Another new micro moth & Jersey Tiger.

Saturday 6th August 2022.

My first Jersey Tiger moth of the year (above) next to a Garden Tiger moth. These annual species have settled in the south of the UK, but you cannot rule out it being a migrant moth.  

Oh yes, it was back to the moths first thing this morning and having made a fresh pot of coffee, I wandered out into the dawn to discover my first Jersey Tiger moth of the year. Though they are virtually annual in my garden, it is always a great pleasure in comparing them to the Garden Tiger of which I had quite a few again. There was also yet another ‘lifer’ micro moth when the App, Obsidentify helped me to identify my first Mompha epilobiella!

My first ever Mompha epilobiella moth. The 'lifers' seem to be coming in regularly this week! 

A total of 88 moths of 28 species of which I still have a micro to ID later on today. A good mix of moths again with numbers boosted heavily by at least 16 Common Plume moths, 13 Garden Tigers and 8 Pale Mottled Willows. Only my second Yellow Shell of the year was found in the box and yet another Langmaid's Yellow Underwing (named after the great man himself). The Box Tree Moths were back with just two this morning, which some would say that is enough! A very worn Square-spot Rustic had me scratching my head for a moment and then I noticed the wing pattern which helped clinch the ID. 

My second Yellow Shell of the year.

Yesterday evening, I had a count up on the number of moth species I have had for 2022 so far and it is an impressive 133 macros and 93 micro moths that included the new one today. We are a long way from over for the year and possibly another 40+ moth species to be added? I was glad to see some Swifts screaming high overhead from my garden this morning, with at least three birds seen. It won't be long now for the likes of Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit flying over heading south. Already, the likes of Yellow Wagtail and Whinchat have been seen returning already. What will today bring us?   

The following moths that were recorded this morning:

• 13 Garden Tiger
• 1 Jersey Tiger (NFY)
• 1 Yellow Shell
• 8 Pale Mottled Willow
• 3 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 3 Willow Beauty
• 3 Lime-speck Pug
• 6 Double-striped Pug
• 5 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 4 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 2 Vines Rustic
• 1 Common Rustic agg.
• 2 Turnip Moth
• 1 Langmaids Yellow Underwing
• 2 Buff Ermine
• 1 Square-spot Rustic
• 16 Common Plume
• 1 Mompha epilobiella (NFY + LIFER)
• 2 Blastobasis adustella
• 1 Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner
• 2 Box Tree Moth
• 1 Acleris forsskaleana
• 4 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Bryotropha affinis
• 1 Udea fulvalis
• 1 Pyrausta aurata

The Cemy in need of a watering.

Friday 5th August 2022.

The grass within the Cemetery was looking very yellow today. 

I took a leisurely stroll around my local patch around 3pm this afternoon and wondered what Highland Road Cemetery could offer me. Judging by the yellow, parched grass, a good spell of rain cannot come soon enough here, but there was plenty of wildlife to be seen this afternoon. I did get up to 11 species of birds within the Cemy and 5 species of butterfly, plus a dragonfly species that looked good for Common Darter, but it never settled.

Above, a Red Admiral butterfly greeted me at the entrance to the Cemy and below, good numbers of Holly Blue were on the wing.

The warmth of the afternoon had me wearing my baseball cap to be on the safe side as temperatures climbed to 20 degrees centigrade and at times, there was a blustery wind blowing, especially when the sun disappeared behind a cloud. I suppose the pick of the birds was a Willow Warbler that hid itself within a large bush most of the time, only occasionally flitting to the edge, bobbing its tail and calling quietly. Sadly, it never got out into the open for a photo and so disappeared over my head and into a tall tree nearby. A lot of the usual birds were present including the following:

• Willow Warbler
• Jay
• Herring Gull
• Blackbird
• Goldfinch
• Carrion Crow
• Magpie 
• Feral Pigeon
• Wood Pigeon
• Wren
• Robin

Despite perfect conditions, there were no Swifts to be seen and in fact, I only managed to see just two birds early this morning while I was checking the moths. There is certainly migration going on now, with the Willow Warbler probably a migrant and making its way back. I shall probably be taking a few more walks around the Cemy over the coming weeks, hoping to pick up more migrants along the way.

Above, there were a few clumps of Oxford Ragwort growing and below, Birds-foot Trefoil was abundant along the edge of the footpaths.

