Friday, 4 June 2010

Small Copper

Found a small copper on the hillsides above Walsden today, also lots of whites around over the moorlands towards Gaddings Dam and Warland res.

Knottwood sat 05 06 10

We are having a mothing session tomorrow night at knottwood,if anyone fancies it,it will probably be Manic !! hopefully some great moths.maybe bring some repellant !!prob get there about 9ish.

Elland gravel Pits Last night(Wainscot night)

Common Waiscot
Looper ??

Silky Wainscot


Silky wainscot
Met with Bri last night at EGP and went looking for Southern wainscot larvae ,we had a quick walk acrooss tag meadow which produced 100's of Burnet moth cocoons and 3/4 straw dots and a lot of Crambus sp.Silver Ground Carpets were in good numbers and a Herald caught in the net was a bonus.Entering the reed bed we found the looper on Phragmites (??}above and immediatly found what I think was a southern waiscot larvae but as i tried to pot it it fell to the ground never to be seen again(drat).We then found what we think is a Silky waiscot which will be a first for calderdale if confirmed(carnt think what else it could be).The other cat looks like Common Wainscot.



Thursday, 3 June 2010

636 Denisia similella



I know its good weather for trapping but I have had a great time this week sneaking off for a couple of hours now and then to look in woods and meadows. Didn't see much today in Pecket Well till I bent down to tie my laces and this good looker seemed to pop out of a dry stone wall. Distinctive markings so I thought I would be able to track this one down. Spent too long looking now and eyes are now boggling! Now correctly identified by Charlie Streets as 636 Denisia similella. seems to be relativly scarce.

Tonight


Bulrush waiscot empty cocoon from todmorden
Meeting with Bri in the car park at Elland Gravel Pits looking for larvae etc about 9ish all welcome,

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Elephant Hawk Moth




Local population boosted by one !! Emerged this a.m. Flew off an hour ago, heading south.

News from Todmorden 01 06 10


Hi all,finally back on line ! im doing well for parasitica,even wasps emerged from an emperor cocoon ! is nothing sacred,thats nature.at least a Sallow Kitten emerged on 30 05 10,course it was the middle of the night,anyway thought id make a collage of most of the stages,regards Bri.

Tuesday, 1 June 2010

Glaucous shears ?

Anyone dissagree with Glaucous shears.?? All you trappers out there should be getting plenty of moths now and looks like an excellent week ahead.

Monday, 31 May 2010

516 Large Clover Case-bearer Coleophora trifolii




Found this little chap nectering on dandelion a few days ago and unfortunately he has had to wait until today for the weather to be bright enough to take his photo. Can't seem to find this one on UK Moths, anyone any ideas? At first it looked like a rather bland specimen but the lens has revealed his beauty. A shimmering golden black sheen to the wings and white ends to the antenae. (About 9mm long).
See latest comment for id notes.
win




Friday, 28 May 2010

Mothless Midgley

Ran both the actinic and an MBT lamp tonight with Brian, too clear and too cold we think, nothing caught and just four distant unknown moths seen in flight. Leaving the actinic running all night in case things improve, fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Monday Night

Im thinking of going to elland GPits on Monday night looking for southern wainscot larvae.if any one would like to join me ................................
late May to early June
The reedbeds should be swept after dark for the larvae. I have seen the larvae near the tops of the reeds in large numbers, where they are rather conspicuous, and used to pick off those within reach, and sweep for the more distant ones with a net. The larva pupates in or on the soil, and emerges without much trouble [Tutt]

Last night Northowram

Been a bit cool again this week but had my first Silver y's(2) and 1 dark Spectacle , 1 Spectacle,small square spot and a Scalloped Hazel(melanic) last night.

Thursday, 27 May 2010

Birdguides Moth Article

Latest moth related article on Birdguides can be found at
http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=2112

Jerusalem Farm LNR


Working at Jerusalem Farm today, found this 1648 Pebble Hook-tip, also had large red damselfly and green-veined white.

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Mother Shipton




Just IDed this one.


Sat. at Cromwell Bottom.

Tuesday, 25 May 2010

Last Night in Hebden Bridge







Silver-ground Carpet 1 NFY
Brindled Pug 1
Common Quaker 1
Green Silver-lines 1 N
Common Rustic agg 1 NFY
Lesser Swallow Prominent 1 NFY
Red-green Carpet 1 NFY
Scalloped Hazel 1 NFY

Rather excited to get Green Silver-lines which is a new one for me. I have Seen Scarce Silver-lines at a petrol station in France a few years ago however! Will try and get a better pic of him tomorrow and also the Rustic which didn't seem to have the white in the markings but couldn't see what else it could be. Winston

Clearwing

I found some kind of clearwing on Pellon Lane yesterday, near Burdock Way. It was on the pavement and seemed stunned, may have been hit by a car. I'm not familiar with these, so all I can say is it was 'hornet' like, but not as bright as a Hornet moth. After looking at guide book I feel it closet resembles the six-belted or yellow-legged variety, although I didn't notice the leg colour. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera and just left it on a bush.

Midgley last night

Just 2 this morning in trap but good ones, 1 White Ermine and 1 Water Carpet. Will try trap in a different place tonight to see if we can catch any more....

Monday, 24 May 2010

Knot Grass


Had this Moth last night but I could not decide if it was a Knot Grass or Light Knot Grass, any ideas









last few days

Hebrew Character 4
V-Pug 5
Garden Carpet 22
Small Phoenix 22
Brindled Pug 2
Fox Moth
White Spotted Pug 11
Clouded Silver 5
Common Swift 1
Flame Carpet 1
Scalloped Hazel 13
Cinnabar 4
Brimstone 6
Double Striped Pug 3
Small Angle Shades 1
Clouded Bordered Brindle 2
Shears 1
Light Knot Grass ?

Shuttle Shaped Dart 1
Rustic Shoulder Knot 3
Common Pug 1
Silver Ground Carpet 1
Early Grey 1

nice to see some Cinnabar again

Sunday, 23 May 2010

Cunnery Wood

Working on Saturday I had the chance to be in Cunnery Wood for most of the day and see the following

1 Comma
12 Speckled wood
2 Peacock
7 Orange tips (6 males and 1 female)
5 Large white

1 Large red damselfly

Also had 1 Great diving beetle in the pond