orange tip

2 make Orange tip in Long Wood, Skircoat today

Brimstone

late news of a Brimstone at Cromwell Bottom the the 18th and 19th April  (John Marsh) . This weekend and next week look good for the first Green Hairstreaks on a billberry patch near you................. and Orange Tips along the canal towpaths  and river banks..

Toxic caterpillars of the Oak Processionary Moths,

An infestation of caterpillars that can trigger asthma attacks, vomiting and skin rashes has appeared in south-east England....

...Hairs on the moths contain toxins that cause severe dizziness, fever and eye and throat irritations, health officials have warned. The caterpillars - which feed off oak trees - have distinctive extremely hairy bodies and should not be touched. Sightings should be reported to the Forestry Commission....

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/health-warning-as-toxic-hairy-caterpillars-take-over-woodlands/ar-AAwtK4g?li=BBoPWjQ&OCID=ansmsnnews11

Sorry it's a long link, copy and past into your browser.

Shibden head , Cats on Heather

                                                         Neglected Rustic

                                                             Heath Rustic

Went to Bare Head tunnel today and found 4 Heralds , and these two cats were found on heather opposite the entrance.

Test

Just a test sending email direct to blog.

Sent from my iPhone

Ogden

I managed my first Oak Beauty this morning thanks to Chris for pointing one out on the workshop room opposite the refreshment room. I didn't managed a photo in the rain but many thanks for that Chris. Hoping to get one at home one of these days !

Cat for ID please....

UPDATE: Now on Dandelion - 28mm long

I thought this looked a little unusual so I'm going to feed it. It looks like a non-descript noctuid but haven't noticed one so hairy before. It's 20mm and nibbling on Groundsel.

Brian Cain

Met up with Brian Cain who has been the Butterfly and Moth recorder in Calderdale since the 1960's. Great to hear some of the old stories and chat about  the increase in species but decline in numbers of out local butterfly's. When Brian first started recording it was a good year in Calderdale if they got 10 species ........Brian is not on the internet but I would like to thank him for his time and knowledge ..Cheers

Early Thorn.

Another Early thorn. Anne found it sheltering in our hall. I'm posting this one because the colouring is a lot richer than the first Early Thorn I posted. This moth was in a better location for photos.

 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria

Early Thorn detail

Worn Mottled Grey

21st April , Northowram

1 x Clouded Drab
1 x Mottled Grey
1 x Autumn Green Carpet
8 x Common Quaker
1 x Early Thorn
7 x Hebrew Character
1 x Brindled Pug
1 x Agonopterix sp
1 x Caloptilla sp
2 x Early Grey

Lee Mount - 21st April

Another interesting day which improved as the day progressed as I discovered more moths hidden away on the fence near the trap - synergetic light - greenish as opposed to a blue-ish actinic.
Double-striped Pug x 1
Diurnea flagella x 1
Early Grey x 4
Clouded Drab x 1
Hebrew Character x 2
Common Quaker x 1

Then this afternoon on the fence - must have missed them this morning
Pale Pinion x 1 - pretty sure identification is correct. This is a darker individual than the one on the 19th April - photo below for comparison.
Unidentified small Pug x 1
V -Pug x 1

 Unidentified Pug same moth above and below

 Pale Pinion

V Pug

Early Grey

Just one this morning, an Early Grey - Xylocampa areola. I have a feeling that we won't get a lot of moths in our garden until we have more flowers. Time will tell.

Early Grey - Xylocampa areola

Garden Moths VC 63 20 April 2018

Weather:  Warm , Dry occ Light Breeze . Crescent Moon

MV 125

Date 20 April 2018

Other Entomology

Green Lacewing, Caddis x1

 Catches thin but following logged

ABH 70.237 BF1917 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria
ABH 73.245 BF2182 Small Quaker Orthosia cruda
ABH 73.244 BF2187 Common Quaker Orthosia ceras
ABH 73.069 BF2243  Early Grey Xylocampa areola
ABH 73.242 BF2188  Clouded Drab Orthosia incerta

21.04.2018

ABH 73.249 BF2190   Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica                     BF 1597   Peacock Imachis io   ( 21.04.2018 am )



ABH 70.237 BF1917 Early Thorn Selenia dentaria



ABH 73.069 BF2243  Early Grey Xylocampa areola



ABH 73.244 BF2187 Common Quaker Orthosia ceras

Common Plume Emmelina monodactyla TBC

This afternoon I found a Plume Moth on the inside of the door. I think it's a Common Plume. There was I feeling pleased about finding my first moth of the season and a second one pops up.

Common Plume - 

Emmelina monodactyla TBC

First moth for me this year an Early Thorn.

Hi

I saw this moth at 2 am, but needed ladders to get to it. I wasn't about t waken the street by clanking about. Luckily for me, it was here this morning. I was becoming envious of others sighting moths and me not seeing any.

I did have a small light brown pug visiting the night before, but it had gone in the morning, so I've no idea what it would be. However, the Early thorn:

Early Thorn - Selenia dentaria

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Lee Mount - 20th April

This morning - not as many as yesterday but it was much cooler overnight.
Satellite x 2
Chestnut x 1
Double-striped Pug x 1
Early Grey x 2
Clouded Drab x 2
Early Thorn x 2
Hebrew Character x 3
Common Quaker x 9
Small Quaker x 1
Twin-spotted Quaker x 1
Agonopterix arenella x 1 - I think that's what it is ?

 Early Thorn

 

Agonopterix arenella

BUTTERFLY RECORDS

Please could everyone put on as many Butterfly records as possible this year...Whites , Browns etc all welcome...Thanks

Pale Pinion , Luddenden Village

Martyn sent me these pics from Luddenden Village, an increasing species in our area with about 12 records...and Daves looks good to me...Thanks Martyn.........great pics

Lee Mount - 19th April

I had quite a good number of moths the last few days but it's hard to catch up on the blog at times !
This morning was the best so far with around 38 in and around the trap including a few others found nearby during the day mostly hiding on the fencing.
Hebrew Character x 5
Early Grey x 4
Common Quaker x 19
Small Quaker x 4
Mottled Grey x 1
Twin-spotted Quaker x 1
Clouded Drab x 1
Satellite x 1
Common Plume x 1
Also one to check on identification - possibly a Pale Pinion ? - photo below