Dark Marbled or Common Marbled Carpet..??

Hopefully Brian is putting up a few pics later on this week to help id this tricky couple of moths.

So heres one to get your brains in gear theses are both the same moth ..

Last minute reminder

British Cave Research Association
Summer Cave Biology Field MeetingWednesday 8th September 2010Scoska Cave, Littondale, YorkshireBelow are details of the field trip to the cave where they hav been studying the moths, he would like to invite all Calderdale "moth-ers", The British Cave Research Association is pleased to invite you to its Summer 2010 cave biology field meeting that will be held from 10.00am on Wednesday 8th September 2010. The meeting will be led by David Hodgson of the Craven Pothole Club, who has studied the biology of Scoska Cave for many years. The Village Hall, Arncliffe, (SD93187195, www.arncliffe.net for full details including local accommodation) will be used as the base venue. The aim of the meeting is to present information on the biology of British caves with Scoska Cave as a prime example. Topics covered in talks will include cave flora, Herald and Tissue moths, David’s work at Scoska, and the Hazelton database of British subterranean biology. These talks will be followed by a visit to Scoska Cave where David will describe his work and point out interesting aspects of the ecology of the cave. The day will end back at the Hall with a summary of the days events and will conclude at 1530-1600.This event should appeal to those interested in subterranean biology, especially those who want a brief but diverse introduction to the subject. A collection of books and other literature will be available for consultation. Intending participants should register their interest by Friday 6 August 2010 by email to the meeting secretary, Graham Proudlove: g.proudlove@manchester.ac.uk or, for initial queries, by telephone at: +44 (0)1706 839752. Final communications about the programme will be sent by email to those who have registered. There will be a small charge, to include morning and afternoon refreshments, of £6, or £5 for BCRA members, or £4 for students. Parking will be available close by in Arncliffe Village. We are most grateful to Mrs. B. McKenzie for permission to visit Scoska Cave and to the people of Arncliffe for the use if their Hall.Equipment required: We will not be travelling very far into Scoska Cave so full caving gear is not required. Wellingtons are highly recommended as greater than boot-depth water may be encountered. Warm clothing and a waterproof jacket are necessary in case of rain. A helmet and light are certainly required. If you cannot supply your own helmet and light we can do so provided you let us know in advance. A small charge will be made for this. You should also provide your own lunch as there is little provision in the village

Knottwood 04 09 10,Micros

lft poss 845 anacampsis blattariella or 853 anacampsis populella ?? other poss 1159 holly tortrix rhapobota naevana ??regards Bri,Andy,Martyn,Marolyn

Knottwood 04 09 10

antler 5,flounced chestnut 17,dark arches 2,dunbar 4,autumnal rustic 4,square spot rustic 11,copper underwing 3,yellow shell 2,large yellow underwing 12,heath rustic 1,small autumnal moth 1,clouded border 2,lesser yellow underwing 3,july highflier 2,garden carpet 1,riband wave 1,suspected 2,lssr broad bordered yellow underwng 2,common marbled carpet 2,dark marbled carpet 2,lesser swallow prominent 1,also 1159 holly tortrix ? and either 853 ancampsis blattariella/a populella ? top small autumnal moth,2nd heath rustic and bottom flounced chestnut.regards Bri,Andy,Martyn,Marolyn.

Brimstone butterfly

Philip Marshall reported a female nectaring on Buddleia at Todmorden on 1st Sept.

Whiteholme Dragons

Good day on the drain...... Filming Black Darters ovipositing.......not quite as vigorous as the Common Darters on Tag Loop. This species seems less approachable than Common Darters but I did manage to lie down on the drain within 18 inches of an obliging male for some nice hand-held macro shots. Quite a few late-flying small blue damsels kicking about...probably Common Blue Damselflies....but I would need to check the tapes before giving a positive ID. There was a stunning Common Hawker working the sides of a pond next to the sluice gates at the top of the reservoir, but I struggled to get any shots as he was constantly on the move searching for a mate or chasing off other males. I'll give him another go tomorrow. Loads of blue damsels here. Only 1 Common Darter seen on the drain. 1 x Green-veined White and 1 x Peacock were the only butterflies noticed.

September sallows

O how i love September by far my favorite in the moffing calender,so far Autumn Green Carpet,Currant Pug and above Sallow ,Orange sallow and Centre Barred sallow.

