Thursday 17 July 2008

July 17th 2008

What a difference a couple of days make, cloudy, windy, dull and the temperature more like October than July with rain threatening. On arriving at Draycote Water just after nine there were at least 1500 Swifts hawking over the trees along with 40 Sand Martin - a direct consequence of the weather and a Redshank was in toft bay feeding along side a very smart looking Common Sandpiper and an extremely young Black-headed Gull. Also my first returning Shoveler with a female in toft shallows. At least 5 Green Woodpecker were along farborough bank so with those seen by Bob Hazell there must be between 10-15 present at the moment. Coffee and lunch with Katrina joined by Bob and he reported three Common Terns which I never did see and I put him on to a White Satin Moth that was perched on the side of the cafe.
A search for butterfly's in country park produced very few and most were Gatekeepers and no Marbled Whites.
Last nights trap produced these two amongst 30 plus moths.

Common Emerald (worn)

Small Grass Rivulet

Well If I sound posative that means I have over come the pain of buddy Dave getting yet another new moth for his garden, Sharpe Angled Carpet - now four in front of me. Still it will be September soon and he is away in Austria so its a dose of agent orange while hes not looking. Another good moth caught last night was the Pine Hawk-moth by Paul Cashmore in his Coventry garden. Nice one buddy so your getting the beers tonight.

Richard

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