Still moving along

Normal service resumed today with the ubiquitous Willow Beauty and Riband Wave plus another three moths for the garden list this morning, two micros and Brimstone.
A Song Thrush was singing well albeit distantly and was the first I've noticed here plus a Willow Warbler, also a first, and finally an overflying Bullfinch.

Pandemis corylana

A first !! A Riband Wave-less trap

Another insomniac night laying in bed from 3am waiting for enough light to unload the trap and a pretty dismal catch after all that. Too dim to check things and with so few specimens I potted and fridged the lot and went back to bed with a cuppa to wait for a bit more light. Lots of mixed gulls were heading inland silently but too little light to pick up any Meds with the naked eye.

Despite the worst catch in weeks still two NFGs, The Snout(rather worn) and a Straw Dot plus this nice Peppered  Moth, considerably whiter than the previous few I've had. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called and undulated between the taller trees.

Later at Pulborough five or more Green Sandpipers, Volucella bombylans(the first I've seen for some weeks) and this Grass Snake and Adder curled up together.

Waiting for rain

The rain chart showed rain arriving soon after first light and they were spot on with the perspex just showing first spots of rain as I started to unload the trap. A Black Arches(NFG) was sat on the fence and an Early Thorn was perched butterfly-like on the conservatory brickwork. Thanfully the local Blackbirds and Robins don't come into the garden so even this thorn will get away with this obvious posture.

A few of the usual suspects including this Coronet also included anothe NFG in the form of this Pebble Prominent.

Two Early Thorns, one below, a Mother of Pearl and a Rosy Footman were new along with one currently unidentified micro.

A gaggle of Starlings were noisily inspecting the conservatory guttering but I still haven't noticed any tendency for any local birds to be attracted to the trap.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling from the A3 trees.

Ton-up for Moths

Four new species this morning with Short-cloaked Moth being number 100.
Several Pebble Hooktips were all fresh (as below).



QECP was very busy but cafe was empty and being the weekend, having been up since 05:45 and gone out without breakfast, a treat in the form of half a fry-up was very welcome, especially with the temperature being so comfortable.

A quick walk produced little other than Red Admirals and skippers and plenty of in-flower umbellifer with many flies, probably Phaonia pallida, taking advantage of a nectar supply.

Explored Hazleton Common which looked good for inverts and plants. Kestrel and Green Woodpecker were the best of the birds. Plenty of Common Darters and Azure Damselflies around the two small ponds and this posing male Broad-bodied Chaser. Also Southern Hawker on the way back.

Blashford 20

Another six new moth species this morning although two were micro-genus-only, Pebble Hooktip probably the pick of the bunch. As yesterday a Buzzard came low over the house eastwards and again chased by corvids at 06:30, presumably moving away from a roost site; a single Med Gull headed inland.

A few moths at Blashford and lots of people pond dipping and meadow sweeping etc. A Kingfisher seen and heard a few times, 40+ Egyptian Geese, single Common Sandpiper and a juvenile Peregrine stirring up the gulls and terns.

Two highlights were the Red Arrows heading east for Americas Cup display from Tern Hide and thanks to Bob's exact directions a Bee Wolf heading into its burrow with a Bee slung underneath; sadly it didn't pose for a photo nor reappear whilst I waited.

Lunch with sis

Up early as usual and a  very low Buzzard flapped off eastwards chased by a crow. Three new micros and Lackey plus yet another Elephant Hawkmoth.

Picked up Kate and went over to Titchfield where the tide was in and a light onshore breeze made it very comfortable after the last few days. Plenty of people enjoying the water although a Husky on a paddleboard with its owners seemed less impressed!!

A couple of coffees followed by a stroll up the canal path where a variety of butterflies, notably White Admiral and a few dragons, best being numerous Banded Demoiselles. Pretty little birdlife other than Chiffchaffs still singing. About a dozen Sand Martins headed offshore and the air was typically ringing with the piping of Oystercatchers and noisy Common Terns. A single Mediterranean Gull flew over.

Finished with lunch and headed back before afternoon traffic started to build.

