Nightjar - Matlock Forest

In almost complete darkness a male Nightjar sat churring from the top of a dead tree in Matlock Forest this evening. It was a still night and judging by the number of insect bites I received there was plenty of food on the wing. I've added another photo just to try and prove it was a Nightjar it was about 10:15 pm shot at ISO 10000.
Also 3-4 Woodcock roding.

Nightjar

Pyramidal Orchid - Bonsall Moor

Another from yesterday's visit to Bonsall Moor. 

Pyramidal Orchid

Buff Arches - close-up

A close up of the wing of one of our most attractive moths, the Buff Arches.

Buff Arches - wing close-up

Whinchat feeding young

Despite poor weather this morning I went for another look at the Whinchat. I only saw one juvenile yesterday but didn't spend long watching them. This morning I was able to sit in the car and have a closer look. Both adults were present and I counted four, possibly five youngsters. Not sure about the caterpillar in the first photo, maybe Small Tortoiseshell?

Whinchat male feeding juvenile

Chimney Sweeper - Bonsall Moor

The Chimney Sweeper is the commonest member of the Lepidoptera family flying on the moor at the moment.
I have a new macro lens which I'm experimenting with so there are likely to be a few close-ups of the local wildlife.

Chimney Sweeper

Fragrant Orchid - Bonsall Moor

At the moment at least the Fragrant Orchid is probably the least common of the flowing orchids on Bonsall Moor.

Fragrant Orchid

Bee Orchids - Bonsall Moor

A fantastic display of orchids on Bonsall Moor with the best showing of the Bee Orchid in recent years.

Bee Orchid

Wild flowers - Bonsall Moor

Amazing colour from the flowers on Bonsall Moor. Orchids to follow.

Scabious with other flowers

Whinchat family - Beeley Moor

I haven't seen any Whinchat locally since early May so it was a pleasant surprise to come across a family party on the moor this morning. I saw and photographed one juvenile but there may well have been more.

Whinchat juvenile

Whinchat male

Whinchat female

Plain Wave

The Plain Wave is very similar to the much commoner Riband Wave. I check all the Riband Waves I catch in the garden and have never recorded Plain Wave with any certainty but last night I caught this individual which lacks the indentation on the the leading edge of Riband Wave which is so characteristic of that species. I've overlain a Riband Wave against half of the Plain Wave to show the difference.
Nationally the Plain Wave is described as local and thinly distributed which is probably a fair description of its status in Derbyshire.

Plain Wave

Plain Wave (left) v Riband Wave (right)

Harlequin Ladybird - Beeley Moor

In addition to the Emperor Moth caterpillar, below Doug Aston also sent me this photo of a mating pair of Harlequin Ladybirds. First recorded in Britain as recently as 2004 in the SE the Harlequin has spread rapidly north and is causing significant concern regarding its impact on our native ladybirds. There are more details on the Harlequin Ladybird Survey homepage

Harlequin Ladybird (Doug Aston)

Distribution of the Harlequin Ladybird 2004-2011

Emperor Moth caterpillar

Doug Aston sent me these photos of Emperor Moth caterpillars taken on Beeley Moor during the last couple of days. As well as one of our most striking moths the caterpillar is also very distinctive 

Emperor Moth caterpillar (Doug Aston)

Poplar Grey

Not a common moth locally, I catch the Poplar Grey most years but only in small numbers. Numbers appear to be on the increase however and this is one of several species of moth that benefit from the planting of Poplar trees at the Enthoven works.

Poplar Grey

Another encounter with the Fox

I saw the Fox again towards dusk last night. It's left rear hind leg is damaged although it still appears to be able to move around fairly well. The better news was that it had three cubs with it last night although they disappeared as soon as they saw me.

Fox

Fox and cub

A Fox with a single cub this evening by the river at Darley Bridge, in one of the freshly cut fields. It was 9:30pm so the light was very poor.

Fox and cub