Friends, Moths, and Birds

Tuesday, June 1

Jem met us in the rough car parking area of Natural Surroundings, pleased that he'd seen a Spotted Flycatcher flying about in the tall canopy of Oak trees soaring above us. We failed to do so - but I later heard it call. 

The moth catch was poor again, an improvement on previous weeks, but a mere 27 of 9 species in three traps. I was kept occupied answering the questions from two new visitors, both Butterfly enthusiasts, keen to know more about their fellow lepidoptera. They may well come again.

During the moth trap opening, two Hobby circled overhead, a Red Kite, which was out of our view, drifted by, and a family of newly fledged Robins fluttered their wings, trying to attract the attention of food bearing parents..

After an hour or so's chat over a drink, we left to meet Pauline at Cley Centre. We were able to tick off the splendid male Red-backed Shrike, which was conveniently using a nearby fence from which to hunt. Avocets and Shelduck on the reserve, plus a Skylark, added to the month list.

We then made the arranged visit to see the Dunmores in West Runton. Giles has recently had a knee replacement, forcing him to be housebound. I think that he's walking well, only three weeks after the operation. It's a long processs for the recipient though.

Our moth traps had been left in the comparitive cool of the utility room, no longer left with the doors open, as the birds, including a Pheasant, had been in to feed on the tubs of bird food at the far end. Opportune little monsters.

Best of the morning's moths was a beautiful Pine Hawkmotjh

 

Chinese Character is one of the so called Bird Dropping  macro Moths Even in a pot, one can see why.

 

Waved Umber, seen in the wild, is very well  camouflaged. One of my favourite moths.