Butterfly Consevation

Yorkshire Branch
MEMBERS DAY AND AGM
Sunday 10th October 2010
At YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM, ELVINGTON, NR YORK.
PROGRAMME
10.00 – 10.30 Arrival. Refreshments available to buy at the NAAFI during the day.
10.30 – 10.45 Welcome from the Chair.
10.45 – 11.30 21 years of Moths at Haxby Terry Crawford
11.30 – 12.15 Yorkshire Moths 2000 to 2010. Charlie Fletcher
12.15 – 1330 Lunch Sunday roast / snacks are available at the NAAFI,
or bring your own if preferred.
13.30 – 14.15 Annual General Meeting
14.15 – 14.45 Photo Competition results and Raffle.
14.45 – 15.30 Diptera Studies at Elvington in 2009/10 Roy Crossley
1600 Close.
NO

Bowled Eggs

I was happily filming a male common darter guarding his territory down Tag Loop today. As other males came across the pond, he would chase them off, no doubt giving them a piece of his mind, before returning to his station on his leaf. Shortly, a new couple arrived, intent on spawning in "his" pond. The female interloper was suspended below her mate as they flew along the edge of the pond, and the resident male was clearly not impressed, so gave chase and drove the brazen couple away......who promptly returned to continue their business.......only to be chased off again.  Whenever they were able to pass undetected, the male appeared to swing the female, whilst she made a whiplash motion with her abdomen......together making a movement somewhat like 10-pin bowler casting a ball down a bowling lane towards a set of skittles.....the skittles in this case being the muddy sides of the pond. The "bowling" movement was very fast and jerky, so I may have misinterpreted some of the detail. I'll have a better idea after viewing the tapes.
Another, more bizarre, twist to the story was when the invading couple flew into the resident males territory for the umpteenth time. The resident male gave chase, but on this occasion, the paired male dropped his lady-friend,  rather unceremoniously, into the pond and flew off to have a scrap with the resident antagonist. "Ay up.You just wait there love while I go an kick yon fellas 'ed in.........." Just like town on a Saturday night.

At the Bus Stop (Worlds biggest moth trap) this morning

Id help please

Dragonflies for sale

I have a mint, unread, soft-back copy of the New Naturalist title "Dragonflies" by Corbet & Brooks up for grabs if anyone is interested

Dragonflies today

Went back to see if I could get any photos today after forgetting camera yesterday.Black Darters and Common Hawkers(pic above looks like its just emerged as wings are not full blown out yet.)also Brown Hawkers and 2 Common darters.

Knott Wood sat night meet 8.30 ish all welcome....

Small Wainscot

after a poor week this little beauty turned up last night, a new moth for me, Andy what is the status of this species locally

Death's-head Hawk-moth (Acherontia atropos)

Hi all
My sister in Essex sent me this photo yesterday afternoon asking me what it was. She found the moth resting on her washing in the kitchen when she went to put it away late yesterday afternoon. I told her to get the Essex moth recorder round right away as they would be delighted with the record, he called round last night to collect the moth for their records.

So don't bother with the moth traps this month just add to some fabric conditioner to your washing and leave a window open and you too might get a specimen of this magnificent moth :-)

Brimstone Butterfly 31 08 10

Saw a Male Brimstone Butterfly at riverside near Todmorden Market today,1st ive seen locally for ages ! as anyone else seen many about locally ? regards Bri.

Black Darters

Lots of Black Darters about at the top end of Cragg Vale last week.

Cromwell Bottom Sun night....

A cold and clear night with some excellent net work keeping us warm. thanks to Bri ,marion ,Ian and Tina.

Acleris emargana 3

Straw Dot 1

Orange swift 1

Clouded border 1

Sq Spt Rustic 8

Flame Sh 1

Flame carpet 1

Canary Shouldered Thorn 2

Sallow 2

July Highflyer 1

Dark Barred Twin spot Carpet 1

Angle Striped sallow 1

Small Phoneix 1

Autumnal Rustic 2

Dotted Clay 1

LYU 6

Lesser YU 2

LBBYU 2

More Devon Carpets

Seems like Devon Carpet is well established at hardcastle craggs with more records from Elena this week.

Small Coppers

So I haven't seen any Small Coppers since I moved over here 5 years ago.....now I'm seeing them everywhere. After filming them first at Jay House Lane on thistles, followed by Tag Loop on White Clover , I found some at Oxenhope railway crossing just below the Railway Children 3-Chimneys house, and now I'm finding them at Roils Head. Here, they were feeding on Heather.
Red Admirals were also on heather at Roils Head - a first for me in Calderdale -  and loads of Speckled Woods.

More Purple Hairstreaks

Tricky little blighters to photo,only seem to fly in bright sunshine.reports today from Knot wood Heden Bridge and Only House wood Northowram.