Saturday 4 June 2016

4th June

A little bit of sunshine makes a big difference…the first (female) Banded Demoiselle was out by the river


And there were now dozens of Blue-tailed Damselflies in the Magic Garden…



my first Painted Lady for a couple of years was on the river bank…


Looking equally striking with its wings closed…


And I also finally managed a single photo of Brimstone butterfly…


Incidentally this is a Brimstone moth on the outside of one of  last weekend’s traps...


Talking of moths, if you have been watching Springwatch this week you’ll have seen mention of the Diamondback moth which is a continental immigrant. John Edwards texted me last night to suggest going out in the garden as there has obviously been a massive influx of this tiny moth. Sure enough as I opened the back door I saw one straight away and a quick late night walk down Warlaby Lane turned up many more. John caught 78 in his garden trap alone so the overall numbers arriving must be in the many millions.

5 comments:

  1. Lots of painted lady and wall about today, but otherwise depressing. Walked the length of the patch this weekend and absolutely no habitat/food plant for blues or skippers.

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    1. Even more depressing I walked right through a village meadow today and, apart from a few Diamondback moths, didn't flush any insects

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  2. The Brimstone is a favourite of mine, beautiful butterflies! The moth equally beautiful I think too.

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    1. I agree Pam but a real swine to photograph as they never seem to settle!

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    2. Very true, i'v found myself chasing them along hedges before!

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