Before We Go

Moth Quiz 38
In our garden, not Melrose - and it doesn't bark
Bordered Pug 

Moth Quiz 39/40
Does it tie Romeo and Juliet together 

Friday, July 31 

In a pause from getting ready to leave for Yorkshire, I took a few photographs of the butterflies frequenting the Buddleja and Ox-eye Daisies in the wild area, at the bottom of the garden. No fairies this time.

Male Gatekeeper

Female gatekeeper

 

Ringlet on Ox-eye Daisy

Comma on Italian Alder (bought as British), last year and this year's catkins in view.

A constant dipping, rising, falling, fighting, never still, movement with very few varieties. I feel like telling them to stop wasting their energy. Pam did see a Large Skipper earlier this week.

Peacock is the most numerous.

The best moth of the week was the Dark-crimson Underwing brought in to Natural Surroundings on Tuesday by the Claydons. Trapped by a friend of theirs.

Not my photograph. A magnificent moth.

Norfolk status
Rare migrant.
Resident only in the New Forest, Hampshire.
First modern-day confirmed Norfolk record at Toftwood in 2018 (D. Norgate, 26/07/18) Found on shed by the 20W Actnic trap left in garden overnight.

Red Data Book category RDB3. It occurs as a breeding species only in the New Forest, Hampshire.

Another new insect in this morning's trap. A Phytocoris tiliae 

 

The back seat of the car is ready for the off, earlyish in the morning. The essentials. Robinson MV moth trap and Swarovski scope.

New Moth

My apologies - should be Blogger's - whatever I do, the print appears as small in the published entry. Why?

Moth Quiz 37

A coward on the beach

Yellow Shell 

Moth Quiz 38/40

In our garden, not Melrose - and it doesn't bark

Sunday, July 26

In my mind, yesterday's catch deserves an entry all of its own. We'd missed the previous first for our group, trapped by Andy, as we were still isolating. To have our own, in the garden, makes it even more special. I love the Clearwing family in particular, another joy.

Pam placed the pheromone lure on a half log on the lawn and we settled to sort out the night's traps. Luckily, Pam looked up, grabbed a net, and stole up to the log, making a first-time successful swipe. I should have videoed it. After checking its identity - Hornet Moth is very similar, it was a definite:

Lunar Hornet Moth

Lunar Hornet Moth Sesia bembeciformis

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Wingspan 32-42 mm.
One of several similar 'mimic' species, known as Clearwings, this is one of the largest, and presents a fearsome sight to the uninitiated.
Best looked for in July, as the adults emerge and rest low down on the trunks of the foodplants, sallow and willow (Salix spp.).
The eggs are laid on the bark, and the larvae burrow into the wood, feeding internally.
UK Moths 

They are to be found quite easily without a lure, if an area is known to hold them, not by us, it was a first for the UK and our garden. That makes it four species of clearwing in the garden, so far, this year.

If we catch one again, I must try to get a photo outside the pot, it was far too lively to keep, even in the fridge. I hate to see moths thrashing around in the pot as they damage their wings. One can see the scales flying. He was released, to find a genuine female we hope.

We've had several NFY this week, including Fen Wainscot

 

and, Short-cloaked Moth. which is small enough to be a micro.

 

Harvest Time

Moth Quiz 36
Whoopi's favourite colour paired with a rose shield
Purple Thorn 

Moth Quiz 37
A coward on the beach

Friday, July 24 

 

Too busy socialising this week to do any birding, unfortunately. I'd love to go to Derbyshire to see the Lammergeier, now that it's possible - with luck - to see it from a roadside, instead of having to yomp across the moors to its roosting place.

Yesterday, I had an unexpected parcel arrive. It was very heavy, and I couldn't think of anything I'd ordered. It was an early birthday present from Sara. About two kilos of Kent Cherries and a kilo of cobnuts. Two of my most favourite treats. 

Much better than some random idea. How thoughtful.

We've been eating vegetables from the garden all week. Delicious garden peas (Hurst Greenshaft), Tenderstem broccoli, Runner Beans (Wisley Magic), Dwarf Beans (Nomad) and Beetroot (Boltardy). The Runners have been decimated by a dawn-visiting Muntjac. Successfully fenced off, he has now started nibbling the beetroot. This has meant several species of Butterfly resting - feeding? - on the damaged beet. Pam photographed a Large Skipper this afternoon.

All the tomato plants are pickable too. 

Big Daddy (beefsteak), Ferline Iregular) and Sungold (cherry).

Our moth traps were heaving this morning, after a very warm night. Cold nights make a huge difference. Two NFY so far, Small Rivulet and Turnip, we still have some to identify. My Seek iPhone app identified two for us.

An open female Oak Eggar

Small Rivulet

Plus the usual mixture of Ichneumon flies

and Weevil sp.