A moth in monochrome

I had a great day last Tuesday (April 29^th). The new manager of all the RSPB Midlands Reserves, Nick Droy, came out to re-familiarise himself with Coombes. In his younger days, he worked for the National Trust, on the nearby Ilam Estate. Stomping around the reserve brought back many good memories for him. He did note though, the changes since he was last here. He was impressed with the new footpath that goes much further south into the Valley - and all the recent woodland management.

There was a lot to see and chat about and so we ended up in a mad dash to get back. However, as we neared Buzzard Bank, along the new trail, we had to slow down....... for a slow worm. It was basking on the track, unperturbed by our manic pace. Really nice way to end his visit – and to reinforce that Coombes is a natural experience – not just about birds.

 
When I got back, Steve Brown and the work party volunteers came back to add to my ALL NATURE EXCITEMENT. They’d just spotted a grass snake in the plantation at the north end of the reserve. But – that wasn’t all. One of the team, Ken, completely, unaware of it’s significance had spotted a black and white day-flying moth. And the surprise.... (drum roll, drum role)........was that it was the rare Argent and Sable moth.

 Steve managed to get a picture:

 I was buzzing about this. It is a National Biodiversity Action plan species. It is also one of the beneficiaries of all the woodland management work we have been doing. They are fussy blighters and like short birch trees that have re-grown after cutting.

If you want to know more about Argent and Sable visit the links below:

http://butterfly-conservation.org/51-1063/argent--sable.html

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-6A4LBC

http://www.staffs-ecology.org.uk/html2010/images/d/d5/Argent_and_Sable.pdf

If you have a specific interest come and search them out for us – or maybe you’ll see one in passing. From now until end of June, keep your eyes peeled in the right places (see the map below). Please tell us if you see one – where and when – and e-mail us at coombes.valley@rspb.org.uk.

The red spot shows the approximate sighting of the individual on April 29^th. The red line shows the area on the main footpath where you might see them. Good luck!

Cheers

Jarrod