Toft Garden Moths

The last time I did moth trapping in my garden was 2010 when I compiled a website of my findings (Moths in a Cambridgeshire Garden). I am keen to find what changes there are in the populations and species. Here are the first batch of results. Obviously the most striking new species is the Jersey Tiger, which is present in very large numbers at the moment.

Sunny Afternoon at Paxton

Just about the full cast performed for us in front of the Hide yesterday - the Great Crested Grebes are guarding their two chicks well at the moment while Cormorants, Little Egrets and Herons flew in and out at regular intervals. The chicks are beginning to make short dives and also appeared to be catching damselflies. As the sun came round and lit the perches, we were entertained by Ruddy Darters (body shape, black legs), Willow Emerald Damselflies (yellow spur on the thorax, no blue pruinescence), Tachina fera Fly, Migrant Hawker and Green-Veined White Butterflies.

Macro at Paxton

 Just as guidance for those coming on Sunday, the heat and drought conditions yesterday morning meant that there were fewer insects up and basking in the sunshine but there were Spreadwings, Damsels, Grasshoppers, Bugs and Flies etc to photograph hiding in the remaining vegetation. The Knapweed are particularly productive for gall wasps and flies and for insects visiting for nectar.

Update from Paxton

Today I did a recce with Ann and Mike for the Macro Session with the RPSNature Group on Sunday at Paxton Pits as I was apprehensive with the drought conditions that there would be enough to photograph. In the morning we walked in the fields and along the Meadow trail with macro gear and found enough subjects to keep people happy for one session. In the afternoon, we photographed along the Haul Road where there were lots of hunting Dragons  including Migrant Hawkers. Later in the Cobham Hide there was a Brown Hawker laying and plentiful Darters for long lens work. Good to see the Great Crested grebes still have their two chicks - fingers crossed for their survival!!

Sharpenhoe (July 19th)

Dave, James and I spent a very enjoyable day at Sharpenhoe  photographing Chalkhill Blues,  Wasp spider etc. Although the Chalkhill Blues and Burnet Moths took up a lot of the time, it was this beautiful small moth that has the 'front slot': Oncocera semirubella, Rosy Knot-horn, popularly named the Rhubarb & Custard. It was formerly resident only in the southernmost counties of England on chalk downland and limestone cliffs but is obviously spreading!. The Lygus pratensis bug complements the moth very well in colouring  Very warm conditions!