Common Quakers
GMS Week 2
There were 4 moths in the moth trap this morning - 3 Common Quakers and a Hebrew Character. I've made a much better start to this year's mothing than in the previous two years. In 2011 I didn't trap my first moths until 18th March and in 2010 I only caught two moths all March - two Common Quakers on the 21st of the month.
Common Quaker
Hebrew Character - so named because of the black markings which are shaped like the Hebrew letter Nun.
Summary of Moths Trapped Friday, 9th March 2012
6.00 p.m. until dawn
Minimum temperature 6.3 degrees centigrade
15w Actinic Skinner Trap
2187 Common Quaker (Orthosia cerasi) x 3
2190 Hebrew Character (Orthosia gothica) x 1
Moths species for 2012 = 7
Garden Update
Finally, managed to catch a glimpse of a frog in the pond this morning - hoping for some frogspawn soon! A long-tailed tit has been collecting feathers from the lawn so it looks as though they are building a nest in a nearby garden. The wren is still roosting in the hanging basket and I am wondering if it is planning on building a nest there again as I have seen it enter the basket several times during the day.
I had a wander around the garden today trying out the macro lens again as more and more spring flowers are appearing
Viola - I know I take a lot of pictures of violas and pansies but I just love their little "faces"
A cyclamen flower - I bought several plants from Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens recently to go in the wooded area at the top of the garden.
Primroses - although I have lost two out of three of the original clumps another 3 have appeared nearby
Cowslip
Primula
The camelias are starting to flower - we have watched a grey squirrel picking these flowers in the garden next door - I'm not sure if it eats the whole flower or is after the nectar!
The two lungwort plants I bought last year have survived the winter
Lichens- I have got two FSC id guides to lichens and one of these days I will get round to having a go at identifying some of them!
I really love lichens on trees as it adds a lot of character. I work next week Sunday at our Butterfly Pavillion in the morning. I can tell you anything you want to know about butterflies and the Lunar Moth:)....and maybe Sphinx Moth:) but the smaller they get, the more clueless I become. I like that you know your moths because I'm learning things...which for me is good:) Not much sticks up in my head anymore. I'm having one of those days today...I don't want to do anything but stay in the house! But I have a garden to attend to and yet......:)
ReplyDeleteWorking at the Butterfly Pavilion sounds real fun Chris. Have to say my moth id skills are not brilliant :D and I have massive problems with the really small moths!
ReplyDeleteHope you've had a good day - sometimes its good just to relax and do little but I know you have a lot to do in the gardens where you live. I am sure one day off wouldn't hurt!
Hope things are working out ok with the owl at school btw.
Lovely spring flowers! The viola has an especially pretty "face".
ReplyDeleteI have noticed moths flying here over the past week, since the rise in temperature. Moth ID is not one of my strong points but they are beautiful, with their subtle patterns and soft colours.I saw my first Brimstone butterfly of 2012 yesterday.
Many thanks Dartford Warbler - glad you liked the spring flowers. Its lovely to start seeing some colour in the garden.
ReplyDeleteMust admit I still find moth id a challenge!!! Although I am getting better - I used to spend hours trying to id some of the noctuids (the lbj's of the moth world!).
Well done on the Brimstone - am still awaiting my first butterfly sighting of the year.
It is so good to see the colours in your garden, the Viola is stunning.
ReplyDeleteI can identify just three moths...
Oh dear!! I just wrote one of my rather rambling comments, lost the connection and lost the lot just as I was about to hit the publish button :-( I'll try again!
ReplyDeleteI am not too hot on moth id despite owning the so called moth 'bible', it's fun trying though :-) I am looking forward to the micro book being published soon also.
Lovely photos of your garden blooms. Primroses are my favourite wild flower and I too have them in my garden, my Cowslips are not out yet though.
I have also just enjoyed your Packwood post, a lovely place to visit. I went some years ago and particularly remember the Yews.
I was very sorry to read of the plight of your Mum and that of your Mum-in-Law too. Such a difficult time for you all I know...
Toffeeapple - thank you and glad you like the viola. I think I could identify about 3 moths until I started moth trapping! It was a very steep learning curve (and still is!) :D.
ReplyDeleteShy Songbird - sorry you lost your first comment - its happened to me before now!
The moth "bible" is useful but I only have the concise version - one of these days I will save up for the more expensive one. I only started looking at the micros as well as the macros last year and, as you say, the micro id guide is much looked forward to!
Glad you enjoyed the Packwood post - the yews are pretty stunning. May stop off one day soon just to get a few pics of the daffodils - I drove past the other day and they were coming into flower.
Many thanks your your kind comments about my mum and mother-in-law. I have been very touched by everyone's kind thoughts and best wishes.