Water Vole - Bakewell

Came across this confiding Water Vole close to Bakewell centre early afternoon.

Water Vole

Brambling - Bent Lane

Cold and windy on Beeley this morning but a nice mixed finch flock on Bent Lane included at least 50 Brambling.

Brambling

More December Moths

Another good catch for November, the temperature staying around 9 Centigrade to midnight then dropping down to 4 as the sky cleared;
December Moth 7 
Mottled Umber 6
Scarce Umber 2
Spruce Carpet 1
Satellite 1
Chestnut 1
Acleris sparsana1.

Another striking Mottled Umber

Still catching a few moths despite the lower temperatures; 2 December Moths, Spruce Carpet, Red-green Carpet,  Mottled Umber, Scarce Umber and Feathered Thorn last night.

Mottled Umber

Autumnal Moth

Finally caught an Autumnal Moth which is sufficiently clearly marked to identify on the basis of the shape of the median fascia. I caught two last night which, with the two I'd put as probables on 9th seems to support the view that Autumnal Moth has a later flight period than November Moth.
Also caught 6 Mottled Umber, Scarce Umber, 4 Red-green Carpet, Spruce Carpet and a Yellow-line Quaker.

Autumnal Moth

Great Grey Shrike - Beeley Moor

Finally caught up with the Great Grey Shrike this morning, close to Wraggs Quarry. Good scope views but distant for photos. Not much else although 150 Golden Plover flying over is a good count, 2 Peregrine and a few Crossbill.

Great Grey Shrike

Another Rusty-dot Pearl

Third Rusty-dot Pearl of the autumn last night, also December Moth, Feathered Thorn, 2 November Moths, Northern Winter Moth and a Chestnut.

Rusty-dot Pearl

Last night's catch

In addition to the possible Autumnal Moth last night the catch included 2 Mottled Umber, 3 Scarce Umber, November Moth, Feathered Thorn, 3 December Moths and the micro Blastobasis lacticollela.

Possible Autumnal Moths

During the past week I've caught 3 Epirrita moths which have shown the median fascia appearing to curve away from the distinct discal spot which may therefore be Autumnal Moths. They are noticeably smaller than the typical November. Unfortunately none have been really well marked individuals.

possible Autumnal Moth

Agonopterix ciliella

Taken at home this evening Agonopterix ciliella.photo of hindwing shows the multiple fuscous  bands in the cilia which separate it from heracliana

Exapate congelatella

Caught two Exapate congelatella last night, an unusual Tortrix in that the female only has vestigial wings and is flightless. Another 3 Scarce Umber, 2 Feathered Thorn, 2 November Moth and 2 Winter/Northern Winter.

Exapate congelatella

Not so Scarce Umber

Caught another three Scarce Umber last night.

Scarce Umber

Scarce Umber

Another good catch, despite the rain, with the minimum temperature at 10 Centigrade.
A total of 32 moths of 11 species; Scarce Umber was the star which I only catch occasionally plus 11 November Moths (one of which warrants a closer look), 2 Juniper and 3 Red-green Carpet, 2 Northern Winter Moths, December Moth, Mottled Umber, Red-line Quaker, a Barred Sallow and 2 Satellite.

Scarce Umber

December Moth

Finally caught 2 December Moths, both males,last night in the continuing mild weather, also female Feathered Thorn with 2 males, Mottled Umber, Grey shoulder-knot, a couple of November Moths, Juniper Carper (including my smallest with a forewing of 12mm) and a Red-green Carpet.

December Moth - male

Feathered Thorn - female

I must have caught 20 or 30 Feathered Thorn this autumn but this is the first female.

Feathered Thorn - female

Mottled Umber

A nicely marked individual.

Mottled Umber

Northern Winter Moth

Just when you think it's all over...caught 2 Northern Winter Moths last night, one with a forewing of 18mm the other 15mm so a fair difference in size.

Northern Winter Moth

End of the mothing season drawing near

Approaching the end of the mothing season now. Still catching a few moths whilst the weather remains mild but there are only one or two moths that could be realistically added to the year list.


31/10 Feathered Thorn 2. November Moth 5, Red-green Carpet 4, Juniper Carpet 2, Yellow-line Quaker 1, red-line Quaker 1, Chestnut 2.


30/10 Feathered Thorn 4, November Moth 7, Red-green Carpet 7, Juniper Carpet 4, Satellite, Blair's Shoulder-knot, Silver Y 2, Yellow-line Quaker, Chestnut 3.