Duty day

Five new for garden moths, Scarce Silver Lines being the best looking, plus some outstanding micros awaiting IDs.

Surprisingly grey and windy til lunchtime and then another hot afternoon.
Five Green Sandpipers were the best of the birds, in fact virtually no passerines other than hirundines, about 30 of three species.

As yesterday quite a few Red Admirals, three new looking Peacocks and a single Marbled White.

Odonata were the pick of the day with 12 species although Southern Hawker was missing.

A Grey morning

Well not really as it was incredibly bright and sunny and windless at 6am - another scorcher on the way. However, both Grey Heron and Grey Wagtail flew over. NFGs of Ruby Tiger and Small Magpie, a nice Leopard Moth and usual bits and bobs, rather less than I was expecting after two nights ago.

The temperature started to rocket but despite this I decided to pop over to Iping for the HIWWT walk which was, perhaps unsurprisingly, only attended by me!!
John and I did an anticlockwise walk with little other than Yellowhammer and Stonechat singing and calling respectively. A few Silver-studded Blue, all pretty shot, and a few Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers. Lots of bees and parasitic wasps/ichneumons aĺthough just too hot to do much with them.

On my own on the Stedham side two visitors had photographed Heath Tiger Beetle on the south side and a Silver-washed Fritilliary flew by but best of all a Mottled Beefly perched up although not interested in posing much. Some Ruby-tailed Wasp species were similarly uncooperative.

Giving up in the heat, QECP seemed a fair bet on the way home  for a cuppa and cake. Whilst sitting outside, shaded by trees, a White Admiral and a Silver-washed Frit were buzzing around and later, considerably more Red Admirals in total than any other day this year. Small/Essex Skippers probably outnumbered all other butterflies and a couple more SWFs flew by. Marbled Whites were numerous in the grassy area and finally a female Sparrohawk soared overhead

                                                     

Back to normal last night (in Pompey) with a minimal count - just Lime-speck Pug, LUY(2), Ruby Tiger, Buff Ermine, Red-barred Tortrix. A Tree-lichen Beauty was confusing and presumably uncommon.

A big surprise when starting to unload the trap this morning was this female  Volucella zonaria which was active (in a sluggish way) at 06:15.

A little later a Meliscaeva auricollis appeared. Rather more moths in terms of numbers and variety than previously, perhaps not unsurprising given the hot, sticky and still conditions ovenight. Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker were both vocal and a few unidentified hirundines headed south.

Very sweaty early afternoon conditions produced a blizzard of flying ants and 20+ screaming Swifts almost too high to see with the naked eye.

HIWWT walk at Finchdean

St Hubert's Church Idsworth

http://www.hampshire-history.com/st-huberts-church-idsworth/

Some new moths from the trap this morning, notably Scarlet Tiger, Garden Carpet, Sycamore,  Buff Footman, Anania coronata and Buff Arches although the latter was a corpse in a spider's web! Flyover Yellowhammer and Bullfinch were surprising 'garden' ticks.

The walk from Finchdean was a short anticlockwise stroll although extended by a diversion due to closed footpaths. Sparrowhawk over the car park, a few Buzzards, Green Woodpecker, some heard only Marsh Tits were about the only notable birds. A Roe Deer buck bounced through the crops and was the only mammal. Other members of the group noted down plants but that's beyond me!

Insect wise just a few butterflies, bonking beetles and  Myathropa florea on the hoverfly front plus many longhorn beetles ( Rutpela maculata) on umbellifers.

By the end of the walk it was stifling so a pint of Doombar at the George in company of a couple from S'oton was definitely order of the day!!      

Can this summer get any worse?

Not expecting much from last night's trap and not disappointed (!) with just one Large Yellow Underwing.

Bought a few more plants for the garden and went up to QECP.

The weather was solidly grey, none too warm but only a light breeze. The only obvious insects were Rhagonycha fulva and Episyrphus balteatus mostly on umbellifers with one or two Pammene aurana (micromoth) and a few Meadow Browns and Red Admirals disturbed from long grass. Bees barely in double figures, no wasps and only one sheltering Ichneumon.

