That's not a moth!

 It was a tad breezy last night, here on Thanet, and as a consequence the 125w MV didn't hold as many moths as it has done on previous days. The most obvious effect of the wind is the huge reduction in micro moth numbers. Each morning sees the same old routine, collecting pots and camera close to hand, I examine the egg trays to see what's been attracted, taking the odd photo if something is of interest. I make no effort to record what is seen or how many. The whole experience is based upon curiosity and the hope that something unusual will turn up. I do make an exception for the Hawk-moths, and keep monthly totals of those which are trapped. Now there is a slight variance here, as the local Hedgehogs certainly take their toll on moths which, having been attracted, don't actually go into the Robinson Trap but, instead, land on the grass outside my wire barrier. Last night was particularly bad as one each of Privet, Eyed and Elephant Hawks fell foul to these spiny garden visitors. Their discarded wings being the only sign left on the lawn. Most of the usual suspects were present, as well as the first Delicate for a while, The Herald, Dun-bar, Clancy's Rustic (3) and a couple which require further effort to ascertain an id. The most intriguing insect of the morning was discovered on the second to last egg tray. My best guess is that it belongs in the Stilt/Assassin/Damsel Bug group, although I could easily be way off the mark?

I downloaded this image from "flea-bay"
It's in much better condition than my battered copy!

It was a wonderful discovery and, although not brilliant, my photos show just how amazing it was. The only reference book I own, pertaining to such creatures, is a 1993 copy of Collins Pocket Guide - Insects of Britain & Western Europe. Obviously I now have access to many other reference sources, courtesy of the internet, but when you haven't a clue where to start, it's not particularly helpful! 

I am very grateful for the input of Brizey (aka Brian Harper) for giving me
a definitive id for this wonderful creature.
  Miridius quadrivirgatus - no English alternative available?

I'm very happy to continue looking at such creatures, without any great desire to "need to know" what it's called. Even without a name, I've still spent time looking at it and marvelling at the crazy structure and patternation of this individual. Not for one minute do I think that it is anything particularly unusual, just another manifestation of .local fauna being completely overlooked because of sheer ignorance on my part.

Fantastic beasts

When J.K. Rowling used her wonderfully creative imagination and superb storytelling skills to follow the Harry Potter saga with tales of mythical, magical, creatures which occupied the space in her mind, there was absolutely no doubt that the result would be more best sellers. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them" was then given the full cinema special effects treatment to allow us access into the incredible world that J.K. had envisaged. Story telling genius which will entertain far beyond the constraints of mortality?

I went fishing last night, just a short into dark session, out on the flatlands. Nothing to report, yet I was very happy with how things panned out. My rig placement, swim choice and umpteen other niggles were allayed by the simple fact that I was finally out there doing things my way. To top it off, I heard my first "purring" Turtle Dove (in Kent) for two years and also had a Water Vole swim past my rod, and that doesn't happen too often these days. Anyway, it was whilst sat behind a motionless rod and silent bite alarm that I started thinking about how much impact my interest in natural history has upon my daily life. At this point I got bitten by a savage midge and was quickly reminded why insect repellent is such a key part of my fishing gear. The moth trap had been sorted out before I left home and it had been rather productive on the previous evening, so I had high hopes for a repeat performance. At 23.30 hrs, I was packing up and there were plenty of moths attracted to my head torch as I used it to assist my task. A few bat.sp (probably Daubenton's) were skimming over the surrounding marshland and a Greenshank called out, loudly, in the darkness.

Roseate Marble

Pearl Grass Veneer

Four-spotted Obscure

Back home just after midnight I was able to spend a while watching the activity around the 125w MV trap before deciding to call it a day. Although I actually got up at 05.15 hrs to switch off the trap, I didn't get up, for real, until gone 10.00 hrs. I was knackered! Checking the contents of the moth trap is always fun, purely because of the ridiculous diversity of shape, size and colour of the insects drawn to the light. Fantastic beasts indeed and where the idea for this post was spawned. I was going nowhere today, except for the usual gardening duties and afternoon school run. So with my camera kit set to capture macro images, I spent my time just looking at the creatures which crossed my path. 

Harlequin Ladybird nymph

A "Greenbottle-type" Fly

The realisation that there is so much wildlife sharing my space which I completely ignore/overlook is crazy. It goes without saying that the camera technology plays a massive part in my ability to actually appreciate what is there to be discovered. I am now beginning to understand the mind-set of the PSL gang, although still unable to accept that killing specimens or league tables has any role in the appreciation of our natural world.

Zebra Spider

Weevil sp. 

Flesh Fly

Fantastic beasts, without any doubt, just I don't need to read a fairytale in order to discover such creatures. They are all around me if only I take the time to look! They don't need names, or assignment to a specific genus, the fact that I can look and be amazed will do for me. If others undertake the same journey and discover a different level of involvement - fill your boots. 

Don't have the first idea where to start looking?

