downhill towards the village from Muggin's Wood
• redwing feeding by the River Ash