A Recce

 Wednesday August 4

We've never been to Carlton Marshes. Not even when the American Bittern was there for some time. Friends advised us that it was not suitable for me in that the distance was great, and the paths very muddy. This week, I read that a boardwalk had been installed. 

Our SatNav informed us that there was a 6 mile tailback queue on the A47, did we want to divert. Yes we did. The resulting diversion - not all of it the SarNav's fault -  led us to a tour of parts of Yarmouth and Lowestoft we'd never seen before. Interesting. 

Carlton marshes is a Suffolk nature reserve on the southern side of Lowestoft. The extensive car park was full, one space left in the disabled area for us. The air rang loud with the sound of children yelling, screaming and crying. Great. The play area was adjacent to the car park and the shortest trail. Pam went into the impressive centre to collect a map, and to do some research. I watched the wild flower filled verge in front of me. where several small white butterflies, hoverflies and bees fed. An unidentifiable Dragonfly made two passes.

After hearing what Pam had to say, I decided not to walk, but encouraged Pam to do so.  She returned happy, as she'd seen a Water Vole. We must return on a weekday when schools are open.

The return of cool and unsettled weather with frequent clear nights has seen moth numbers and species fall. We have still added some nice moths to the garden year list.

A neighbour had an Old Lady moth on Tuesday, we are pleased to get one a year as they are a local  only species. 

Oak Eggar. This is a female. Large and with non feathered antennae . She's a beauty. I was hoping that she'd lay some eggs for us to rear, she looked fecund. No luck.

 

The Herald. A moth which overwinters in numbers in caves, old bunkers, mines, anywhere dark. 

 

 

Yellow Shell.