Brimstone and Parsnips !!

Finally, finally had my first bona fide butterfly of 2007 with a very smart male Brimstone this afternoon near Stanton Under Bardon. The other night I potted a micro which turns out to be 672 Parsnip Moth Depressaria pastinacella. New for me and the garden so very happy with that.

Scotland versus Italy this evening !! Come on Scotland the Brave !!!!

Trap Result 25/03/07

1 March Moth
1 Hebrew Character
1 Clouded Drab
4 Common Quaker
2 Small Quaker

Quakers.......

Twin Spotted Quaker this afternoon inside the village Working Mens Club. Who said that lunchtime drinking was all bad ! Ran the trap last night. Not had chance to go through it properly as running a little late so just potted everything. Did spot Hebrew Character and March Moth amongst a gaggle of Quaker sp. I'll go through them tonight and report here tomorrow - Bet you can't wait.

Rutland Water

I was hoping for a Sand Martin at Thornton Reservoir on Saturday morning but had to be content with Nuthatch and Long Tailed Tit. Later that day was this years County Moth Recorders Meeting which was, as usual, excellent. According to the statisitcs we had the best year for migrant moths in 2006, but Dave and I wondered how we had missed everything other than Silver Y !! We called in at Eyebrook Reservoir but very little there other than a few Shelduck. Quite a few Teal were present but sadly no sign of the Green Winged. Dave then suggested calling in at the Rutland Water North Arm which turned out to be a master stroke. Black Necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver were soon found (incredibly by me) and Dave found the first of two wing tagged Red Kite. Also there were a good number of Goldeneye and a fair size flock of Egyptian Gesse. Not a bad haul for a 10 minute pull in.

This weekend..........

Tomorrow is the annual Leicestershire Moth Recorders Meeting over at Rutland Water. I'm sure it will be as good as ever and it gives the Thornton contingent (me and Dave) the chance to venture east and stick our heads in at Eyebrook to see if can catch up with the Green Winged Teal. Might even manage a pint afterwards with some like minded bods !!

Another Peregrine

One this lunchtime over the M1 Jctn 22 island. Also 2 Buzzards watched form the comfort of the office window soaring over Bardon Hill. County Moth Recorders meeting this weekend over at Rutland Water. Hoping to call in at Eyebrook if the Green Winged Teal hangs around.

Peregrine

One this afternoon over Billa Barra Hill whilst I was out at lunch. Had a Buzzard nearby early this morning as well. It's like a raptor watchpoint around here at the minute !!

Quiet Weekend

Nothing really to report. Busy with the family on Saturday and rain stopped play on Sunday. Few bits and bobs on the feeder at Thornton Res but nothing more exciting than a Reed Bunting. Dave Wright did a tour on Saturday but again with little to show for it.

Green Winged Teal at Eyebrook provides a little local interest at the moment.