Mystic Meg...

Right, I have my crystal ball out now.

If there isn't a Two barred Crossbill in Northumberland as I write this, I'll put my arse in Fenwicks window...

That's technical term that clairvoyants use. They're rough.

Irony is, there are usually Crossbills around our place at this time, but this year? Not a clip-clip-chip to be heard...yet.

Moth Night 2013

Moth traps into the distance...

Moth Night is not strictly correct, as last nights session was two-part event.

On Saturday night, Alan Fairclough, John Rutter and myself set up 2x 125w MV Robinsons, 1x 160w blended Skinner and a 15w actinic Skinner trap, in a line along the western edge of Howick Village Green. The weather was good, dull and mild with little breeze and hopes were high. On the night a total of 19 guests attended from 9pm - midnight, then on Sunday 23 guests attended from 8.30am until the moths were done.

My partner, Jane, played a blinder providing apple cake, chocolate cream cake, and teas, coffees and hot chocolate for all attendees. In the morning, they were treated to freshly cooked cheese scones for brekkie!

Every one seemed to enjoy the event, more so the beginners who have not seen a moth trap in operation before. I hope some might be inspired to have a go.

Many thanks to all who participated in making it such an enjoyable event.

The final tally is as follows -

Taxa
Coleophora species (Coleophora sp.) 1
0216 Cork Moth (Nemapogon cloacella) 1
0246 Tinea semifulvella 1

Cherry Fruit Moth

0420 Cherry Fruit Moth (Argyresthia pruniella) 1
0424 Bird-cherry Ermine (Yponomeuta evonymella) 5
0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 22
0644 Borkhausenia fuscescens 1
0658 Carcina quercana 2
0688 Agonopterix heracliana 1

Agonopterix angelicella

0713 Agonopterix angelicella 2
0792 Mirificarma mulinella 1
0873 Blastobasis adustella 16
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
0886 Mompha ochraceella 2

Limnaecia phragmitella

0898 Limnaecia phragmitella 2
0937 Agapeta hamana 1
0970 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana) 1
0972 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana) 1
1021 Flax Tortrix (Cnephasia asseclana) 4
1076 Celypha lacunana 2
1126 Ancylis badiana 12
1205 Bud Moth (Spilonota ocellana) 1
1304 Agriphila straminella 3
1305 Agriphila tristella 24
1316 Catoptria falsella 3
1334 Scoparia ambigualis 6
1388 Udea lutealis 45
1390 Udea prunalis 1 NEW
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 12
1454 Dioryctria abietella 1
1551 Green-veined White (Pieris napi) 2
1653 Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) 1
1702 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata) 14
1713 Riband Wave [non-banded form] (Idaea aversata ab. remutata) 3
1722 Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata) 1
1728 Garden Carpet (Xanthorhoe fluctuata) 1
1732 Shaded Broad-bar (Scotopteryx chenopodiata) 7
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 1
1759 Small Phoenix (Ecliptopera silaceata) 1
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 3
1765 Barred Yellow (Cidaria fulvata) 2
1777 July Highflyer (Hydriomena furcata) 6
1802 Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) 6
1803 Small Rivulet (Perizoma alchemillata) 5

Barred Rivulet

1804 Barred Rivulet (Perizoma bifaciata) 1
1834 Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata) 1
1837 Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata) 1
1838 Tawny Speckled Pug (Eupithecia icterata) 3
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 2
1917 Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria) 2
1962 Barred Red (Hylaea fasciaria) 2
2007 Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula) 1

Buff Footman

2049 Buff Footman (Eilema depressa) 1
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 2
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 155
2109 Lesser Yellow Underwing (Noctua comes) 7
2110 Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua fimbriata) 2
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 57
2112 Least Yellow Underwing (Noctua interjecta) 11
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 1
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 5
2130 Dotted Clay (Xestia baja) 18
2133 Six-striped Rustic (Xestia sexstrigata) 14
2134 Square-spot Rustic (Xestia xanthographa) 11
2136 Gothic (Naenia typica) 1
2176 Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis) 2
2193 Clay (Mythimna ferrago) 1
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) 16

