Poor moth trapping recently but today that changed with Striped Hawk-moth (Hyles livornica) and Breckland Plume (Oxyptilus distans) both NFG and third records of both Oak Processionary (Thaumetopoea processionea) and Marbled Clover (Heliothis viriplaca) amongst 150 of 65. #suffolkmoths
Jack Levene
@snapsjackel.bsky.social
Bird, dragonfly, butterfly, moth and other wildlife photographer. Living on Suffolk/Essex border. Founder of Wildlife Computing in 1989. See my photos at https://JackLevene.smugmug.com
Went to Landseer Park in Ipswich hoping to see a Brown Hairstreak. I have never seen Brown Hairstreak before so was very pleased to find one. It showed briefly, long enough to get a quick picture but soon disappeared under leaves and appeared to be ovipositing. #suffolkbutterflies
The Hudsonian Godwit continues to provide excellent views. This evening in glorious early evening light. Originally roosting distantly on the Suffolk side of the Stour and then feeding close to the river wall on the Essex side. #ukbirding #birds #birdsseenin2026 #essexbirding #suffolkbirds
Took a day off from godwit hunting on the Stour to try for Lesser Emperors at a local lake. No luck with the Emperors but several male Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii) were a welcome find. #odonata #ukdragonflies #ukwildlife #suffolkwildlife @britishdragonflies.bsky.social
Local Patch Gold. Just 1.9 miles from home Hudsonian Godwit on the R Stour between Cattawade and Flatford
A brilliant day out at RSPB Minsmere with 5 species of Tern including 2 adult Roseates, 2 Little, many Common and Sandwich topped off with a brief staying adult Gull-billed Tern. Plus supporting cast of Little Gull, Hobby, Bittern, Marsh Harriers et al. #UKBirding #SuffolkBirds #BirdsSeenIn2026
Turtle Dove was once a common summer visitor on my local South Suffolk patch but sadly now very few remain. Always a joy to see and hear one returning in the spring. #UKBirding #SuffolkBirds #BirdsSeenIn2026
The smart Tawny Pipit at Landguard Common was largely elusive late afternoon today but eventually appeared close enough for a pic! Almost like a new tick, this is the first I have seen in Suffolk since 1991 and the first in the UK since 2003.
On Wednesday got up to Norfolk to see the splendid Eastern Black Redstart in Sheringham. The bird showed very well at times but was often rather inactive, probably eaten too many of the Mealworms which had been put out for it! #UKBirding #SuffolkBirds #BirdsSeenIn2026
Blackcap is a regular winter visitor to my garden. This female has been seen most days this year. mostly feeding on Ivy berries. #UKBirding #SuffolkBirds #BirdsSeenIn2026
Last Friday had a couple of hours free while waiting for my van to be serviced. These 2 very tame Snow Buntings at Landguard filled the time nicely. #suffolkbirding #ukbirds
A disappointing 2 of 2 in last nights light trap, on a warm, overcast but quite windy night. Both moths possible immigrants being Siver-Y and Dark Sword-grass #suffolkmoths #teammoth
After a damp night had a small catch (12 of 7) in my VC25 garden trap. Small numbers made up for by December Moth NFY and my first ever Black-spotted Chestnut. #teammoth #suffolkmoths
Last nights trap had 24 of 11 in mild but quite windy conditions. Including NFY Feathered Thorn and Sprawler and NFG Dotted Chestnut. Of interest 2 very late Dark Arches. Possible migrants 1 Rush Veneer and 3 Rusty-dot Pearl. #teammoth #suffolkmoths
Today was the first chance I had to try for the probable 1st winter Isabelline Shrike (Daurian) (Lanius isabellinus isabellinus) at North Warren. Thankfully the bird was still present and showed extremely well in the sunshine. It was feeding well, frequently catching wasps.
Wildlife Recorder taxonomy now updated to incorporate Clements/eBird 2025 changes. Update is now available to Wildlife Recorder users
The Barred Warbler at Landguard was mostly true to type, skulking in thick privet bushes but did show very well occasionally. The Pallas's Warbler was very elusive but I did eventually manage to catch up with it. #suffolkbirding #ukbirds
Last nights trap contained 16 of 12. New for the year was a Satellite, also of interest a Common Quaker well outside its usual flight dates. #teammoth #suffolkmoths
This weeks trapping produced 5 of 4 on 3rd, including my 2nd Oak Rustic of the year. Better numbers on 5th, 29 of 15 including a Palpita vitrealis and 3 Rusty-dot Pearl. #teammoth #suffolkmoths
Brown Shrike still present and showing well at Upper Hollesley Common yesterday. Nice to meet up with several #suffolkbirding friends, including Gerald Jobson who I have not seen for some time.
Yesterday was the first chance I had to get to Hollesley for the Brown Shrike. Windy conditions made viewing difficult the bird frequently spending long periods hunkered down in a bush sheltering from the wind. The bird was never close enough for good photos but I did manage some record shots.
Every autumn we get a small number of Fly Agaric under the Silver Birch in our garden. This is the first this year. #fungi
Last nights trapping produced 88 moths of 30 species, including a garden record of 10 Merveille-du-jour. Grey-shoulder Knot and Streak were NFY. Streak has only been trapped once before, coincidentally, on exactly the same date 13th October in 2021. #teammoth #suffolkmoths
This Glossy Ibis on the River Stour near Flatford was a welcome addition to my Local Patch list. #ukbirding #suffolkbirding
The Red-tailed (Turkestan) Shrike (Lanius phoenicuroides) at Dunwich Heath gave wonderful, prolonged views. The bird was feeding actively, the majority of prey items were wasps but was also catching spiders and bumblebees which it was also storing in a larder for later (see LH side of third photo)
Just finished converting the Wildlife Recorder species IOC taxonomy to AviList. There are a lot of lumps, my World list of 3061 species lost 19 to lumps e.g Carrion and Hooded Crow are lumped and are now groups in a single species. Update is now available to Wildlife Recorder users
Last nights trap 106 moths of 24 species including a 2nd very worn Clifden Nonpareil and a garden record 12 Clancey's Rustic. NFY were Merveille du Jour and Dusky-lemon Sallow only the 3rd record here in 25 years of recording. #teammoth #suffolkmoths
A distinct autumnal feel to the moth trap last night with 94 moths of 25 species, 23 were Lunar Underwings. Highlights were a splendid Clifden Nonpareil, Pearly Underwing, 4 Clancey's Rustic and a very late Scarce-Silverlines. #teammoth #suffolkmoths
A morning visit to Landguard produced brief, un-photographable views of the Hoopoe but excellent close views of the Wryneck. Nice to bump into @nickburfield.bsky.social at the Hoopoe site.
A coldish night with bright skies was not the best time to put out the MV trap so only 27 of 14 species were trapped. Of note , for my garden, were 1 Clancy's Rustic, I Cypress Pug and 1 Beet moth.