more micros

Just the heath trap out on Tuesday night, but a good selection of moths including Stathmoppda pedella (above), a little cracker! they have a very odd resting position with the back legs spread out perpendicular to the body in a T shape.
Other photos included below are of some of the more interesting or new species in the trap

756- Parachronistis albiceps

1139 Nut Bud Moth

1169 Gypsonoma dealbana

Red Neck visits Strumpy

A cracking moth night last night with about 85 species plus a few micros still to be id'd, it was warm and overcast and saw quite a few newly emerged moths. Included in the catch were the first 5 privit Hawkmoths, Lilac beauty and reed dagger of the year.
The absolute highlight for me was the last moth, it was on the underside of the lip on my trap, a quick tap out onto my hand and a slight speed up of my heart I was holding a Red Necked Footman, a first for me and Strumpshaw, a few snaps and I had to start work, a very good start to the day, I have wanted this species for a while now!

Past few weeks and a few ticks

What a few weeks!
Since the last update i have become a married man gained a new damselfly and had two uk bird ticks, not bad.

Ruth and I went camping in Dorset for a few nights followed by two nights in the new forest, weather was not great but it was still fantastic. Amazing sights and complete contrast to Norfolk which was nice for a bit. My main targets were odonata but the weather meant that only one day was any good. Did manage to get Southern Damselfly which was a pretty cool little damsel, found only in one location in the new forest. Other new species for the year were small red, keeled skimmer and Golden ringed Dragonfly.

Birds included Wood Warbler, Redstart and Raven, managed not to see Nightjar, Dartford Warbler and Puffin, which were hoped for.

1 New moth species- Burnet companion,
1 new Butterfly- Lulworth Skipper.

2 New bird species- Roller (what a bird!!) and a new Warbler (amazing singer!)
Many thanks for the texts, calls and emails!

Apart from that the moths were very good on Monday night, lots of micros, unfortunately 50% of the catch flew away before being potted/identified, shame, but still managed 85 species. Traps are on again tonight so may do a moth special tomorrow if there is much in them.

I have updated my stats on the side, which have not been updated for a while. I am way off target for many of my new years aims but am enjoying the year, still not seen many easy birds this year ie all auks, but there is time to add to this.

Must update more often, been busy as always recently.

Poor effort, I know

Lack of blog updates recently is due to the fact that I am getting married tomorrow! I'm still alive, I just have had other things to sort out.

Last weekend I managed to see the broad Billed Sandpiper at Breydon water, satisfactory views, but a little on the distant side. It was a new uk bird for me so was a surprise bonus, i managed to fit it in before getting my wedding suit at 10 from Norwich so was quite pleased with myself.
Annoyingly I am aware of another 'tick' out there in Norfolk somewhere, everyone seems to have seen it but I still have not asked the right people about its location, supposedly a 'private' site. Lots of people have trespassed if that's the case, I could well be wrong, we DO need to protect these species' in decline so hush hush is the right approach, its just very annoying when everyone is saying how great the bird was and then even putting loads of photos up on public sites. I'll have to find my own I guess, there is still time.

On another note I'm looking forward to a week in Dorset next week, hopefully will pick up some of the specialities such as Southern and Scarce blue tailed damselflies as well as the classic heathland birds, and moths(?)

I leave you with some classic images of Azure Damselflies, in the first there seems to be an in depth conversation occuring between two males, or possibly a bit of a punch up! (zoom in for full effect)