Sallow

2274 Sallow (Xanthia icteritia) 1
2318 Dun-bar (Cosmia trapezina) 2
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 22
2335 Slender Brindle (Apamea scolopacina) 4
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.) 1
2342 Rosy Minor (Mesoligia literosa) 6
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 27
2353 Flounced Rustic (Luperina testacea) 7
2360x Ear Moth agg. (Amphipoea oculea agg.) 3
2361 Rosy Rustic (Hydraecia micacea) 5
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) 1
2441 Silver Y (Autographa gamma) 7
2443 Plain Golden Y (Autographa jota) 2
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 2
2489 Fan-foot (Zanclognatha tarsipennalis) 2

639 Moths of 82 species.

National Moth Night 2013

Garden Tiger - one of the Moth Night target species

Hello all, 

National Moth Night takes place this year from 8th - 10th August. This is where mothing sessions are arranged for anyone who has an interest to attend, to see how its done and basically meet a few moths. Its ideal for anyone hoping to get into moths to ask a few questions and for local residents who may have seen the bright glow from our house to see what its all about...

So, I'm am inviting anyone interested  to attend a couple of open sessions at  

Howick Village Hall, Howick Village, Alnwick, just down the road

from Howick Hall....

Saturday night 10th August 2013 from 9pm until midnight.

Meet at the Village Hall 9pm sharp. The traps will be in operation, and weather permitting there should be some moths attracted, and maybe some bats too.

Sunday morning 11th August 2013 from 8.30am until 10.30am

Come and see the traps emptied, the catch recorded and (hopefully) identified. There should be some opportunity to get some photos of the catch if you wish.

Feel free to come to one or both. There will be tea and coffee available with biscuits. As we will be using the Village Hall electrics, donations of £1 per head would be gratefully received.

All guests should bring a torch, and suitable clothing for outdoors, Children must be accompanied by an adult, sorry no pets. 

In the event that the weather forecast is for torrential rain ( drizzle is ok) or blowing a gale ( a light breeze is ok) please contact me. 

   

Stewart Sexton, Howick 

The Bulls of the Tankervilles

On Wednesday afternoon, as reported last week, I had a thoroughly enjoyable visit to Chillingham Castle and to see the Wild Cattle. This was from a kind invite from Northumberland Tourism to press, TV, bloggers any others who work with the public to come and have a look around for ourselves, and, if we enjoyed it, to get the word out to our readers.

Well, this was my first visit in to this spot in deepest North Northumberland. Previously I had considered the Chillingham Cattle to be 'just farm animals' and a bit of a gimmick, but now after hearing their story from the very personable and learned warden, I have changed my mind.

Firstly about 20 of us spent 45 minutes on a whistle stop tour of Sir Humphry Wakefields castle renovation, where we saw an eclectic ( eccentric maybe, interesting definitely) collection of historical artefacts accumulated by generations of Sir Humphry's family, ranging from Himalayan Buddist Horn Pipes to fibre glass 'stone' fire places from the film set of 'Elizabeth' starring Cate Blanchett and on to devices of torture in a basement chamber.

This whole area reeks of history, from a time of turbulence when the Border Rievers would raid over into Northumberland.A talk in the Haunted room upstairs, didnt give away any ghostly secrets, but I wouldn't want to be here in the dark, that's for sure!

From the castle it was down to the 800 yr old parkland where a herd of 101 Chillingham cattle have remained free from the hand of man and from evolution since the park closure in the 13th century. Oringinally owned by Lord Tankerville and family, the beast, are completely untouched and are now the most inbred mammals on the planet. This is not what it seems though, there are no mutant deformed animals, the opposite in fact is true, they are disease resistant clones, originally kept for hunting and meat, now kept as a living reminder of a time when wolves and boar roamed these lands.