Variety; "the spice of life"?

 I've not really been up to much, of late, just fannying around down at the "Carp puddle" and driving myself insane attempting to put names to incredibly well marked, yet tiny, moths. Two steps forward, one step back, seems to fit the bill at this point in proceedings. However, learning is all about experience and the ability to draw positives from apparent failure. So whilst my micro moth id skills are slowly showing signs of improvement, the EOS 70d is fast becoming a revelation as I understand more about the various settings that are available to me. Youtube has been an absolute gold mine, as I've sought information about various digital photography techniques. The Canon website being a superb place to start before being directed to some tutorial which is able to demonstrate, in easy steps, how to do whatever it is you're attempting. 

Rosy-striped Knot-horn

Marbled Piercer

Lesser Tawny Tubic

Now I am old enough to remember the pre-digital age of film photography and that old adage "the camera never lies". Well in 2023, the statement may still be hanging on by a thread, but poetic license certainly has a massive role in the truth. Photographing the garden sun-set using the SCN setting, as opposed to Auto, has given another dimension to my results. Absolutely no doubt as to how pleasing on the eye but, at the same time, nowhere close to the scene that I'd actually pointed the lense at! No way can the camera create extra cloud cover or alter the physical features in shot, but the colour density and contrast is off the scale to how I perceive the same skyline with my naked eyes.

No-one living on Thanet saw a sun-set like this last night.
 My Canon EOS 70D did and we all know that cameras don't lie?

With Bev doing her swimming thing I, once again, took a drive across to the flatlands to have another scan around the area in the hope of discovering somewhere new to place my baited rigs. Without going into too much detail, I think I might have found such a spot? I'm very hopeful that I'll be able to get out there tomorrow evening? Whilst I was out on the marsh it seemed rude not to spend a bit of time with the numerous Norfolk (Green-eyed) Hawkers which are now such a feature of this habitat.

A flatland's Norfolk Hawker

A little help from my friends

I make no secret of my objection to killing insects in order to put a tick into a box on an Excel spreadsheet. Those Victorian folk, who were at the forefront of our exploration of the natural world and needed to undertake such examinations, were limited by a complete lack of technology which, thankfully, no longer applies in 2023. Sticking pins into "specimens" in order to ascertain a positive id, of some poor invertebrate is abhorrent to me. Can you imagine the fall-out should someone shoot a bird because they weren't confident of the identification based upon what they could actually see? Not a chance. The ridiculous advances in image capture, even by the most basic of equipment, should ensure a level of confidence in the ability of technology to assist our id without the need to resort to the dissection of said creatures. Still don't know what it's called? Get over yourself, it's a bloody insect, how is it important enough to warrant acting like God and killing the creature? Oh yeah, I know, it's an ego thing - got to see my initials next to the sighting in the County Moth/Spider/Beetle/Bee/Wasp Report.

Golden-brown Tubic

On the whole, inverts aren't rare, they're just overlooked? Why? Because no-one in the ordinary world gives a "flying f*ck" about such things. Paying the bills and keeping food on the table being of far more importance, funnily enough. That there are some of us to whom these wonderful creatures are capable of creating an interest beyond "grab the fly spray" is testament to the human ability to seek individuality. Knowing that there are many others with totally opposite viewpoints, I will now step down from the soap box and accept that everyone is entitled to an opinion, however much it might differ from my own.

Scarce Oak Knot-horn

Dotted Oak Knot-horn

Last night was another crazy one, for the 125w MV moth trap, with over one hundred, each, of Brown & Yellow-tailed Moths, the vast majority of which were on the outside of the trap when I switched it off at 05.15 hrs this morning. Thirteen Elephant Hawk-moths was the highest count, thus far in 2023, but it was left to the micro moths to provide the bulk of my interest. Plenty of Tortrix sp. to push my limited knowledge, yet it was two Pyralids which actually provided the real learning today. Thankfully I have Ian Roberts (Folkestone Birds.org) to provide, much needed, assistance with my moth id and today was no different. What was rather reassuring is that Ian actually agreed with my identifications, so things are certainly moving in the right direction?

Med Gulls

Three weeks into the new season and I've yet to have a serious session out on the flatlands. Whilst Bev was enjoying her new exercise regime, this morning, down in the pool at the Ramsgate Sports Centre, I took a drive across to the marsh to have a look at a couple of areas where I might just be able to spend a bit of time, without interference or competition? Not too much to get excited about, there was one spot which looks to be worth further investigation. I might give it a go next week, weather permitting. The main feature of my wanderings was the number of Mediterranean Gulls feeding on an ant hatch (?) across the marshes. It didn't matter what direction I pointed my binoculars, there were good numbers of these stunning "white-winged" gulls hawking over the adjacent farmland. I made no effort to record an accurate count, but there were certainly a couple of hundred present. 

