Sunday, June 29, 2008

Moths!

I actually left my moth trap on all night for the first time this summer! A nice array of the usual suspects (as opposed to the Suspect, a very rare moth!) whih included a garden tick in the form of a very smart looking Peach Blossom, so called for the delicate markings on the wings appear like peach blossom petals!

Peach Blossom



Angle Shades



Green Silver Lines






Brown Rustic



Turnip Moth (I think!)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

'Legs

Work took me to Blakeney this morning, which was sufficiently close enough to Cley NWT reserve to warrent a fleeting visit to enjoy 4 Spoonbill in flight over the reserve, several Little Egrets and best of all the summer plumaged Lesser Yellowlegs, a rare wading bird from North America. I have seen 'legs before but this one is a particularly fine looking bird with some strong black barring and spangled upperparts. Still digi-less so a few blobs of paint have been submitted to give you some idea!

Lesser 'legs

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Mid-summers Day Return

The morning dog walk coincided with a high flying Curlew going west over village. Undoubtedly a non-breeding returning bird from the low countries (at a guess!) it won't be long before the geese and the Fieldfares are back! Please can we have some summer!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Inverts.

Still awaiting my camera adaptor, a couple of inverts captured on the DSLR were found lurking in the garden.


Clouded Silver






Wasp Beetle




Monday, June 16, 2008

Hobby

Having not seen this small summer falcon locally yet this year, I was treated to a stunning view of one this morning as it lazily flew beside then infront of me as I walked the track. The reddish 'trousers' and yellow around the bill and eye were particularly bright. To further confirm the 'just like buses' saying, this evening two Hobbies looked somewhat rather more menacing as the belted down Church Lane terrorising the local hirundines (Swallows and Martins)

Friday, June 13, 2008

Moth Tick

Working in the west of the county this morning, I took my lunch break at Syderstone Common. A short walk across some open grassland kicked out a day flying moth that I've been wanting to see for ages, a Mother Shipton. It eventually settled down where I manged to get a couple of record shots with my old 2 megapixel camera! This moth gets its name from the witch of the same name who was reputed to have a long crooked nose and chin, check out this moths wing pattern.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Garden Stuff

With the digiscoping gear still out of action, I've not been inspired enough to go too far, so had a look around the garden with my other camera today. Nothing stunning but pictures to look at nevertheless.

Bumble Bees




'Micro' Moths


Silver Y moth
The Barn Owl has been regularly hunting the ex-set-a-side strip from late afternoon onwards, presumably having hungrey mouths to feed. We also have two species of wader breeding on the sugarbeet field behind the house in the form of at least two pairs of Lapwing and a noisy pair of Oystercatchers.

Saturday, June 07, 2008

Jewel in the Mist

A particularly grotty day weather wise was brightened up by an always beautiful BEE-EATER which was found just behind Northrepps Church late morning. The bird stuck faithfully to a hedgerow, seemingly sheltered from the breeze and drizzle and more importantly, one that was sheltered enough for Bees! This was my first Bee-eater sighting in Norfolk, and only my second in Britain. Unfortunately I am in the middle of a digiscoping crisis due to breakage of my camera adaptor, so I couldn't get any shots, but thanks to Rob Lee for allowing the use of his to make this post a little more interesting.



Bee-eater



Sunday, June 01, 2008