From a safe distance of around 40 yards they happily went about their business, pretty much like a deer herd rather than the cows we know today.

The wardens here are both excellent speakers, but the history of the cattle was the most enthralling for me. I left with a feeling that I had been privileged to meet up with the animals whose genes go back as far as the wild wood. They had a definite aura about them.

Anyway, I now feel that I can recommend a visit to locals and visitors alike. See if you get the same vibes as I did...

All in all an excellent trip out.

The formal gardens

Sir Humphry's rooms.

The Cattle

Torture Chamber  to get informnation from captured rievers)

Bull calling to another to stay away from his cows.

This bull has a new injury from fighting that may end up being his downfall...

For further information please check out - 

1. Chillingham Castle: www.chillingham-castle.com
2. Chillingham Wild Cattle: www.chillinghamwildcattle.com
3. For visitor information: www.visitnorthumberland.com

Out of sight, out of mind...

On a hot and sunny Saturday in July, you dont really expect to be seeing new county birds, so a bit of gardening and sitting outside was the order of the day. At lunchtime, I quick glance at Twitter and I saw that Jack Bucknall was punching the air at seeing a summer plumaged Spotted Sandpiper, just down to road from me at Foxton Bends, Alnmouth! A nice bird, thinks I, but didnt even think of it being a county tick until I arrived on site and it was suggested by Bob Dack, Of course it is, the only other one in our area was just over the border at Derwent Reservoir several years ago - bonus.

The bird was showing well quite close in on the riverside mud with two Common Sands and two Greenshank. It was in nice spotty breeding plumage, as have been the other few I've seen, quite unusually.

So alls well that ends well, but it might have been nice to get a text off someone.

[Full on whinge deleted]

Ho hum...

Spotted Sandpiper field scribble.

Northumberland List 330.

No Moths, Cows instead!

Well what a turn up. Apparently thanks to my blogging exploits, I am now considered 'PRESS' and have been invited to a special viewing of the Chillingham Wild Cattle!

Now, despite being a Northumbrian born and bred, I have never seen these, so was very pleased to accept their kind offer of a guided trip after the park closes. I'll update with some pics afterwards.

No more Moths..

Right heres the thing. Moths are clogging me up, so they're going back to The Orthosia Enthusiast. 
That way I can just post the catches and pics, and leave the real wildlife to From the Notebook...

Done.

Its a record!

A massive record catch for me here all crammed into one Robinson Trap...
Plum Tortrix and Bordered Pug were both new for the garden and there were a few year ticks as well...

