Wednesday the 29th was one of the group's 'extra' days, organised By David N. Unlike us - and distressing for me - we were a little late getting there. A tractor and trailer, followed by a fuel stop, the main causes. Barry and Ian, Scilly friends of Steve's, followed us through the gate where they'd been waiting, unaware that they could have opened it themselves ! They've been at all our sessions this week, staying at Wiveton. Barry actually shared the lft with us on the boat coming back from North Uist this year, Pam tells me......I'm hopeless, I just don't see people.
Sophie was there this time and led the opening of all three traps - chaotically. She had her back to us, writing the names down, muttering the names and passing the egg boxes in both directions. In addition, Steve and Andy were potting all the Micros so no-one saw them. A very strong, gusting wind did not help. The only new moth, in a poor overnight catch owing to the cold and wind, was a Fern. David was a happy man, it was new for him too. Very flighty, I only managed one poor photo of it on Mick's arm.
Barry and Ian are both avid photographers, Canon EOS with 100 mm macro lenses, ring flash and extenders. They posed the Pine Hawk-moth on the trunk of a pine.
A fairly quick drink for us at the cafe - we were meeting the Bridges and Neil Lawton at the White Horse in Brancaster to discuss next February's Thailand trip. Neil had brought his boat over from Scolt Head where he spends the summer working for Natural England. He seems to be very personable, knowledgeable and straight, I look forward to birding with him.
On the way home, in the rain, we diverted to Holt Country Park, where, we had been told by JB, we could find roosting Brown Long-eared bats. We found two little hunchy bodies which I attempted to photograph. The views were better after I'd edited the pics !
Thursday
Our usual weekly meeting at Cley turned out to be an open to the public one, much to everyone's surprise. About fifteen 'others' had turned up to witness the opening of a low catch. Poor overnight conditions again, Cley is usually good at this time of year, with several specialities in the reedbed trap. The highlight of the morning was a Hornet Moth, a Clearwing species, brought in by David N who had pheromone lured it, near Holt, on his way this morning. What a stunning moth, one I'd long wanted to see. I managed a few adequate photos of it in the pot.
One of the visitors was especially pushy with his small camera, he actually moved the pot with the lens and hogged the space, until Anne D intervened.
David later posted some lovely photographs on Facebook. He'd taken the Hornet back to its habitat and was able to photograph it when released.
Sophie was there this time and led the opening of all three traps - chaotically. She had her back to us, writing the names down, muttering the names and passing the egg boxes in both directions. In addition, Steve and Andy were potting all the Micros so no-one saw them. A very strong, gusting wind did not help. The only new moth, in a poor overnight catch owing to the cold and wind, was a Fern. David was a happy man, it was new for him too. Very flighty, I only managed one poor photo of it on Mick's arm.
Barry and Ian are both avid photographers, Canon EOS with 100 mm macro lenses, ring flash and extenders. They posed the Pine Hawk-moth on the trunk of a pine.
A fairly quick drink for us at the cafe - we were meeting the Bridges and Neil Lawton at the White Horse in Brancaster to discuss next February's Thailand trip. Neil had brought his boat over from Scolt Head where he spends the summer working for Natural England. He seems to be very personable, knowledgeable and straight, I look forward to birding with him.
On the way home, in the rain, we diverted to Holt Country Park, where, we had been told by JB, we could find roosting Brown Long-eared bats. We found two little hunchy bodies which I attempted to photograph. The views were better after I'd edited the pics !
Thursday
Our usual weekly meeting at Cley turned out to be an open to the public one, much to everyone's surprise. About fifteen 'others' had turned up to witness the opening of a low catch. Poor overnight conditions again, Cley is usually good at this time of year, with several specialities in the reedbed trap. The highlight of the morning was a Hornet Moth, a Clearwing species, brought in by David N who had pheromone lured it, near Holt, on his way this morning. What a stunning moth, one I'd long wanted to see. I managed a few adequate photos of it in the pot.
One of the visitors was especially pushy with his small camera, he actually moved the pot with the lens and hogged the space, until Anne D intervened.
David later posted some lovely photographs on Facebook. He'd taken the Hornet back to its habitat and was able to photograph it when released.
