A few moths in the week

A few moths from the Beddington obs light in the week. 

 Sharp-angled Peacock (this is acutally a Peacock- re-identified by Billy and Derek 150918)  

 Scalloped Oak 

 Agriphila inquinatella

 Catoptria falsella

Crysoteuchia culmella (see comments for correct id) 

Hen Harrier Day

Met up with Sue and co yesterday to attend Hen Harrier Day at Rainham. 

New Directions Part 2

New Directions 2 - Birdwatch by Peter Alfrey on Scribd

New Directions

In case you missed this before. More on a radical approach to conservation and birding- New Directions, Birdwatch Magazine. Here's Part 1.

New Directions 1 - Birdwatch by Peter Alfrey on Scribd

Local Waders

Frontal conditions and rain produced a few waders today at the farmlands including 3 Blackwits over the North Lake and a splendid adult summer on 100 acre. The Wood Sandpiper was still present and also 1 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Green Sandpiper and a few Lapwing. 

 Adult summer 'Icelandic' Black-tailed Godwit

 Wood Sandpiper in flight complete with trailing legs beyond tail tip

 Common Sandpipers 

 Male Lapwing 

 Figure of Eighty- a few other local interesting moths over last couple of days including another Dewick's Plusia. 

 Oak Processionary (the dreaded)- first for the year

 Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing and Agriphila geniculea

Jersey Tiger- It's that time of year again- up to four in the trap so far 

Lacewing mystery

It appears the lacewing I had at the campsite on the weekend is something quite interesting. Click on word 22hrs (or whatever time it says in future)  in facebook link below to view discussion. 

Weekend in Arundel

Spent the weekend in Arundel camping with the family and visiting the Castle and the Wildfowl and Wetlands centre. Amazing traditional aristocratic management of the whole area by the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk- keen conservationists and green space managers whose control of the area, including the local farmland is a world leading example of modern development, nature-friendly landscape management and successful containment of modern threats- stunning area. Benevolent aristocracy at its best (Previous posts here ). 

Here's a few pics with provisional ids (please feel free to comment on ids): 

River Arun looking over towards Arundel Cathedral, Castle and Town 

Some kind of Ant-lion/ Caddis at the moth trap at the camp site

Water Forget-me-not and Marsh Mint at the wetland centre

Wild Angelica at the wetland centre

Yellow Loosestrife at the wetland centre 

Vervain at the Wetland Centre (NO! It's Marsh Valerian-cheers Steve!) 

Marsh Mallow growing on the banks of the River Arun 

Fern- a moth lifer. Caught it in the camping site. Only a few moths in the cool conditions including a few Rosy Footmans.

Grey-pine Carpet

Buzzards and Raven over the wetland centre 

Jackdaw sun bathing at the wetland centre

Orinoco Goose (South America) and Radjah Shelduck in background (Australia)- the wildfowl collection at the WWT centre- a handy place to learn a few global species 

Jousting at the Castle !

The Camping Set-up- extended the operation to include a 3 man tent. Now got a complete mobile natural history exploration unit, complete with chemical toilet facilities and off grid electricity and gas. Planning on doing some foreign trips and also some UK trips, hopefully into some new areas and recording into recording schemes such as I-record and E-bird. 

View over the boat trip wetland at Arundel wetland centre 

View over Arundel wetland centre to South Downs in back ground 

Arundel Castle and Stately Home and a few pics of the gardens below with some strong conservation/ biodiversity themes  

Wildflower and planting for pollinators in the Castle gardens 

Holly and Jacob 

Jacob- hopefully even at this young age he is taking in all the good nature vibes and growing strong and happy