Bordered Pug

Taxa
0014 Ghost Moth (Hepialus humuli) 1
0015 Orange Swift (Hepialus sylvina) 1 NFY
0246 Tinea semifulvella 2
0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 6
0647 Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) 2
0724 Metzneria lappella 3
0873 Blastobasis adustella 1
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
0886 Mompha ochraceella 19
0905 Blastodacna hellerella 1 NFY
0937 Agapeta hamana 1
0945 Aethes cnicana 5
0946 Aethes rubigana 1
0970 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana) 4
0972 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis heparana) 1 NFY
0994 Clepsis consimilana 1
1020 Grey Tortrix (Cnephasia stephensiana) 2
1021 Flax Tortrix (Cnephasia asseclana) 2
1076 Celypha lacunana 2
1082 Plum Tortrix (Hedya pruniana) 2 NFG
1201 Eucosma cana 2
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 3
1302 Crambus perlella 1
1304 Agriphila straminella 91
1305 Agriphila tristella 18
1316 Catoptria falsella 14
1332 Scoparia subfusca 1
1333 Scoparia pyralella 4
1334 Scoparia ambigualis 8
1336 Eudonia pallida 1
1338 Dipleurina lacustrata 4
1376 Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata) 4
1388 Udea lutealis 1
1392 Udea olivalis 3
1405 Mother of Pearl (Pleuroptya ruralis) 4
1428 Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) 2
1640 Drinker (Euthrix potatoria) 3
1653 Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) 6
1665 Grass Emerald (Pseudoterpna pruinata) 1 NFY
1702 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata) 4
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 3
1713 Riband Wave [non-banded form] (Idaea aversata ab. remutata) 6
1722 Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata) 1
1727 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata) 1
1734 July Belle (Scotopteryx luridata) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 2
1758 Barred Straw (Eulithis pyraliata) 34
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 1
1765 Barred Yellow (Cidaria fulvata) 3
1768 Grey Pine Carpet (Thera obeliscata) 1
1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 4
1802 Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) 4
1803 Small Rivulet (Perizoma alchemillata) 11
1808 Sandy Carpet (Perizoma flavofasciata) 21
1809 Twin-spot Carpet (Perizoma didymata) 3
1817 Foxglove Pug (Eupithecia pulchellata) 2
1819 Mottled Pug (Eupithecia exiguata) 1
1830 Wormwood Pug (Eupithecia absinthiata) 1
1832 Currant Pug (Eupithecia assimilata) 1
1837 Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata) 3
1839 Bordered Pug (Eupithecia succenturiata) 1 NFG
1848 Ash Pug (Eupithecia innotata f. fraxinata) 1
1860 Green Pug (Pasiphila rectangulata) 2
1862 Double-striped Pug (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata) 2
1884 Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata) 1 NFY
1887 Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata) 1
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 1
1922 Swallow-tailed Moth (Ourapteryx sambucaria) 2
1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) 1
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) 11
1941 Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata) 8
1961 Light Emerald (Campaea margaritata) 12
1962 Barred Red (Hylaea fasciaria) 1
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 1
2000 Iron Prominent (Notodonta dromedarius) 1
2007 Swallow Prominent (Pheosia tremula) 1
2038 Muslin Footman (Nudaria mundana) 1
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 21
2057 Garden Tiger (Arctia caja) 12
2089 Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 10
2098 Flame (Axylia putris) 6
2102 Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta) 7
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 14
2111 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing (Noctua janthe) 6
2118 True Lover's Knot (Lycophotia porphyrea) 2
2120 Ingrailed Clay (Diarsia mendica) 1
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 3
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 21
2130 Dotted Clay (Xestia baja) 10
2133 Six-striped Rustic (Xestia sexstrigata) 3
2154 Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae) 2
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea) 10
2173 Lychnis (Hadena bicruris) 3
2176 Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis) 3
2193 Clay (Mythimna ferrago) 16
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) 67
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens) 6
2284x Dark Dagger / Grey Dagger (Acronicta tridens/psi) 1
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 7
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 19
2322 Light Arches (Apamea lithoxylaea) 1
2326 Clouded-bordered Brindle (Apamea crenata) 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.) 16
2340 Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula) 8
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 7
2345 Small Dotted Buff (Photedes minima) 5
2382 Rustic (Hoplodrina blanda) 5
2387 Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus) 1
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) 36
2440 Lempke's Gold Spot (Plusia putnami) 1
2442 Beautiful Golden Y (Autographa pulchrina) 9
2443 Plain Golden Y (Autographa jota) 15
2444 Gold Spangle (Autographa bractea) 1
2450 Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita) 5
2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis) 14
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 54
2489 Fan-foot (Zanclognatha tarsipennalis) 2

816 Moths of 117 sp

Seawatching...

I wandered down to the coast path for an hours look at the sea at 5pm tonight.

Flat calm, it was quiet with only a few birds loafing about, Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills mainly with other common seabirds thrown in.

After about half an hour things began to pick up and Manx Shearwaters began trickling through. I ended up with 62 of those, plus a nice adult Pomarine Skua, with tail spoons, going north, a dark Arctic Skua south, 11 Common Scoter N, Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns...

A Porpoise and 3 Grey Seals fished close in too...

No sign of the 'brown' one...yet.

Newbies....

Another couple of garden firsts...

Green Arches

Eudonia pallida

The garden mothing is excellent at the minute with the good weather. It looks set to continue for the next few days at least with overcast skies and 15 degrees overnight til Weds, so maybe there will be more to come.

