May 23rd 2008

Woke up to my best moth catch of the year, 20 species of 34 moths after a mild cloudy night including Poplar Hawk-moth, Pale Tussock, Bright-line White-eye, Scalloped Hazel and Rustic Shoulder Knot.

Pale Tussock

Bird life in the garden is in full breeding mode with young Blackbirds dodging the Magpies who are intent on having them for dinner plus a few Wood Pigeon. Only air activity has been the six regular Swifts overhead and 3 Lesser Black-back Gulls heading north east. Out with Dave for coffee & cake at Draycote Water this afternoon then a walk to toft bay producing Buzzard, Great-crested Grebe 60+ Common Tern 15, Lesser Black-backed Gulls 17 and Mute Swans have increased to 12 including the nesting pair. In recent years this species has used the reservoir to moult but with high water levels I wonder if they will still feel safe and continue this habit. Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Blackcaps heard. Other interesting sightings included 3 Common Blue Butterfly's and the walls of the cafe had Poplar Hawk-moth, Buff Ermine and Coxcomb Prominent moths while a Powdered Quaker was along toft bank.

Richard