Signs of change

The recent run of decent weather has certainly impacted in a positive fashion upon the numbers, and variety, of moths being attracted to the garden MV trap. Although I am still struggling to get positive id's for many of the smaller micro species, it is a Knot-horn sp. which has caused a few issues this morning. My copy of the 2nd edition Field Guide to the Moths of GB & Ireland is on order and should, hopefully, be able to further assist my pathetic efforts?

I'd have thought that a moth so obviously a Knot-horn and this well marked would be easy to id?

I was out in the garden, around 21.30 hrs, last night, attempting to get an image of the "orange tinted" August "Blue Moon". Whilst outdoors there was a small passage of Sandwich Terns, away to the west, headed down towards Pegwell Bay. 

The usual morning routine is switching off the trap, at around 05.30 hrs, before going back to kip and checking the contents much later in the day. Today, however, there was the first Convolvulus Hawk-moth of 2024 sat in the funnel, so quickly potted up and placed into the fridge, before going through the ritual of covering the trap and moving it away from where the local Magpies can cause any issues. 

The first Convolvulus Hawk-moth of the year - always a welcome garden visitor.

An inspection of the egg trays resulted in a couple more additions to the garden year list in the form of Scarce Bordered Straw and a female Gem. There were also a couple of Silver Y, Diamondbacks and another Vagrant Piercer which just added to the feeling that insect migration is afoot. 

Scarce Bordered Straw

The Gem - female

The garden Hedgehog feeding station remains a constant source of entertainment, once the light has faded, and there are at least six individuals visiting the garden on a regular basis. I haven't seen a Fox for quite some time, yet there was a male barking away somewhere out in the darkness late last night. The Barn Owl was calling again on Saturday night, so might have taken up temporary residence in the buildings over at Newlands Farm?

It remains an absolute privilege to have these animals sharing our space.