Herewith my catchup session for July, with observations not covered in my previous posts.
Friday, 2nd July Garden
Although some distance from the nearest woodland, we do occasionally see Speckled Wood butterfly in our garden. This was one of those occasions!
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| Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) - garden on 2nd July, 2021 |
I has been an exceptionally good year for visits to the garden by three corvid species - Magpie, Jackdaw, and Carrion Crow. We think that this is probably due to a lady in one of the new council bungalows behind our garden regularly putting out large scraps (mainly bread) for the birds - we refer to her as Crowella!
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| Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) - garden on 6th July, 2021 |
Having returned from a week in the New Forest late afternoon the previous day, I was keen to check on what might have been happening in the garden.
I was pleased to see a fly species that I don't believe I have seen before. It stood out because of the bright green eyes, metallic green thorax, and white tips to the clear wings. I believe this to be Poecilobothrus nobilitatus. The white wing tips identify this as a male.
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| Poecilobothrus nobilitatus (male) - garden on 17th July, 2021 |
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| Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) (juvenile) - garden on 17th July, 2021 |
Woody was with us again this day, although not for so long as on the previous day.
The Carrion Crows had obviously bred successfully as we had a visit to the Rowan tree by four of them. The following image shows three of the four - the fourth was just out of the picture to the bottom right but had its back to the camera so has been 'cropped out'.
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| Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) - garden on 18th July, 2021 |
The moth trap went out that night. It resulted in 65 moths of 34 species, including 10 species that were new for the garden. Here are a few of the most interesting (to me, anyway!) ones. I'd seen my first ever The Herald in Hampshire earlier in the month and had been keen to find one in the garden.
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| The Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix) - from garden on 18th July, 2021 |
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| Scalloped Oak (Crocallis elinguaria) - from garden on 18th July, 2021 |
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| Small Ranunculus (Hecatera dysodea) - from garden on 18th July, 2021 |
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| Coronet (Craniophora ligustri) - from garden on 18th July, 2021 |
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| Early Thorn (Selenia dentaria) (male) - from garden on 18th July, 2021 |
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| Campion (Sideridis rivularis) - from garden on 18th July, 2021 |
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| Buff Arches (Habrosyne pyritoides) - from Garden on 18th July, 2021 |
Tuesday, 20th July Garden
The juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was still visiting us, but not so frequently and not for so long now. This would turn out to be the last photo that I took of this individual, although I can but hope that it will return sometime in its adult plumage.
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| Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) (juvenile) - garden on 17th July, 2021 |
Lindsay requested that we visit one of her favourite picnic spots for a lunch on her birthday. This just happens to be my favourite picnic spot also! It was a real pleasure to have additional company during lunch.
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| Little Owl (Athene noctua) - my LO Site No.34 |
We don't see many Small Skippers in our garden, so I was pleased to be able to get some shots of one. The lack of black 'brand' on the forewing identifies this as a female.
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| Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) (female) - garden on 23rd July, 2021 |
I suspect that my next blog post will be an August Catchup which will, hopefully, bring me nearly up to date!
Until the next time, take good care of yourself and Nature. We need Nature, and Nature needs to recover from all the abuse it has suffered at the hand of humankind.
Amazing Richard!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne!
DeleteAn impressive catch of 34 species of moths in the garden trap, giving much pleasure and interest to look through, in particular the top prize of the Buff Arches. Must get the trap I mentioned to you some time ago Richard....Watch this space!
ReplyDeleteIt was my best catch ever for number of species, Pete, and it might have been even more if a cloud of moths hadn't escaped as I took the lid off - something that doesn't usually happen, but I got up a bit late and it had got a bit warm at the trap. Beware - moth trapping can be very time consuming, but there's help available with ID through @MothIDUK on Twitter, who usually comes back with an ID in a matter of minutes!
DeleteYour garden has proven to be an amazing spot, Richard, but I have no doubt that you knew this. The visit of the young woodpecker was no doubt extremely satisfying and thirty-four species of moth in a garden trap is impressive. Even more impressive is the skill to identify them all! Finally, what could me more satisfying to celebrate a special day than to have a Little Owl join you? The Fates were with you that day! All the best to you and Lindsay. David
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned to Pete, above, David, if there's a difficult moth to identify, I've found a Twitter account that provides a wonderful resource on UK moth identification, and responds almost immediately!
