Well my internet dongle has run out of credit rendering any net based foraging trips as more scavenging seshs on others laptops!
The weather here has continued in the foggy vain for 5 days now, although today the fog rolled out and we got to stretch our eyes! easily the busiest day visitorwise meant not a huge amount of birding, other than the regular rounds have been done, still Eiders nesting all around and the cacophony of displaying terns means our days are filled with crippling spectacles!
Bird migration is ongoing with Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Wheatear all passing through along with Swallows and so on. The obvious push of southern species hasnt reached us yet although the promise of easterlies over the next few days could well bring some of the later northerly migrants across our way!
Breeding birds have been well and truly shagging in on and around the Farnes with all breeders present and correct along with the copulating, egg laying and poohing that comes with it.
Insects are also on the up with the first Red Admiral flying in off today while 16 Agonopterix alstromeriana werre notable. Other things include Bombus terrestis and stuff like Small T's etc. The obvious increase in migrants insects (including 3 Vagrant Emperors at Denge marsh!) and many moths so our trap is primed!
Anyway I'm on mates laptop so no pics today however I will sooooooon bye.
Hi Will, That's a good moth record for Northumberland - look here http://www.northumberlandmoths.org.uk/moth.php?taxon_from_search=Agonopterix%20alstromeriana
ReplyDeleteDid you get a piccy? Worth emailing the county recorder.
Hi Tim, There's a terrible photo on a previous post (from around mid-march) of an alstromeriana, and they have been pretty much daily on the islands - especially near Hemlock (which I gather is their foodplant). I found the 16 while strimming hemlock to make way for Arctic Terns and will be contacting Tom about them. Their small size and habits of hiding in litter might mean they're under recorded? I have had none in the trap we're running!
ReplyDeleteGood stuff Will. Great to know there's a 'mother' on the islands.
ReplyDelete