Temperatures are holding up to the mid 20s during the day so there's a few butterflies and insects about and there's also been up to three Hummingbird Hawkmoths on the Lavenders and Brambles.
The moth trap has been steady but down to about 80 species of 150-200 individuals. Up to 8 Small Mottled Willows last night but migration hasn't been anything to shout about. Now on 375 for the year.
A few more pan-species additions HERE.
Not much exciting happening. Looking forward to a family trip to Scotland in a few weeks time and hoping to get another summer holiday trip in too.
A poor man's Lesser Spot- juv Great Spot
Adult female and juv Blackbird. This family, a Robin and the garden sparrows are getting braver with the moth raids while I'm processing the trap in the morning. I try and get out to the traps before 5am so the birds don't eat them and then try and transfer them into a holding container ready for release in the evening. However I'm having increasing incoming from this lot diving into the boxes at my feet as I'm trying to process and if a Hawkmoth makes a go for freedom the sparrows and blackbirds chase them in flight. It's turning into a morning battleground ritual.
Obsidentify says this is 100% Small Skipper but the left antennae tip looks very dark. Small or Essex, nice to see in the garden. A couple around.
Quite a few Gatekeepers around too. Also Meadow Browns, Small Whites, Peacock, Painted Lady, Comma and Red Admiral around. Seems like our habitats are working okay especially with the 3 Hummingbird Hawkmoths darting around too
Female Ghost moth- don't get many of these
Canary-grass Miner, Elachista maculicerusella. A lifer I think.
Another smart Roseate Marble
Emergency path for this weekend's visitors. The back garden is almost inaccessible. Matt should be coming next week to get things back under control.