I think the thermals must  lift moths high in the air on warm days then as it cools they can drop anywhere, so theres a chance of species from different habitats...fingers crossed.

Birthday...

The 15th July 2006 I started this blog...here

A few things have changed on here in the last seven years thats for sure...since I moved to Howick in 2009 I have branched out from birding, as many of my friends keep reminding me, into all things natural. This isnt the big change that some people think, I have always been a naturalist rather than a birder right from childhood, but most people know me through birding, thats all.

I can recommend it to anyone, especially those who grumble about summer doldrums between migration seasons. These days I never have a quiet day out, there is always something to go in the notebook.There is a whole lot of wildlife out there to look for yet....

Who knows, I might do another seven years...or maybe I'll get the itch and think it time to change.

Corn Spurrey

No time for birding....

Twin spot Carpet, never seen one of this form before.

Clouded Brindle, scarce in the county, not even annual and new for me.

Double Dart, another new macro for the garden.

Biggest catch so far and unlikely to be beaten but who knows....

Some nice moths including my first Double Darts, Pinion streaked Snout 19 Garden Tigers, July Belle etc

Taxa
0018 Map-winged Swift (Hepialus fusconebulosa) 5
0018 Map-winged Swift (Hepialus fusconebulosa f. gallicus) 1
0385 Anthophila fabriciana 3 NFY Netted
0464 Diamond-back Moth (Plutella xylostella) 3
0874 Blastobasis lacticolella 1
0886 Mompha ochraceella 5
0970 Barred Fruit-tree Tortrix (Pandemis cerasana) 3
1021 Flax Tortrix (Cnephasia asseclana) 2
1076 Celypha lacunana 2
1083 Marbled Orchard Tortrix (Hedya nubiferana) 1
1174 Epiblema cynosbatella 1
1201 Eucosma cana 1
1293 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella) 13
1302 Crambus perlella 1 NFY
1304 Agriphila straminella 1
1316 Catoptria falsella 2 NFY
1332 Scoparia subfusca 1
1333 Scoparia pyralella 11
1334 Scoparia ambigualis 1
1338 Dipleurina lacustrata 1
1356 Garden Pebble (Evergestis forficalis) 1
1376 Small Magpie (Eurrhypara hortulata) 2
1392 Udea olivalis 2
1428 Bee Moth (Aphomia sociella) 2
1483 Phycitodes binaevella 1
1640 Drinker (Euthrix potatoria) 7
1653 Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) 1
1702 Small Fan-footed Wave (Idaea biselata) 1 NFY
1708 Single-dotted Wave (Idaea dimidiata) 1
1713 Riband Wave [non-banded form] (Idaea aversata ab. remutata) 1
1722 Flame Carpet (Xanthorhoe designata) 1
1727 Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata) 18
1734 July Belle (Scotopteryx luridata) 1
1738 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) 4
1758 Barred Straw (Eulithis pyraliata) 24
1764 Common Marbled Carpet (Chloroclysta truncata) 1
1776 Green Carpet (Colostygia pectinataria) 10
1802 Rivulet (Perizoma affinitata) 5
1803 Small Rivulet (Perizoma alchemillata) 5
1808 Sandy Carpet (Perizoma flavofasciata) 3
1809 Twin-spot Carpet (Perizoma didymata) 2 NFY
1817 Foxglove Pug (Eupithecia pulchellata) 2
1827 Freyer's Pug (Eupithecia intricata) 1
1832 Currant Pug (Eupithecia assimilata) 1 NFY
1834 Common Pug (Eupithecia vulgata) 1
1837 Grey Pug (Eupithecia subfuscata) 3
1848 Ash Pug (Eupithecia innotata f. fraxinata) 1
1887 Clouded Border (Lomaspilis marginata) 1
1894 Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata) 1
