Beer Festival

Thornton's very own beer festival was back at The Club this weekend. Highlights included cask ales such as Landlord, Adnams Broadside, Youngs, Directors and Betty Stogs. I'm not a cider drinker but there was Old Rosie on offer with a whopping 7.3% ABV.....Lots of live music and plenty of grub on offer as well. Roll on the next one.

Birds of Prey

Red Kite over Newtown Linford this morning plus Buzzard at Thurcaston and a Sparrowhawk over the A6 at Birstall...........

The Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland

Not only has Rob Fray updated his website but he's updated it with news of The Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland.

This is the singularly most important bird book since The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of British Birds by Messrs Malin, Couzens, Moss and Chandler!!!!

Trap Result 21/03/09

1 March Moth
1 Common Quaker

Orange Underwing

A successful trip to Swithland Reservoir this morning gave me 2 or 3 Orange Underwing around the birches on Kinchley Lane. They'll only be around for another couple of weeks so get your skates on if you fancy seeing one. These were in the obvious stand of birch halfway down KL by the blue railings. Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell as well. On the bird front Buzzard, Green Woodpecker and Goldeneye were also present but I didn't notice the drake Scaup that was reported on the south side.

Dorset Butterflies

Have booked accommodation this afternoon for a first time foray to Dorset in late May. Targeting several sites between Shaftesbury and Portland with hopes for Adonis Blue, Duke of Burgundy, Marsh Fritillary, Wood White, Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary and Small Blue amongst many others (fingers crossed on the weather). Accommodation will be in a nice little pub in Winterbourne Abbas, The Coach and Horses. Portland will be the centre of attention for Sunday with hopefully some migrants to be picked up. Bee-Eater, Rose Coloured Starling, Montagu's Harrier and Red Rumped Swallow the same weekend in 2008......

First day of Spring

Two Chiffchaff at lunchtime together with a solitary Small Tortoiseshell. Moth trap tonight me'thinks.

First Butterfly of 2009

A male Brimstone today at Thornton Plantation plus a second one in the garden later this afternoon.

Trap Result 14/03/09

Nil !

Ayr United Vs Raith Rovers

The mighty Honest Men travel to Kirkcaldy this weekend for a top of the table clash. After our 5-0 thumping of Stranraer last weekend lets hope for for another hatful. Both on 51 points after 26 games with Ayr hanging on to the top spot through goal difference

Trap Result 11/03/09

3 Common Quaker
March Moth

The Purple Empire

A fabulous website that I stumbled across via the excellent UK Butterfiles site. A fitting tribute to one of our most enigmatic butterflies. Check out The Purple Empire

If only to marvel at some of the historical content such as this bonkers photo of IRP Heslop

Lunchtime Ramblings

Yesterday there was a female Sparrowhawk along the river near Belgrave Gardens sending the local pigeons into chaos. The two Little Grebes that were around last week and seemingly looked quite settled obviously weren't and haven't been seen this week. Long Tailed Tits are still very much in evidence. Is it me or are they everywhere these days? I've also discovered a second Fox earth about 300 yards from the one I stumbled upon the other week. I can't see any real evidence of occupation in either of them to be honest but both look freshly dug.

Thornton Reservoir

I managed half an hour at Thornton Reservoir over the weekend before being strangely drawn into exploring the new path from the reservoir up the hill and into the beer garden at The Bricklayers Arms!! I was hoping for a Sand Martin but no such luck. 4 Gadwall were good and a dozen or so Common Gull. A very showy Nuthcatch was also at the feeder near the fishing lodge and a fine pint of Everards Tiger lay within........

Punkbirder - The Movie

Shame we've just missed the Oscars......It will be a cert next year

Leicester Young Birdwatchers Club

As many will know back in the 1980's (although it started off life in the 70's)there was an organisation that went by the above name. The club is now sadly no more but for many years was run by one Barry Raine. I have lots and lots of fond memories of the club and it gave me my first experience of Scilly, Norfolk, Spurn, Portland Bill and Dungeness. Not to mention numerous birds and introducing me to many people whom I am still good friends with now. Chris Hubbard is organising a reunion this summer (June 28th is pencilled in). This coincides with the return to the UK of former chairman of the LYBWC, Andrew Featherstone, from a retirement home somewhere in South Africa :)

If by any chance somebody reading this was a member and would like more information then please get in touch. I can be contacted at thorntonmothman@yahoo.co.uk

Patch Tick

A not entirely unexpected lunchtime patch tick today in the shape of two Little Grebe on the river near the Thurcaston Road bridge. Numerous gulls near the Pumping Station included three adult Herring Gull. A single Goldcrest and plenty of Long Tailed Tit also. Eat you heart out Urban Birder...............

Trap Result 28/02/2009

We're off.....................

Acleris cristana
Pale Brindled Beauty
Common Quaker
Clouded Drab


The micro completely threw me, thanks to Skev for the ID. Quite a smart looking thing and only first recorded in the county as recently as 2002 but turning up all over the place now. I think its the form cristalana but feel free to correct me. Please see following very poor (but actually quite good for me!!) record shot