This hover, Scaeva pyrastri, was easily the best of the day.

Not a peep from any Firecrests.

Titchfield

Arrived just before opening and started with butty and coffee whilst chatting to Mark and Grant who'd already been there a few hours, mostly along the canal path. East path closed so all time spent on the other side where a Kingfisher was glimpsed and heard near Darter's Dip along with Emperor and Four-spotted Chaser and Common Darter.

Water levels are still high so no mud for waders; Common Sand, two LRP, two Dunlin, 30+ Avocet, 70+ Black-tailed Godwit and 75+ Common Terns.

Not much in the way of insects but Four-barred Major (Oxycera rara) was a nice find and this longhorn beetle (Rutpela maculata) posed well.

A coffee at Mud Island and picked up a couple of plants.

On the way back 15+ Med Gulls were flushed up by a low flying helicopter near the top of Portsdown.

Nice sunrise

One side benefit of running a moth trap is being up at first light, especially this morning which was bright, sunny and still. Even in this urban area there is stil a smattering of bird songs and calls and, at this hour, little traffic noise.

This September Thorn was the best and new along with Rustic/Uncertain, Common Rustic agg and Clay. Otherwise just Buff Ermines and Double-striped Pugs plus two common micros and one ID outstanding. For the first time in ten sessions no Heart and Dart.

The afternoon was allocated to a Butterfly walk with other volunteers at Pulborough. On the journey a Kestrel was perched up on roadside wires near Rogate were there always appears to be one or two and a good showing of roadside Common Spotted Orchids. On arrival, and whilst waiting for everyone to assemble, a female Emperor dragonfly was ovipositing on reception pond surrounded by a school-party pond-dipping.

http://www.discoverwildlife.com/british-wildlife/how-does-caterpillar-turn-butterfly

After setting off the first netted and potted butterfly was an Essex Skipper, a season's first for many of us. A short, sharp shower got us sheltering before heading down the zigzag where more butterflies and this very nice Chrysotoxum verralli.

Along the new path a big surprise was a hot sunny spell and a daylight active Barn Owl! Very nice.

Further on, the sea of Yorkshire Fog looks nicer than it really is, engulfing pretty much everything else. A Six-spot Burnett was netted for a closer look. Raising a corrugated sheet produced two Grass Snakes, one adult and one youngster. Further along the path Carey and I had a nice encounter with a Bank Vole being chased towards us by a Chiffchaff with several others alarm-calling. We then realised the vole was being hunted by a Weasel which showed well. The vole came towards us and sat just inches from my foot before barrelling down the path and up to the rest of the group. The Weasel was far more wary and despite obviously wanting to continue the chase was dissuaded by our presence. The Chiffies kept alarm calling.

A final stiff shower got us all wet and the day ended with a short classroom session putting things into context.

The last piece of chocolate cake was washed down with a coffee before heading home where a couple of Egyptian Geese were grazing between the road and Benbow Pond.

The roadside verges and roundabout near junction two have been mowed but a large area is still intact with many Pyramidal Orchids.

This morning's unidentified Eudonia micro had been assigned to lacustrata via Facebook when I signed on.

Overslept and, as a result, the early morning rain had started and the trap was slightly wet but still dry inside. Three hawkmoths were nice but Swallow-tailed Moth, Coronet and July Highflier were new.

At Blashford a few more moths notably Scarce Merveille du jour and Eyed Hawkmoth.

Plenty of Swifts, House Martins, Sand Martins and a fair few juvenile Common Terns plus Kingfisher and LRP both heard-only. A circling Sparrowhawk appeared twice overhead setting the Swallows and House Martins a-twittering.

Tawny Longhorn Beetle

Little on offer

Another silly o'clock start with a Grey Heron, presumably the same individual as a few days back slipping overhead silently. Once again thin pickings in the trap with a couple of different caddisflies ( have to admit  I assumed they were moths!!). A Rush Veneer was new. Just Dark Arches, Riband Wave, Buff-tip, Clouded Border, Small Blood-vein, Buff Ermine, Heart and Dart, Green Pugs and one or two other micros which escaped the trap. A tatty Mottled Beauty was new.