DeleteAlthough I no longer have the stamina to spend hours on end in search of new Little Owl sites, nor the confidence to be out in the back of beyond as darkness falls, I do take delight in checking the old sites - especially when I find a Little Owl, as I did earlier this week! My best wishes to you both - - - Richard
On a given day my stamina level is still good, Richard, but I certainly can't go full out for days on end any more. If I am away for an extended period, at some point I need to take a day off.
DeleteI can usually manage 7 or 8 hours out in the field, David, but find that I could do with sitting down after about 3 hours, mainly for relief from the kit I'm carrying. I shall probably walking around 5 to 10km each day on our forthcoming visit to the Scillies. Prospective owling is a different matter, with often rough terrain, lots of stiles to get over, gates to negotiate, and livestock to be wary of.
DeleteBrilliant the Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile, absolutely stunning shots. And I must to take Moths, beautiful, but Richard, you give it do plenty, love 'em.
ReplyDeleteDear Bob, it is always a great delight for me to hear from you, and your very kind words are very much appreciated. Thank you so much! Stay safe - - - Richard
DeleteHello Richard
ReplyDeleteJuly was very good for you, of course the little owl is my favorite and at the picnic it tastes even better :-))
Greetings Frank
July was not one of my best months, Frank, although I had a very good time in the New Forest in the middle of the month. However, it was better than August - which is coming up on my next blog post, but I think that there will be enough to make it interesting!
DeleteBest wishes - - - Richard
Hello Richard, I'm so pleased to be able to visit you today, after a long absence. Blogging was put to one side, for various sad reasons, but now I have returned, with little energy, but eager to see your wonderful nature photos. The captures of the juvenile Woodpecker are all lovely, but I must say that I like the close up of the youngster with the contemplative expression, in the fork of the tree, and the one that is asleep, or appears to be. All happening in your garden. So many moths, all with various patterns on all of their wings which are intricate and so beautiful.To end your post with a Little Owl, after seeing butterflies and other birds, for me was the icing on the cake. I really enjoyed my visit.
ReplyDeleteDearest Sonjia. I have missed you on Blogger without knowing the reason why and it took a while to find your blog again as your 'profile' on Blogger is blank - but I have now just managed to find you and learn of your very sad loss earlier this year. Please accept my very belated condolences.
DeleteThank you so much for visiting my blog once more, and for your very kind words. I'm delighted to hear that your visit gave you some pleasure.
Best wishes - take great care and stay safe - - - Richard
Beautiful set of pictures Richard. I like the woodpecker half asleep best. Take care.
ReplyDeleteMike.
I'm not sure that the woodpecker is half asleep in that shot Mike. It's sitting on the edge of a bird-bath and has just been having a drink - I suspect it might have just been trying to keep the water out of its eyes! Stay safe, and enjoy your foxes - - - Richard
DeleteDear Richard, Thank you for your much appreciated kind words. I'm sorry you had such difficulty finding me, but so pleased you did. Thank you for visit. All the best.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why clicking on your icon beside your comment on my blog was taking me to a 'blank' profile page for you, Sonjia. It seems to work fine now! Anyway, I should not be missing another post from you as I have added a link to your blog at the side of mine. Best wishes - stay safe - - - Richard
DeleteI thought I had left a comment here but maybe because it took so log to download I gave up! There is talk that we might get fibre but I will believe it when I see it!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the woodpecker shots, I hear them regularly in our garden but very seldom do I get to see them. When all the leaves drop it might be easier, but I do not wish winter on us any earlier than needs be!! Love the Little Owl, also another one I hear regularly, but since they have moved their nesting spot I rarely see them.
Keep well and stay safe, Diane
Have checked back, Diane, and no sign of any comment from you on this post before now. I hope that you DO get fibre soon. The frustration of slow internet doesn't bear thinking about!
DeleteWoodpeckers so rarely visit our garden that Lindsay and I both get very excited if one does show up. That excitement is matched if I find a Little Owl on my travels - it's so sad that the population of them has declined so rapidly in recent years.
Best wishes - stay safe - - - Richard