Tessera

I suppose it had to be done. Jackie & I accompanied Nat Thorne and had an hour with this incredible bird today. Long-tailed Shrike at Eastleach Martin on the Gloustershire / Oxfordshire border.

Jackie Hull @jackiedh.bsky.social · 2mo ago

After dipping at Arne shouldn't have worried on the home patch today, 3 - Blue-eyed Hawk/Southern Migrant Hawker Aeshna affinis @dorsetwildlife.bsky.social @britishdragonflies.bsky.social

Heard a distress call and couldn’t see anything at first it was from behind a now dry water butt. It turned out to be a frog half swallowed by a grass snake, which is a first for the garden, unfortunately for the snake but lucky for the frog as both bolted in opposite directions.

Seems a good year for Humming-bird Hawk-moths @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

Very occasionally when the Butterfly count starts we often get Grayling in the garden and this morning is no exception with two on the buddleia. found by @jackiedh.bsky.social @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

The moth trap was good with a trio of Mocha - Mocha, Blair's & Jersey Mocha plus a Tree-lichen Beauty. the latter two were new for garden. 24 Small Mottled Willow, 17 Cydia amplana, 18 Jersey Tiger, 8 Rush Veneer & Rusty Dot Pearl. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

The moth of today has to go to Light Crimson Underwing. Saw my first last week caught by @beardybirder.bsky.social then this a.m. get two of my own amazing. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

Often have to go hunting for Golden-ringed Dragonfly to get it on the patch list not this year. This one came to us and flew in to the garden.

Moth of the morning has to be The Latin a first for the garden only ever caught them in France. Clancy's Rustic was a second record the first in 2013. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Not a bad trap last night well at least for me Evergestis limbata (Nat. b species) and nania lancealis both only the second times they have turned up in my home trap.

Jackie Hull @jackiedh.bsky.social · 4mo ago

From the garden today predator and prey. Astata boops a wasp that predates on shieldbugs, and possible prey Hairy Shieldbug Dolycoris baccarum.

Birding and more on our River Cruise on the Douro, Portugal @lytchettbirder.bsky.social twoowlsbirding.blogspot.com/2026/06/

TwO Owls Blog

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The first Flame Wainscot of the year is always nice to find in the trap. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

A few from yesterday's trap Blair's Mocha, Bordered Straw, Small Mottled Willow, European Corn Borer and Rusty Dot Pearl. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

Pretty good trap this a.m. with several Diamond-backs & Small Mottled Willow and 13 NFY. Put out a MYO pheromone in the hope for a Red-belted Clearwing. The wife just came in and said there is something in your trap. 'Bingo' my third clearwing sp. for the garden. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

We thought it odd that our crab apple and other blossoms from various shrubs have been disappearing. Think we have found the culprit Sika Deer scat in the front garden. A new species for the garden.

Not a big trap this morning but 13 NFY and 1 NFGarden. Always nice to see Privet Hawkmoth in the trap, first time had them in the blue led. and a the NFG was a Tischeria ekebladella. @dorsetmoths.bsky.social

Only ever caught Nutmeg once before back in 2022. Yesterday Jackie comes in and says "caught this in the conservatory".

A couple of the nicer moths from the trap Burnished Brass was my third record last caught in 2023. The Sallow Kitten has been an annual species in the home trap.

Not a big catch this morning just 19 moths of 14 species. But 8 were NFY. Dark Sword-grass, Herald, Angle Shades, Early Tooth-striped, Muslin Moth, Common Pug, Shuttle-shaped Dart & Red-green Carpet.

A drive around Purbeck today birding from the van mainly as Jackie is a little immobile at present. At Creech had 3 Red Kite, 2 Buzzard a singing Whitethroat a 1st for year. This Peregrine went past so close & fast, I was lucky to get this shot. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social