Friday 29th May 2026.
My first ever Lead Belle moth. This is a localised moth in the south-west of the UK. Country
It was much cooler than of late this morning with an overcast sky and a sun desperately trying to break through the high cloud. In fact, while walking the dogs this morning, it actually rained briefly and so cut my walk with the dogs. I was in for a surprise when I found a Moth I have never seen before and easily my highest total of Moths since I have been here. The winds were fairly light from the west and I have read that there will be more sunshine later today. Sadly, yesterday’s Roller that was found in the New Forest, near Pig Bush, was never found again, despite many dedicated birders searching for it.
My Moth Box:
This well worn Green Arches moth was only my second ever.
Easily my highest number of Moths for the week so far with 40 moths of 19 species recorded today. Best of the bunch was my first ever LEAD BELLE, a localised species in the West Country and quite a smart moth too. Migrant moths included a Small Mottled Willow, two Silver Y’s and a Rusty-dot Pearl, but sadly no Striped Hawk-moths for me today (so many being recorded all over the UK!). New for the year included only my second ever Green Arches and my third ever Broad-barred White. A Tawny Marbled Minor was new for the year and right next to a colourful Marbled Minor.
Above, the migrant moth Small Mottled Willow and below, the Tawny Marbled Minor.
Above, Broad-barred White and below, the micro moth Brown-spot Grey.
There were three species of micro moth this morning and that included 4 Brown-spot Grey’s (Scoparia pyralella) that were new for the year. Two Olive Pearls (Udea olivalis) and a Rusty-dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis). Up to 5 Buff-tips was exceptional.
I was surprised to find that the only other insects present this morning was one Cockchafer Beetle and my first Black Sexton Beetle of the year.
This Black Sexton Beetle was in my Moth Box this morning.
After a spot of breakfast, I took a few photos of the birds within the gardens close by and came across the Spotted Flycatcher again, flying from tree to tree in one of the gardens. No doubt, I shall probably see it a bit more later this afternoon. A couple of bedraggled Coal Tits were flitting through the trees nearby until flying off over our Bungalow and calling and singing Siskins were flying all over the place along with many Swifts and House Martins. A Goldcrest is in full song in one of the Conifers but remained elusive as per usual. The sky was looking darker and the possibility of rain was there as I decided to take my dogs for their early morning walk.
Above, dawn over Chittlehampton from our garden and below, a rather ruffled Coal Tit was calling in this tree in the garden.
Above, another photo of the Coal Tit and below, one of the Spotted Flycatchers in the neighbouring gardens.
Instead of my usual route, I took a trip up to the Church instead as I knew there was a nice footpath on the right hand side of the Church. Goldfinches and Greenfinches were heard and seen singing and a pair of Swallows were flitting around the Town Square. Then there were some heavy spots of rain falling and so I had to cut my walk short, but not before walking down the footpath that led to the main road.
Above, a Goldfinch posing nicely by the edge of the Churchyard and below, a rather excellent 'watering hole', The Bell village pub.
Above, the local Church, St. Heiritha (very impressive). Some of the graves are over 300 years old! Below, a rather showy Robin on the perimeter wall.
A few Robins and a Blackbird were seen and a Chiffchaff was heard calling nearby, but it was fairly quiet until I got back to the Bungalow where there was a juvenile Robin standing on one of the garden ornaments. The potential of a downpour fizzled out over the next hour and so after grabbing a bit of rest bite on one of the loungers, I took the dogs out for their second walk of the day.
Above, a male Blackbird in someones allotment and below, this juvenile Robin was in our front garden.
A very overcast sky over our holiday Bungalow just as I was about to walk the dogs.
The River Taw, Umberleigh.
The River Taw in Umberleigh with the 14th century pub The Rising Sun in the background.
I have been meaning to take a good walk beside the River Taw in Umberleigh since I discovered nearby Chittlehampton. There was always a chance of a Dipper on the river along with other waterside birds and so around 11.30am, I took the opportunity to take the dogs and walk along the lovely footpath adjacent to the river itself.
Above, looking downstream and below, a male Chaffinch singing by the footpath.
There were plenty of Ox-eye Daisies around to attract the insects and below, I followed this footpath adjacent to the river. It was full of insects and plants.
I parked up by the Antique Shop after getting permission from one of the staff there and grabbing the dogs, I took a leisurely walk with them along the footpath, taking in all the wildlife in the area. There were a few areas where one could actually walk down the edge of the River and I took full advantage of them and found at least four Grey Wagtails present, which included a couple of juveniles sitting in the rocky area within the River. A Pied Wagtail was somewhere near the bridge, but I could not see the bird at all. Overhead, a pair of House Martins were hawking for insects and several Swallows were flying low over the fields.
Above, looking upstream and below, there was a family party of Nuthatches up in the trees.
Above, two juvenile Grey Wagtails on the rocks within the river and below, a Banded Demoiselle damselfly perching on a fallen branch.
There was a lot of activity up in the trees with family flocks of Nuthatches, Blue and Long-tailed Tits all flitting about within trees. I found a Sedge Warbler singing in a large clump of Hemlock Water-dropwort, which was a nice surprise as it climbed to the top of one particularly tall plant.
Above, both Pied and Grey Wagtails were around this bridge and below, a Painted Lady butterfly was perched on this Hemlock Water-dropwort plant.
One of several Moths that were accidentally flushed along the way. This is a Dark Strawberry Tortrix. Below, a singing Dunnock by the river.
Above, my boys stretching their little legs.
There were plenty of notable insects around too as I found my first Banded Demoiselle damselflies on the river. There were quite a few too and I was fortunate enough to have one settle close to the edge of the river. There were a few Dragonflies around, but too distant for an ID. Even a few Moths were on the wing with Silver-ground Carpet, Silver Y’s and a few Dark Strawberry Tortrix flushed from the side of the footpath. Butterflies included good numbers of Painted Ladies (what else!) and a few Speckled Woods and Large White’s.
Another view of the river upstream and below, this singing Sedge Warbler was found within a clump of Hemlock Water-dropwort.
Above, a large school of Minnows by the waters edge and below, a Green Drake Mayfly resting on one of the rocks.
I even had the opportunity to let the dogs off their leads as they gratefully ran on ahead of me, but always kept to the pathway as requested by the local authorities. On the way back, I came across a family party of Blackcaps within some small trees and then a pair of Spotted Flycatchers were also seen chasing insects. Though there were no Dippers or Kingfishers seen on the river, it still was a superb walk along this beautiful part of Devon.
Above, an adult Grey Wagtail by the waters edge and below, one of the Spotted Flycatchers seen on the way back to the car.
A lovely view of the River Taw. Simply beautiful.
