I spent a few hours on 28th June at Willington Gravel Pits. A surprise sighting was three summer plumaged Black-tailed Godwits that circled the reserve and then headed off towards High Bridge Gravel Pits. A couple of Little Egrets briefly, a pair of Oystercatcher and a pair of Common Terns were feeding 2 small chicks. […]
Garden Moth Trap results from overnight on 25th June 2020 – the best trap so far this year, resulting in three new species for the garden – Eyed Hawkmoth, Scarlet Tiger and Coronet. 44 species – c150moths. A number escaped during the processing of the trap, so species and count totals could have been better.
Last year (May 2019) I discovered a tiny flower head of an orchid that had naturally established itself in my front lawn. It didn’t take me long to identify it as a Common Spotted Orchid. By mid June it was in flower. I put up a small group of sticks and string around the plant
I discovered a Lesser Stag Beetle (Dorcus parallelipipedus) whilst emptying my garden Moth Trap on the morning of 24th June 2020. A new species of beetle for me and obviously a new species for the garden. Lesser Stag Beetle is fairly common in Derbyshire but I guess few are seen or recorded. It is slightly
Weather conditions on 23rd June were perfect for moth trapping so I ran a trap overnight. A total of 119 moths of 42 species. In no particular order – Swallowtail Moth 1; Brimstone Moth 2; Riband Wave 11 (3 of form aversata); Garden Carpet 2; Flame Shoulder 2; Elephant Hawkmoth 2; Common Footman 5; Willow
13th June overnight I ran my first garden moth trap with my new skinner trap from ALS (Anglia Lepidopterist Supplies). A reasonable success with 36 species and 77 moths. Elephant Hawk Moth 6; Large Yellow Underwing 2; Dark Arches 3; Heart and Dart 18; Marbled Minor 5; Scorched Wing 1; Common Pug 2; Uncertain 2;
In recent weeks there has been an invasion of pink starlings from South-eastern Europe. The Rose-coloured Starling, or Rosy Pastor, has arrived into Britain in unusually high numbers and one or two have made it into my home county of Derbyshire. The Rosy Pastor, is very attractive, especially as all the birds that have arrived
A pair of Garganey were found early morning at Willington Gravel Pits in South Derbyshire. Only a few miles from home, I decided to pay them a visit and I wasn’t disappointed. Although for most of the time they were just at the extremities of my camera lens, I managed to get a few half
