The Best Hobby

Moth Quiz 13 
Adam's Apple 

Swallow Prominent

Moth Quiz 14

Is this mustelid the fittest in winter 

Sunday, May 17

Our birds are still feeding very well but only one fledgling, a Blackbird, seen so far. Kind friends have offered to get the bird food for us, they do so frequently as they also use Van Der in Briston and live nearby. Pam spent Friday directing Adrian in the garden, so we went out for a drive with a purpose yesterday, to Van Der's for bird food. Their stock is of very good quality and value for money. e.g a 20K bag of sunflower kernels from a local garden centre was £34.99, Van Der's price is £21. When we arrived, there were two other cars parked, their occupants chatting at a distance. We waited until they left before Pam donned mask and gloves and went into the small shop to make the order. 

Driving home via Cley, we pulled in to Iron Road, hoping to see some waders on the distant pools. Whilst scoping, Sand Martins speeding through, a larger bird made a brief appe4arance. Peregrine, called Pam. I picked up my binoculars to follow the bird as it flew towards Babcock and we both said, 'Hobby' at the same time. Lovely.

A sole Mute Swan on Salthouse Duck Pond, no sign of the family we saw last week. On Tuesday, we stopped to view the far field. Whilst I was scoping, Pam noticed both adult swans and 5 cygnets appearing from the willows at the eastern end of the pool. The little flotilla immediately crossed to the near verge and hugging the side as though protecting the young from view, made for the relatively open bit near the icecream van parking spot. Never a good view for me, but I opened the door and managed one photo of the pen and some of the young whilst the protective cob hissed at me. 

I couldn't resist taking photos of the fluffy, newly emerged cygnets.

Moth-ing is still slow, most catches containing single species, meaning low numbers and a higher percentage of species. Theories are being put forward that this may be due to the effects of this winter's weather. Many things are attributable to the weather!

We are still getting species new for 2020 most mornings. Yesterday it was an Eyed Hawkmoth which was very reluctant to show its 'eyes', even when gently poked. One paint brush poke too many and it flew away. The Hawkmoths are usually very tolerant. 

Heart and Dart and Marbled Brown were also additions. 

This morning, we added Rivulet,

and a new micro, Acleris Literana, Lichen Button. The Norfolk Moth website records only 1 of this species on its  'Flying in May' page. Described as scarce.

and Orange Footman.

So easy to overlook the beauty of 'common' birds. The humble Mallard drake.