Latticed Heath - East Moor

One of the most attractive of our day flying moths the Latticed Heath was present in reasonable numbers in the grassy areas bordering the moor this afternoon.

Latticed Heath

Golden-ringed Dragonfly - East Moor

At least two male Golden-ringed Dragonfly on Umberley Brook by the A619 on East Moor this afternoon. Roger said he had several by Barbrook Reservoir a couple of days ago so they are on the wing in numbers at present.

Golden-ringed Dragonfly

Dark Green Fritillary - East Moor

Several Dark Green Fritillary over East Moor this afternoon but all looking a little battered now. Not sure what the hoverflies are.

Dark Green Fritillary

Puss Moth caterpillar - Wraggs Quarry

The Puss Moth caterpillars in Wraggs Quarry look fully grown now and must be over 6cm in length. The small Sallow bush that they have been feeding on has been almost striped clean of leaves.

Puss Moth - caterpillar

Shaded Broad-bar

A widespread moth but one that appears to be in decline. I only recorded small numbers of Shaded Broad-bar in the garden now but used to catch it in reasonable numbers. 

Shaded Broad-bar

Fieldfare - July record on Beeley Moor

No sign of Ken's Fieldfare on Saturday but record shots from Ken taken on Friday on Flash Lane. Looks like an adult. Fieldfare do occasionally breed in the Peak District

Fieldfare

Lempke's Gold Spot

Still a local rarity but numbers appear to be increasing, I caught this Lempke's Gold Spot last night. Easily confused with the Gold Spot, it tends to be more brightly orange brown coloured with more distinct cross lines and the inner white blotch, near the wing tip, is square ended rather than pointed as in Gold Spot.

Lempke's Gold Spot v Gold Spot

Endotricha flammealis - The Rosy Tabby

A new one for me, this Pyralid has a very unusual and distinctive resting position with the forelegs raised and the wings extended. 
There are only a couple Derbyshire record listed in Harrison & Sterling, up to 1988 both from the 1890's, but listed as expanding its range in Phil Sterling & Mark Parsons Micro Moths of GB. Nationally the distribution is south and east of Derbyshire.
Ken texted me with a Fieldfare sighting today in fields bordering Beeley Moor, so something to look for tomorrow.

Endotricha flammealis - The Rosy Tabby

Pine Hawkmoth - new for the garden

The Pine Hawkmoth appears to be spreading north and westwards from it base in eastern and southern England, Matlock is just about on the limit of its current range.. I have occasionally caught it in Matlock Forest but this is my first record for the garden.

Pine Hawkmoth

Argyresthia brockeella

Several new moths for the year with two Large Twin-spot Carpet, Northern Spinach, Dotted Clay and this example Argyresthia brockeella.

Argyresthia brockeella

Chalk Carpet - Coombs Dale

The Chalk Carpet is one of a relatively small number of moths that has its own biodiversity action plan. Its designated as Nationally Scarce B meaning there are only records from 31-100 10km squares since 1980. 
In the Midlands the Peak District is the stronghold for the species which inhabits limestone and chalk grasslands. It is relatively easy to find during the day when it is disturbed from the ground or rocky areas, like this one flushed from the side of the path in Coombs Dale this morning.
It probably occurs in most of the limestone dales.

Chalk Carpet distribution (c.NBN Gateway)

Emperor Dragonfly

Several Emperor Dragonflies flying at the Stonedge (Cupola) ponds this morning with dozens of Four-spotted Chasers.

Emperor Dragonfly

Brown Hawker - Stonedge ponds

Several Brown Hawker on the wing this morning at the Stonedge (Cupola) ponds at the back of the Red Lion. Not easy to photograph. New for the blog though.

Brown Hawker

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet

A flight shot of the Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet - showing the narrow border to the hind wing. Probably easier to separate it from the Five-spot Burnet on distribution, the latter is restricted to the south coast.

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet

Fox with sheep carcass

I came across a young Fox this morning, probably a year old. I was watching it from a distance of about 1Km as it walked through a grassy field it kept disappearing in the tall grass and then reappearing some distance away. Eventually it disappeared behind a dry stone wall and failed to reappear. I moved position and found it feeding on a very old sheep carcass. It was a long way off and I weighed up the pros and cons of trying to get nearer. I was about to leave then changed my mind and moved closer.... I was glad that I did!

Fox on sheep carcass