102 species in the moth traps last night so clearly this heatwave is boosting moth diversity. Highlights included Large Thorn and Flounced Rustics which were NFYs with a nice selection of migrants including another Silver-spotted Veneer and a Scarce Bordered Straw. There were 5 Rosy Knot-horns and a cracking Clouded Buff (by day in the grass) so looks like moths are dispersing from the chalk grasslands. Still stuck on 699 species for all time but the year list has climbed to 495 (which is about 20 less than this time last year).
Did a bit more on looking for garden inverts today with a few new interesting species. Latest obs HERE. Now on 388 species on this front.
The garden birdlife has been pretty elusive and quiet- laying low in the heat presumably. A group of 4 Teal, a Greenshank and a Yellow Wagtail over were the highlights today HERE.
Teal over the garden
Clouded Buff- a nice moth to have flying around in the meadow during the day. Also a few Silver-Ys in the meadows.
Holly Blue- a few of these along the edges. Also Small, Large and Green-viened Whites, Peacocks, Red Admirals, Comma and a couple of Painted Ladys around.
Large Thorn
Silver-spotted Veneer- unrecorded here previous to this year and this must be the sixth or seventh now
Dog's Tooth- a bit of a garden speciality
This Common Sedge-sawfly was the highlight on the invert hunts
Common Furrow Bee. There are hundreds of bees in the garden at the moment but mainly very small presumed Lasioglossum sp. on the wild carrot. This Common Furrow Bee stood out as being relatively large.
Blackberry seasons means plenty of Blackberry crumble. Holly is also using the Elderberries this year for crumble and syrups. Good times.
Managed to get a nice view of the partial eclipse yesterday evening by using Kyle's welding mask but the phone camera failed to pick up any detail. View from the garden frontage looking west.
The lodge in the heatwave (above and below)
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