Day at the Lodge

With a cold north wind forecast for today and southerlies for the rest of the week I decided to use today as a catch up day and get everything done round the Lodge and garden and get some paperwork out the way. Back in the field tomorrow. 

The moth trap was pretty lively over the last couple of nights with 20 new-for-year species (now on 108) and another garden tick (now on 639). In a similar theme to last early May the moth diversity exploded into action this week (I was only on 73 species this time last week).   On the same date last year I was on 130 moths for the year so a bit slower this year although I was on 166 birds for the local year on this date last year but I'm on 171 this year so a bit better on the birds.  

On the migrant front there was the years first Rush Veneer, 3 Diamond-backs, 3 Small Mottled Willow, 2 Turnips, 2 Angle Shades and 3 Silver Y last night.

35 bird species of just over 100 individuals in and from the garden today, the majority now on territory HERE. Highlight was a Red Kite over with singing Whitethroat, Blackcaps and Chiffchaff and Barn Swallows collecting nesting material in the field opposite. There was a Cuckoo calling recently and a pair of Mallards walking round the garden too. 

Eyed and Privet Hawkmoth and Cream-spot Tiger 

Gold Spot

Waved Umber

Swan Feather Dwarf, Elachista argentella 

Dawn Flat-body, Semioscopsis steinkellneriana- a lifer 

Double-striped Knothorn, Crytoblabes bistriga

Heather Twist, Argyrotaenia ljungiana

Planted up Artichoke, Sweetcorns, Leeks, Runners, Peppers, Pumpkins and Tomatoes to add to the established fruit beds etc

Planted up Holly's Veg teepee with tomotaoes and runners

Our butterfly border one year on. See HERE for this time last year. 

The ditch is looking wild

The house is finally being covered in ivy and climbers (to soften the Socialist architecture). I planted up the airbnb with some bedding plants too. To book the airbnb use this link HEREand bring your moth trap and also we are offering guided bird and wildlife tours for visitors too. Holly has some more enticing blurb and five star reviews HERE. 

I left the door open briefly in the garden office when doing the moths and this Great Tit was straight in and downed a Small Mottled Willow which I was about to pot