It's Armistice Day and at 11.00 hrs, on the banks of the RMC, my Poppy proudly on display, I took a minute to reflect upon the heroic acts and sacrifices that others have made to ensure my freedoms. "Lest we forget" - Amen to that! That's the "Wraftie" bit out of the way - what's been happening?
Well, if I'm totally honest, not a lot. I blanked yesterday, not a single bleep from the indicators, although a Noctule Bat was a most unexpected sighting. Back down this morning and another encounter, although this time I had the Magenta 5 detector with me and was treated to a spectacular audio fest as the bat hunted directly above my position for a good five minutes. Fishing was a struggle but, eventually, I did manage to tempt a Pike - No.16 for the season. A clean little jack of 8 lbs took a fancy to a "popped-up" Mackerel, but that was it. It's incredibly mild for the time of year, 16 C yesterday, and not falling below double figures at night. What's a guy supposed to do? Run a moth trap of course!
I'd switched it off at 04.40 hrs, prior to me departing towards the RMC, and had already potted a Udea ferrugalis (Rusty Dot Pearl) before I left. On my return, some eight hours later, I was delighted to discover two Palpita vitrealis (they used to be "unionalis" when I first started trapping) Olive Tree Pearls, a Setaceous Hebrew Character, an Angleshades, two November Moths and several Light Brown Apple Moths. Funnily enough, I've got it back in action tonight.
Dyl, those Noctule Bats are really impressive. I read somewhere that they can be heard from 300m away assuming one has a bat detector in play. To me they can sound like metal sheets being bashed together, and loud!
ReplyDeleteWhen younger I could hear them clicking away with bare ears, but time affects one hearing frequencies. My range is now between 40Hz and just on 13,000Hz. No problem still being able to hear Goldcrests I'm pleased to report.
Ric, this was only the second time I've heard one using my Bat Detector. The sounds they produce are so unlike the garbled mix of warbles, clicks and squeaks of the far more frequently encountered Daubenton's & Pipistrelle sp. To actually be able to see it, quite clearly in the dawn glow, was an added bonus. All the best - Dyl
Deletemorning Dylan, surprised your not getting hammered by eels with it being so mild . flying on the pike front .keep it up . should have retired years ago ��.
ReplyDeletenick
Hi Nick, Eels can be a right pain in the arse, especially during flood conditions. However, I do have a couple of ruses, in my locker, which help keep thier activity to a minimum. I'll tell you more when we meet up on Monday? - Dylan
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