There were good numbers of Holly Blue butterflies on the wing this afternoon, with about 10+ individuals seen. Just two Common Blues were noted, flying low over the grass, but never settled long enough for a photo, unlike the showy Red Admiral by the Cemetery entrance. Both Large and Small White butterflies were abundant throughout the Cemetery. Unfortunately, the Buddleia plants are nearly all going to seed now and few flowers for the insects to enjoy. Other insects noted included my first Noon Fly of the year, which settled nicely in the vegetation near the Mausoleum. Though very quiet over the Cemetery, my acute hearing picked out a few Field Grasshoppers ‘chirps’ from the dried grass and graves and eventually, I picked out one perched nicely on the edge of a grave.

Above, a male Field Grasshopper showing well on a grave. Below, my first Noon Fly of the year.

Despite the lack of rain, there were plenty of wildflowers on show that included Ox-eye Daisy, Yarrow, Birds-foot Trefoil, Cats Ear, Mallow, Lady’s Bedstraw and a clump of Viper’s Bugloss. A good hour was spent there and most enjoyable too in the warm sunshine.

Above, Cats Ear was abundant, and below, this clump of Vipers Bugloss was the only one I found within the Cemy. 

In Hampshire today, there were no reported sightings of the Whiskered Tern on Fishlake Meadows, but a Roseate Tern was picked up off Hayling Oysterbeds this afternoon, while this morning, both Black and Arctic Terns were seen off Hill Head. The long-stay Squacco Heron was still present today by the North Wall, Pagham Harbour. All potential ‘year-ticks’, now have me wondering where to go tomorrow morning?

The Roseate Tern (pale bird in centre) among Common Terns off the Oysterbeds this afternoon. Photo by Andy Friend.

Another micro moth addition to my life list.

Friday 5th August 2022.

Another new micro moth to my ever growing life list, the Little Slender Moth.

A fairly clear though breezy start to the morning, but it was mild again with the temperature rising today into the 70’s. Another early morning to check the moths and it was no surprise that the Garden Tiger moths were taking the limelight. Yet another micro moth species was added to my life list, the tiny Little Slender moth, Calybites phasianipennella. A striking looking moth that actually inhabits heathland. It makes you wonder why it is in Southsea?  

One of two Square-spot Rustic within the moth box.

The Garden Tigers this morning increased to 16 this morning, while Common Plumes numbered at least 10, although there were probably more dotted around the garden. Two Square-spot Rustics were among the 71 moths of 24 species.    

Three of the 16 Garden Tiger moths along with a Bright-line Bright-eye moth on one of the trays.

The following moths were recorded this morning:

• 16 Garden Tiger
• 4 Pale Mottled Willow
• 2 Straw Dot
• 3 Bright-line Bright-eye
• 2 Common Rustic agg.
• 2 Willow Beauty
• 1 Marbled Green
• 3 Double-striped Pug
• 2 Lime-speck Pug 
• 2 Square-spot Rustic
• 2 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Brimstone Moth
• 1 Buff Ermine
• 9 Blastobasis adustella
• 1 Chestnut Tortrix
• 10 Common Plume
• 1 White-shouldered House Moth
• 1 Mother-of-Pearl
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 3 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 1 Little Slender moth (NFY + LIFER)
• 1 Pyrausta aurata
• 1 Acleris forsskaleana

Vapourer Moth added to year list.

Thursday 4th August 2022.

My first Vapourer Moth of the year in my moth box this morning. 

A drier dawn than yesterday, I was up a bit earlier than normal and therefore made my way downstairs for another check of the moth box and see what goodies it might bring this morning. Yesterday was interesting as some of us ‘Lazee Birders’ have been putting moth photos on the Whatsapp site and I think a few individuals are getting a bit bored of it. However, I must stress that a lot of ‘birders’ do have other ‘natural history’ interests and would like to share that enthusiasm with other birders, though you cannot please everybody. True, there is some fantastic birds knocking about currently in Hampshire (Whiskered Tern on Fishlake Meadows and a Lesser Yellowlegs (still!) at Pennington Marshes, but to share your photos on any site does please the majority of people and if not, educate them?

An impressive 15 Garden Tiger moths were counted this morning. I think the local House Sparrows have taken a liking to them as I did find a few wings scattered on the patio!

