11th June - Moth trap #2

I hauled out the moth trap for another go at seeing some of our nocturnal nature. Sadly once again the weather changed quite dramatically overnight so the catch was very small.
   What wasn't small was the Privet hawk-moth I found within. These stunning moths are the UK's largest breeding species with a wingspan of 9-12cm and are brightly marked with a red and black abdomen and pink and black striped underwings.

Privet hawk-moth

Wings fully open

Look at that eye

Also of note was a White ermine moth which possesses one of the fluffiest heads you're ever likely to see. The name arises from its similar appearance to the ermine robes worn by royalty.

White ermine moth

Details of the feathered antenna

A Common emerald moth provided another splash of colour...

Common emerald

...while the Clouded border is always nice to see.

Clouded border

When running a moth trap it is necessary to get up just before daybreak to pot up any moths that haven't made it into the trap but have settled nearby otherwise the local birds soon learn about the fly-through takeaway on their doorstep. So I was up at 3.30am and, having saved many lives from hungry beaks, took a walk to the castle as the day unfolded around me. Beautiful pastel colours lit the sky as the sun slowly made its way up, while several Skylarks sung from on high and a ghostly Barn owl slowly quartered fields near the castle, and a Weasel broke cover to reveal himself fleetingly.

3.50am heading to the castle

2nd June - Does the Cuckoo spit?

June is upon us and the days are increasingly longer, providing more time for countryside walks. On a walk to the castle my musical accompaniment was that of Skylarks, Song thrushes and the enchanting melodic tunes of the Blackbird, while my nostrils were pleasantly assaulted by the heady perfume of flowering Honeysuckle. On the way down I noted Sheep's sorrel and Dog rose in flower.

Sheep's sorrel

Also of note was the first Cuckoo spit of the year. This strange foam seems to be on many plants and grass at this time of year. Is it really the result of a phlegmy cuckoo? Well no. Cuckoo spit is basically plant sap that has been ingested by the larva within. It forces air into the sap and then squeezes the aerated bubbly foam out of its bottom. In the middle of the foamy mass you would find a Froghopper nymph - the larva of the adult Froghopper aka spittlebug. Froghoppers have extraordinary jumping abilities helping them evade predators. The nymph however cannot jump so the foam protects it and keeps it moist.

Cuckoo spit

Close up of the foamy bottom bubbles 

Mute swan reflections

Down by the castle mere two Mute swans drifted serenely while all around them a mixed flock of Swallows, House and Sand martins swooped low over the water picking up emerging insects. Also joining the feeding frenzy were three Daubenton's bats and several Pipistrelle bats. An entertaining end to the day.

Sunset at the castle

3rd-4th May - The merits of patch watching

The start of May is a peak time for the migration of birds, and in normal times I would be on the coast in search of them. The lockdown has put a stop to this, but it means my patch (the village) is getting a lot more attention. Easy to see species at the coast are elevated to heart thumping levels here in the village.
   On the 3rd of May having finished on the allotment and about to stroll to the castle I looked up and was amazed to see a Short-eared owl flying low south then gaining height and heading west as a Crow started to mob it.
   Arriving at the Castle amid swarms of St Mark's flies I observed one different looking fly. Closer inspection revealed an Alder fly, its delicate lace like wings stunning when viewed close up. Alder flies are typically found near to water.  This is no surprise as they spend two years of their lives as nymphs underwater, emerging as adults at this time of year to mate and lay eggs on aquatic vegetation. The adult flies only live for a few days.

Alder fly

   Also down by the Castle I discovered a new flower for me. Nestled in the cracks and crevices of the walls the Rue-leaved saxifrage had made its home.

Rue-leaved saxifrage

   The 4th of May started and ended well. On awaking at 6am the first birds I saw as I opened the front door were two Arctic terns flying south over the cottage.  Three Common swifts lingering over the street and two Grey herons heading west were the other avian highlights of the day.
   The good ending came at 9.30pm with the sights and sounds of three Tawny owls perched on telegraph poles opposite the cottage.

Sun burst through the clouds

20th April - A tour of the castle

A nice warm sunny day induced me to stir my stumps and have a walk to and around the castle.  On the way down there are now several territories of both Common whitethroat and Blackcaps, and for the first time this year a Lesser whitethroat was heard.  Many tadpoles were evident in the castle moat as were a colony of Green dock beetles at the edge of the mere. I counted 18 in total.

Green dock beetle

The castle beckons

   Down by the castle moat I noticed the delicate pink blooms of Lady's smock also known as cuckoo flower, as it tends to flower at about the same time as the cuckoo's arrival.  In days gone by it was thought that the picking of it would result in a thunderstorm.  It is also the main larval food plant for the Orange-tip butterfly.

Lady's smock or cuckoo flower

    Walking back from the castle a flash of red flew past me at speed and landed in the grass 5 metres ahead of me.  After a few minutes searching I finally found a lovely Ruby Tiger moth, one of the day flying moths.

Ruby-tiger moth

  Another sighting of note was 2 Red deer hinds. Out of the 4 species of deer to be seen in and around the village, they are by far the rarest and most elusive.

Water droplets on a Mute swan feather

Sunset at the castle

14th April - Dawn chorus walk

A dull and cold start to the day turning warm and sunny in the afternoon.

A bout of insomnia meant I was out and about walking down to the castle at 5am. The songs of Blackbird, Song thrush, Wren, Robin, Chiffchaff and Blackcap accompanied me on my way.
A pleasant but cold walk produced some good birds and a nice selection of mammals.

Birds:
Tawny owl x1
Barn owl x1
Common buzzard x7
Kestrel x1
Green woodpecker x1
Great-spotted woodpecker x2
Bullfinch x3
Common whitethroat x2 (1st of year)
Blackcap x7
Willow warbler x1 (1st of year)
Chiffchaff x9+
Fieldfare x1

Primrose

Primrose (garden variant)

   Although Tawny owls are the most common of our 6 resident species of owl they are also the most nocturnal and thus difficult to see.  It was great therefore to see one well in daylight.
  Also nice to hear and see were 2 returning Warbler species (Common whitethroat and Willow warbler).
   One of the 3 Bullfinches seen was a lovely male who looked all the more gaudy as his backdrop was the pure white blossom of a Blackthorn tree.

Lesser celandine

Mammals:
Red fox x1
Brown hare x1
Roe deer x1
Muntjac deer x2
Chinese water deer x1

Later in the day I was told of a stunning looking male Black redstart in a neighbour's garden.  This was only my 3rd in the village, the 2nd being a female I found in the allotments on 1st April this year.

Sunset