Placing the trap in front of a fence panel seems to do better in retaining some moths resting on it, rather than elsewhere on the garden.

That time of year again..

From yesterday.

Duty, BBQ and moths

A late start at PB today with the evening's BBQ in mind. A fairly slow meander around produced little although Small Skippers and Brown Hawkers were new for the year and the very dainty hover Bacchia elongata was nice to see although virtually impossible to photograph. Lesser Whitethroats and Garden Warblers were still singing and the recently regular Marsh Harrier was seen by others. The North Brooks are drying fast; Redshank, Common and Green Sandpipers and a couple of LRPs. Back at base caught up briefly with Pete Hughes although distracted by the bee man trying to discourage a good number from entering the building around the education area and office.

Pete W and I had a cuppa on the tea terrace, made by Lucy (and thank you too!!),  had a Sparrowhawk zip through flushing all the doves and starlings and photographed this robberfly, Machimus atricapillus.

We took a stroll to Hail's View where an incredibly confiding Roe Deer buck watched us go by. On return it was still there and I assumed it was injured but it did eventually stand and bound off a little; it seemed to move OK, wasn't lame or carrying any obvious injury. Sadly the camera was in the car!!

Some moths and cold drinks kept us entertained prior to a short and informative briefing; if only everyone who visited the reserve could understand how much goes on behind the scenes - truly amazing.

As always the BBQ went well, the food was really nice and it was good to catch up with  other volunteers, some I hadn't seen since the last BBQ!!

It was forecast overcast, mild, dry and windless so I put the moth trap out.
With about eighteen street lights in direct sight of the garden I'm amazed it catches anything. Up early to check, and again very little, but another Elephant Hawk Moth and first Leopard Moth were good although outclassed by this super Privet Hawkmoth.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew over silently whilst having a post-trap cuppa and I could hear a Grey Heron calling but probably best of all was a Hedgehog, the first (live or dead) I've seen in ages. Hopefully it will return and thin out the slugs and snails.

Syrphing time at QECP

Leucozona laternaria

Syrphus ribesii

Home

Just a couple of Common Footman and Small Blood-vein new for the trap and a Plume awaiting ID. As thought this was Common Plume.
If only all moths were as relaxed as LYU.

Large Yellow Underwing

Butser and QECP

Pretty rubbish weather although perfect for the guys flying model gliders on Butser. I'm guessing the pilot of the real thing wasn't looking to land in this field especially so close to power pylons; hopefully no injuries.

All the Common Spotted and Bee Orchids now gone over; a couple of Pyramidals at QECP were small but fresh and plenty of this Viper's Bugloss in the drier, sunny areas.

A pair of Kestrel were hunting and taking food back, so I'm guessing a nest site nearby. Still Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and Whitethroats singing but  I'm assuming the food supply for Med Gulls is over as I didn't see any here or en route.
Rather like this-:

I am the skylark researcher.
I am keening my ears for them,
eyeing people in the street,
asking ‘Do you believe in skylarks?’

Nobody has seen one.
They look at me as if I’ve spoken
an exiled word.
I worry that skylarks have been expelled,
become dissident birds.

I try to pretend they are simply out
of fashion, like Shelley,
but secretly I am afraid
they have been hushed up...
by Diane Hendry

Still gazillions of Small Heath plus plenty of Meadow Brown and a few Large Skippers in the scrubby edges. The arrival of the sun encouraged a number of Marbled Whites out and two Dark Green Fritillaries which never stop, although even if inclined to, were constantly chased by other butterflies - not sure why they are so unpopular!!

Two Ravens, always nice to see and hear, were pushed northwards by crows.

The Swallows nesting in the outbuildings are still taking food in.
The umbellifers which were alive with insects last week are now past their best but still produced hovers Xanthogramma pedisequum and Chrysogaster solstitialis. Also a dipterous fly which I think I know but just need to check elsewhere.

As I thought, the below was indeed Gymnosoma rotundatum!

Garden

Several smart but unidentified ichneumons in the garden plus this Eristalis tenax on Scabious.