I ran a garden moth trap overnight 9th February 2024 – results as follows:- 5 March Moth; 2 Common Quaker and singles of Oak Beauty, Pale Brindled Beauty, Hebrew Character, Tortricodes alternella (Winter Shade).
Well you’ve got to twitch a Cattle Egret when it’s right on your doorstep! A post went out on social media on 30th January, stating that a Cattle Egret was in a sheep field at Staunton Harold Hall, ten minutes from where I live, but unfortunately in Leicestershire by a couple of miles! So the
Mild conditions on 28th January persuaded me to run an overnight moth trap. Return was just 1 Pale Brindled Beauty, slightly disappointing. Nevertheless, the earliest date that I’ve ever recorded a moth in my garden in 20 odd years of moth recording.
A male Black-throated Thrush had taken up residence at Tophill Low Nature Reserve, near Bridlington in Yorkshire. I had been meaning to go and see this bird, and eventually timing and a suitable day all fell into place. Along with a good photography pal, we made the journey on 16th January. A cold but bright
As the Waxwings were staying site faithful to Hassop Station, near Bakewell, I simply had to go back for a second time around. So I revisited the site on 15th January, and this time it was a week day, so wasn’t as busy as the first trip in late December. It was also a good
During this winter 2023-2024, the UK has been the host to an invasion of Bohemian Waxwings (Aka, Pink Punks due to the account of their Pink Crests). A rather large flock gathered at Hassop, near Bakewell, providing superb opportunities to see these birds at close quarters. The flock, around c300-400 at its best, but regularly
My wife and I spent our Christmas in North Norfolk. A few days away was just the tonic we both needed, and some good birds to finish off 2023. A detour was in order, via RSPB Frampton, for the very obliging Lesser Yellowlegs that seems to be over wintering at the site, and also gradually
A friend paid me a visit on 16th December to drop off Christmas Cards, just before he left, he picked up a Waxwing perched on a high Conifer tree at the bottom of our road. The bird spent the rest of the late morning feeding in a neighbours secluded garden. My neighbours kindly allowed me
