July 12th 2011

After the previous nights rain had curtailed numbers last nights trap was heaving again with a record count of 3 Poplar Hawk-moths among a good selection of moths in mine while Dave did well with over 60 sixty species from 343 moths plus another 20 micros needing further identification so I’m sure there are a few ticks for him among them.

Poplar Hawk-moths

I went for a look at the 1st summer Common Rosefinch at Melbourn, Cambridgeshire which was on the way to the North Norfolk coast for birds, moths and fish & chips.
A look at Cley produced 8 Spoonbill, 5 Little Gull, Spotted Redshank, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit and Marsh Harrier while the north east wind brought Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, and Gannet closer inshore.
Although not ideal conditions in the evening we managed 2 Nightjars while the trap produced unfamiliar moths such as Oak Eggar, Kent Black Arches and Brown-tail. Other sightings included Tree Pipit, Whinchat and poor distant views of 92203 Black Prince steaming through one of the heaths the preserved North Norfolk Railway passes.
On the way home Barn Owls were along the A605 near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and in Clifton upon Dunsmore village, Warwickshire.


Swallow on toft bank yesterday by Bob Hazel

Richard