1906 Brimstone Moth (Opisthograptis luteolata) 1
1931 Peppered Moth (Biston betularia) 2
1937 Willow Beauty (Peribatodes rhomboidaria) 1 NFY
1941 Mottled Beauty (Alcis repandata) 4
1981 Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) 4
1994 Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) 1
2008 Coxcomb Prominent (Ptilodon capucina) 2
2050 Common Footman (Eilema lurideola) 2
2057 Garden Tiger (Arctia caja) 19
2060 White Ermine (Spilosoma lubricipeda) 5
2061 Buff Ermine (Spilosoma luteum) 1
2089 Heart and Dart (Agrotis exclamationis) 2
2098 Flame (Axylia putris) 11
2102 Flame Shoulder (Ochropleura plecta) 3
2107 Large Yellow Underwing (Noctua pronuba) 2
2114 Double Dart (Graphiphora augur) 2 NEW
2118 True Lover's Knot (Lycophotia porphyrea) 1
2123 Small Square-spot (Diarsia rubi) 7
2128 Double Square-spot (Xestia triangulum) 18
2130 Dotted Clay (Xestia baja) 1
2154 Cabbage Moth (Mamestra brassicae) 1
2158 Pale-shouldered Brocade (Lacanobia thalassina) 1
2160 Bright-line Brown-eye (Lacanobia oleracea) 6
2173 Lychnis (Hadena bicruris) 2
2176 Antler Moth (Cerapteryx graminis) 3 NFY
2193 Clay (Mythimna ferrago) 3
2198 Smoky Wainscot (Mythimna impura) 15
2199 Common Wainscot (Mythimna pallens) 4
2293 Marbled Beauty (Cryphia domestica) 8
2302 Brown Rustic (Rusina ferruginea) 1
2321 Dark Arches (Apamea monoglypha) 5
2326 Clouded-bordered Brindle (Apamea crenata) 2
2334 Rustic Shoulder-knot (Apamea sordens) 1
2337x Marbled Minor agg. (Oligia strigilis agg.) 14
2340 Middle-barred Minor (Oligia fasciuncula) 25
2343x Common Rustic agg. (Mesapamea secalis agg.) 1
2382 Rustic (Hoplodrina blanda) 3
2387 Mottled Rustic (Caradrina morpheus) 1
2434 Burnished Brass (Diachrysia chrysitis) 12
2440 Lempke's Gold Spot (Plusia putnami gracilis) 1
2442 Beautiful Golden Y (Autographa pulchrina) 11
2443 Plain Golden Y (Autographa jota) 7
2444 Gold Spangle (Autographa bractea) 1
2450 Spectacle (Abrostola tripartita) 5
2474 Straw Dot (Rivula sericealis) 2
2477 Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) 48
2484 Pinion-streaked Snout (Schrankia costaestrigalis) 1 NFY
2489 Fan-foot (Zanclognatha tarsipennalis) 1

428 Moths of 96 sp

Photos can help...

..to review older records of natural history sightings.

In 2008 we went to Cornwall in September. I blogged about our trip here and recorded a new species for my fish list - Ballan Wrasse. I have just fluked a discovery that my identification is wrong and the fish illustrated is in fact Corkwing Wrasse, a much better result!

I still haven't caught a Ballan, though, but this is a much more likely species to catch up here than the Corkwing....

Without the photo's this fish would have just remained incorrectly identified. Great combo the digi camera and t'internet...

24 years....gone.

Ian Fisher called me today with the news that a Bridled Tern was on Inner Farne.

Northumberland has had a few records of this mega from tropical oceans, and each time one turns up I get a  panic on. Not because I am dying to see it and add it to my list, oh no, the exact opposite in fact - I'm gutted in case other county listers add it to their lists!

The reason is, that Bridled Tern is about the only massive 'blocker' I have on my Northumberland list that a lot of county birders are still missing. I was lucky enough to see the bird in '88 at Hauxley, then almost a year on, to the day, jammed in on it again at the exact same spot in '89. On the 12th and 16th July respectively.

