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Tuesday, 20 August 2013

More Moths

Whoops, the bathroom light was left on last night and didn't I know it this morning. Everywhere I looked there was a moth hiding away from the morning light. However I'm still trying to identify them all, but here they are anyway. The last one was easy, not a moth but a Lacewing.

Moth sp.

Large Yellow Underwing

Large Yellow Underwing

Moth sp.

Willow Beauty. I think!

Agriphila Tristella

Lacewing

Sunday, 18 August 2013

And Now The Moths

The past few weeks has been all about Butterflies, with lots of Peacocks, Small Tortoiseshells, Large Whites, Small Whites, Commas, a single Red Admiral, Small Skipper and a Gatekeeper in the back garden.


Peacock


Tortoiseshell


Small Skipper


Comma


Gatekeeper


Large White


Large Whites mating


Red Admiral

However with the weather more Autumn like with rain, wind and a bit of a chill in it, the moths are now starting to appear in good numbers. One of the first to visit the Budleia was the Silver Y which is often seen flying during the day, others were more your typical moth seen in doors, attracted by the lights, especially in the kitchen. 


Silver Y moth 

I've had a fair few species with more Silver Y's, lots of Grass Veneers, Riband Moth, a possible Willow Beauty, Straw Dot, Deep-brown Dart, Twin-spot Carpet, Brimstone moth and a T-moth also known as the Morning-glory Plume Moth.



T-moth


Possible Willow Beauty


Deep-brown Dart


Straw Dot


Brimstone Moth


Silver Y

I've even had a cluster of eggs, which have been laid on the frame of the kitchen window. I'm presuming they have been laid by a Silver Y moth, as it was very close to them. 


Moths eggs - possibly Silver Y

Thursday, 1 August 2013

The Afternoon Shift

If it was all about Butterflies this morning then it was definitely all about Swifts this afternoon and into the evening, as numbers overhead started to build up reaching into the 90's, a bit like the weather. Also about a pair of House Martins and a trio of Swallows that flew at rooftop level at a rapid rate of knots heading south. And as I type this (8:05pm) a Hobby has just found the Swifts, but unfortunately for me just a bit to far away for a record shot.

Butterfly Day

What a difference a day makes, with the past week being wet, windy and very cloudy, today's weather was a complete contrast. Blue Skies, very hot and humid.  For the first time in quite a few days the garden was alive with butterflies, especially on the Buddleia and Purple Loosestrife. From 8 o'clock this morning up until midday there were maximums of 3 Peacocks, 6 Small Whites, 5 Large Whites, a Green-veined White and a Comma.

Peacock and Comma

Large White

Peacock

Comma

Small White