And now, MOTHS.
Everyone loves moths, and if they don't, they should.
I've been regularly moth trapping at Fairburn Ings since the end of March. It got off to a fairly slow start, the temperature throughout April not seeming to get much above freezing the entire month, but with the recent warmer weather things are REALLY starting to kick off.
After meeting the intern & residential volunteer from RSPB Saltholme a couple of weeks ago we have entered into a fierce competition to see who can count the most species over the summer. I’ve had at least 100 different species so far this year already so pretty sure I’ve got it in the bag!
Here's some of the highlights :)
Brimstone Moth Opisthograptis luteolata
Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla
Silver-ground Carpet Xanthorhoe montanata
Silver Y Autographa gamma
Lesser Swallow Prominent Pheosia gnoma
Muslin Moth Diaphora mendica
Waved Umber Menophra abruptaria
Lime Hawkmoth Mimas tiliae
Poplar Hawkmoth Laothoe populi
Elephant Hawkmoth Deilephila elpenor
Large Emerald Geometra papilionaria
Blood Vein Timandra comae
And last but definitely not least, this little guy.. the Spectacle Abrostola tripartita
Wow!