I got a bit side-tracked attempting to sift through the birds to spot the various age groups on view. Adults were clearly in the majority, but first and second summer birds were also numerous.. Other bits noted whilst on my walk included loads of Norfolk Hawkers, but included my first Brown Hawker of the year plus my first Marbled White and Essex Skipper butterflies of 2023. Just a handful of Swallows were seen, but the drains, dykes and ditches were alive with Sedge and Reed Warblers suggesting that they, at least, have had a very successful breeding season, thus far.

Scamping at another level

When, on Sunday, I wrote about "Old School Scamping" little did I know that things would turn out as they have. I was expecting to have to collect Harry from his after school football club, this afternoon, but Bev got a phone call, from Debbie, and suddenly a window opened and it seemed rude not to make the most of the opportunity. I'd been toying with this idea for a little while now. Knowing that a "big" Carp isn't in the equation, why not see how much fun can be derived by using tackle that wouldn't have been out of place in the 1950's?  I've used the, 1959, B. James & Son, Dick Walker Mk IV split cane down at the Carp puddle on many occasions, yet only for floater fishing. Today was to see me use it to fish bottom baits on a set-up which incorporated a Heron bite alarm and a Mitchell 300 reel.

My actual rig was a simple "blow-back" presentation, bait being flavoured chickpeas, a lead-free leader, with a running 1 1/2oz inline flat pear lead and all positioned using eight sections of the Nash "Bushwhacker" baiting pole system. A case of ancient meets modern, yet it was only bait placement that benefitted from the passing of time. Once a fish was hooked, it was "fun central" as all the kit involved in getting it to the landing net was proper old school.

I've got to admit to being very surprised by the sensitivity of the Heron bite alarm system. I used a copy of my Tring swing arm indicators and wasn't particularly confident that this combination would provide adequate audible warnings of a bite. It proved to be worry that was totally unfounded, the combination performed superbly. With the anti-reverse off, the Mitchell 300 was free to "churn away" should a bite be particularly savage. Within three hours, of arriving, I was packing away due to running out of bait (again!) having landed eight Carp and missing several other chances. Rig mechanics didn't enter the equation today, all I cared about was having fun and that was experienced in overdrive.

The best of the bunch was a scraper 11 lbs Common Carp which led me a merry dance before being drawn into the landing net. I used the AV setting on the Canon 70D, as opposed the auto option which I usually choose, for the self takes. Not too sure how much better, or worse, the resultant images are but am indebted to a Rob Burgess (Korda) youtube offering for the tip.

Effort and reward

 I don't know the full details, yet way back in 1962 Gary Player had won a major golf tournament and during a t/v interview which followed the trophy presentation he paraphrased a quote from another golfing great, of the period, with this absolute gem of a statement. "The more I practice, the luckier I get" It's a sentiment which I hold very dear to my own thoughts on anything which I get involved with. The more I put into a hobby, the more I'm able to glean from my efforts and is, in reality, applicable to almost every other aspect of life in general. Photography has never been something I've ever pursued as an end in itself. The ability to record an image which captures a moment, be that a trophy shot of a fish, or a holiday memory was as far as I pushed it whilst employed by Kodak Ltd and so it remains in the digital era. If my camera skills are sufficient to produce images which will compliment my blogging, that's fine by me.

Two evenings, two sunsets. Both images taken from my study doorway, looking west, just
prior to getting the moth trap set for another night.

Modern optical kit is of mind-numbing quality. The technology, incorporated within a digital camera body, is akin to that which NASA used to make the Mars Exploration project a reality. Me? I'm a complete dumb-arse just happy to point and press. All that said, I'm not adverse to seeking assistance from the odd Youtube offering and have been pleasantly surprised by some of the advice available via this cyber platform. I've already landed my July "double" Carp, thus ensuring that I won't repeat the folly of June's mayhem. I've not been particularly serious about the size of the Carp, as opposed to the quest for a "ten pounder". With the pressure now off, I've almost four weeks to seek something a little more impressive from the venues available to me.

And so to end with my continued dalliance of looking at micro moths. The camera is absolutely invaluable in these situations. What I'm able to discern with my naked eyes is as of no use when compared to the detail captured by the digital format and displayed on my laptop. I still don't worry about those moths which avoid specific id. I'd rather look, than not bother. Those lessons provided by a positive id have to be used for future reference. The intricacies of patternation and body shape are testament to the sheer wonders on offer, to anyone prepared to look, by the diversity of life forms which share our personal space. 

Hawthorn Moth

Grey Tortrix (my best guess knowing how many similar species exist)

Barred Marble

Ox-tongue Conch

Hoary Bell

Cherry Bark Tortrix

The harder I look, the more detail I see. This aspect of moth trapping opens up so much more opportunity to push personal boundaries. The day will never dawn when I feel the need to stick a pin through a specimen in order to tick a box on an Excel spreadsheet. I'd simply rather look and be amazed, rather than kill a creature and claim to be a naturalist, just so my name made it onto the annual county moth report!