Moth No 2

I think the moths in my garden are being very clever - just one again this morning, but actually that it is good because I look long and hard at the creature, pore over the moth book, try and work out what it is and then read about it. I have decided that this is a Hebrew Character Moth - Othosia gothica- which all sounds very splendid. But apparently it is a very common moth found throughout GB. It likes a wide range of trees and bushes and from March until May- so seeing it now is helpful as in a month or so it may be a no show moth. I cannot get over how much colour there is in what at first glance looks like a little brown blob in the egg box in the trap, how much detail there is on it and how many different kinds there are. Not a very scientific approach to the subject I am sure, but I love it!

What a wonderful day

What a wonderful day - a wedding, read a book for my studies and then a late afternoon by the River Ouse at Roxton. It was very peaceful, warm and I ahd a lovely stroll down to the Lock. And what treats there were- I had hoped to see a banded demoiselle and they were surely there. This is the metallic green female and they were to be found along the whole stretch of the riverbank - 56 today- and equal numbers of the female and the vibrant blue males.

I thought that was good but then spotted my first bluetail for this year. They have been seen these last couple of weeks but I was still thrilled to see this fairly mature individual for myself.

Having seen azures this week I was curious as to whether the Common Blue Damselfly would be on the wing- and I found a small number in the nettlebeds - mostly tenerals.

And then I was blown away to spot this little creature - I am fairly certain it is a teneral Red Eyed Damselfly. They are often found on lilly pads but this one was on the river bank. I do want to be sure it is a Red Eye so have sent it off for a second opinion as it is a little early - but then everything seems to be, and it seems to tick the boxes.

And dancing everywhere I could see mayflies - they bounce up and down in mid air like a puppet on a string and I did not think I would be able to get a photograph. But then with some careful looking I found this individuals clinging to a small twig. Thier family name is Ephemeroptera- which means "living for a day". Mostly that is true although some make a few days, but they do not eat as adults. They are also the only insect that moults when fully- winged so are quite special. I think this one may be Ephemera Danica - but it was a special moment to find it and tomorrow could have been too late.

And the nettle and cleaver beds were alive with spiders- which I am a little wary of, lots of hoverflies and a pair of common terns screaming above me. Two hairy dragonflies on the wing as I walked back up the lane to my car. What a terrific afternoon's stroll.

Moth No 1

The moth trap arrived yesterday so despite the forecaste of rain (the first for days - just my luck!) I assembled it and with great expectation left it shining like a lighthouse in the garden overnight. So disappointed to open the curtains and see rain droplets, but unperturbed out to see the results of my first night. And it was worth it - one moth and one only but it was quite lovely and has taken me a good few minutes of scanning my book and looking at pictures on line, but I think I have finally arrived at a daignosis - a Muslin Moth - Diaphora mendica. The timing is right- flies April- June, broad forewing and a variable pattern of black spots. This is a male- the female would be creamy white or buff says the book. The male is nocturnal and the female active by day- didn't realise there would be a difference of habit. So here I am - launched on another hobby that will no doubt grab my attention! Lets hope I got this first one right.

Four firsts!!!!!

A day of four firsts for 2011 yesterday- lunch with a friend and a walk at the Wetlands was very nice- but also gave me my first sighting of the Hairy Dragonfly this year. In fact two of them- but it was breezy and they were flying around trees making a photo impossible. But on my way home did a quick stop off at Flitton Moor - well it is on the way home -and was delighted to hear my first cuckoo. Not the most melodious sound but one that is so distinctive and always makes my heart leap. Then found these little red and back creatures. I think they are red and black froghoppers or leafhoppers. Anyway they were not doing much hopping but are very distinctive. But the real high point- this gorgeous dragonfly.

Its a female broad bodied chaser and in the sunlight shimmered as it enjoyed the warmth. It is called Libellula depressa - sounds a sad name, but this one was certainly not an unhappy bunny. It is a medium sized dragonfly and this is a mature individual. Had it been immature it would have had less of the yellow markings along the edge of its abdomen. These are great little creatures to photograph as they tend to perch at about shoulder or waist level for me. Like others its a little earlier on the wing this year which is wonderful and just made my day as I watched it and listened to the cuckoo wich then appeared and flew off in front of me!

And just as I write a delivery has arrived- must be my moth trap.................

Reds and blues

A short amble at DENR yielded my first sighting this year of the delicate and eye catching Coenagrion puella- the lovely azure damselfly. It is classed as common yet the vivid and striking blue never fails to take my breathe away. I found some sitting on bushes between the marsh and long pond, but a couple of tenerals in the grasses on the border of the marsh pond. This first one is probably quite newly emerged and lacks colouring as yet, but the spur on its abdomen suggests to me it is an azure and will soon turn the most vivid hue of blue and shimmer in the sunshine.

This second one has developed more colouration and I think this is a female -as it has quite extensive black on the abdomen. Boht of these may have emerged from eggs laid last year so I might even have seen Mum and Dad last summer! They would have been eggs that hatched after a few weeks and then lived as greedy hunters in the pond consuming small invertebrates. They like standing water so the ponds at DENR are ideal.

I hope to get lots of photos of azures this year and identify the different forms.

This is a male Pyrrhosoma nyphula - what a splendid name- but its easier to large red damselfly or LRD. Again a widespread species, and is the first to emerge each spring time so a welcome herald that the Ds are back. They were a week earlier this year than alst due to the sunshine and last week lacked colour but have now turned this gorgeous bright red.

This last one is the female LRD -a form known as typica - the most common. She is not quite so bright red as the male.

Caught sight of two four spotted chasers on the wing- so who knows- a photo of these next time.

A very exciting and promising start to D time and so many sightings to look forward to, to puzzle over and just enjoy!