Dorset here we come.....

Well, the three amigos are all set for our trip down to Dorset tomorrow. The weather looks great so fingers crossed for a productive weekend. We will be at Portland on Sunday and I would like to think that I have an outside chance of connecting with probably my all time British bogey bird - Serin. As it happens neither Dave or Andy have seen one in the UK either so chances are that's the way it will stay that way!!!!

Painted Lady

Two at lunchtime today on the back of the recent massive invasion. Pretty sure I'll see a few more in Dorset this weekend!! Great Spotted Woodpecker and Bullfinch also.

Mighty Ayr United

In the last ever season at Somerset Park Ayr United FC clinched promotion to the First Division by beating Airdrie United in the play offs.

Ryan Stevenson's (above) first half goal was enough to take The Honest Men back to where they belong. Well done you boys.......

Trap Result 23/05/09

Lots of first for 2009 including Spectacle, Flame Shoulder, Elephant Hawk Moth, Rustic Shoulder Knot, Scalloped Hazel and Pale Tussock.

Brascote GP

What a site! We get a bit wader starved in Thornton but my first visit here was excellent. Two Little Stint were there but didn't hang around and flew of north after about half an hour. Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Curlew were also present as were Reed Warbler, Common Tern, Sand Martin and Grey Partridge. There for less than an hour but some excellent birding.......

Trap Result 09/05/09

Five moths and all new for 2009. Waved Umber, Peppered Moth, Common Pug, Shuttle Shaped Dart and a male Muslin.

Scarce Pug

An attractive pug moth that can be found in several locations from Humberside down into East Anglia. On August 22nd there is a one day event featuring an Introduction to Moths, by Jon Clifton, at Thornham Village Hall, Norfolk followed by a search for the larval stage of Scarce Pug. I'm going and will have a couple of spare seats should anybody fancy it. Places need to be booked and full details can be found on the Anglian Lepidopterist's Events page here

Three go mad in Dorset

Just three weeks to go before the founders members of the Thornton Insect Trust (TIT's) head down south to sunny Dorset. Myself, Dave and Andy will be targeting a couple of 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. Four Spotted on Portland would be good and who knows what their MV traps might hold on Sunday morning. Decent looking pub accommodation and a night out in Dorchester should make for a great weekend, weather permitting.......

Five moths to see before you die.......

No importantance about this at all but just wanted to illustrate the top 5 on my wish list just out of sheer looks alone. In fact if I thought about it longer I could come up with plenty more.....You may not agree with me on the last one but there's just something about it that has always floated my boat......

Oecophora bractella

Oleander Hawk-moth

Crimson Speckled

The Latin

The Saxon