Chapel Point

A family day at the beach on Saturday appealed for the odd migrant that might be hanging around but I was disappointed. Numerous Painted Lady and Red Admiral and a young lady sunbathing topless were highlights !! However, the topless bather was quickly surpassed by the aerial presence of two young Hobby, one of which had managed to take a Swallow ! Incredible stuff....

Jay and Buzzard in the garden on Monday as well.

Billa Barra Hill

Lots of migrant movement on the East Coast combinded with a glut of local Whinchat and a Redstart prompted a visit to Billa Barra Hill at lunchtime. Not exactly Walsey Hills but only around the corner from work. Despite numerous resolutions to make a visit to this local NR, I never have. What a great place though. If time allows then I will be back again and again between now and autumn. 4 Spotted Flycatcher (all seemingly adults) and Willow Tit were the highlights. The 'belt' around the hill was jam packed with Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Whitethroats and Goldcrest. Blackcaps were also noted (strangely all females) I'm sure I must have missed something during this brief visit........

Marsh Harrier

Have done little or nothing over the last few days as have been struck down by a shocking virus thing which has knocked me off my feet. Dave Wright saw a juvenile Marsh Harrier over the reservoir from his window on Wednesday evening. A quick dash and there it was. Saw it for about 10-15 minutes before it flew off south. The second that Dave and Andy have seen here but the first for me and a county tick to boot ! Then the virus hit me and have been housebound since. Oh well, maybe next week........

Trap Result 11/08/07

What a busy day/night. My little boys 2nd birthday party, my wedding anniversary and National Moth Night al on the 11th. The party and anniversary were great but yet again NMN came and went with a bit of a whimper for me. Not too bad but nothing spectacular. Highlight was probably Swallow Prominent.

Commom Carpet
4 Willow Beauty
12 Riband Wave (including 2 of the banded form)
3 Light Brown Apple Moth
8 Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing
3 Marbled Beauty
4 Gold Triangle
16 Lesser/Common Rustic
18 Large Yellow Underwing
6 Flame Shoulder
Garden Carpet
2 Gold Spot
Brown China Mark
Beautiful China Mark
Lime Speck Pug
Least Yellow Underwing
Common Wainscot
Dark Arches
Grey/Dark Dagger
Spectacle
Lesser Yellow Underwing
Brimstone
Swallow Prominent
Flame Carpet
Canary Shouldered Thorn

Woodcock

Had Woodcock doing a few laps over the garden last night. Weird !

Trap Result 04/08/07

Another cracking night. In no particular order.....

Agapeta hamana
3 Brimstone
8 Willow Beauty
Common Footman
2 Scarce Footman (new to garden)
3 Chinese Character (new to garden)
Buff Arches
8 Riband Wave
Yellow Tail (new to garden)
4 Dark Arches
Elephant Hawk Moth
Small Magpie
2 Light Brown Apple Moth
5 Large Yellow Underwing
7 Lesser Yellow Underwing
5 Lesser/Common Rustic
2 Garden Carpet
Smoky Wainscot (new to garden)
4 Lesser Broad Bordered Yellow Underwing
2 Flame Shoulder
Shuttle Shaped Dart
Gold Spot
Gold Triangle
Bright Line Brown Eye
Ruby Tiger (first ever to MV light - Regular in old actinic
Spectacle
Coxcomb Prominent
Brown House Moth
Common Wainscot
Lime Speck Pug
Uncertain
Marbled Beauty
Grey/Dark Dagger
Dusky Sallow (new to garden)
Brown China Mark (new to garden)

Also present was a member of the Yponomeuta. It is difficult to separate the adults of Yponomeuta species, even by genitalia examination. Identification is most reliable if done on the basis of larval food plant and some larval and pupal features. So in short this was one (of the many) that gets away