Incredibly, there was only one moth species that was new for the year, a smart looking Vapourer moth. I think I have seen them during the day earlier this year, with their distinctive spiraling flight pattern, but this was the first one this year in my moth box. At least 15 Garden Tiger moths were also present, easily the highest number in my garden so far this year, of which it seems I am competing with local Moth-er Mike Wearing for high numbers of this distinctive, beautiful moth. 

A Willow Beauty and a Common Rustic agg. in my moth box. The latter moth can only reliably be identified by dissection.

There was also both Mullein Wave (probably the same one as yesterday) and a Knot Grass to keep me interested. The micro moths this morning included the attractive Acleris forsskaleana and the stunning Mother-of-Pearl. I still have four more micros to ID which I shall add later to my blog entry.

Acleris forsskaleana. One of our more attractive micro moths.

A total of 81 moths of 32 species were recorded this morning and additional insects included a Ladybird and several Lacewings. Local Birder/Moth-er James Cutting (another Lazee Birder!), had a fine looking Oak Eggar moth by his trap and also a Copper Underwing species yesterday.  

Knot Grass. Possibly my 5th of the year so far.

This mornings moths included the following:

• 15 Garden Tiger
• 1 Vapourer (NFY)
• 1 Marbled Green
• 1 Marbled Beauty
• 2 Willow Beauty
• 2 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Vines Rustic
• 1 Turnip Moth
• 2 Cabbage Moth
• 3 Brimstone Moth
• 4 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 3 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Lime-speck Pug
• 1 Grey Dagger
• 5 Pale Mottled Willow
• 2 Common Rustic agg.
• 1 Knot Grass
• 1 Mullein Wave
• 2 Silver Y
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 11 Common Plume
• 6 Blastobasis adustella
• 2 Blastobasis rebeli
• 1 Anania coronata
• 2 Swammerdamia pyrella
• 1 Garden Pebble
• 2 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 2 Clepsis consimilana
• 4 Brown House Moth
• 1 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Mother-of-Pearl
• 1 Acleris forsskaleana

James Cutting had this superb Oak Eggar Moth to his garden yesterday.

Two more moth 'lifers' & a big Spider!

Wednesday 3rd August 2022.

Another good moth for the year, the Mullein Wave.

A drizzly start to the day with overcast and mild conditions and although it did not look promising for moths, I did still manage to grab two more micro moth ‘lifers’ and my first of the year fresh looking Mullein Wave. I suppose I should not totally rely on the Obsidentify App, but it has proved successful so far and doesn't even commit itself on identifying the more difficult macro or micro moths that have to be dissected to get a true ID. Therefore, I am confident that the tricky micro’s it identifies are what it says it is as I double-check them on Hants Moths website etc.

Another new moth for the year, the odd-looking Chinese Character.

Though numbers were low this morning, there was a bit of quality and I was more than happy with my first Mullein Wave of the year, my first for several years in fact; though it didn't hang around long and flew up and landed on my neighbours wall. The Chinese Character moth was perched on the white sheet first thing in the morning and quickly flew off also. All the usual macro moths were present, but it was the micros that were in numbers and with this new App, anything could be possible among the tiny micros. Hence, finding both the Coleophora pennela and Tortricodes alternella this morning and there are a few that I have potted that also need identifying.    

Above, my first ever Coleophora pennela and below, Tortricodes alternella.

While checking the box, I looked up and there was this huge spider crawling slowly over the top of the sheet. It was a female Segestria florentina, one of the largest UK ‘tube-web’ Spiders in the UK. I have to say, it really was a big female and my photo really does not do it justice. I am surprised at how slow they are, reminiscent of a Tarantula walking along; but an impressive beast nonetheless. Apart from a Ladybird and a few Lacewing, not a great deal else was in the moth box. 

The Segestria florentina spider that was crawling on top of my sheet this morning. 

The following moths were present this morning:

• 1 Mullein Wave (NFY)
• 2 Willow Beauty
• 3 Garden Tiger
• 3 Pale Mottled Willow
• 7 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Straw Dot
• 1 Marbled Green
• 4 Brimstone Moth
• 2 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 1 Garden Carpet
• 2 Turnip Moth
• 1 Common Rustic agg.
• 2 Lime-speck Pug 
• 1 Chinese Character (NFY)
• 4 Pyrausta aurata
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 4 Blastobasis adustella
• 1 Blastobasis vittata
• 1 Blastobasis rebeli
• 2 Beautiful Plume
• 1 Common Plume
• 1 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Coleophora pennela (NFY + LIFER)
• 1 Tortricodes alternella (NFY + LIFER)

A good start on being back home.

