May 28th 2009

Last nights mothing session in Ryton Woods started with Cuckoo calling followed by a couple of bat's overhead but on the mothing front it was a slow start despite the humid conditions but it picked after midnight and we managed 56 species from 258 moths trapped including three new for me including

Great Prominent

Satin Wave
and have I mentioned the Painted Lady invasion - well this one flew on to our lightsheet at one in the morning and posed for photos later.

Painted lady
Home by 4am and a few hours sleep then it was back out this afternoon for my guided walk to toft with nine participants but apart from a Hobby that some caught up with as they arrived at the visitors center there was little to be seen. Did have chance to look at some of the more commoner species such as young Pied Wagtails, Kestrel male Gadwall and good views of Buzzard as it flew over our heads while of the 54 PLs seen 12 were on the flowers on farborough bank giving everyone a chance to appreciate them along with 12 Common Blue.
Finally a photo just to show you that not all moths are big and meaty.

Caloptilia alchimiella

Richard