I've not had chance to go anywhere much this week except for chauffeuring E around (she's on holiday and its been her birthday so lots of meals with various friends and us!). I've been trying to plan various Surveys but running into problems over access from landowner and squares already being allocated :( I think sometimes I spend more time trying to organise these things than actually doing them!
The moth trap has been out on average around twice a week in April but am not trapping a great deal especially since the weather has gone so much colder. So just a few photos of this month's moths.
Shuttle-shaped Dart (Agrotis puta) - New for Year
I was still trapping Common Quakers (Orthosia cerasi) until mid month
Early Grey (Xylocampa areola) and Brindled Beauty (Lycia hirtaria) - Brindled Beauty was New for Year
This pug had me puzzled - I find most pug species hard to identify as they are small and never keep still as you can see from this photo. I had to email the County Recorder about my Emperor Moth cocoons (I've only had one emerge so far - a male with crumpled wings which was very sad) so I asked for confirmation of id of this particular one. Its a Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata) - New for Year.
I was really pleased to trap a Twin-spotted Quaker (Anorthoa munda) as these are rare visitors to my trap. Again New for Year.
Brindled Beauty
and the lovely Angle Shades (Phlogophora meticulosa) - New for Year
Garden Moth list now stands at 17 species for 2015.
Butterfly-wise we have had visits from Peacock and Comma and, until it went so much cooler, there were Orange Tips and Holly Blues galore plus Speckled Wood.
10 comments:
I am mum's tax most days, youngest son (17)winging for a lift on the phone while I was trying to book a appointment in the bank !!
..and I am disappointed with the lack of insects in my garden, but it has been so cold. I have seen your moths but they are still nice to see, you must have a look at JJ's Photographic nature blog (find him in my blogs I follow) he has raised and photographed a Puss Moth.
Hope to go look at my plantlife spot this weekend, have you been out?
Amanda xx
Amanda Peters - The mum's taxi thing never seems to go away even when they get older! No Bees or Butterflies around here at all for a week due to cold :( I will check out JJ's blog - thanks for the suggestion and mention of Puss Moth!
re: Plantlife plot - no haven't been there yet (might try and persuade D to go with me this weekend when he's back from Wales). I know where it is and have checked Google maps and OS map - looks like there is a public footpath on the square which is useful! Must admit I do wish I still had the square I've surveyed for last 2 years. Still it'll be good to explore a new area. Hope you get on ok with your initial visit.
Nice to see the moths, even if things have slowed down again. No Angle Shades here yet and the weather looks poor for the weekend too. Hopefully it'll warm up a little next week.
I haven't bothered with the trap for over a week now as it has been just too cold at night to make it worth the effort or wasted electricity!!! Hopefully May will see things warm up :-)
I hope you manage to sort out access for your survey works. I can't imagine why any landowner would be needlessly awkward about such studies being undertaken on their land.
Kindest regards :-)
Not that I know moths like I do butterflies (yet!), you have a nice selection and it's still early in the year. Enjoyed your informative post about Oxford too - lots of great photos of magnificent historical buildings. Sorry to double up like this with my comments but I'm trying my best to keep up!! xx
I've barely seen a moth anywhere! One light apple brown rampaging round the bathroom, that's it!
I've barely seen a moth anywhere! One light apple brown rampaging round the bathroom, that's it!
Countryside Tales - Thanks CT. Still cold (and some rain) here at weekend :( Will trap tonight as I take part in Garden Moth Scheme and you can only miss a few weeks but I am not hopeful!
David Turner - Thanks David. Yes, hopefully as May progresses it will be warmer :)
Thanks for good wishes re: survey work. I have had more positive news this morning so looking possibly more hopeful. Problem is its a sensitive site rich in biodiversity where quite a few surveys already take place so am having to be very careful about initial contact in case it jeopardises other surveys which obviously I have no wish to do!
Millymollymandy - Thanks so much :) I hope you are feeling a bit better. I find it difficult to keep up with Blogger too.
Hope you are soon in a position to learn more about moths :)
Simon Douglas Thompson - Sorry Simon for publishing your comment twice. Not much insect activity here at all in last week - too cold. Though did see a Speckled Wood in garden this morning.
Nothing about this weekend due to the horrible weather, apart form mum and dad blackbirds gathering food for their nestlings. Lovely to see your selection of moths.
SeagullSuzie - Thanks Suzie. Its really cold here too :( Good news about blackbirds - seen a female here gathering nest material and a pair of robins mating.
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