Tuesday 2nd August 2022.

Garden Tiger moths have arrived in my garden with a good count of ten individuals present this morning.

My first morning back in the UK from holiday and it was back to the moths first thing this morning as I had set the alarm for 5.30am. Though a little later than normal ,it was a good call as there were no sign of any Sparrows by the moth box and with it being quite mild overnight, there was a reasonable selection of moths to go through, including my first Garden Tiger moths of the year. Fortunately for me, these moths are regular here around this time of year and I can get some impressive numbers of them plus the occasional Jersey Tiger.

Above, two new moths for my life list this morning included a Cochylis hybridella and below, Epinotia nigella.

There were two new micro moths that were not only new for the year, but also new for my life list: Epinotia nigella and Cochylis hybridella, which was a nice bonus and the Tiger Moths outnumbered all the other moth species. Autumn is just around the corner and with 6 Turnip moths present, there was evidence of that. A couple of Flame Shoulders were also new for the year, a species I surprisingly never got in my garden last year. All in all, a nice selection today. Two more micros I have yet to get identified will be added later today. A total of 82 moths of 26 species were recorded this morning.

One of two Flame Shoulders were present this morning. My first for a few years in my garden.

The Goldfinches were feeding among the local House Sparrows and Starlings this morning while I was checking the moths and although no Swifts were seen this morning, there was plenty of them calling last night outside my front window.

The following moths were present this morning:

• 10 Garden Tiger (NFY)
• 5 Brimstone Moth
• 6 Shuttle-shaped Dart
• 1 Bright-line Brown-eye
• 3 Pale Mottled Beauty
• 2 Flame Shoulder (NFY)
• 6 Turnip Moth
• 3 Lime-speck Pug
• 3 Willow Beauty
• 4 Cabbage Moth
• 1 Marbled Green
• 2 Common Rustic agg.
• 2 Double-striped Pug
• 1 Straw Dot
• 7 Common Plume
• 2 Beautiful Plume
• 7 Blastobasis adustella
• 2 Blastobasis rebeli
• 1 Chestnut Tortrix
• 2 Apple Leaf Miner
• 1 Agriphila straminela
• 3 Pyrausta aurata
• 5 Light Brown Apple Moth
• 1 Clepsis consimilana
• 1 Eudonia mercurella
• 1 Epinotia nigella (NFY + LIFER)
• 1 Cochylis hybridella (NFY + LIFER)
• 1 Rusty-dot Pearl
• 1 White-shouldered House Moth
• 1 Bloxworth Snout
• 1 Apodia bifractella (NFY)
• 1 Firethorn Leaf Miner 

An afternoon update: I was tidying up in the garden near the moth box, when up popped a Bloxworth Snout that briefly settled near the box, but on return with a moth pot, the moth had gone. However, I did find my first White-shouldered House Moth of the year perched on the kitchen window. Even better news was when I was checking the two moth pots I have in the fridge containing two moths I am waiting to ID. One of the very small micro moths was still too active to ID, however, using the Obidentify App, the other moth was my first ever Apodia bifractella.   

Above, my first ever Apodia bifractella micro moth. Not the best photo in the world but it will have to do. Below, the extremely tiny Firethorn Leaf Miner. Though relatively common, this is only the second one I have had in the moth box this year and brings to a close the outstanding moths trapped this morning. 

Our 10 day stay at Lara Beach, Southern Turkey.

Tuesday 21st July to 31st July 2002.

Our Hotel for the next ten days, the Concorde Hotel, Lara Beach.

Our well deserved foreign holiday finally got underway and I am not going to write chapter and verse again about every single day within the Hotel grounds of the superb Concorde Hotel, on the Lara Beach complex near Antalya, Southern Turkey; but a summary of the birdlife and other wildlife I got to enjoy there with my family. Due to the Covid outbreak, it's been three years since my wife and I had been here, but it was a new hotel my wife had booked due to the fact that the Borut Hotel we normally stay at was fully booked, but the Concorde Hotel most certainly lived up to its reputation. On our penultimate day, we had to fill in a Hotel Questionnaire and we found it to be virtually faultless and would thoroughly recommend a 10 day plus stay there.

