Multi Moth-ing

Wednesday July 4

Waw, a moth free day - apart from the two traps we put out in the garden last night. We are part of an actively led and participated in,  moth-ing group. We meet twice weekly from March to November. Tuesdays at Natural Surroundings, Glandford for members of NS or a weekly charge. Thursdays at Cley NWT Centre, charge free. All the regulars are NWT members. 

Then there's all the 'extras', often on a Wednesday, some on Friday, others on Saturday. Some are privately organised for the group, others part of the Butterfly Conservation organisation, others by Reserves such as Holme NOA.

Yesterday, we left at 7.15 a.m. for Blo Norton and Thelnetham Mill.  Sharon (BC eastern area co-ordinator), had put four traps out overnight at a Norfolk Fen site, hoping to check the presence - or not -  of Marsh Carpet. This a countrywide BC activity checking for the status of scarce and or declining spoecies.

There were six of us present, plus the County Moth Officer, his incumbent and Sharon. We were joined by a local lady for the first hour or so. 

No Marsh Carpet. I know that negative results are also important and I wasn't disappointed  by not seeing one to-day.  Three different Thorns, Fen Wainscot, Hemp Agrimony Plume and two new micros for me were the highlights plus the first Copper Underwing of the year. Stewart is very good on micros so the identification was slick.

A small group went on to walk the Fen with Sharon, looking for day-flying moths. Several of us had other commitments and left late morning. A very enjoyable, pleasant and relaxed moth-ing session with useful discussion re ID features.

Best of all for me was the small Macro brought in by Tony, trapped at Snettisham caravan park overnight. A Four-spotted. Here's the best photo I could manage through the usual scratched pot.

The moth cannot be kept for the others as Tony is away until Friday and needs to release this scarce moth in the trapping area. 

Death's Head update

Five of the caterpillars have pupated. 

From the left, in order of pupating:

Goliath, Samson(top), Duff (bottom, the last to pupate), Castor and Pollux.

Sitting in state, having a warm water shower every few days.