But, now, after 24 years, my blocker has finally been unblocked and all of those who wanted it, sailed over to the Farnes this evening and got great views near the boat landing.

Oh well, congratulations to the lads who have waited a third of a lifetime for a twitchable one, I'm glad you finally caught up with it.

(Now what will I talk about when I'm pissed? Bastard! :)

Catalonia...#7

Its ok, the end is nigh...

On our last day we drove the roads in the foothills of Llierca between Tortella and Montagut, then up the valley to Sadernes. Could we go out with a bang?

The river at Montagut we excellent with a bonus Red rumped Swallow with some House Martins having a drink.

Western Demoiselle

Conehead Mantis eating a Small White

Violet Carpenter Bee, bigger than Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

As if those weird and wonderful insects weren't enough, up at the monastery at Sadernes, the fanale came into view - a Two-tailed Pasha gliding around the small trees in the gardens. What a stunner too...

I said my camera wasnt up to it...the butterfly never landed once...

Oh well a superb end to a superb trip.

Catalonia...#6

On one day we had a trip to the coast along to the Cap de Creus, but the weather was poor with strong cool northerlies, so not much was seen apart from a few Sardinian Warblers. A detour to a small pond near Aiguamolls de L'Emporda was much better with 4 Rollers, 2 Great White Egrets, 40+ Cattle Egrets, 3+ Bee-eater, Purple Heron, 5+ White Storks and Hobby all seen well.

Roller

Heading back inland up to Maia de Montcal and Beuda more butterflies were seen, plus a couple of Griffon Vultures.

Spotted Fritillary, male.

Back at Crespia both White and Orange Featherlegs were seen, strange looking damsels with broadened legs -

White Featherlegs

Catalonia...#5

Our next accommodation was a family run B n B near Crespia. It was very remote, down a gravel track. The silence was only broken by the sound of Woodlarks, Golden Orioles, Bee-eaters, Hoopoes, Quail, Corn Buntings, Nightjars all in song. Amazing...

The bird highlight of our week was one morning when we were treated to a close fly by, by a pale phase Eleonora's Falcon, lit up in the morning sun. Great views in the bins but my little bridge camera just isnt up to it...

3 pairs of Woodchats with in sight of our BnB.

Tufted Mallow (top) and Mallow Skippers

False Ilex Hairstreak

Great banded Grayling

Swallowtail

Two new Dragonflies for us were Large and Small Pincertails -

Large Pincertail

Small Pincertail

Catalonia...#4

A large lake at Banyoles was a little disappointing after the excitement in the upland meadows, but witha bit of work a few things were found...

Estany de Banyoles

Best birds here were Black Kite and 3 Great Reed Warblers. Odonata were represented by Red viened Darter, Norfolk Hawker, Lesser Emperor and Copper Demoiselle.

Copper Demoiselle

Short-tailed Blue

A tiny Short tailed Blue butterfly was egg laying on a vetch near the trackside where Weaver's Fritillary put in an appearance for the list...

Weaver's Fritillary

Catalonia ...#3

Besalu

A Booted Eagle gave great views at Besalu early one morning. The river was full of carp and chub, maybe what the eagle was looking at, as it seemed to lift from near the bank side.

One of my most wanted butterflies landed near us in a car park here..

Nettle-tree Butterfly

A wooded stop looking over a road bridge gave us great views of 6+ Spanish Purple Hairstreaks, with a family party of Western Bonelli's Warblers nearby for good measure...

Spanish Purple Hairstreak

Catalonia...#2

Meadows above the village of Oix

A tiny mountain village called Oix ( pronounced how?) was superb for butterflies. There were stony tracks on a south facing slope with too much to take in really...

Meadow Fritillary

Osiris Blue on Sainfoin, its food plant.

Clouded (top) and Berger's Clouded Yellows.

Cleopatra was abundant with up to 6 on a plant.

Provence Chalkhill Blue

Sloe Hairstreak

Spanish Gatekeeper

Knapweed Fritillary

Red Underwing Skipper