Above, the view from my balcony looking north from the Hotel and below, one of many photos of one of the Hoopoe present on the Hotel Grounds. 

I, however, did not count on how hot it was going to be and it averaged around 95 degrees throughout our 10 day stay and a few days, it was over 100 degrees! Even at night, it rarely dropped below 90 degrees and I will say, it was too hot for me personally. Clear blue skies welcomed us first thing in the morning with hardly a breeze, but there were times a breeze did blow through the hotel grounds as I stayed in the shade mostly during the day, while the rest of my family happily baked in the scorching sunshine. I had brought along both my binoculars and my Lumix Panasonic camera with me and also taken photos of some of the moths I managed to trap with a few moth pots I brought along. 

Above, there were a few families of Great Tits present and below, the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler eventually showed well. 

Though my list of sightings was nothing to get too excited about, there were a few surprises during my stay. I suppose I could have hired a car and gone off into the mountains to rack up a few more species, but though I have been to this area five times now, I am not confident enough in taking on those roads and strange traffic light systems. I have been forewarned that driving here is really taking your life in your own hands and so I was more than happy to check out the hotel grounds, mostly early morning or evening, to enjoy what this area had to offer. From the comfort of my balcony looking north towards the fields of agriculture and the mountains in the background, I found a few nice birds (and insects).

Above, a Small Mottled Willow and below, another nice moth, Golden Twin-spot moth. 

Below, the Mediterranean Brocade that was found by one of the pools. There were a lot of moths seen at night due to the bright lights around the entertainment area and also the big light globes, but few were easy enough to pot.

Though we flew out on Thursday, we arrived late in the evening to the hotel and so it was on Friday (22nd) that I got started in checking out the birdlife here. I think what was most notable were the Hirundines, where there were literally thousands of Swallows seen throughout the week, either flying low over the beach or Hotel Grounds or north of the Hotel, over the fields. Among these were good numbers of House Martins too, but best of all, were regular daily sightings of Red-rumped Swallows, but sadly, I did not get any photos of this beautiful Hirundine. A large shopping complex a little way east of our Hotel attracted a large breeding flock of Common Swifts, where at least 60+ birds were noted most days. Occasionally, some flew over the Hotel, but no rarer Swifts among them.

Above, another photo of a Hoopoe. Below, a Hooded Crow which were abundant throughout the area. Smart looking birds.

A Grey Heron flying east along the beach.

Apart from the local House Sparrows, probably the Collared Doves, Hooded Crows and the wonderful White-spectacled Bulbul (it used to be called Yellow-vented Bulbul the last time I was here!) were easily the most numerous species here; seen in very good numbers and quite showy most of the time here. There was a small flock of Starlings seen most days around the north of the Hotel, using a small football pitch mostly and sharing the grass with good numbers of the superb Hoopoe and White Wagtails which were seen daily. I have to say that I took the best photos of Hoopoe's ever as they seemed to be quite used to people passing by. Though common here at Lara Beach, it was always enjoyable watching these birds probing the grass with their Curlew-like bills. I even got to hear one individual call, which was a ‘first’ for me personally. The White Wagtails were very grey individuals, especially the juvenile birds, though there were a few adults present. 

Above, a White-spectacled Bulbul enjoying a dead Bee for breakfast. Below, a Starling was one one of a small flock that inhabited the area.

Collared Doves were also abundant throughout the Hotel Grounds, but there was only two sightings of Turtle Doves during our stay here.

The tall, thin conifers within the gardens attracted plenty of Greenfinches, which were again seen on a daily basis. I was sure I heard a Goldfinch, but I never got to see the bird. Not many Raptors were seen, but a male Kestrel was seen twice during the week, hunting over the agricultural fields to the north of the Hotel and a female Sparrowhawk soared and flapped lazily in the strong heat in the same area, being closely followed by a small flock of Swifts.

Above, another view of the mountains in the distance looking north from the balcony window. Below, one of a few Dragonflies seen although all remained distant in the heat.

