29th August

We set the moth traps in the Magic Garden last night not with any great expectation as it was forecast to be clear and cool. The misty conditions this morning didn’t add to the optimism…

But in the end it was a relatively small but interesting catch with 41 species including six first parish records (plus a couple more to be confirmed). The new ones included half a dozen of these brilliant Feathered Gothics (showing the feathered antennae that give it its name)…

Plus Sallow…

Oak Hook Tip…

Small Phoenix, Twin-spotted Wainscot and Pale Mottled Willow.

It was only the second record too of Canary-shouldered Thorn…

Dragonflies were noticeable again around the lake with three species of hawker, mating Blue-tailed Damselflies and a number of Common Darter…

Bird wise it was fairly quiet although at least two Sedge Warblers were still present , around 25 Mistle Thrushes descended on the Magic Garden and a flock of 50+ House Martins were feeding high over the lake.

Yesterday there was Greeenshank and Common Sandpiper on the river, Andy Johnston found a Wheatear at Morton and six Wigeon were on the flood pools. These were my first summer record in the village.