On Saturday, it was much the same as the day before regarding my sightings, but a few Great Tits were added when I took an early morning walk around the grounds. Sunday was the same, but another Sparrowhawk was seen in the same place as yesterday. On Monday (25th), the day’s temperature got up to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, but that did not stop me noticing the birds during the day. Four Red-rumped Swallows were seen gliding over the southern end of the Hotel Grounds and one of 4 Hoopoe seen that day, was seen probing the ground near where we had an outdoor breakfast! Great entertainment. While checking the north of the Hotel from our balcony, I notched up another new sighting of the trip when I spotted a pair of Turtle Doves hurting past the Hotel and heading north.

Above, a distant Yellow-legged Gull perched on one of the buoys near the Jetty. Below, some of the pack of Dogs that popped in briefly within the Hotel Grounds. Big buggers too! 

On Tuesday (26th), the expected Eastern Olivaceous Warbler was finally seen, with at least 5 individuals seen throughout my early morning walk. Though they were never heard to sing, I did get to see them with a little patience, mostly flicking about the tops of the trees, though they did ‘chack’ a few times. Three Hoopoe’s were seen also on that walk and a Grey Heron flew west low over the Hotel Grounds, but never stopped. My first Yellow-legged Gull of the trip was seen perched on a small buoy out on the sea near the Jetty and the regular pack of Dogs (they were deemed safe by the staff here, though they were big dogs of which I saw them north of the Hotel grounds. Though it was a bit of a surprise to see them within the Hotel Grounds. Sadly, I found a Hooded Crow on the ground and it did not look all that good. Yes, it was moving about fairly freely, but it looked as though it survived any day as it was sniffed at by the passing Dogs!

Above, a collection of species including the Starlings, House Sparrow and White Wagtails. Below, another Hoopoe photo.

On the same day, before we headed off for our evening meal, I checked out the birds from the balcony and was surprised to see both Glossy Ibis and a Great White Egret passing overhead heading east. Further west up the road, there is a river of which most likely these birds had been feeding earlier in the day and I have read reports that this particular small river that flows into the sea does hold a variety of warblers; but I never got the opportunity to go and visit it. True, I could have walked it there (about a mile away), but in that heat? No thanks. To round off that day, there was a huge number of Swifts over the Shopping Complex east of our Hotel.

Above, an adult White Wagtail with a local House Sparrow. Below, another photo of the White-spectacled Bulbul.

Wednesday was also a quiet day as was Thursday, but we did do a boat trip up to the Waterfalls and sea caves further west along the coast where there were a few more Yellow-legged Gulls seen over the sea and a few Rock Doves (?) were seen in the caves. A probable female Sparrowhawk was seen on Friday, but it was on Saturday that I discovered a male Spanish Sparrow feeding its youngster near one of the Kids Pools on the east side of the Hotel Grounds. From the balcony that evening, I watched hundreds, possibly thousands, of sparrows coming in off the countryside and going to roost within the Hotel bushes and trees. The vast majority of these were actually Spanish Sparrows, which took me by surprise. A Cormorant was also seen that evening flying high east and was then followed by a flock of 9 birds also heading in the same direction. One thing I noticed was that a lot of them had their bills open, probably trying to get as much oxygen into their bodies in the humid heat.

A pair of Hoopoes together on the football pitch.

Away from the birds, I did find a few moths to look at and having brought along a few moth pots, I was able to grab a few and take them back to be identified. Now, I am no expert on moths from this region, but the guys on Moths Flying Tonight Abroad came swiftly to the rescue. They identified both Small Mottled Willow (an immigrant moth to the UK and I have had a few in the past) and Mediterranean Brocade and the following evening, I caught a gorgeous Golden Twin-spot moth. A 'Plume' species was found and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth was seen on Friday afternoon. A few Dragonflies and Damselflies were seen, but none close enough to grab a photo or two. A few butterflies were noted, mostly Small White’s (I assume), but a Long-tailed Blue and several other interesting looking butterflies were seen on the wing. Again, it was so hot during the day, that I did not venture out to take photos with my camera!

Me and the family by the Waterfalls on our boat trip.

All in all, my family had a great time and I was more than pleased with the array of wildlife within the grounds that kept me entertained. Previously, we had been here in the Autumn where a lot more species were picked up, but maybe next time, we might take a trip into the mountains? We had a late flight in the early hours of this morning and after a good kip when we finally got home, I managed to get onto my blog and write up my account for you readers.